Avandia To Lose Weight Facts

Avandia To Lose Weight

Top Questions and Answers

has anyone taken avandia, i hear that it makes you gaing weight? I just was recently diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic and since have changed my eating habits and my exercises.The doctor told me i should lose some weight and i'm trying however i hear that avandia makes you gain some weight. If any one has taken this could you please offer any suggestions. i just can't seem to lose weight.

BAR replied: "I took it for three days then my doctor relized he miss diagnosed me as a type 2 and I was really type 1. I was deathly ill so I don't know. However i have heard alot lately about it being used as a preventive drug with people that has a history of type 2 in their faily."

Sharon T replied: "My girlfriend has been diagnosed with diabetes and is currently on Avandia. Unfortunately, she has gained weight, and it seems to be hard to lose it on this medication, but she has to be on it. Sorry....but that's just her experience with it, maybe yours will be different?"

c_sakal replied: "Avandia is an insulin sensitizer, which means that it increases the effect that the insulin in your body (or the insulin your inject, the drug doesn't care) has on you. Now, one of the things that insulin does is tell your body to take sugar up from the blood into cells where it can be metabolized and stored rather than filtered out through the kidneys, so yes, you will be able to use more of the calories from the food you eat and will tend to gain weight compared to an uncontrolled diabetic who is peeing out sugar due to high levels in the blood. It's also true that loosing weight can help type 2 diabetics control their blood sugar better. So why would be give a drug that seems to do something entirely opposite to the effect we would want? Well, because it also lowers serum glucose levels, which is the most important thing. First we try to get the blood sugar under control, then we worry about weight loss. So take your meds as your doctor prescribes them, talk to him about it, check your blood sugar to see how you're doing, and you can work with your doctor to adjust your diet and exercise regimen to loose weight even while on the meds."

carpet guy replied: "Hi This is a great website for diabetics. You can post your Question there too"

what diabetes type 2 medications make you gain weight? Yesterday i posted a question abot gaining weight on avandia and metformin and got plenty of answers, but i think i put that i was a type 1. i am not! I am type 2. I am gainimg weight and im so depressed. Can i eat fruit? Are Natural sugars found in fruit safe? Can i have pasta, or should i eat wheat pasta and what will the didfference be? I excercise, but not every day. What diet can someone who cares, could possibly plan in the terms of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. I have some belly fat,and im so uncomfortable. Im 5 feet four and weigh 177. Please help me. My doctor reads numbers only to determine where I am on te diabtes blood checks, but i cnt lose weight. Help? Somone? Im 56 years old, and used to be attractive. I cant stand the fat. Someone must have a plan from the medical field to help me. thanks

Buzz s replied: "Talk to your diabetic nurse or educator about this. This is a problem that can be solved with increasing your basal metabolic rate. If you can do that, then this will be taken care of."

chriseyevans@btinternet.com replied: "I am in the same boat exactly. I have to take two types of diabetic tablet. The glyclozide if i have spelt it right is the one that puts weight on.. and i also take metformin and rosiglica zone.. sorry spelling isn't very good. But all these do just that. I feel like hell.. because of the weight gain. Shall we keep in touch via email and see if we can help each other? I know I could do with it.."

sutmejim replied: "You can be diabetic and at your normal weight, but not without work. Most all medications can cause weight gain and the sugar in fruits are no different than normal sugar. You'll have to get into a regular exercise program and walking is one of the safest ways to get your exercise. Stick to eating your small meals 6 times a day and keep them small enough to work for your body but not enough to cause weight gain. Stop eating when you are satisfied instead of when your full. Work off the fat and replace it with muscle. Walking, biking, or anything that you can do without a major change in your life will work if you stick with it. Good luck and don't get discouraged."

