Actos vs. Metformin

~MADSCOTSMAN~ · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 02:44 PM

Hello,
Not really sure if I should have posted this in this forum but I am on a pump and read this forum daily. I had a recent visit to my Diabetes Educator at the hospital I work at and I have a massive insulin resistance. I was taking around 120 units of humalog insulin daily. She had recommended we discuss taking metformin with my MD and told me that it also acts as an appetite suppressant, which excited me to say the least, I was upset to find that my MD ordered Actos instead. How many of you, if any, are on Actos, and what have your experiences been with this med? From my understadning, it doesn't have the appetite supression, but it should help me utilize my insulin better (I produce none naturally). She suggested I set a temp basal at 80% of my normal basal for 10 hours at night when I start taking it to prevent from going too low while asleep. I haven't filled the script yet and am hesitant to since I already get low very often during the night and i'm currently trying to tweak my nighttime basal rates since I am on a newer insulin (for me), the Humilin R 500.

kgm0612 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 11:35 AM

I'm not taking Actos and can't tell you anything about it, but I am taking Metformin, and I am a type 1 pumper.

I've been on Metformin for 3 years now and only pumping since mid-December. I was very surprised that my endo kept me on the Metformin once I started pumping. I questioned him about this at my 8 week visit and he said "many new pumpers gain weight when they first start off, and findings show that taking Metformin can actually help keep your weight steady" That was enough for me! LOL I did gain 7lbs and then lost 3 from a stomach bug that I had..........so I'm up 4lbs. But to be honest, I needed it!

Karen

Funnygrl · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 11:54 AM

This should probably get moved to the Type 2 section.

Harold · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 03:27 PM

Two type 1 pumpers taking orals? Seems like the right place to me!

Never taken metformin or insulin, but I do take Avandia which is in the same class as Actos. Did not notice any appetite change with it. Many people do report a initial loss of appetite along with nausea when starting metformin. The affect for most is only temporary and the appetite returns with the loss of nausea. You might want to check out the type 2 forum for more information on the different oral meds. There are many type 2's taking insulin and orals that do not produce insulin anymore.

Funnygrl · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold

Two type 1 pumpers taking orals? Seems like the right place to me!

Never taken metformin or insulin, but I do take Avandia which is in the same class as Actos. Did not notice any appetite change with it. Many people do report a initial loss of appetite along with nausea when starting metformin. The affect for most is only temporary and the appetite returns with the loss of nausea. You might want to check out the type 2 forum for more information on the different oral meds. There are many type 2's taking insulin and orals that do not produce insulin anymore.

Sorry, when I said that they hadn't put their type down yet, and I assumed they were type 2 since few type 1s take oral meds.

Harold · #6 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

Sorry, when I said that they hadn't put their type down yet, and I assumed they were type 2 since few type 1s take oral meds.

Easy assumption to make. We do have type 2 pumpers and expect they will possibly answer in here at some point in time.