diabetes and ace inhibitors

 Hello everyone,

I haven't posted in a while but all your posts are very helpful to me. I was diagnosed as Type 2 last October. Have been on Metformin 1000mg/day and this is working well for me.

Recent labs showed A1c at 6, cholesterol 326, and triglycerides at 296, also elevated C-peptide ( I'm not sure what this is).

My doctor prescribed Vytorin 40/10 and Niaspan (which I won't take due to the flushing effect) and prescribed Lisionpril 2.5mg/day even though high blood pressure is the only thing I do not have.

Seems as though I am extremely tired since starting to take the ace inhibitor. And am wondering if this drug is necessary. The doctor said it is used to help the kidneys?????

Does anyone take an ace inhibitor that does not have high blood pressure? Fatigue seems to be one of the side effects, and this is such a low dose..... I was wondering if the fatigue will go away. 

Desperately need straight talk help.

Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

Thanks

Patricia

Hi Patricia,

I take Niaspan (1500 mg per day) and found a way to beat the flushing!!! I take an aspirin 1/2 an hour before taking the Niaspan and after I do so, I go to bed! If I flush, I'm not aware because I'm sleeping! I get my labs back tomorrow so we'll see if it's helping my cholesterol.

Lanieg, why would your doctor have prescribed Accupril for you if you're able to control your diabetes with diet and exercise? Why would there be a need to "protect" the kidneys?

I've got sooooooo much to learn! Good thing my "Diabetes for Dummies" came today. Maybe I should busy myself with reading it!

I actually was on an ace inhibitor and had to stop it because the side effect of coughing was messing with my asthma. I am working on starting a new med at my next appointment. Here are some links for the ones who want to read up about diabetic kidney disease:

Diabetic Kidney Disease

Microalbuminuria In Diabetic Kidney Disease

The basic understanding of why renal disease develops in still not clear. It is thought that the excessive wear and tear by large sugar molecules on the tiny arterioles that supply the filtration system of the kidney eventually break down the system. Blood vessel damage is part of diabetes and this is the major reason for vision loss, circulatory problems that lead to amputation and heart attacks and kidney damage. The kidneys start to spill protein into the urine and often the backup of the filtration system can lead to edema and high blood pressure. Smoking is a high contributor to this problem because nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor and adds to the pressure on the already overworked kidneys.

A word of caution: While researching about diabetes you will often come across websites that want to tell you that there is a big conspiracy by the drug companies and doctors to keep you 'sick'. They will state that they know about a 'miracle' natural remedy that is better for you than medication and will 'cure' over 60% or 70% or 120% or some outrageous number of diabetics if you will just start on their 'program'. These hucksters have no conscience. They don't care if you do unrepairable damage to your blood vessels while wasting time and health on their 'miracle cure' that only lowers blood sugars by a fraction. They cover their @$$es by offering a money back guarantee... Whoopee! How about giving back someone's sight after they wasted a couple of years on this stuff? The FDA in the US is trying to pin these guys down and already have them on the run. In Canada some of the basic ingredients of their 'cure' have been classified as drugs (which means they really do work but should be regulated by a doctor, not a website!) and now fall under medical dispensation laws. Please don't fall for their snake oil tactics. Discuss any and all 'natural' supplements, cinnamon capsules, etc. with your doctor so he/she can note this on your history. Work with your doctor on this and don't get lead astray.(Jeannie steps down from her soapbox and walks away.)