EROS7776 replied: "I am also diabetic, diagnosed in Jan. 2006. I actually lost 50# after diagnosis, and have kept most of it off. I eat low carb, low-fat protein diet. Please, please go to Yahoo Groups, Health, and join ALLDIABETICSINTERNATIONAL. A very great, caring group with 1500 members, all diabetics. They have a wonderful recipe file, and many members that can answer all of your questions. My A1c was 12.7 in January and with their help and my diet, am now at 5.8. To answer some of your immediate questions, you can eat small amount of fruit, but never eat a carb without a protein to slow the absorption of the carbs. I only eat wheat pasta, and 100% whole wheat bread, both in small quantities. The whole wheat foods have fiber which is absorbed more slowly than those produced with white flour. If you want to email me directly, please feel free."

YesMe replied: "Yep, most all the meds help gain weight. You should talk to your doctor, but I have known a few people with type 2 diabetes that could control it with a healthy lifestyle...eating well and exercise. Walking is great."

aardvaarkkk replied: "Linda - I'm on the same meds as you. Have your doctor prescribe Phentermine. It's an appetite suppressant. You MUST count your carbs that you eat. Get a carb counter book and a notebook and list the foods you eat and the total carbs for each. To lose weight, you should eat no more than 30 carb grams for each meal and no more than 15 carb grams for one or two snacks a day. This info was given to me by registered diabetic dieticians at a medical clinic. Eat all kinds of foods: lean protein, veggies, whole grain bread, low fat milk - all in moderation. You WILL lose weight - I promise. :)"

help!! i need to lose weight? I've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and i'm having a really difficult time losinge weight. i'm currently taking a pill called avandia and i don't know if this has any effect on my weight. does anyone have any suggestions? i walk everyday, watch what i eat, i've cute out all sugars and pop.

buddyweiser_0812 replied: "eat less and work out more."

tom_cat_2k3 replied: "Drink half your weight in ounces of water every day. Ex. 250 lbs means you should drink 125 ounces of water a day."

Garnet replied: "Ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist who can help you outline a diet plan for your diabetes. You should be concerned with over all diet and not just sweets. Avandia is a medication that is used to help treat type 2 diabetes. There is a chance with weight loss, diet and blood sugar control that you could come off medication one day. Type 2 diabetes is treatable and not permanent. Type 1 diabetes is insulin dependent and you have it for life. DO NOT stop taking the Avandia without a substitute medication from your doctor. It is helping to regulate your blood sugar/insulin levels. This link has some good general patient information on type 2 diabetes: "

tickmonkee replied: "Burn the Fat, Feed the muscle. Its an Ebook you can download online. I lost 60 pounds of fat doing this. The book showed me that with all the lifting I do, I needed to eat MORE, not LESS. The book teaches you that every 3 or 4 hours, our bodies go into a starvation mode, were the body stores fats and depletes muscle mass. If you eat good meals every 3 hours you turn your metabolism up,(your internal oven) which helps you burn fats faster. I eat about every 3.5 hours I'm usually very skeptical about stuff like that, but this book is the best. Good luck."

gy650 replied: "Diet Guidelines Blood Sugar Management Calorie Consumption"

Maria replied: "Even though you are walking each day and watching what you eat, you may need to step up the calorie burn...watch starches which can be an enemy to diabetes. Limit potatoes, breads, peas, corn etc....you might want to careful measure what you eat as cutting back on sugars is not all the game. You are fortunate so far , you have chance to shake it. You might want to talk to a nutritionist to help balance what you can and cannot eat, that is important--because contrary to what some say--you still need limited amt of sugar....I wouldn't let it all pass."

slimbody replied: "I helped my friend's mom lower her blood sugar from 155 to 105. I can also help you lose weight successfully!! If you want to know how, email me. Please answer the following questions: 1. Do you really wanna lose weight? 2. How much weight do you wanna lose? your height & weight? 3. Have you ever tried to lose weight?how? 4. Why didn't it work? 5. Why do you want to lose weight now? Email me at"

im blaming type two diabetis and the meds i take on my weight gain? Can this be true? do the meds,, metformin and avandia together be doing something to prevent me from losing weight? I dont excercise enough, i realize that, but i am active. I had a bowl of wheat pasta with meat sauce for supper yesterday for supper, a half of a tuna sand. on whole grain bread for luch, and a protein powder shake made with skim milk for breakfast. i had five whole wheat crackers last night with a teaspoon of peanut butter. 5 glasses of water, and one diet coke. Is this too much food? What am I doing wrong. OVERNIGHT, I GAINED FOUR POUNDS ( help)

