| I took Avandia for a year and a half, having been diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. During this time, I did absolutely fine with the medication, no side effects, and felt absolutely wonderful. Then, I began having difficulty with keeping my sugars in an acceptable range and I was put on insulin therapy. Within a couple of weeks of beginning the insulin therapy, I began retaining fluids and having swelling of my entire body. I returned to my MD, he placed me on diuretics which were of absolutely NO help. I then was referred to an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with idiopathic cyclic edema, NOT! I ended up researching my own case and found that Avandia mixed with insulin in some individuals causes massive swelling and edema. I returned to a different physician who immediately took me off Avandia, but also noted on my exam I had fluid in my lungs and also around my heart. I had an approximate 70 pound weight gain while on Avandia/insulin therapy (for 9 months). It has taken me a year and half to lose 45 pounds, with another 25 pounds to go to get back down to my original weight. Avandia was almost the death of me. I have also been found to be a type 1 diabetic in the meantime, for which Avandia is contraindicated. |