For the record I am a Type II diabetic. I’m not particularly conscientious about it, and I’m on several non-insulin drugs for it. (Metformin, Victoza.) Have been for many years.
Recently after having routine bloodwork done, my PCP’s office called and told me that my “diabetes is out of control” and ordered me to take Jardiance to reduce my A1C (I forgot to ask what my A1C levels were when they called) - a measure of blood sugar. For those not familiar, the Jardiance commercial lists the side effects, and they are terrifying! Dehydration resulting in yeast infections and urinary tract infections; increased urination; low blood sugar; genital infections - necrotizing fasciitis! (flesh eating disease!!!); and ketoacidosis -
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic.
I took my first Jardiance pill on Sunday. One of the signs of ketoacidosis is your pee smelling funny - like popcorn of all things. Yesterday I noticed that smell and freaked out. I called my doctor’s office and they said to go to the emergency room! Ack!
I get to the emergency clinic and they take a urine sample and start an IV. (That’s worrisome! But it’s a just in case thing.) they take blood samples through it. I wait a while, then the doctor reassures me that I don’t have ketoacidosis. I am, however, severely dehydrated and they hang a bag of saline.
After an hour or so I’m done and they send me home. (With a doctor’s note for two days off of work! I’m scheduled to work in the office this Friday, so I just tell my boss I’m working from home.)
I will be informing my doctor that I’m NOT taking this drug. Even if there was nothing seriously wrong with me, it makes me anxious and I don’t want to take it.
I will step up and monitor my blood sugar better, and I’m going to try harder to reduce the carbs that are the bane of my existence. Also, I thought I was drinking plenty of fluids, but apparently not. I will do better.
Tl;DR – Jardiance is scary and I had a visit to the ER that turned out to be dehydration.