Avandia - Patient Comments
| Debbie Lewis | Avandia Experience | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 9.3333 |
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| My 80 year old Mother was prescribed Avandia two years ago and within 6 months her legs and feet had swollen to three times their normal size. She was on a diuretic but it did NO good. She also gained between 30 and 50 pounds while on this drug. She had become very depressed over her weight gain and none of her shoes fit. I finally took her to a geriatric specialist ahd he IMMEDIATELY took her off Avandia. With his help she now feels like a different person and her legs are back to almost normal. It has been hard for her to lose the weight but she is trying. I hope this experience helps someone else. | |||
| Rosa | No Subject | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 9.5000 |
| I was taking Avandia slong with Glucovance for my type II diabeties and was having a terrible time with fluid retention. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist for testing on my heart Everything there checked out fine and it was the Cardiologist that noted that Avandia was a major source of my fluid retention. My fluid retention was so bad that many thought I was going into conjestive heart failure. My doctor has taken me off the Avandia and I have not only lost weight but the fluid retention has greatly been reduced. | |||
| Anonymous | Weight gain and swelling | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 1.0000 |
| 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. | |||
| Margaret R. | Avandia and weight gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I am a Type II diabetic. My glucose was in the 6-7 range, but my doctor decided it should be lower, so he prescribed Actos. In one year I gained 30 pounds even though I had not changed my diet. After threatening to go off the medication completely, he prescribed Avandia, which he said was in the same family, but would only cause 3 to 8 pounds weight gain which would be water. WRONG!!! I gained 33 pounds in the following year. After researching websites such as this one, I learned that these meds DO lead to weight increases, and it is subcutaneous (sp?)fat, even though your diet does not change. I changed to a new doctor who put me on a different medication. I have lost ten pounds through a 1200 calorie diet, but of course I have a long way to go. I cannot take Gluophage which helps with weight control. I am really upset with my former doctor because I am not the only patient who complained of the weight gain with these two drugs. The pharmacutical companies who produce these drugs should be held accountable for false advertising. They should state that these drugs cause an average weight gain of between 25-30 pounds. One website stated that as long as you're on these drugs, you may continue to gain weight. The additional weight has also affected my feet, which makes it uncomfortable to walk. | |||
| Peggy Hartsfield | Muscle weakness | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 6.0000 |
| My blood sugar has been well controlled with Avandia - however I have started to have fluid retention - especially in my feet and muscle weakness has gotten worse. | |||
| Fonda Lofton | avandia and weight gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 8.0000 |
| I have been on Avandia and Glucaphagae-also tenormen for blood pressure and I have had weight gain. I try everything to loose weight and I can not become successful. I am wondering what drugs I can take to replace these drugs so that I may successfully loose weight. It is so discouraging to constantly try with every diet know to man and still have little or no results at all. |
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| Micki | Avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 0.0000 |
| I have gained weight since I began Avandia along with Glucophage and Lantus insulin. I was not sure what was causing the weight gain since I am dieting and exercising, I don't notice fluid retention though. I wonder if Avandia is the cause of my weight gain? | |||
| Margaret | Avandia and weight gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I would not recommend Avandia for anyone! It causes an average weight gain of 25 to 30 pounds. I personally gained 30 pounds and others in my doctor's office gained the same average amount. One of the websites indicated the weight gain could be as much as 25 percent of your weight and another states the weight gain continues as long as you are on the medication. This weight gain is not all water, it is subcutaneous fat.My feet and legs were also swollen. Yet another website, states you should not eat the following food sources:wheat, barley, oats, rye, and bananas. There were other prohibited foods that I can't recall at this time, I believe the site mentioned something about amylose foods. Diabetics are constantly monitoring their diet to maintain or lose weight and this medicine is a deterrent to that goal. | |||
| Jean Sisler | Avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I've just began to take Avandia and wondered if anyone else is experiencing jumpiness around the heart more noticable in the early morning hours. I don't seem to notice it during the day. It seems to be the only side effect I've had and of course may not be the medicine at all. Just looking for feedback . . . |
