Metformin & Type 1

[Rrar]

Hi, I'm new to this site... Ive been Type 1 Diabetic for 24 years since the age of 6 years old. I inject 4 times a day & have just been prescribed Metformin to take twice a day.

Im wondering if there are any other type 1's who take this, as all the research I have done seem to come from people with Type 2. Im wondering how you are finding it, how your sugar levels have been since taking it etc?

Thanks in advance

 

[Spiker]

Dr Bernstein recommends it for T1s. I've tried to get it prescribed for me without success.

 

[Rrar]

I'd never heard of it or of Type 1's taking tablets to help treat their Diabetes before lol. I had my annual check up 5 weeks ago & my blood test results came back at 10%, no matter what I did my sugar levels were constantly anything between 13-26, I was on loads of insulin taking up to 20 units every tea time. I saw a new consultant who suggested I should start taking them. I was a bit dubious of taking them at first & took 3 weeks to build up the courage (Im dubious about relying on pills lol plus I didn't find the side effects very nice sounding), but Im so glad Ive started, been taking 1 a day for a week now (moving on to 2 a day as of tomorrow) & my sugar levels are fab. Highest they've been is 14 today which I suspect is because Ive been feeling poorly with a stomach bug. The rest of the week ive been getting readings of 5,6,7. It's spurred me on to start eating a low carb diet & try to lose a bit of weight.

Regardless, I'd still love to hear others' feedback, good & bad

You should keep nagging Spiker Good luck

 

[Janelle123]

I was diagnosed when I was 11 and for 2 years the doctor was telling my parents I must not be taking my insulin because my levels were so high. I would need approx 60 units of insulin to bring my BG down to an acceptable level. My correction factor was something like 4u:1. When I was 13 I got a new doctor who prescribed me metformin. Ever since, my correction factor has been 1u:3 so if my maths is correct, then I require 12 times less insulin while taking metformin.

 

[Rrar]

That's fab Janelle well done How long have you been Diabetic? x

 

[Janelle123]

That's fab Janelle well done How long have you been Diabetic? x

14 years

 

[Rrar]

Waw & you've been taking Metformin for 12 years? Have you ever had any side effects?

 

[ronialive]

Hi, I'm new to this site... Ive been Type 1 Diabetic for 24 years since the age of 6 years old. I inject 4 times a day & have just been prescribed Metformin to take twice a day.

Im wondering if there are any other type 1's who take this, as all the research I have done seem to come from people with Type 2. Im wondering how you are finding it, how your sugar levels have been since taking it etc?

Thanks in advance

I am also type 1 and take metformin. it is used for insulin resistance which often is the cause of type 2 diabetes. However people who are type one can also suffer from this , the difference is we have resistance to the insulin we are injecting.
I am now on a pump and it reduces my insulin requirement by approx. 1/3 which obviously helps me to lose weight. it is often used for type 1 diabetics to help weight control and is also used for a fertility drug.

 

[Rrar]

Yes weight control is another reason they decided to put me on it, as Ive put on weight in the last 2 years... How do you find it, any side effects etc? Thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[Janelle123]

Waw & you've been taking Metformin for 12 years? Have you ever had any side effects?

Yes been taking it for 12 years and have never had any side effects. Though I have heard that some people have stomach upsets on it. My sister in law has insulin resistance and was prescribed metformin but would spend the day on the toilet (TMI - both ends) whenever she took it.

 

[Rrar]

Yes been taking it for 12 years and have never had any side effects. Though I have heard that some people have stomach upsets on it. My sister in law has insulin resistance and was prescribed metformin but would spend the day on the toilet (TMI - both ends) whenever she took it.

Aww nightmare, touch wood Ive not yet had any side effects, but it's only been a week lol...

 

[Janelle123]

Aww nightmare, touch wood Ive not yet had any side effects, but it's only been a week lol...