Laurie K replied: "You need to check with your doctor as soon as possible, it could be the meds, it could also be lack of exercise ( you know that). It could also be a thyroid problem that can be tested with a simple blood test. Ask your doctor for a list of diet do's and don't's - low carbs, for example, and perhaps an exercise program that you could start out on. When you see your doctor next, mention the four pound overnight gain(?) and ask him to help you figure out what the heck is going on. Best of luck to you!"

Candace C replied: "lol you don't gain 4 lbs overnight... I would guess it's just all that water you drank probably just sittin there..everything you ate seems pretty healthy and it doesn't sound like a lot for a whole day..don't worry avandia can cause water retention so thats probably just wanter weight... give it some time, good luck!"

coolbeanie27 replied: "Type 2 diabetes and the medications cannot be BLAMED for your weight gain. First off ...I notice that you are eating pasta , bread , crackers, .....too much bread porducts. I don't really recommend the diet coke either (too much sodium which causes you to retain water) and I also recommend that you increase or add fruit and vegetables to your diet, cut back on the bread products and the diet cokes. ......BUT Having gained 4 lbs overnight did not come from the way you are eating either. Make a doctor's appointment and have some bloodwork done ....type 2 diabetes may have damaged your kidney function."

Concerned about using Avandia!!!? I'm back from my second consult with the RE. After doing a month of tests, everything appears normal. However, he thinks my glucose might be too high (87) compared with my fasting insulin (4) and wants me to try Avandia to help regulate ovulation. Im really confused b/c neither of those numbers were flagged as high, and I do suspect I have irregular ovulation but have no signs of PCOS. My BIG worry is that Avandia is Category C in pregnancy, so wth!? I dont want to risk birth defects on what appears to be a shot in the dark. Anyone have any insight? I've also heard that it causes weight gain and my RE said he wanted me to gain 5 pounds which may be an ulterior motive of his. This is also nuts to me becuase I am 5'8" and 138 lbs-- hardly a waife! And it took me two years to lose the weight from my first pregnancy (concieved without help) so Im devastated at the thought of putting it back on. Any advice out there? I dont know what to do.

jilldaniel_wv replied: "I take avandia for ttc so maybe I can help a little. Eventhough it's a class c drug it's never been shown to cause any birth defects and your doctor will take you off it when you get a confirmed pregnancy test. It can cause weight gain and if your dr thinks you need to gain a few then try to do it healthfully."

I have been Type II diabetic for 8 years. Can I control my blood sugar levels with diet and exercise, alone? I take Glucovance and occassionally took Avandia. Headlines , today, said that 43% of those taking Avandia have significant heart problems. I am on a low carb diet and have lost weight. I exercise moderately yet nothing I seem to do stabilizes my blood sugar levels. My range stays between 80 and 170 with some lows and highs in the dangerous range(45&365). Any resources or personal experiences would help me out.

Audrey B replied: "Have you had your HBA1C checked? that is a good indicator of how well you are controlling your diabetes. If you are overweight, I have heard that people who were overweight and got the stomach reduction surgery have actually reversed their diabetes. Something to ask your doctor about at least. Type 2 diabetes doesn't mean that you aren't producing insulin but for some reason, the cells in your body just aren't as sensitive to insulin as they should be. For some reason, significant weight loss makes the cells receptors more sensitive to insulin."

