Diabetes Talking

Question:

Metformin enhances insulin sensitivity in liver and muscle – it is a type 2 drug… no idea why type 1s are on it (coz we arent usually insensitive to insulin , we just cant produce it). There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance. Lara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – metformin

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I seem to have picked up that some people are type one and on pills as well as insulin, why would that be? is metformin a diabetes treatment or an anti-depressant? Stef

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Well I had one – we were totally in control with the ol bg’s (4.2 being the lowest in control) a while ago but now because doc wants to experiment with just 2 Metformin and possibly insulin we are bouncing all over the place – but I went to 2.8 and had a hypo – nothing MAJOR I mean not a MAJOR T1 hypo – but it felt like I had been hit in the head with a truck though when it happened, and took the beans out of me for the rest of the day –  luckily hubby was there and so were the glucose tabs.  But yeah T2 can have them if they are not careful (like not eating anything from 7am till 5pm – which is the reason it happened to me!!)

Just been reading up on it – interestingly (for me) it sounds exactly like my father in law (died at age 75). Oh and just wondering do type 2s who arent on insulin suffer from hypos?? Thanks Lara

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance. AIUI, Type 1.5 refers to people who are type 2-like – as in older, and still making some insulin – but not insulin resistant. The primary defect is loss of beta cell function, but its not as drastic or complete as a Type 1, therefore they can still be helped by sulfonylureas. They tend to be thinner than the typical type 2. Barbara

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Just been reading up on it – interestingly (for me) it sounds exactly like my father in law (died at age 75). Oh and just wondering do type 2s who arent on insulin suffer from hypos??

Yes, if they happen to be on Tolbutamide. I used to be on this and had a couple of mini hypos with it, but it was more a case of coming down a bit quick rather than a full blown insulin hypo. Still I could have done without them even so! — Philip Martin. Happily Insulin Jetting.

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Just been reading up on it – interestingly (for me) it sounds exactly like my father in law (died at age 75). Oh and just wondering do type 2s who arent on insulin suffer from hypos?? Thanks Lara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance. AIUI, Type 1.5 refers to people who are type 2-like – as in older, and still making some insulin – but not insulin resistant. The primary defect is loss of beta cell function, but its not as drastic or complete as a Type 1, therefore they can still be helped by sulfonylureas. They tend to be thinner than the typical type 2. Barbara

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oh ok – sorry! mental note:  dont listen to the answers you get from nurses (I should already have known that!). Lara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance. AIUI, Type 1.5 refers to people who are type 2-like – as in older, and still making some insulin – but not insulin resistant. The primary defect is loss of beta cell function, but its not as drastic or complete as a Type 1, therefore they can still be helped by sulfonylureas. They tend to be thinner than the typical type 2. Barbara

Response:

There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance.

AIUI, Type 1.5 refers to people who are type 2-like – as in older, and still making some insulin – but not insulin resistant. The primary defect is loss of beta cell function, but its not as drastic or complete as a Type 1, therefore they can still be helped by sulfonylureas. They tend to be thinner than the typical type 2. Barbara

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Yes, Metformin is the new style AD for diabetics. You see many conventional AD’s are designed to alter the central nervous systems response to chemical signals in the brain, I am thinking here particularly of the family of MAOI drugs (Mono Amine Oxide Inhibitors). The one real problem with these drugs however is the diet restrictions that are attached to their use. However for the diabetic they have now found that Metformin is a very effective alternative to these drugs, this is because it does not effect the electrical or chemical signals to the brain or restrict diet. Instead, Metformin alters the way electrical and chemical signals are sent to the bum, the resultant constant need to excuse yourself when passing wind or the excessive time spent on the loo,  following the taking of this medication is so overpowering you will completely forget that you are depressed. A further advantage of this regime is that it will also enable the psychiatrist to determine exactly the cause of your depression i.e. you will be so egger to get off these dam tablets you will tell him everything as soon as possible! — Philip Martin. Happily Insulin Jetting. And with too much time on his hands today (who wants to work anyway?) And under threat of adding these bloody pills to my regime, just because me numbers are a tad high lately. Well what’s wrong with a 9.9 HbA1c!

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Hi there, nut case here ,the powers to be have yet to decide if I am type 1 or 2 ,but I am on insulin and also metformin( best of both worlds) , I think they think by giving me metfartin it will give me the skits and that I will therefor loose weight, but as to date it has stayed the same  more or less give or take they odd hundred weight, I agree wth your rough diagnoses that the metformin can be described as a depressant, because when you get the skits boy can you get deeeepreesed, or should I really say you dont need to press , best wishes to all regards sandy ( if this keeps up I could gain entry to the rubber knickers groups tee hee) ))

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I seem to have picked up that some people are type one and on pills as well as insulin, why would that be? is metformin a diabetes treatment or an anti-depressant? Stef

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That’s only part of it Barbara. Sulfonylureas can be bad news for older T1 onsets because they can render what natural production remains ‘bankrupt’ in very short time. It is wrong to assume that T1.5 is in the twilight zone. In my case, there was the possibility of being a T1.5, but neither the very rapid onset of symptons or the blood chemistry assays supported a deficient natural production – that could be fanned into flames with sulfonylureas. Fortunately, two c-peptide assays confirmed that I had ‘arrested’ full beta-cell destruction. I produce about 15%, but the presence of GAD antibodies proved that sulfonylureas would be a disastrous medication. If you have 100% cell beta destruction, or 50%, or 10%, the underlying pathology is the same, and that is beta destruction. Sulfonylureas can tip some people irrevocably over the edge. I try to preserve what little I have for times of ’stress’ release. Over the past few weeks, I have had to step up the amount of insulin I’m taking from a combined 24u to 36u, and I might need to go a little higher. Sulfonylureas would actually make my problem worse. I am most grateful they were never prescribed before I understood what was taking place.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance. AIUI, Type 1.5 refers to people who are type 2-like – as in older, and still making some insulin – but not insulin resistant. The primary defect is loss of beta cell function, but its not as drastic or complete as a Type 1, therefore they can still be helped by sulfonylureas. They tend to be thinner than the typical type 2. Barbara

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Type 2 D + E only here. Recorded my lowest ever last week – 2.9 . Regularly record in the mid 3’s . And yep- plenty of blood on the old AccuChek Active so not a meter fault. Nearly always occurs late afternoon on a week day. I do not feel ill/wobbly – just bit peckish  - perhaps I’m not eating enough ( but I’m not losing any more weight though !!! ;-(   ) Am I hypoing?? — Chris 2de dx Sept 99 See here http://www.asduk.org.uk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh and just wondering do type 2s who arent on insulin suffer from hypos?? Thanks Lara There is a Type 1.5 where you can have both diseases – I am assuming that is the case in this instance. AIUI, Type 1.5 refers to people who are type 2-like – as in older, and still making some insulin – but not insulin resistant. The primary defect is loss of beta cell function, but its not as drastic or complete as a Type 1, therefore they can still be helped by sulfonylureas. They tend to be thinner than the typical type 2. Barbara

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