Metformin

everyminute · July 2011

Here is an email I sent my onc this am - she is either going to laugh out loud or be severely annoyed with me.. I really don't care which as long as I get the script.

...

Hi - Happy Summer. I want Metformin. :-))

Here is a study that I don't think I can get in because I had 5 nodes (it says up to N3) but I really rather just have it than be in the study anyway.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/053111/page6

http://www.aalatimes.com/2011/04/18/diabetes-drug-metformin-could-help-fight-breast-cancer/

http://chicago2011.asco.org/ASCODailyNews/Abstract1503.aspx
--
When can I pick up my script????

Love you!
Are you running on my Komen team this year?

Pure · July 2011

Just my 2 cents. I talked to my breast cancer consultant. This is a women who knows the best of the best researchers in the world in reference to Breast Cancer. She is the one who PUSHED me to get zometa while on chemo...She is very cutting edge and agreesive. She is a BIG believer is doing tx prior to it being apprvoed... But with Metformin she said it's way to risky. She said there are some big side effects to it and it's way to soon..The side effects of Metformin is what scared me and well i am up for anything... Be sure to check them out.

bak94 · July 2011

I thought I read the se's are minimal, and it has been used so long for diabetes that se have been much studied and deemed safe.

LuvRVing · July 2011

Metformin is one of the oldest and safest diabetic drugs on the market, not to mention the cheapest. I've been on it for more than 10 years and I find the clinical studies involving metformin to be extremely interesting. I'm not sure what "big side effects" she would be talking about, but other than some initial "GI distress" that usually goes away after a few weeks, most people tolerate this drug without any problems. After dripping toxic chemo into our veins and then prescribing all the anti-estrogen drugs, it's almost amusing that an oncologist would be worried about the side effects of Metformin. Maybe there's no financial gain for an onco???

Michelle

LindaLou53 · July 2011

Everyminute: LOVE your to the point directness....let us know what your onc's response is!! I would not be eligible for the study either but my onc did not want me in the placebo group anyway. She just told me to read up about it and plan on starting it next year. I didn't ask if there was any reason not to start it now...I was thinking more about getting my last dose of Zometa on board and knowing it will remain detectable in my system for the next 5 years due to its long half-life.

Pure: One of the positives that my onc mentioned about Metformin was its long history of safe use and minimal SE's. I have not done any in depth study yet myself but I got the strong impression that SE's from Metformin are not of major concern. My onc did mention that the dosage would be gradually increased over the first several weeks to allow the GI system to adjust as LuvRVing stated above. I would be interested to know what specific SE's your consultant was referring to.

Robinsegg · July 2011

I'm on metformin too. My onc takes it herself and she isn't diabetic.

Chava · July 2011

To pure: first I have not ever heard about zometa. Studies backing it up to show to onc to use without any C in the bone?

I have read some about metformin. It is even mentioned in the Susan Love book on breast cancer and in a wholistic seminar by an organization called shasharet.org whee the doc says he takes it preventatively also. If you have more info would be interested.

Robinsegg · July 2011

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/100/8/530.full

Gitane · July 2011

Robinsegg, Thank you for posting this article. I'm on metformin, too. It's disturbing that it made one of the cell cultures produce higher VEGF levels.

pupfoster1 · July 2011

Wow, I need to look into that too. Love the short, to the point email. Can't wait to hear what they say!!

Sharon

jennyboog · July 2011

Too funny Mary....I'll be bringing it up to my onc on the 28th as well, we're going to drive all our doc's crazy...."Viva La Metformin" Laughing

LuvRVing · July 2011

I can tell you my first oncologist was not aware of the clinical trials and completely discounted metformin when I told him about the research. My second one said, "you're on the right medication to have a complete response to chemo." I knew right then that she was up on current events.

Michelle

weety · July 2011

Keep the info coming! I've been raiding my husband's diabetes stash for a few months now. . . I'd love to get my own prescription, but my onc said he needs more evidence.

