Metformin and Type 1

[June91]

My endo gave me some Metformin to try and combat my liver working overtime.

Now that I have it, I'm wondering if it could be in any way dangerous for my kidneys, or increase the chances of a major hypo? Any Type 1's here with Metformin experience?

[blue_eyed_devil]

i've been on metformin before. there are risks assioated with it... but i can't remember all of them.

i wish i could be more helpful.

i know the worst side effect is lactic acidosis, which is a build up of lactic acid in the body. it's really dangerous.

i don't think it hugley increases your chance of hypo, but that would be somthing to be aware of and watch for...

i'd look it up and read more about it.

i personally didn't like taking this drug. it didn't cause me to go low, or make any difference to my control. all it did was make me feel sick!!! but bear in mind it works really well for most people, so give it a go, and if you're worried ask your doctor...

hope that helps...

[sweetcheeks]

metformin is suppose to keep your liver from producing a lot of extra glucose in your body.... it will not make you go low alone, but with insulin you may

your suppose to take it with your largest meal if your only taking it once a day.....

ive been on it for 4 months now, and the closest low i've gotten was 72 lol

but im not on insulin

hope this helps

[Emm]

I'm on Metformin - no problems for me except that I felt sick for a few weeks when I started taking it (nausea and tummy upsets, not wanting to be too far away from the loo...).

For me it's been a help with losing weight - while I'm on it I steadily lose just a little bit each week. When I go off it I steadily gain it back!

Not that I'm constantly going on & off it! I first went on it when I was diagnosed, when they thought I was a type 2, but it didn't work for long so I went off it when I started insulin. Started it again a few months ago when I went to my endo in desperation about my weight gain. *sigh* and went off it last month when I started feeling nauseas every day. Started again on half pills yesterday... ok, starting to seem like I AM constantly going on & off it!

I've had no troubles with serious lows - met has meant I can take around 5 -10% less insulin, so be aware of that, but otherwise fine. Would only be a problem if you're not testing lots and watching out for changes.

[kgm0612]

I'm a type 1 pumper and have been on Metformin for 4 years now. My endo told me it also helps to keep your weight steady, and for me, it has done that.

Karen

[NoraWI]

Metformin makes you more insulin sensitive and reduces the amount of insulin you need to use. I was misdiagnosed as T2 and took metformin for 2 years overlapping with when I started to use insulin. When I went off metformin, my insulin need rose by about one third. Not really very much in my case but could be for someone else. It also prevents liver dumps which I thought were counterproductive in case of hypos. I found that the initial nausea and stomach upsets with metformin went away when I ate small amounts of plain full fat yoghurt. I am not aware of any other side effects of this medication. In addition to its fast effect, metformin has a cummulative effect that builds over a couple of weeks. It is one of the oldest and safest orals on the market.

[June91]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I didn't know that it accumulates. In fact, how exactly does metformin work? I mean, does it last a certain number of hours during which time it works, which would mean taking it at exact times during the day, or does it indirectly initiate or assist metabolic processes?

[dbc]

I've been on metformin for 18 months, it helped a lot with liver dump - I'm not insulin resistant. I have just started on on lantus (last week) so can't comment on the metformin/insulin interaction yet.

On Dr advice I checked the efficacy of metformin just before starting the insulin, by stopping the pills for 5 days - my fbg went up after the 3rd day by about 20/1.1. So we decided to keep going with the metformin for now.

[nneighbour]

Metformin is evil.

I was on it a few years back before I was diagnosed. There were minor benefits, but for the most part, it just left me running for the bathroom day and night. Immodium became a regular part of my week. I was on it for 3 or 4 months before I gave up. Sorry to be so negative, but I'd rather be honest.

[Tricia452008]

I am on 850mg of metformin and Insulin and i am a Type 1.....I LOVE IT!!!! my A1c went down almost 2 whole points...my sugars are better...no more high morning sugars for me...and i have lost weight tooo...it really cut my appetite down greatly which i love....i eat normal smaller meals now and when i exercise i am not as hungry as i used to be.....i love that feeling...when i first went on it i really wasnt that sick unless i ate something kinda sugary...but it is good...i just had bloodwork and everything looked great just my cholesterol went up a little but i can handle it!! good luck with metformin i def say give it a try its different with everyone but i like it!