Metformin and Breast Cancer

AnnE16

For those that are taking it....are there interactions with any of the AI's?  What dosage or you taking?  Are any of the Stage 4 gals taking it?

Chickadee

Stage IV here. I participated in a trial in 2009 at MD Anderson. Took Avandamet and Aromasin. I was 18 months stable on the combo. Apparently others weren't as fortunate because he carried on about how long it worked for me. Progression to the liver stopped my trial participation.

AnnE16

Hey Chickadee,

So Avandamet is another name for Metphormin?  18 months is a good stretch!  We will take whatever we can get right?!   So what dosage were you on?  So there is no interaction between Metphormin and any of the AI's then?  I am still going to try to get hold of this.  I figure it can't hurt.  Just trying to figure out how to get it!

Anonymous

I am stage 2, possibly stage 4, and I know I would not do a trial on Metformin.  I don't want to take achance on not getting this medication that could make such a serious difference in the cancer.  When we found the cancer, my GP wanted me on more than the 1500 she started me on, my integrative medical dr read the trials and articles and said YES! too so the dose was increased.... and later my healer tested me and it was a yes, sssssooooooooo out of 20 supplements and 4 medications that I was prescribed, the Metformin was the only medication that was a yes in the kinesiology testing.  I know in my heart and gut that I need it and do not want a chance otherwise.  I am prescribed 2500 mg a day, 1000 at breakfast, 500 at lunch, 1000 at dinner.

Chickadee

I wish I could remember the mg. it's been awhile now. I want to say 1500mg but can't be sure. Avandamet is Avandia and Metformin combined. The trial was to determine the dosage tolerated. I should go back to the MDA website and see if they reached any conclusions. Dr, Francisco Esteva is the oncologist.

Just looked it up and though recruitment is closed, no results were listed..

AnnE16

What is Avandia for?  Is that another type of AI?  Maybe you could just take the Metformin by itself?  I think it would be better to take it without being in any kind of trial b/c how do you know if you are getting placebo or not?  Then a sugar pill is not doing anybody with cancer any good!

Nicole4

I am going to meet my onc tomorrow to start the trial, had a mammogram last week on my left breast and it showed very dense tissue and advised that it should be monitored.  This is part of the reason I am doing the trial is to get more testing. 

I have had my right breast removed, chemo and radiation.  I am scheduled for left mastectomy and tissue expanders in October, after I heal from radiation.  The only reason I am having the left mastectomy is my choice, I don't want to chance going through this again.  Its a pretty good thing, I guess.

I will keep posting re: the trial, step one tomorrow is to have blood work and to review my history with oncologist.  They said that if all is well with eligibility, I will have metformin (or the placebo) next week.

feeling a little different now that treatment is over, I am not sure that I know who I am right now.  Hopefully someone that can make an informed decision to proceed with this trial   I plan to start it and see if there are any side effects from the drug, if not, I will decide then how to move forward.

Chickadee

Smiley, I was not getting a sugar pill. The trial was to determine the amount of Avandia that could be tolerated along with the Aromasin. I explained what Avandia is in the post. The only point I was trying to add is that even if Metformin helps some, it's not a magic bullet and progression can still occur.

Nicole4

I have been to my appointment to have all the preliminary blood work done, physical and questions re: my current condition.  I am to start on Tuesday and the nurse indicated that there will be obvious signs on wheather I get metformin, side effects.  I am xng my fingers that I get it.  I understand that it will be diarreha for the first couple of weeks.

NavyMom

Hi Nicole, I hope you get the Metformin, too.  I know that most of the GI SEs are diarrhea, but I had the opposite effect! With lots of abdominal bloating, too.  I finally figured out that my calcium supplement did not agree with the metformin.  So I have stopped the calcium for now and GI issues are considerately better.  I am now up to 425mg Metformin twice a day.  Aiming for 850mg twice a day eventually.

rozem

hi there

wanted to chime in...Nicole i am from toronto ontario and doing the metformin trial at sunnybrooke

i was on the fence aswell...but i double checked with my second opinion onc that i use at DF in boston and she said it was ok as long as i was taking it within a trial.  I see you are her 2 like me, she said there are no interactions btw metformin and tamox or herceptin

ive been on for a week and no GI issue so i think i am on the placebo

Nicole4

thanks Navymom, I am also taking calcium, so I will give it a couple of days and see what happens.  I will keep you posted. 

rozem, thanks for chiming in, I appreciate it.  we had the same treatment!  I also went to sunnybrook for msx, I love the doctors there.  Are you going to continue with the placebo?  I don't know how I feel about that.  My onc told me that people do better long term if they participate in trials even if it is placebo, he said it was the additional care and attention.

