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Type 1s with metformin

H

hanadr

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I've looked it up and metformin can be used alongside insulin in overweight type 1s.
It struck me last night, observing my husband's abdomen trying to escape from his shirt, that it may be what he needs. A lifetime of insulin and eating up to the dosages recommended by the medics, has put his weight up to about 17 stones at 6foot 3. I have managed to get him onto lower carbs, but he's still using mega doses of insulin. Perhaps he's become very insulin resistant. I know I'm not a doctor and therefore not allowed to diagnose, but it was me that spotted the diabetes originally over 30 years ago.
The reduced carbs have got his HbA1c into single figures for the first time. Despite the consultant calling it a "faddy diet".
And I'm trying to save his kidneys from further damage. Difficult if the last doctor at the hospital was reading from last year's notes and blood results. How can youtrust prople who can't even find hte right page in the file? (even if it's 4 inches thick!)
I used to make my GCSE pupils date EVERY sheet of paper thay used, so they could keep coursework in order and most of them wouldn't get into a plumbing apprenticeship, let alone medical school
 
I don't know whether it is ever used as such in Britain, but there have been trials showing that metformin is quite an effective weight loss drug in non-diabetics. It isn't going to help your husband's diabetes directly, but it might well help him to loose weight. In case you haven't seen it, there is a brief, but quite interesting, online review of Metformin for Weight Loss by Gabe Merkin.
 
Hi,

I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 22 years now and was prescribed Metformin last year for exactly that reason (5ft 7 and 14 stone) but after trying it for 6 months, I found I was having more insulin as it was making my blood sugers raise. My doctor told me to stop taking it imediately.

It may be worth a try, but it may not work. I have just been prescrbed a very new drug called Acomplia Rimonabant, there is not much about it on the internet as it is so new, but it does have quite scary possible side effects. After going up 3 clothes sizes in the last 5 years and feelingto tired to exercise I'm willing to try anything! lol

I would suggest your husband talk to his specialist or GP, there are lots of options out there now, if he is intolerant he may be able to try the inhalent type.

Good luck :D
 
I was put on metformin after my first "proper" check at the hospital 2 months after diagonsis. She also took 2 off of my lantus. I haven't lost any weight since - I wasn't gaining at that point anyway I had been stable for 1 month before following the weightloss and gain after my DKA.(only on one tablet with my evening meal) and it hasn't changed my appetite so not sue what it is supposed to be improving. In fact I has since added back the 2 to my lantus and have added another 2 as I am having a problem with my early morning figures (often 2 / 3 more than at bedtime)
I am a bit fed up with the tablets as they don't seem to have any point for me as they are.

Sorry this isn't much help but I think it might be worth persuing for your hubby as he has been at this a longer time than i and so should see a change. With me I just think that I had barely gotten used to one thing then anither was added so it is harder to see the result.
 
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