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Metformin!

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
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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:
 
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? :)
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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!
 
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!
 
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