I appreciate your responses, thanks 

rozem

nicole

i have sent you a pm

tx

Sleep

I take metiformin for type 2 diabetics 500mg is that enough plus tomaxifen for after care from BC surgery feb 2012. My pc doctor does not know of this study I just learned a month ago. I have appointment monday I wll share info. Have not been feeling well maybe the calcium pills and metiformin is causing excess gas and fatigue never had gas or diarrhea problem except after BC surgery. But I did start on metiformin and tomox one week after surgery. I had been off metiformin for about a yr before I found the breast cancer. OH well doc will find something to help me feel better.

mary625

Sleep: I too am trying to confirm that 500 mg extended release is enough. My PC and MO say that it is, but then I see 850 mg 2 x/ day being discussed here. I am going to look up the study when I have time and see if the dosage is listed.

purple32

Too bad smiley.

I understand. I want the metformin, and my research now shows me that some endo drs Rx it just for PRE diabetics, and I would be close enough to make it justifiable, but my endo dr doesnt want to because I mentioned it for the BC and she says that is just trials.  (so what ?)

I have to wonder if these ppl would take it if  *THEY* had BC!  I suspect everything would change then.  In any case, I have thought it over , and for the distance I would have to travel, take time off work etc ..I just dont think it is worth it in chancing placebo. I would however love to take it , prescribed by a dr who would follow me.

Kaara

purple32:  Looks like you had the same grade and stage as I did with same surgery.  I asked my MO about metformin and got the same answer...he refused to even discuss any options for doing it.  It's very annoying when you show them the studies and they blow them off as being unrealistic! 

purple32

Yes, Kaara it is !
And if I am not mistaken, I believe you also skipped rads (?)

Kaara

purple:  Yes I did...did you as well?

purple32

(KAARA)
Yep!  Bad lungs here.

SelenaWolf

I'm registered in the Canadian trial for metformin.  Was started on one 850mg metformin/placebo tablet a day and - for a couple of weeks - things were uneventful.  All-of-a-sudden, last week, WHAM!!!  Abdominal pain/discomfort, belching, indigestion, burn in my throat.  Ugh.  No diarrhea, though.  But I guess that I know which group I was randomized to...

I'm due to up the dosage to twice a day tomorrow.  Am a tad bit nervous...

bluepearl

SelenaWolf: apparently that corrects itself within a few months....doesn't hurt you..only things to worry about are acidosis and if you have bad heart/kidneys which I am sure they checked you out for. I take a 250 mg dose per day. I had read that even small doses have positive effects. My doctor was a bit reluctant about prescribing it until my sugar was a wee bit high...new tests say sugar is fine....but he wouldn't precribe it to my husband. Metformin also has benefits to heart cells as well....related to a VERY long lasting organism that would kill us if ingested, but metformin is related and safe. Acidosis only ocurrs if you overdose or you have bad kidneys/heart...my Dad is 93 and takes it....it may have helped him survive a recent skin cancer battle.

bluepearl

Oh and I hope they told you to take the tablet on your heavist meal!

SelenaWolf

Yes, I was checked out for heart/kidneys before starting, but it was still a bit alarming.  It hit so fast!  I was expecting that - if I experienced side effects - they would have presented almost immediately rather than almost three weeks in...

purple32

Selena

 On the bright side, you certainly know you are not on placebo!

I would report these side effects to the Dr before upping the dose .

Hope things get better for you soon.

BTW, are you testing your glucose ?

Nicole4

that is very interesting, I start tomorrow and I will give it some time.  I will post any effects.  thanks for letting us know.

purple32

silly question selena...I'm sure it will sound too simplistic, but have you tried drinking the pills with a tall glass of water and  increasing your water intake throughout the day ?

SelenaWolf

@purple32...Since I'm part of a clinical trial, I'm being monitored regularly with blood tests.  I take the tablet with food, as instructed.  I drink quite a lot of water during the day - I don't like milk or juice, or soft drinks - so my daily intake is, probably, good, but I'll try it with a full 8oz glass of water the next time.

Thanks for the tip.

purple32

I see selena.

Thx for your reply,.  Hope u feel better soon.

rozem

hi all

i am having major GI issues...the runs (TMI) so i am thinking I am on metformin not the placebo.  Started 1 wk in

Normal?