She is basically allergic to everything though lol. I think that if you don't have any side effects after a week, you should be fine

 

[Rrar]

She is basically allergic to everything though lol. I think that if you don't have any side effects after a week, you should be fine

Oh bless! Fingers crossed

 

[LucySW]

Hello Rrar, Metformin is a great and safe drug, and it plus insulin is a really good package. It's just a medical habit in the UK (and Denmark, where I am) to use it only as a Type 2 drug. It lowers insulin doses and that is a good thing.

It has a long long track record and over many years hasn't proved to have any horrid side effects save the immediate ones on tummy. I'm going to try and persuade my doc to let me take it. @yingtong on here has taken it for years and it kept his insulin TDD down.

LSW

 

[Rrar]

Hi Lucy, thank you for your comment... Im starting on 2 tablets a day as of today so hopefully will continue to feel fine & not have a bad tummy.

Definately try to persuade him! Keep me updated, would love to hear how you got on! Good luck

 

[LucySW]

Rrar, Maybe start with one tab a day? You have to build up to Met doses. It can be most unpleasant jumping in. My doc told me week one, one tab, week two, two tabs, etc up to four. Be prudent.

 

[Rrar]

Rrar, Maybe start with one tab a day? You have to build up to Met doses. It can be most unpleasant jumping in. My doc told me week one, one tab, week two, two tabs, etc up to four. Be prudent.

Sorry, my previous comment wasn't worded correctly lol... Yes ive been taking 1 a day for the last week & my team advised me to go up to 2 a day from today on Only 2 a day I need to take & we'll be looking at the results at my next appointment in a few months to see if 2 are working or if I need to go up to 4

 

[smidge]

Now you see, I am really interested in the use of Metformin for Type 1s. There are a few well-known Type 1 forum members who use it pretty successfully to lower the after meal spikes, but most well-controlled Type 2s I know of believe it has only minimal impact on their BGs. The only reason i haven't asked for it is that it really worries me - probably because I'm a bit uninformed on how it really works.

I think it works in two ways: 1) increases the cells' ability to use insulin more effectively, meaning that each 'drop' of insulin has a greater impact; 2) reduces the amount of glucose stored (and dumped) by the liver. Point 1) I'm happy with. Point 2) worries me - as an insulin-dependent LADA, I experience overnight hypos occasionally - presumably my liver decides when low enough is low enough and uses some of its stored glucose to help me out of trouble - my safety net. If I was on Metformin, would my safety net disappear? I don't know the answer to that - just thinking out loud!

Smidge

 

[Rrar]

Now you see, I am really interested in the use of Metformin for Type 1s. There are a few well-known Type 1 forum members who use it pretty successfully to lower the after meal spikes, but most well-controlled Type 2s I know of believe it has only minimal impact on their BGs. The only reason i haven't asked for it is that it really worries me - probably because I'm a bit uninformed on how it really works.

I think it works in two ways: 1) increases the cells' ability to use insulin more effectively, meaning that each 'drop' of insulin has a greater impact; 2) reduces the amount of glucose stored (and dumped) by the liver. Point 1) I'm happy with. Point 2) worries me - as an insulin-dependent LADA, I experience overnight hypos occasionally - presumably my liver decides when low enough is low enough and uses some of its stored glucose to help me out of trouble - my safety net. If I was on Metformin, would my safety net disappear? I don't know the answer to that - just thinking out loud!

Smidge

Ive no idea Smidge sorry, have you chatted to your Diabetic team about it?

 

[oldgreymare]

I'm a late onset Type 1 diagnosed after significant weight loss. My endo has prescribed me metformin (SR version) a) because I moan about weight re-gain with insulin, b) my control isn't great (MDI), c) I won't touch statins, d) he likes the anti-cancer claims for its "off label" use.

Just did a quick Google search and found this blog - no idea if this is a balanced view, but from a first look - everything anyone would want to know about metformin action and use? http://jeffreydachmd.com/metformin_anti_aging_miracle_drug/

Unfortunately I'm not great about taking it. I experience slight but not severe digestive side effects. More problematic, I can stab/inject myself all day long, but have struggled to swallow pills since early childhood...and you can't grind up SR pills.