When to go off medications?

[ADJL 685]

I'm a type 2 diabetic (diagnosed in Feb) which is what started me on the lapband Quest in the first place...that plus high cholesterol has me taking pills/insulin shots that I'd lOVE to stop.

I personally feel like medication can help, but there is a cost to that with introducing them into your body (think side effects) so I am and always have been very anti-medication unless you ABSOLUTELY have to have it. (not everyone's opinion, but its mine...)

So...what was the point where you/your doctor decided to stop the medication and see how your body was handling things on its own? I've just been changed to a new PCP and she is resistant to even having me try. She wouldn't even give me a timeframe...just said that it was the meds that were making my current bloodwork so good...and lending no support that maybe...just maybe its the 29 pounds I've lost in the past two months that helped it out too.

Ultimately I know its my decision...but I would love to have my doctor on board and encouraging instead of making "I told you so" murmurs if my next bloodtests were to come back not as stellar as I would hope.

I've been researching, but not finding much by the way of answers...wondering how others made the decision or by what criteria their doctors decided to stop the meds...?

[donna12 742]

do you want Granny to preach to you? Sorry can't chime in on this one as I know nothing about diabetes, wish I could help. All I can do is listen. We talked about this. Wish you had your PCP's support. I just changed dr's and love him. Awaiting my blood work results. Said it would take 7 to 10 days, ugh.

[SueBee01 630]

I worked with my PCP and reviewed my bloodwork every three months. It was about six months and we started lowering my blood pressure meds because my numbers were getting lower and lower. Then I was eventually off them before a year was up. I was never on any meds for diabetes, but tested every day because I failed the drinking test and my numbers ran a little high. Those are all normal. My cholesterol has been the slowest to drop, but I have cut my med down to half the dose so far.

It does take time. Keep testing yourself because you do not want your blood sugar to go down or spike a lot. If she is noticing that you are having to lower your incision amount then that should be good. Just keep monitoring it as things change all the time as you change what you eat and as you are losing weight.

I lost 165 pounds, so that was a huge difference to my body.