Many Moons replied: "My husband has been diabetic for about 10 years. In order to get off the medication, yes it is possible to do so, you must be very strict and organized. You have to eat the right foods and at the right times in order to keep your blood sugar at an even keel. Exercise is very important too, and should be done at regular intervals. (Same time each day or every other day) Low carb diets are great for weight loss, but to remain on such a diet is difficult. Allow yourself a well balanced low fat, low sugar diet. Practice self-discipline and you will reach your goal, providing your health is good other wise. Also, follow your doctors advice, take your medicine as it is prescribed until your sugar is under control, (don't take your medicine one day and skip it the next, you're playing with your blood when you do that) exercise and most of all, be happy."

emibean replied: "This is hard to answer. Even on the medication, you say your blood sugars are getting out of control occasionally. Your diet and exercise seem to be good and stable. The truth is, no matter whether you are on medication or not, you are still going to have some highs and lows. The purpose of medications like Glucovance is to increase insulin production. There are tests your doctor can do that can determine the levels of insulin you are producing and see if these medications are helping. The best advice I can give you is to speak to your doctor about it. He is the one who can advise you about what may be best for your health. I have read that both Glucovance and Avandia can have dangerous complications, so maybe there are some different medications you can try. I would honestly just ask your doctor if it would be safe to try being off your medications for a period of 2-3 months and seeing how you do. Good luck!"

henry p replied: "yes it will help but you also should try to relax and away from stress, maybe below site could help"

Paula J replied: "My friends have dibetes and they have it controled by using suppliments they bought here One of them has it controlled with the suppliment alone, another takes the suppliment and exercises a little and has it controlled. My advise would be to diet and exercise, and take a suppliment instead of harmful doctor prescribed medication that leads to other diseases later in life."

exhausted amputee? I had my right leg amputated in Jan. because of bone infection. Im a 390 lb. diabetic, with a prostetic leg, who wants to lose weight. My doctor took me off of avandia, saying it may make me gain weight. I have tried walking with my wife, but find that I get winded very easily. Im very determined to lose the weight. Now my question. I was told that Im winded now because my body doesnt function as well because of my below knee amputation. Is that true? If so, besides diet, what can I do to lose the weight? Im only 45 and got a lot of living to still do! Yeah, the leg fits great. You can hardly tell when Im walking, almost without a limp!

emt_me911 replied: "I advise you to seek the help of a physical therapist who is trained in post-amputation rehabilitation in diabetes and obesity. Since you're weight is so high, what you may be feeling is congestive heart failure (common with obesity). Your lungs could be filling with fluid, making it difficult for your organs to be properly oxygenated. Also, just the sheer weight of your body can put additional strain on your lungs, leaving you feeling short of breath. I hope you can get on the right track and lose the weight. You're right...at only 45, you still have a lot of living to do. Don't let the amputation slow you down. Just seek the proper help. Good luck! EMT What kind of prosthesis do you use? Does it fit properly? If you are having problems with that, talk to whoever you got it from...some adjustments may be needed (this is common). EDIT: About the person who said to ignore me because I mentioned congestive heart failure...didn't that person see the word "may" in there?? I didn't say you had it...I said it was a possibility..BIG DIFFERENCE. *sigh*"

evon stark replied: "please ignore the person mentioning congestive heart failure.What the problem for you is your weight and you are deconditioned..yes indeed go to a physio and get some specific exercise and activity plans.If your prosthesis fits well and your stump has healed properly theres no reason why you shouldnt be getting around...just do a little more each day.Watch the diet and dont fret...youve been through a lot and sound like you are doing just fine...it takes time...little more each day..remember...and dont overdo it..."

Karen replied: "I'd go to the physical therapist. Also, is swimming an option if you have problems walking a lot because of the prosthetic?"

Becky W replied: "sorry to hear about your leg but it is great you are doing well on your artificial leg. i too lost my left leg because of bone infection.i lost mine three years ago. i too gained a lot of weight but it is due to my anti-rejection medicine and steroids.i talked to the lady who take cares of of my artificial leg. she told me to work up to walking to help me loss weight i also try to eat healthy.i have only lost 10 pounds of the 50 that i have gained.i have just got up on my artificial leg again. i have been off of it for 8 months due to a blister my leg had rubbed on my stump. so now i am going full force again trying to loss weight. i have never heard that you will get winded because of your amputee. i knew diabetes is hard on all your body and the functions they do. i would say that exercise will help you get to where you are not winded.good luck to you."

