insulin AND metformin?

[andypoo]

just curious. Does anyone take metformin AND insulin? Is there such a thing as doing that? and, if so ,why and does it help you? Do you also have pcos?

[seacomp]

Metformin reduces the liver's output of glucose. That output is elevated above normal in those with insulin resistance. Also the liver will stop producing glucose when it senses high concentrations of insulin released from the pancreas. Injected insulin does not "signal" the liver in the same way.
There is no contradiction in both taking meformin and injecting(/pumping) insulin.
Specifically,
* type 2s injecting insulin (eventually most T2s do),
* type 1s with insulin resistance, this "double diabetes" is rather common, and
* type 1s who otherwise can not control their Dawn Phenomenon
can profitably use metformin, if they do not have kidney problems.

[liz32]

I take both...or shal I say that I'm supposed to. I forget half the time
liz

[kgm0612]

Type 1 pumper here. My endo kept me on 500mg of Metformin twice a day. He said it helps to maintain a steady weight. It's worked for me!

Karen

[duck]

childrenwithdiabetes actually recommends such regimens for teens with diabetes...You do what it takes to fight this disease.

[Tricia452008]

I go see my endo tomorrow....but i am on insulin and he is either putting me on metformin or sylimin depending on how my bloodwork turns out so we will see....

[andypoo]

Thanks to all ! I really appreciate the responses! they are very helpful. iI'm gong to talk to my dr. about taking metformin. I think also I may be insulin resistant as well as diabetes t1.

[Tricia452008]

Through the diabetes websites i found out great info that helped me realize i was insulin resistant...and my doctor agreed and said metformin would be the best thing to help control my sugars...but some of the common symptoms of insulin reistance is:
-recent weight gain check
-tiredness check
-always spaced out check
-there are plenty others i just can't think of any right now. If you have any of these symptoms then you may want to bring this up to your doctor.

[andypoo]

Thanks Tricia, I do have the symptoms and my daughter who's also getting married march of 08' has already been dx'd as insulin resistant and is taking metformin Thanks,again for responding

[vvti-le]

I take both.

[Keezheekoni]

My endo told me that one of the easy ways to tell if you are also insulin resistant as a T1 is if you have a band of "dirt" on the back of your neck and on your elbows. No matter what you do to wash it off, it doesn't come off. I don't know how true this is, but I thought it was a neat trick! LOL

[seacomp]

The band of "dirt" is a skin discloration that arises with as a minor complication of some types of diabetes. Having it is diagnostic, but not having it means little or nothing.

[Keezheekoni]

I never said that it was something that you could take to the grave as hardcore truth... I said that I didn't know how true it was, like anything else, YMMV. Sheesh!

[nelly2605]

Stopped taking my metformin,found it was causing me to have loads of hypos.Dia betic nurse told me not too,but I was sick of having 2 or 3 hypos per day,still not told her that Ive stopped taking them.

[lelggren]

I take both as well. I have quite a bit of insulin resistance, and the metformin just seems to make it all run much smoother, along with my symlin. When I started taking the metformin, my A1C went from a 9.6 to 8.4, so it does help :)

[Tricia452008]

I take both as well. I have quite a bit of insulin resistance, and the metformin just seems to make it all run much smoother, along with my symlin. When I started taking the metformin, my A1C went from a 9.6 to 8.4, so it does help :)


really? wow.......i am at 9.6 now :( and i am hoping the metformin can help cause i KNOW i am insulin resistant.....

[leuv21]

my uncle was on insulatard insulin (http://www.bbonlinepharmacy.com/product/499/insulatard-insulin-novo-nordisk-penfill/) for quite some time, but then recently he just became isulin resistant and his doctor put him on metformin (http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3228-s-GLUCOPHAGE.aspx).
Do you all think that this is a good follow-up??