I am a type 2 diabetic and have been for the last 2 and a half years. I take metformin and actos . The tablets alone are not controling my blood sugars like they used to and i have been referred to the diabetic team at the hospital to start insulin therapy, my appointment is next month.
My question is - are any of you taking metformin and or actos for your pcos as well as insulin for your diabetes? If so, do you have any trouble using insulin and the tablets together such as hypo's or any other trouble?
I would be very grateful for your advice as i would really like to keep on my met and actos as i'm ttc.
Thanks
Lin
__________________ PCOS dx 1996
Diabetes dx 2002
Hi BP dx 2002
Asthma & Arthritis
if you didn't do this already, you may want to post this message on the ttc board or the metformin board. sorry i can't answer your question.
__________________ Chel (36) dx 11/2002 blog.myspace.com/deu316 married 2-17-07 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. to mr. b 220/163.5/140
I am not and have never taken insulin, but I do know that both Metformin and Actos can be taken along with insulin. The insulin will help to bring your blood sugars down, but the Met or Actos is still helpful in reducing your insulin resistance. Your doc shouldn't have any problems with prescribing both for you (either Met and insulin or Actos and insulin). You won't need as high a dosage of insulin if you're taking one of the other meds along with it, and the weight gain side effect of the insulin will be mediated by the Met.
Linda
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
I am insulin dependent when I am not on a low carb diet. When I'm on the low carb diet I don't have to take anything to regulate my blood sugar. I haven't used Actos but I have used Metformin and Avandia while on insulin. It's possible to get some lows but I never had much of a problem. Insulin always scared the pants off me anyway. You'll be able to feel it coming if you are getting low. They'll teach you what to do. If you're worried about it you can keep glucose tabs in your purse in case of a low.
Thank you very much ladies for answering my query, you have been very helpful and i am very grateful !
Can i just ask one more question please?
If i am asked whether i want to keep on the met or the actos, which would you girls think would be more beneficial to me?
Thanks heaps
Lin
If you are concerned about your weight and you can handle the side effects of Met, I'd choose Met over Actos. If weight is not a concern, I'd choose Actos (Actos and Avandia have been shown to actually reverse beta cell burn out, something Met can't do).
Linda
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
I am a type 2 diabetic and have been for the last 2 and a half years. I take metformin and actos . The tablets alone are not controling my blood sugars like they used to and i have been referred to the diabetic team at the hospital to start insulin therapy, my appointment is next month.
My question is - are any of you taking metformin and or actos for your pcos as well as insulin for your diabetes? If so, do you have any trouble using insulin and the tablets together such as hypo's or any other trouble?
I would be very grateful for your advice as i would really like to keep on my met and actos as i'm ttc.
Thanks
Lin
I am also type 2 diabetic and was Dx in 1999. I was on Metformin then Met and Gliclazide and they weren't controlling my sugars in the end. 2003 went on to insulin twice a day, but again my sugars were still not controlled so in Dec 04 i was put onto 4 injections a day and i still take 1G of metformin... if i dont have the metformin i have to have much higher doses of insulin.. I havent had any problems with hypo's using both forms of treatment..
As much as I hate needles and injections 4 shots a day is so much easier than just 2 a day. I feel so much better on the 4, 3 short acting during the day and a long acting insulin overnight.
I have the usual problems with sickness etc... that i have always had with Metformin, but i need it so i just carry on...
Good luck
__________________ -------------------------------------------
45(feels like 99 some days)
Dx - pcos 1982
Dx - diabetes 2 1999,
Tx - metformin slow release 2000mg. Insulin 5 times a day
Loads of other medications.
------------------------------- What is a friend?A single soul dwelling in two bodies.
Aristotle...
Thanks so much for replying, im glad you feel better on the insulin.
I'm hoping that i can be kept on metformin for the pcos if they put me on insulin. Well at least i can argue the case now i know that some people are on both.
Lin
__________________ PCOS dx 1996
Diabetes dx 2002
Hi BP dx 2002
Asthma & Arthritis
Can anyone help please ? 
Squidge 63 
