• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Metformin and type 1

E

Elc1112

Well-Known Member
Messages
709
Hi all,

Just wonderig if there are any other type 1s on here who have been prescribed metformin? Saw my doctor this morning and he wants me to try it to combat insulin resistance. I also have PCOS, which can also be treated with metformin.

Anyway, just wondering what people's experiences with metormin have been? The leaflet in the box says to avoid alcohol?! I'm not a big drinker but do like a glass of wine (or three) every now and then!

Any feedback, comments etc welcome.

Ta much :)
 
Hi!

I've just started on Insulin and have been told to stay on Metformin for It's positive cardio vascular properties and to help with any insulin resistance(Not sure how much resistance,if any,I actually have) so I'm happy to carry on with the drug,I'm on Metformin(Glucophage) slow release and I have no problems at all with it and I drink alcohol with no ill effects.
When I was on standard metformin I did suffer with gastro upset though.
Grazer could give you a more in depth answer about Metformin and Alcohol. :D
 
Paul posted:

Grazer could give you a more in depth answer about Metformin and Alcohol.
Click to expand...

So can I! I've never had a problem with taking Metformin and drinking red wine - regularly, and even a whole bottle on occasion! :shock: :oops:

It might be worth reading the info on why not to drink with it, though. The main problem is lactic acidosis, which I believe is very rare but which you should nevertheless be aware off.

Nothing like an informed choice. :D

Viv 8)
 
Thanks guys. Viv, I did see the stuf about the lactic acidosis. It did say that it is rare and only tends to happen with excessive drinking. Think ilk take my chances! Also glad I'm not the only one who occasionally finishes off a bottle ;)
 
I very much wanted to be on Metformin to help with Insulin resistance but because my kidney function is at less that 30% I cannot have it :(

Lorna
 
viviennem said:
Paul posted:

Grazer could give you a more in depth answer about Metformin and Alcohol.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

So can I! I've never had a problem with taking Metformin and drinking red wine - regularly, and even a whole bottle on occasion! :shock: :oops:

It might be worth reading the info on why not to drink with it, though. The main problem is lactic acidosis, which I believe is very rare but which you should nevertheless be aware off.

Nothing like an informed choice. :D

Viv 8)[/quote"] :oops: :oops: Sorry Viv!! :oops: Grazer was just the first person to pop into my mind! I know yourself and many others partake in the odd tipple and take Met as well!{slaps my self on wrist}
 
Wot? Someone mention wine?
No probs. The lactic acidosis is so rare as to hardly worry about UNLESS you are an alcoholic or have established liver disease.
Just come back from France with some 3 litre boxes of red; be lucky if a box lasts two weeks! :thumbup:
 
Elc1112 said:
It'd be lucky to last the weekend in my house! ;)
Click to expand...

Put box on kitchen table with tap hanging over. Lie down on kitchen floor, head, below tap, making self comfortable with cushions and pillows. Open tap to steady drip. Relax with mouth open . . . :crazy: :lol:

Viv 8)
 
Paul1976 said:
I've just started on Insulin
Click to expand...

Hey Paul!

I'd missed that you'd gone onto insulin. Shame the other options didn't work out for you, but insulin really is inevitable with LADA. I hope you get on well with it!

Smidge
 
Thanks Smidge! I'm worried about Hypo's because that's new territory for me but so far so good at the moment! :wink: I'm glad to finally be on a regime that will hopefully work though! fingers crossed!
 
Hi Paul!

When I started on insulin, I was on Insuman basal alone at first (which i think is very similar to the one you're on). It made a big difference overall to my levels, but I still couldn't control the post-meal levels, so I went onto Apidra as well. Monitor your BG closely and go onto a rapid acting if you find you need help with the post-meal levels. You might also find that your pancreas puts in a little effort of its own once it has the insulin to help it. LADA is a strange beast!

Smidge
 
I've been type 1 for 17 years and started on metformin about 10 years ago. I drink, not a lot most of the time but sometimes have a good binge and I'm fine.

I've always tolerated metformin well and has probably helped me to lose weight over the years
 
Hails,

The first week or so were awful for me. I was warned that some people get an upset stomach after starting it. Never experienced anything like it! Not saying it will happen to you, but just be warned!

Have seen no benefits whatsoever yet. The tablets still make me feel sick and throwing up is hardly helping my sugar levels! I was prescribed it for two reasons - one to help reduce insulin requirements, two to help alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. My BMI is 20.5, so dobt need to lose weight (although it'd be nice to tone up a bit. Is there a tablet that does that?!). Insulin requirements have not changed.

Sorry for ranting. I hope you have a better experience than I do. I know it's still early days, but j am not loving it! Giving it another week and if it doesn't improve I an ditching it!

Em
 
Elc1112 said:
I know it's still early days, but j am not loving it! Giving it another week and if it doesn't improve I an ditching it!

Em
Click to expand...

Hi Em,

You can get slow release Metformin which is meant to help with the nausea - there is also a settling in period with Metformin so it's a good idea to give it a reasonable go.

I'm a Type 1 and I take it and am pleased to do so. There are some studies that suggest that Metformin has heart health benefit, cancer prevention properties and reduces all cause mortality too. If you're bald it'll give you hair and if you wear straight trousers it'll give you flares*.

Here's the results of a study on it for Type 1's http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199734

and here's Blood Sugar 101's views - http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045911.php

Best

Dillinger

*Some of these are not true...
 
Thanks Dillinger. I'm on the slow release version, just not reacting particularly well to it so far. I know that, for any drug, there is a settling in period, so I'm willing to give it a fair chance. It's been almost two weeks now and I have thrown up each and every day since I started the tablets. Clearly got a very weak stomach!

I'd heard that it can bring many benefits, which I why I agreed to try it when the doctor suggested it. I'll give it another week or so and hope that things calm down :)

On the plus side, might have lost a few pounds as a result of being sick lol.

Em
 
Well I start them tonight. Seems to be a large dose at 1000mg! It is to help with insulin restitance although I am going for a pump in a couple months so not sure if I will have to take them for long.

I hope I dont have the awful side affects and like most people I like a drink and do have a binge a couple of times a month with my friends. Funny how my nurses failed to mention the whole avoid alcohol part...rather not have the tablets!
 
Ha ha I know the feeling! I've still had some drinks while taking the tablets. It hasn't had any effect, so I'm not going to deprive myself of a glass of wine every now and then.

Hope things go well for you! I think I have just been really unlucky.

Em x
 
Sounds horrible, there is a slow release Metaformin, maybe better to ask for that (it's pricier hence why docs don't prescribe it) I think it takes 2-4 weeks to kick in generally and from what I've read here, stomach and intestinal issues are associated with at the start, If you're being sick you should really see the doctor.

Perhaps they need to adjust your dosage lower to start with.

For my own curiosity is your insulin resistance all the time? Or in the mornings particularly? I seem to be more and more resistant and some days avoiding breakfast, and this is despite taking my Lantus spot on at set time in the mornings., I was thinking of asking for Metaformin but the side affects sound horrid.
 
Back
Top