Diabetes Talking » Diabetes » What makes the pills stop working?
What makes the pills stop working?
Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 40 years old, Type II for about 7 years. I just switched from GlucontrolLX to completely insulin. For one year I was on both the pills and NPH at night time, R as needed. Since I have stopped taking the pills and just use the insulin, I have found it much easier to control my BG levels. I was also concerned about the side effects of the pills – specifically the heart problems. My doctor said that the pills cause the pancreas to produce insulin, but since it has to work so hard to do so, it will eventually wear out. My pancreas still produces insulin, but for some reason, my receptors do not absorb it well. Maybe the quality of insulin isn’t right. Anyway, don’t fear being on just insulin. I’ve just done the same thing, stopping the pill/insulin combination after 5 years and using just the insulin. I can get so much more control with insulin and I figured why take extra pills when insulin can do it all. I now take 5 shots a day, NPH twice a day and Regular 3 times a day. I can change the amount of Regular depending on what I eat instead of worring about what I eat to match the action of the pill. I’ve 56 and was diagnoes type 2 at age 50. Started on pills for a year, but bgs didn’t come done far enough so I added NPH in combination. Now it is just NPH and Regular. Why do pills stop working? Type 2 is progressive. In some people it progresses faster then others.
I also started on pills and had to switch to insulin. BOTH insulin and the pills should really be considered inappropriate treatments, probably doing harm, and little is being done to correct the situation. The problem in type II is that something, at this time unknown, is keeping the insulin from being used. Insulin-taking puts far more into the blood than a "normal" person could handle. The pills try to get the pancreas to do this, instead. If the problem is not too bad, and the pancreas can slow down if there is too low blood sugar, the pills should be better, but this seems to be affected as well. — Herman Rubin, Dept. of Statistics, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette IN47907-1399
Response:
I’m on glyburide too–have been for about 11 years. As a sulfonorea, its role is to stimulate the production of insulin in the body. My understanding is that eventually the cells tire out. It does NOT turn you into a Type I, though; you’re technically always a Type II. With diabetes, it seems that nothing is 100% predictable, so try not to worry, and keep the best control you can. Incidentally, maximum dose of glyburide is 25 mg a day. That’s what I’m on, and I know if it stops working the next step is insulin. I tried Glucophage and couldn’t tolerate it! All the best, Tanya Gardiner-Scott
Response:
I am 40 years old, Type II for about 7 years. I just switched from GlucontrolLX to completely insulin. For one year I was on both the pills and NPH at night time, R as needed. Since I have stopped taking the pills and just use the insulin, I have found it much easier to control my BG levels. I was also concerned about the side effects of the pills – specifically the heart problems. My doctor said that the pills cause the pancreas to produce insulin, but since it has to work so hard to do so, it will eventually wear out. My pancreas still produces insulin, but for some reason, my receptors do not absorb it well. Maybe the quality of insulin isn’t right. Anyway, don’t fear being on just insulin.
I’ve just done the same thing, stopping the pill/insulin combination after 5 years and using just the insulin. I can get so much more control with insulin and I figured why take extra pills when insulin can do it all. I now take 5 shots a day, NPH twice a day and Regular 3 times a day. I can change the amount of Regular depending on what I eat instead of worring about what I eat to match the action of the pill. I’ve 56 and was diagnoes type 2 at age 50. Started on pills for a year, but bgs didn’t come done far enough so I added NPH in combination. Now it is just NPH and Regular. Why do pills stop working? Type 2 is progressive. In some people it progresses faster then others. —- Larry S. Kramm Data Storage Analyst, VM Chevron Information Technology Co.
Response:
Been a Type II for about 1 year, currently taking a 1/2 pill of glyburide daily. Have heard about 30-40% of Type IIs must inject insulin because pills often stop working after several years. Must say this prospect has me more than a little concerned. What happens to make the pills stop working? Is this increased insulin resistance or does the body simply stop making insulin after a while (ie, Type II– Type I) ? Has this phenomena been linked to other factors such as poor control? Is just time? I know many Type IIs are elderly? Since I’m only 35, will it just a matter of time before my body requires insulin injections? Thanks Daven Rajangam
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Been a Type II for about 1 year, currently taking a 1/2 pill of glyburide daily. Have heard about 30-40% of Type IIs must inject insulin because pills often stop working after several years. Must say this prospect has me more than a little concerned. What happens to make the pills stop working? Is this increased insulin resistance or does the body simply stop making insulin after a while (ie, Type II– Type I) ? Has this phenomena been linked to other factors such as poor control? Is just time? I know many Type IIs are elderly? Since I’m only 35, will it just a matter of time before my body requires insulin injections? Thanks Daven RajangamI am 40 years old, Type II for about 7 years. I just switched from
GlucontrolLX to completely insulin. For one year I was on both the pills and NPH at night time, R as needed. Since I have stopped taking the pills and just use the insulin, I have found it much easier to control my BG levels. I was also concerned about the side effects of the pills – specifically the heart problems. My doctor said that the pills cause the pancreas to produce insulin, but since it has to work so hard to do so, it will eventually wear out. My pancreas still produces insulin, but for some reason, my receptors do not absorb it well. Maybe the quality of insulin isn’t right. Anyway, don’t fear being on just insulin. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< John A. Burns Come visit Beulah Land at: http://www.beulahland.com/