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Metformin!

Discussion in 'Type 1 Diabetes' started by PlymouthDave, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    I feel quite alone!! Am I the only Type 1 on metformin or are there more of us out there?
     
    #1 PlymouthDave, Mar 7, 2010 at 10:40 PM
  2. cugila

    cugila · Master

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    Dave.
    No. you are not the only one. We have had several T1 members who also are on Metformin for one reason or another. Maybe one of them might turn up now I have 'bumped' your thread ?

    Why were you put on it ?

    Ken
     
    #2 cugila, Mar 8, 2010 at 8:06 AM
  3. Jelly71

    Jelly71 · Member

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    Hi,

    I am a type one (have been for 25 years) and currently on metformin. I only started taking it in November last year and so far so good. I was struggling with my weight and with a calorie controlled, lower carb diet I have lost 10 lbs since taking it. Beforehand I was dieting and exercising and my weight always remained the same. My blood glucose readings are lower and I am now taking less insulin. It can make you feel a bit sick and nauseous but increasing the dose slowly helps. I realise that it does not suit everyone though, so I am lucky that it suits me and I feel better on it.
     
    #3 Jelly71, Mar 8, 2010 at 11:10 AM
  4. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    Many thanks Cugila and Jelly71, it's nice to know I am not the only one!

    I have been a Type 1 for just over 3 years and was a late starter (47 at the time). After I was discharged from hospital, I saw my consultant who put me on a regime of medication to prevent any heart related condition despite me never having a history of any such illness ( I had only retired from the Royal Navy 3 months prior to being diagnosed with DKA). This included Metformin (2 x 500mg daily) which he said would help my body absorb the insulin. Is this right?

    I knew very little about diabetes then and I accepted everything the consultant told me. It is only when you live with it for a while and get talking to others that you begin to question things and the information available for metformin states that it is for the treatment of Type 2.

    I will discuss my medication at my next Diabetes appointment but it is a comfort to know I am not alone.

    PlymouthDave
     
    #4 PlymouthDave, Mar 8, 2010 at 1:18 PM
  5. totsy

    totsy Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    i was also on metformin for a couple of years to help with insulin resistance when i was overweight, so no ...u arent alone :D
     
    #5 totsy, Mar 8, 2010 at 2:30 PM
  6. suzyl100

    suzyl100 · Member

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    I am on metformin - 500mg twice a day. I was put on it after attending a DAFNE course. My ratio's were high so it was suggested I give it a go. It has now been 2 years and yes my insulin has dropped but i have not lost much weight. Not sure whether it is a good thing or not. At the moment since I have stopped going for regular check ups at the hospital I have seen a diabetes nurse once a year but last year in july they told me i needed 6 monthly check ups. It is now March and I have not seen anyone. At the moment I think diabetes care is abysmal. I have been diabetic for 40 years in August and am not suffering from some "complications" but my local surgery know nothing about diabetes. Through past experience I know more.
    Anyway may I need my metformin upping but nobody has checked up on it. I have also an underactive thyroid, take atorvastation ( just in case) and have now been told to retake aspirin to help my eyesight (nothing really wrong with it). I have also just started to take gabapention for nerve pain but I only take 1 x 300mg a day as that makes my irritable and gain weight. I also take quinine sulphate for night cramps.
    If I wasn't laughing I would be crying. :lol:
     
    #6 suzyl100, Mar 15, 2010 at 3:32 PM
  7. Panda

    Panda · Member

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    You are not alone. I have had diabetes for forty two years and three years ago was put on Metformin.
    My daughter also has Type 1 Diabetes and is also on Metformin. Not sure why though? :)
     
    #7 Panda, Mar 17, 2010 at 5:34 PM
  8. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    Many thanks for your replies, It's nice to know I am not alone although I think we are in quite an exclusive club!
    I am still not sure of the reason I was put on Metformin, but will bring this up at the end of the month at my Diabetes appointment and I will keep you all posted with the answer.
    Watch this space and keep taking the tablets!! :D
     
    #8 PlymouthDave, Mar 19, 2010 at 3:49 PM
  9. michael.kenney

    michael.kenney · Newbie

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    Hi Dave,

    I am also type 1 and on metformin. As far as i recall the metformin were prescribed to curb my appetite as my weight was slowly creeping up after being diagnosed a couple of year ago.
     
    #9 michael.kenney, Mar 19, 2010 at 4:12 PM
  10. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    Hi Michael,

    Did it work for you?

    Dave
     
    #10 PlymouthDave, Mar 19, 2010 at 11:20 PM
  11. michael.kenney

    michael.kenney · Newbie

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    Yeah I supose it did, but my wife starting weight watchers has had more of an effect. :D
     
    #11 michael.kenney, Mar 20, 2010 at 3:56 PM
  12. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    I know what you mean, I always lose weight when there is a diet regime in the house....no snacks or crisps! I know it's good for me but it really sucks!!

    Dave
     
    #12 PlymouthDave, Mar 21, 2010 at 6:18 PM
  13. flozac

    flozac Type 1 · Member

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    I also take metformin to help with insulin resistance. It breaks the vicious circle of resistance and weight gain. I have been taking it for about 9 months now and my insulin requirements have halved and i have lost almost a stone in weight.
     
    #13 flozac, Mar 21, 2010 at 7:13 PM
  14. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    That's brilliant. I feel a lot better knowing I am not the only one on it and it sounds as if it is working well for you. I have not lost any weight but perhaps it has prevented me putting more on!
     
    #14 PlymouthDave, Mar 22, 2010 at 12:01 PM
  15. catherinecherub

    catherinecherub · Guest

    #15 catherinecherub, Mar 22, 2010 at 12:16 PM
  16. PlymouthDave

    PlymouthDave · Active Member

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    Many thanks for the link Catherine, I didn't even know these existed. The conclusions appear to indicate that the Metformin has little effect on Type 1s after a year and I have now been on this for over three years. Something to discuss at my next appointment I think!
     
    #16 PlymouthDave, Mar 22, 2010 at 10:15 PM
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