I stopped EVERYTHING almost and feel better!

Posted by beancat425 @beancat425, Jan 30, 2023

I have been on Metformin for years, Jardiance, Trulicity, and Lipitor. I lost a LOT of weight--probably 50lbs! So much so that my family was concerned. I felt weak all the time and depressed. About a month ago, I stopped everything except the Trulicity weekly injections. I have gained my weight back but not entirely==about 20lbs. I monitor my blood sugars according to how I feel before and/or after eating certain things. I know what will shoot it up. I take walks or eat depending on what's going on. I get blood work done next month so we'll see if my numbers are up/down drastically. Oh, I also take Metamucil at least once daily.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 2, 2023

@beancat425 Good morning - I am stepping a little bit out of my usual lane here to talk about diabetes, but not without experience, as I have been living with my husband and his well-controlled Type 2 diabetes for the past 30 years. I also understand the difficulty of living with a chronic condition (in my case lungs) and daily regimen of medication, treatments, lifestyle changes and monitoring. Sometimes I look at my inhaler, nebulizer and pills and say "Ugh! I just want to quit all of it."

I have a few questions for you - did you consult your doctor about the weight loss, depression and weakness before stopping your meds? Or since? How long have you been living with and treating diabetes?

You say, "I monitor my blood sugars according to how I feel before and/or after eating certain
things..." Does that mean you are using your blood glucose monitor regularly? Are you following a recommended diabetic eating plan? Or just relying on how you feel? That can be risky because one of the effects of both high and low blood glucose is impaired thinking.

When you get your bloodwork done, will that include a visit with your provider so you can discuss what is happening?

I am very concerned because the risks of blood sugar swings are so many and so varied. I'm sure you have heard the litany - blindness, neuropathy, stroke... Many of these can occur without warning and are irreversible. Can you tell me what steps you are taking to monitor for these?

Did you take this drastic step because you felt your doctor(s) weren't helping manage your symptoms? Have you considered trying a different practitioner? I am concerned because your symptoms may be from an underlying illness and you need to get it diagnosed and treated - both a 50 pound weight loss and a gain of 20 pounds in one month are cause for concern.
Sue