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| lisa thaxter | No Subject | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| Hi i am 38 and ive been on avandia for over a year and i ahve gained weight and i have tried several different diets and i exercise too and i cant lose weight for anything. i also retain fluid and my doctor doesnt seem concerned about it. when i was first diagnosed i was on glucophage in combination with amaryl and i lost 30 pounds along with a regular diet. so those of you who are wondering about an alternative do what im gonna do tomorrow and ask your doctor to put you on glucophage. I am sur that will make a difference. | |||
| Debra Seres | swelling and stiffness | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I have been on Glucophage and Avandia and through a process of elimination have determined that both these diabetic medications caused me to have swelling in my ankles and lower legs. I was getting stiff in my extremities and pain in my feet. Walking was beginning to be difficult, much less exercising. I'm trying to manage my condition with diet and working out for now. | |||
| c sterling | retention / weight gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| Avandia immediately took my blood sugar down to 90-110 reading range with no apparent issues. After a number of months (6+) I was gaining what has turned out to be an additional 50lbs and can no longer see my ankles. Tried a diuretic - no affect after two months. Stopped avandia and continued metformin and ankels have returned, swelling in legs reduced - not sure of weight as yet. Will continue this process for aditional 30-days. |
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| angela beecher | tired/ weight gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I barley have my blood sugar under control, i have gained tons of weight and my feet and ankels are huge! I have low blood pressure to, not dangerouse but much lower than my average. | |||
| Beth | severe back pain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I have only been on Avandia for one week, however I now have such severe lower back pain that I can't even move, walk or sit without severe pain. No injury caused this, has anyone else had this experience? What did you do about it? | |||
| Ron Loucks | Wondering about Advandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 9.5000 |
| About 3 years ago I was on the drug Adandia fo 2 months. I became very weak and a lot of acheing in the muscles. Before I startd takeing it I was walking 3 to 4 mile a day with no problem. After my reaction to it I have tried everything to get my legs to do even a minamum amount of walking I have tried short spells longer ones everything I can think of to get the strength back in my legs. Have you ever had anyone with this problem before. And what would you suggest for a solution |
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| Natalie | Joint Pain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 10.0000 |
| I have experienced EXTREME joint pain since I started taking Avandia 3 weeks ago. I'm to the point I'm almost in tears from walking from my car to inside my house. I've stopped taking it for 2 days now and hope the pain goes away soon. | |||
| Anonymous | Avandia - Weight Gain & Swelling | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I am type II diabetic and was put on avandia and glucophage. Within 8 days I gained 15 lbs. Within 1 month I was up to 30 lbs. My feet and legs were so swollen I could barely wear shoes. When I would wake up in the mornings my eyes were so swollen that I could look down and see my bottom lids. My sugar levels did go down dramatically, I was even having trouble keeping them up in a safe range. I talked with my doctor about this and he put me on a water pill which did nothing. I was told to excercise and eat more. With all of the outside effects of this medications who knows what it is doing on the inside. I would like to know if any of you that have been on this combination of medicines have had trouble with your teeth getting loose. I have talked to several people and have been told that they have. |
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| Mark B. | Liver Problems | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I am a Type 2 diabetic my Dr. had originaly had me on Avandamet 2mg/1000. I did well on this drug except for slight cramps in my legs. I had to stop taking it when the Gov. stopped production. My Dr. then put me on Avandia 4mg & Metformin 1000mg. After a week I had started to have a reaction to the Avandia ( hurt all over ,short breath, etc. ) so he took me off the Avandia & just had me take 1/2 the Metformin once every 12hr,s. The problem with this was that it did not control my sugar well enough(130 to 200), so he tried avandia again at alower dose 2mg which I cut in 1/2 to make 1mg once a day with the Metformin 500mg twice a day. After 4 days I am constipated ,have no energy ,& feel tired all time ,also I feel alittle dizzy at times & my kidneys hurt some. I can also feel my liver aching alittle so I stopped taking the Avandia & was wondering if I might need to stop taking the Metformin for awhile since it effects the liver. I am very glade that my inter voice urged me to cut the Avandia pills in 1/2 ,because I would be in much worse shape if I had not. I am wondering if there is a different Med. substute for the Avandia . And will my liver get better fairly quick? | |||
