Glucophage

Hi, I have Type 1 on an insulin pump. I have recently started taking Glucophage to help improve insulin resistance. Can you tell me how long it takes before you see some improvement and has it helped anyone else Thanks Susan

Anyone

Sorry to show my ignorance Susanf. Needed me to look up Glucorpharge...afraid I only knew it as Metformin.
Might get you some more feedback now.
I'm not on a pump, but I find 2 x 500mg Metformin a day have helped me combat insulin resistance, in a limited way. Been using it for nearly 3 years now. I have been able to reduce my QA:CP ratios across the day by -0.5. Took some 4 or 5 days for me to be sure of it's positive influence and to reduce my QA. Through experimentation upping the dose, I discovered my personal limit...it's nickname is 'Metf*rtin' and it had that affect upon me at higher doses
I was originally advised that I could take up to 3g per day by my Diabetologist but stay at 1g a day without any problems.
Hope that gives you some confidence.
Regards
Garry

Hi Susan,

I have been taking Metformin now for about 6 months. Initially I was on one tablet (500mg) a day. After a short spell this was upped to three a day. On the one tablet I noticed no difference but on the three I noticed my total insulin dose per day had reduced somewhat (7%). However i experienced severe abdominal discomfort and problems with my bowels. I reduced the Metformin to two tablets a day and sure enough the insulin demand went back up but the abdominal stuff disappeared. I will see my specialist in about 10 days and one question I plan to ask him is whether or not it is worth continuing! It is winter here and insulin demand goes up (less salads) so I may wait until summer.

I am also on a pump.

All the best, Helen

Hi Garry/HelenP,

Many thanks for your reply - apologies for the confusion with regard to the drug. I started on one 500mg per day for a week now up to 2 x 500mg per day for 3 weeks or until all symptoms disappear. I then have to go to 1000mg twice a day. They seem to be making a difference as my overall insulin requirements have dropped by about 30%. My QA:CP ratio has gone from 1 unit of insulin per 3g of carbs to 1 unit of insulin for 7.5g of carbs. Will be interesting to see how I go when I increase to the 1000mg twice a day. My diabetes nurse said not to move onto this until I am completely symptom free on the current dose.

Thanks again for your replies.

K Rgds,


Susan