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Another Metformin question

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vince13

vince13

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
Can anyone tell me if I HAVE to continue with Metformin now I'm on insulin. I hate the fact it makes my tummy so unpredictable and causes loud f**ts when I'm least expecting it !

I'm on the slow release version: 1000mg twice a day (breakfast and evening meal).

😱 😱 😱
 
Faith,
Best thing to do is call your doctor and explain your problems, we cant tell you what medication to stop taking or take,I know when I first started on the metformin is caused tummy troubles for about 3 weeks,how long have you been on it ?,maybe the doctor could suggest lowering the dose so your only taking one x I would of thought if your on the insulin now then stopping the metformin would be ok but im no doctor.
 
If you have a problem with insulin resistance then I believe the metformin helps with that. If you don't, then I guess the insulin should be sufficient.

Another thing, GPs (and consultants) seem quite keen for us to keep using metformin because of its other effect of helping guard against heart attacks (something we diabetics are more prone to, as I understand it).

But, as Steff says, only your GP can advise you really.

Andy 🙂
 
Thanks you two. I wouldn't have stopped taking it on anyone on here's say-so but I wondered if anyone knew chapter and verse about having to be on it.

When I next see my Diabetic Team I'll ask them but thanks anyway and, in the meantime, I'll just carry on.

I've been on it now since October 2008 so it's not going to do any harm keeping on with it for a little longer,
 
You could call the DSN who started you on the insulin and see what they say.

Some clinics add metformin to the mix for type 1s after a couple of years - others do not, so it can be quite an individual thing.

I took metformin slow release for a while. I don't anymore I stopped once when I was ill and felt so much better without it. I actually stopped because as a Type 1 I am at risk of blood acidity caused by ketones, and metformin can cause lactic acidosis the risk of which would increase when ill. I had a Dr at clinic tell me that when ill I was to stop the metformin.
 
Thank you for that info,Margie. I think I'll follow it up with my diabetic care team at the hospital. Perhaps they left me on it because I was on Metformin already when I was incorrectly diagnosed as a Type 2. Thanks again.
 
The best call is to talk to the doctor or DSN. I was told metformin reduces insulin resistence so it is carried on even after you go on insulin.
 
vince13 said:
Can anyone tell me if I HAVE to continue with Metformin now I'm on insulin. I hate the fact it makes my tummy so unpredictable and causes loud f**ts when I'm least expecting it !

I'm on the slow release version: 1000mg twice a day (breakfast and evening meal).

😱 😱 😱
Click to expand...

One reason the doctor may keep you on metformin is that it helps prevent weight gain, and as alot of people find insulin makes them gain weight it would seem reasonable to stay on the metformin.

I started on insulin a few years ago but still take metformin, although the doctor reduced my gliclazide from 2 tablets twice a day to 1 tablet once a day and I was told I will eventually come off the gliclazide altogether.
Gliclazide can also cause weight gain by the way.
 
When I started on insulin in 2003 I was told that I would stay on metformin. I am on the slow release which don't affect me the way ordinary metformin did, I am on 6 x 500mg a day now.
 
I was taken off gliclazide immediately I went onto insulin in January this year but stayed on Metformin. I am now on 1000 mg metformin twice a day. I am only on humaogue insulin mix 25/75 twice daily injections at present 7 in morning before breakfast and 8 before evening meal. I am getting fasting levels in the morning between mid 6s to high 8s so haven't achieved steady BS control in the morning - my last HbAlc was 7.8 same as 6 months ago but my DSN and Dr say that's OK for me. I'm 64 years old and 8st 7lbs so no weight gain as yet.

I'll see what the team say about continuing with the Metformin but have no trouble with the slow release - I'm just sick of the constant buildup of wind and subsequent release of same !! 😱
 
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