| nicha | avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| iam a type 2 dib. i was put on avandia because my back hurt all the time and my insides was burning up i started taking it and for about 3weeks i felt great but now it's doing the same.iam still on for now but guess after reading all about it ill try something else. thank you nicha. | |||
| Anonymous | No Subject | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| If you are taking Avandia PLEASE go have you liver enzymes checked immediately!!!! Do not listen to the doctor's this drug is dangerous!!!!! Especially to your liver!!!! (Even if you never had any liver problems!) My friend's mom is in the hospital right now because of this drug. This is a friendly warning. No one should have to endure what my friend's mom is going through. She never drank a drop of alcohol in her life. Yet she has now been diagnosed with liver disease...DUE to THIS DRUG!!!!!! | |||
| Ms.L | Death by Avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| My husbands Dr. prescribed Avandia knowing that he suffered from heart failure. He swelled gradually and when his scrotum swelled it was an emergency which put him in the hospital for two weeks while they attempted to extract the fluid from all over his body. His heart monitor was almost flat lined yet they still administered and prescribed Avandia to him. He went home but had difficulty getting around. Then within less than two months he had a heart attack in the middle of the night. He was rushed to the emergency room by ambulance and was in and out of hospitals and nursing homes until his death eight months later. He was only 59. They continued to give him Avandia. He had some very unusual swelling of the arms and fluid would wheep from the pores in his arms. Don't take Avandia! It's a killer! | |||
| gwen | avandamet | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I am gaining weight because of Avandamet even though I am in an exercise program . It is getting very hard to get in and out of my car. I didn't know that this med was the cause but I have now gained 30 pounds even though I am monitoring my weight and food intake. I understand that they have stopped making Avandamet but now my dr is putting me on avandia and metformin separately. I thought about paying for two separate prescriptions and that's costly also. what is the answer? what am I to do? I trust my dr but now I don't know I am type 2 and am concerned about the eventual results. This page concerns me but this is good information. We are at the beck and call of the drug companies!!! READ, READ, READ to understand what you are taking!!! |
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| juliet | avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| i started taking avandia and metformin 6 months ago and have gained 50 pounds... i watch what i eat and walk on a treadmill 45 minutes every day, still no weight loss. i am tempted to stop taking the avandia but i am afraid of my blood sugar skyrocketing again...it's a losing battle... | |||
| Frustated | Weight Gain & Hair Loss | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| Soon after I was diagnosed with type II, I was put on Actos (15mg) for 5 years and started gaining some weight, talked to my doctor and he put me on Avandia (4mg), a year ago. I have gained more weight and have swelling on my face. I can't seem to lose weight, I excersize regularly and watch my diet. I have also lost lot of hair, I'm almost going bald. Does anyone have similar experience? | |||
| Laurice | Avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| 20 minutes after taking it I started flushing - heating throughout my body, then pain in my stomach, it felt like the inside of my stomach was bubbling and melting - burning and disolving, it must of removed - disolved the mucous lining . I've had a CT Scan, Ultra sound and EGD. The EGD revealed gastritis my mucous lining did disolve! |
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| Lisa Flores | No Subject | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| My Mother In-law started taking Avandia about 7 months ago and staring experiencing dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive fluid retention, and painfull swelling in the upper legs and kness. She had fallen a few times(which I think could be related to the medication) and attributed the pain in the legs to that. After reading all these stories I am now convinced the problem is the Avandia. Instead of her doctor realizing the fluid retention and excessive weight gain he scheduled her to see an orthapedic sergeon for her knees. It's obvious her problem is far worse the worn cartlige in the knee. Thanks to everyone who wrote in, I now can give my mother in-law some testimonials from people who are experiencing the same side effects. When are these doctors going to take these claims serious!!!! | |||
