Drugs are good... OK?

Location: 3 miles on treadmill
pre run BG: 118
Post run BG: 114

Ran a quick three on the treadmill today, mostly because I wanted to get a workout in fast and do a few weights, which I've ignored for the last two years. More muscle means more glucose uptake and some upper body tone can help with running form as well.

No meds this morning since I woke with a fasting glucose in the non-diabetic range. Had a whole wheat english muffin with egg and FRS drink. Was suprised I was 118, since I was bonking the day before with essentially the same meal. 118 isnt bad for a diabetic, especially after eating and no meds, but still...

It was a little lower after the run, but I am not suprised it did not go lower because my run was fairly intense, anywhere from 8:30 to 7:00 minute pace for most of the run.

Another morning of normal fasting glucose: 92 mg/dl. I stopped taking Glimepiride last night and will test fasting glucose levels for the next week or so to see if I my morning levels start going up. After researching Glimepiride last night, I found that it, along with other sulfonylurea's contribute to weight gain, so I'll see if my weight goes down at all. I erroneously stated in a previous post that metformin is my favorite sulfonylurea. Metformin is actually a biguanide. Biguanides work by shutting down liver glucose production and increasing muscle glucose uptake, whereas sulfonylureas increase insulin production.


There are several other classes of oral diabetes medications including meglitinides, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors. There are two newer categories which include the drugs Januvia and Byetta

Januvia is part of a class of diabetes medication called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. DPP-4 is an enzyme that breaks down incretin hormones. As a DPP-4 inhibitor, the drug slows down the breakdown of incretin hormones, increasing the level of these hormones in the body.

Byetta allows your pancreas to release insulin. This drug lowers blood sugar levels only when they rise too high. Prevents the pancreas from giving out glucagon. Glucagon is a hormone that causes the liver to release its stored sugar into the bloodstream. It also helps to slow the rate at which your stomach empties after eating. This may make you feel less hungry and more satisfied after a meal.