Topic: ACTOS - is anyone on it? Looks like I'm about to sign up for it!
dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
It looks like I'm about to become an Actos user.
Is anyone on this drug. I want relief of some of my problems, to get rid of the extra 25 lbs (at least) and stop the symptoms of PCOS.
However, I am a little concerned about adding another drug into the mixture of antimicrobials and concerned about liver risk with Actos.
If you have been on it:
What is your experience? Did you have liver problems? Any other effects worth knowing about? What positive effects have you had, do they outweigh the negatives?
If you combine Actos with abx, is risk of liver problems higher? Thanks DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Hi DLL, I have been on actos for 2 months now, it is in combination with cholestyramine.
I did notice my liver enzymes went up a little, they check every month for that. I have not noticed any weight loss as of yet.
more tired than usual, have noticed that I have no tolerance for anything at all, really grouchy.
These are what I have noticed, and its my body, and everyone reacts different to these drugs
Yes, you combine this "shoemaker protocal" with a abx.
I do feel better good tho. Altho, I am one of the old lymies who has had the bug since 1970"s and just diagnosed in 2003. good luck dll. mary
Posts: 44 | From PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Marnie
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Member # 773
posted
Dr. Shoemaker maintains it is essential for Lyme patients using cholestyramine, as it lowers tumor necrosis factor, which is one of the inflammatory chemicals of Lyme inflammation.
One of my former doctors had me taking cholestyramine without the Actos and I about herxed to death, worse than anything I've ever tried--the theory being that it sucks toxins out of your gall bladder, so they don't recirculate.
You can actually gain weight with this, it's recommended that you limit grains (except corn) when taking it.
But from the clinical trials on diabetics taking it to lower blood sugar, the weight gain was slight.
Good luck--I've wanted to try cholestyramine again with Actos or Avandia as I tested (according to Shoemaker's guidelines, if these really are true) as being uable to eliminate toxins.
Let us know how it works for you!
Posts: 353 | From Florida boonies | Registered: Nov 2005
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
I don't know anything about Shoemaker protocol and this. I have only been advised to go on it due to high insulin levels, I think, and for PCOS. Personally, I was not doing it for anything to do with Lyme disease or coinfections.
So, are you on it for a different reason than diabetes or PCOS?
Thanks for your replies.
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
dll, I have no diabetes, just been on abx for a long time and the toxins were so rampant in my body, so I went to a naturopathy he tested, and found I had an over load of toxins.
I have no gall bladder. Yes the colystyramine gave me a bad herx for a day, but once I started with the actos there were no herxes.
actos alone is meant for diabetics. and colysyramine sp? I am almost sure is meant for lowering cholestrol, but these drs. seem to think the 2 combinations will pull the toxins out.
hopefully dll you have good luck. mary
Posts: 44 | From PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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dontlikeliver
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Member # 4749
posted
Thanks Mary.
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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henson2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 463
posted
Hi,
What dose are you supposed to go on?
I'm on a very low dose, for hypoglyemic sugar swings - not prescribed by my LLMD but by a different Dr, altho my LLMD knows about it.
It *really* helped the severity of my sugar swings. The swings seemed to be part of an adrenal set of problems; I don't have hypoglycemia or diabetes. The Actos stopped the shaking and other hypogl. symptoms. Blessed relief!
I'd be very interested in side effects like being more fatigued. I take the one dose at night.
I hope that you feel better soon!
Posts: 1066 | From East Coast | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
does anyone know if actos will lower sugar if you already tend to be hypoglycemic? even if you just take a low dose? i am looking for something to take to help with the hypoglycemic symptoms i get from eating, thanks radha
Posts: 392 | From New York | Registered: Dec 2005
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
Henson,
the dose recommended was 30mg a day. I really don't know anything else about it other than that my LLMD things that some of my sx are due to hypoglycemia (afternoon tiredness) for instance.
If I do take it I sure hope it helps with that and I get more energy, but also want to lose those extra 20+ pounds and not have the carb-cravings I get.
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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