| sandie | avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I have been taking Advandia for about 6 months and have also noticed modest weight gain. However, my biggest concern is the severe muscle weakness and pain in my right arm. All tests have confirmed no causes for this ailment. I also began Lipitor at the same time and know that Lipitor can cause muscle weakness. However I stopped taking that after two months and the weakness should have subsided. NO!! Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? | |||
| Anonymous | lower back pain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I have been put on Avandia 2mg to help control my blood sugar. I have been taking it for 7 days. I have experienced a little stiffness around my neck and shoulders, and lower back pain on my right side. My feet and ankles are a little tender, but not a lot of swelling. I called the doctor's office but my regular doctor was not there, so I received advice from another doctor. I asked if this medication affects the kidneys. He said no, it should not affect the kidneys. My regular doctor when he first prescribed this Avandia, I ask him are there any side affects, and he told me that there may be some swelling of the ankles, but he has not heard of this causing any serious side affect. I am due for another blood test in 3 weeks because he wants to see how my body reacts to the new medication. I was taking crestor for my high cholestrol, and it affected my liver. I was only taking it for one month prescribed by another doctor. The took me off of it, and now I am taking Zetia, which I never seem to have any side affects. Advice, make sure to check to see what meds mix with which, |
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| Angela | avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I Started taking Avandia about two weeks ago with mediformin and glypzide. My had extreme joint pain in my legs that I could hardly walk. It brought my sugar down to 110, but I called my Dr. about the pain and he said to stop taking it. I did not take it this morning and hope the pain will go away soon. |
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| Laura | Avandia | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I am pre-diabetic. I have been controlling my glucose levels very well through proper diet and excerise. I am in perfect health other than the slightly high glucose levels. I have strong bones, no back problems, energetic, and at my perfect wieght. I went to my Doctor. She advised me to start on Advandia......after reading all these testimonials, I thankfully decided not to!!! Why would I mess myself up by taking this medication when I can do this naturally? Yes....it takes a lot....I mean, a lot of determination. According to the side effects and the comments......it is better than the alternative!!!!! Serious complications are something I will strive to live without! |
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| Anonymous | Weight Gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I am a Type II diabetic. My Dr. prescribed Avandamet for me last September. It was effective in lowering my sugars; however, even though my eating habits had not changed (indeed, they became better, as I tried to eat less and more healthfully) I was shocked to see at my Dr. visit last week that I've gained 37 pounds! I feel terrible and bloated and my legs have ballooned to twice their size. None of my clothes fit and, despite my trying to diet, my weight is constantly going UP at each visit weigh-in!! When I questioned my doctor about it, he claimed he did not know about the side effect of the weight gain; however, the nurse took me aside and confirmed that this drug and also Avandia alone DOES cause weight gain! I demanded to be taken off the Avandamet immediately and am now on 2000 mg of Metformin daily. If I do not see any improvement I am sorely tempted to just quit the drugs altogether and try to lower the sugars with aggressive dieting and exercise alone. WHY ARE WE NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH?? On the one hand, we are nagged to lose weight and when we gain, we are not told why, or the subject is brushed under the rug. I was told by him, however, that insulin therapy does cause weight gain. I feel so disheartened and panicky that my weight is spiralling out of control by these treatments. | |||
| Marge | Avandia swelling and weight gain | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: Not Rated |
| I have been taking Avandia now for about 3 and 1/2 months. It seemed to work fine at first but I noticed that I had started to gain weight. Now my feet and legs have been swelling real bad. I was going out walking every day but for the last month I have been unable to. My feet and legs are so swollen that I am unable to get my shoes on after I have been up for a couple of hours, and my feet hurt so badly. When I went to the doctor this week for my lab work and check up he was very concerned. He upped my lasix from 20 mg to 80 mg and told me to stop taking the Avandia. I hope that this will take care of the problem. | |||