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Anybody taking Metformin & Insulin?

Libby3781

Well-Known Member
Messages
162
Location
Bridgend, South Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all, hope you’re all doing ok?

I’m wondering is anybody on Metformin & insulin? When I was first diagnosed I was primarily on Metformin only. However, it started making me ill so I obviously stopped taking it.

Now, however my DN once me to give them another go. Unfortunately, I’ve got my reservations and now added to the equation is Levemir & NovoRapid insulin.

Any advice, information, experience your willing to share I’d be very grateful. Thanks in advance
 
Metformin acts as an insulin sensitising agent. I find I need less insulin when I'm on it, which is supported by my diabetes nurse, but not my specialist. I got through phases of taking it.
 
ert said:
Metformin acts as an insulin sensitising agent. I find I need less insulin when I'm on it, which is supported by my diabetes nurse, but not my specialist. I got through phases of taking it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like that might be reason she wants me to give it go. The units of insulin I’m currently taking are extremely high, but the insulin itself doesn’t seem to be making a substantial difference.

Do you notice the difference when you take them & when you don’t?
 
It helps with insulin resistance, which means the insulin I take is more effective and I need less of it. It makes a substantial difference. But I go through phases of being more insulin sensitive, so come off it.
 
More importantly than resistance it reduces the release of glucose by the liver. It is a wonder drug originally identified by medieval monks who discovered an extract of French violet (or a flower like that) helped with "pissing disease".

So in theory for a T2DM it should really help as it reduces the free flow of glucose in your blood and thereby reduce HBa1C and all of the poly effects. It may reduce your need for bolus insulin too.
 
Metformin should make you more sensitive to the insulin you're taking. There is a slow release version that will possibly suit you better, so you might want to request that straight off the bat, and you have to make sure to take it with food, because it'll wreak havoc on an empty stomach if you're susceptible to that.

I don't remember whether you've tried a low carb diet to reduce blood sugars -tricky when on insulin though, could cause hypo's- but just in case I'll leave this here: https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html . It might help, and quite a few people have come off of insulin because of low carb eating.

Good luck!
Jo, who couldn't stand metformin either.
 
More importantly than resistance it reduces the release of glucose by the liver. It is a wonder drug originally identified by medieval monks who discovered an extract of French violet (or a flower like that) helped with "pissing disease".

So in theory for a T2DM it should really help as it reduces the free flow of glucose in your blood and thereby reduce HBa1C and all of the poly effects. It may reduce your need for bolus insulin too.
JoKalsbeek said:
Okay, now you're just making this stuff up.
Click to expand...
haha
 
Holy ****, you're not! Okay, it wasn't quite metformin (which is synthetic rather than organic), but hey, learning all the time.

(Mod edit to remove thinly disguised expletive.)
 
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JoKalsbeek said:
Holy ****, you're not! Okay, it wasn't quite metformin (which is synthetic rather than organic), but hey, learning all the time.
Click to expand...
Well technically the compound found by the monks is what led to the development of metformin, and yes metformin is synthetic, but based on a well known and old plant remedy (I read it in a science journal) - cannot remember now where (correction - French Lilac Galega officinalis). And how interesting is that!

(Mod quote edit.)
 
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Libby - From all I have read, Metformin just seems to oil the wheels of our metabolism, a little - just helping it be a bit more effectively and efficiently.

Of course, there are known mechanisms, but I just like to keep these things simple where I can. I can't say I put the drug into the miracle category, but like any other medication, where it works for an individual, it can be miraculous for them.

In my observation, the provision of Metformin, alongside injected/pumped insulin is becoming more commonplace, for those with some degree of insulin resistance and/or to aid weight loss where that could be an advantage.

I don't use metformin or insulin, but were I starting metformin, I think I'd want to start on a gentle dose, to minimise the potential for an upset tum.
 
@Libby3781

if you have a history of Metformin making you ill then you are perfectly justified in asking for the slow release version, and then starting off with a week or two at the lowest possible dose, then (if you are side effect free) moving up to your suggested dose gradually over several weeks.

Hope it works out for you. Reducing insulin resistance can help in lots of ways.
 
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