Tim B replied: "Let hunger be your friend. Eat salads and beans."

1.) Type 2 Diabetes - are other conditions a result of Diabetes? 2.) Restless Legs; 3.)Medication side effects Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic 2 years ago; diagnosed w/ skin condition Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum (NLD) that began 2 years prior to diagnosis & is related to Diabetes - so I possibly had untreated Diabetes for 2 years before diagnosed. Family M.D. treated w/ Glucophage & Glucotrol - later added Avandia - gained 10 pounds in 2 wks of Avandia & stopped taking - am already overweight & need to LOSE weight. Soon after, stopped taking Glucotrol - suspected weight gain. Began seeing Endocrinologist - still Glucophage & added Byetta. This combo has kept blood glucose down & improved A1C. Recently Lisinopril (High Blood Pressure) & Lovastatin (Cholestorol) were added - both conditions are BORDERLINE, not really high, meds added as preventative. Around time Byetta added, began HORRIBLE Restless Leg Syndrome (taking Requip) ALL DAY LONG not just at night & constant leg pain in right leg (the one w/ NLD). Take iron/potassium/magnesium/calcium. No relief. Requip gives hangover. !!HELP!!

hattiefrederick replied: "This is going to be convoluted but bear with me. I have end stage renal disease (ESRD) and am on dialysis but not from diabetes. I developed renal failure from the renal toxicity of my post-transplant meds (lung transplant). Anyway, I was having symptoms of RLS and talked to my doctor, who prescribed medication. I thought that was a stupid answer because the twitchy legs are a secondary symptom (for me) and not the actual problem. Instead I went to see my chiropractor and have been getting regular adjustments and massage (about every two weeks) and my symptoms went away. My twitchy legs were muscle spasms. I don't know exactly what Byetta is or does but if it is related to steroids (like prednisone, which I also take) then it could be causing your RLS. Try getting a massage and going to a chiropractor and see of that lessens your symptoms."

Anyone here take Avandamet? My doc just prescribed this for me today and I wanted to know of those of you taking it has it worked well? How many times a day do you take it? What side effects did you experience? Did your weight change? I'm worried about this making me gain weight since I am trying so hard with diet and exercise to lose weight to help bring my sugar down. Thanks in advance everyone. FYI -I am already on 500mg of metformin so taking this is basically just adding the avandia to it. I'm not taking insulin so I should be OK. Should I even start this medicine?- my heart is good and I don't want to create any problems. How long did you take it before you noticed swelling in your ankles?

sue replied: "" Avandamet, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl. Avandamet can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on Avandamet. Avandamet is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe. Rosiglitazone, a component of Avandamet, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin. Taking rosiglitazone with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended." The first signs of Heart Problems with this med is the ankle swelling. Most of us have had to quit this med for this reason. It causes weight gain by water retention. My doctor put me on it knowing I was taking the insulin she put me on!! Doctors do not read all the monographs reguarding the meds they want us to take. Be very careful taking this med!!! Watch your ankles and go to the doctor the minute you see swelling in the ankles and yell bloody murder."

Does cinnamon interact with any psychotropic medications? I am a type 2 diabetic but also have type 2 bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder/panic and would like to try cinnamon so I can get off my avandia but I'm not sure if the cinnamon will interact with any of my other medications. I'm trying to loose weight, I'm about 45 pounds overweight, and really want to start exercising, but the motivation is in the toilet. Also, is there anything on the market that I can take to help me lose weight but that won't throw my heartbeat into overdrive? (That would just cause me to have a panic attack) Thanks to anyone who can help me with this!

SUSAN K replied: "getting off the meds may help lose weight a natural treatment for bipolar is omega 3 read about it and no i don't think cinnamon can have a bad interaction it is natural read on curezone.com or alternativementalhealth.com take care"