Just been prescribed Metformin

[mooshk]

Just a quick overview. Type 1 for 20 years fairly good control, however always suffered bad hypos (when my partner rings the ambulance now he doesn't need to ask they just come straight out).

Anyway I asked my dpecialist for metformin to increase my progesterone, ovulation and allow me to inject less insulin. I'm not insulin resistant but because my endo doesn't care/always just wants my appointment to be quick he just believes because I'm not thin that I must be insulin resistant. Anyway sorry for blabbing, for those that are type 1 taking metformin how much do you decrease my short acting by? And when should I start decreasing?

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I think you may be expecting too much from Metformin. It mainly works by helping reduce insulin resistance and normally only reduces blood sugar by perhaps 1 mmol. I wouldn't expect your Bolus ratio to change by much. Do you have any idea why you have frequent bad hypos? I assume you have balanced your Basal as best you can and try to get you Bolus ratio right by carb-counting. Are you low-carbing, not so much to keep weight under control but reducing the carbs will reduce blood sugar swings and hence swings into hypos?

 

[Juicyj]

Hey Mooshk, I'm surprised they prescribed this to you, simply because you have had previous bad hypos. I was prescribed it last week as I've been running high for the last couple of months and even with increasing basal and taking correction doses I couldn't get down to single figures, now a week later I'm getting below 10 again. My doc suggested taking 500 in the morning and monitoring throughout the day. It has stopped me taking so many correction doses, but has not decreased my QA at all. I only wanted to get better control again so has helped but don't expect to decrease my overall insulin requirements at all from taking.

 

[mooshk]

Hey, thanks for the response. Yeah basically my doctor is ridiculous an always in a rush but I did want it so I can't complain. Oh right, my type 1 friends have said that they have decreased their humalog an lantus due to it. But you haven't had this?. I suppose I'll just test more and lower if I need. I'm glad it's Helping your levels good to hear!

 

[mooshk]

Sorry didn't see the first responce! Urm I've always had bad hypos it really shocks me when people don't, I've never run high but insulin wise I'm 1:10 and 19 units of lantus. Yes I started low carb about 2 months ago, ha e found it does help with swings but there are still lows. I think a large part is my stress hormones an anxiety using a lot of energy. Thanks for the help

 

[donnellysdogs]

To be honest your consultant should be looking at letting you have a pump (and a cgm for a while). Have you done carb counting and happy at changing your ratios and basals. If you have tried all this then your consultant should be considering a pump and / or a cgm...

 

[mooshk]

Yeah we've discussed it but I don't want a pump, I'd like a cgm but like I said he doesn't really seem to care about it as my hba1c is fine an cholesterol etc. I'm very new to carb counting an have found it helpful. I also think I am a bit ott with my monitoring an should probably relax with testing/correcting so much

 

[LucySW]

I was prescribed it last week as I've been running high for the last couple of months and even with increasing basal and taking correction doses I couldn't get down to single figures, now a week later I'm getting below 10.

That's great to hear @Juicyj. Great news. You take the same basal?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi,

I'm a type 2 not on any meds. However, I do know that Metformin reduces insulin resistance, appetite, and the production of glucose from the liver; but all to a small extent. The higher the dose, the more effect it has.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Mooshk you would be best getting some basal testing done. Establishing whether your basals are right first.
That will enable you to get your carb ratios more exact.
However, if you can minimise your carbs it does alleviate the highs and lows as there is less room for error...and lower carb foods don't spike bloods so much or for so long...

 

[Juicyj]

That's great to hear @Juicyj. Great news. You take the same basal?

Thanks Lucy, yes. no increase on basal, getting an upset tummy though, but blood sugars today all below 9, feels amazing... Long may it continue !!

 

[LucySW]

Thanks Lucy, yes. no increase on basal, getting an upset tummy though, but blood sugars today all below 9, feels amazing... Long may it continue !!

Hopefully the upset tummy will wear off. You must feel so much better. I'm about to go on Met as well. From all my reading it does appear to be a safe drug which does something worth while. Just keep an eye on testing, to guard against lows. That's what Im scared of.

 

[Juicyj]

Hi Lucy,

So far, touch wood, I've had no hypos. I saw my DSN yesterday who recommended taking 500mc in the morning and again in the evening, so last night I upped the dose, I started out this morning on 7.4, had a short run and has been going up since then, so may be coming down with something.

As I said before what it's allowed me to do so far is not take so many correction doses, but still think it's too early to see any real benefits.

Let me know how you get on, would be good to hear how it works for you

 

[mooshk]

Mooshk you would be best getting some basal testing done. Establishing whether your basals are right first.
That will enable you to get your carb ratios more exact.
However, if you can minimise your carbs it does alleviate the highs and lows as there is less room for error...and lower carb foods don't spike bloods so much or for so long...

Yeah my basals are fine, it's more to do with psychological aspects of my life and how it affects bs ect. I'm looking forward to the metformin reducing my amount of insulin and we'll see what happens hypo wise. I also need to reduce the amount of stress/anxiety I get that definitely lead to more hypos. Thanks for the advice.