Pure · July 2011

Chava if you haven't heard about Zometa and breast cancer you SHOULD google it asap or read our stage 3 zometa threads...There is a lot of really good research supporting it and many us here get it. In certain cases it has shown to decrease reoccurence by 37%. I got it with chemo and now get it every 6 months like several women here.

As far as SE she pointed to the GI issues as well as possible interaction with the meds I am on currently. But her real concern is that I am taking something for someone whose ( I think she said ) glucose levels are at a certain level and mine wouldn't need lowering...I actually don't quite remember but the way she explained it scared me since I don't have diabetis.

Pure · July 2011

LuvRVING...It wasn't my oncologist that told me this it was a lady that volunteers HER LIFE helping women with breast cancer. She has no money to make though I would like to add my oncologist works a million hours a week and doesn't make that great of money considering I am sure... She doesnt really perscribe or not perscribe based on what money she thinks she will or will not make. She is pretty dedicated to her patients.

Pure · July 2011

RobinsEgg-I take it your doc perscribed it for you? So she is a big believer in it then? My oncologist is so conservative so I know I would have to fight for this one.

weety · July 2011

My blood sugar levels were not high enough to be considered diabetic, but I did have gestational diabetes during the pregnancy of my last baby and my numbers are always at the low end of the "pre-diabetes" range, so I figure lowering my levels and adding in a possible anticancer benefit is a win-win situation for me.

chrishat · July 2011

i have an appt with my onc next week and will definitely ask him about this...he is usually pretty progressive (kept me on zometa even when the study came out in dec , for example).....i will post a report here afterward! great idea to keep sharing info about this. i love this website and i too love the idea of adding another weapon to the arsenal. thank you everybody Smile

christine

kimber3006 · July 2011

Love the email! I've got an appointment in a few weeks, too, so I'm going to check with my onc and report back.

Rachel1 · July 2011

My nutritional onc. (amazing woman) put me on berberine. She said that studies are showing it is more effective than meformin. You can order this on-line.

Rachel

elmcity69 · July 2011

me too! don't see the onc til September 1st, but will definitely ask him. it makes sense, when you think of the cancer-sugar link.

can't wait to see what folks post.

janyce

geewhiz · July 2011

If you google it, and search pubmed...the studies are quite remarkable. It seems logical. Lower insulin, lower inflammation. I have regular blood sugar and asked to get put on metformin at the beginning of this year...provided studies to the docs. My family doc as a result now prescribes it for other cancer patients, and my onc says they cannot prescribe it off label, but he has doctor friends with prostate cancer who are on it for it's anticancer effects

There should really be no surprise side effects to something that is so widely prescribed and been around for decades. I take 2 pills of 500 mg each..one in the morning and one at night. I struggle to remember that night pill sometimes, I wish I could just take 1. I have felt absolutely no difference from it. This gets two thumbs up from me!

Pure · July 2011

Yeah BUT if our doctor wont perscribe it then HOW can we get it! And since it's for people with Diabetits what would it to a person with normal insuilin levels?

weety · July 2011

I don't know the nitty gritty of it, Pure, but I don't think it would really mess up someone with normal insulin levels. From what I know, it mainly makes the body more sensitive to insulin, thus creating a need to produce less. That's all I know. Maybe someone with more info will come along.

HollyinMich · July 2011

Pure, that's the same question I have. I've beed really interested in the use of Metaformin to reduce the risk of reoccurance since I'm in such a high risk catagory, but that's the same thing I wonder about. The body's adrenal system is so delicate I worry that it may alter it permanently if taken for too long. I'd hate to have my body become dependant on it over time or worse.

sandy115 · July 2011

I am type 2 diabetic I have been taking Glybride and Metforimn for 5 years i lost alot of weight when diagnosed with B C due to stress.2 weeks ago I had a cat scan done and was asked to stop metformn for 48 hours and then supply a blood test because of the Metformn and the kreatin in my kidneys I had to have another blood test done 3 days later to see how my levels were and they were fine.However I did not go back on the metformn as my blood sugar levels are much lower because of the weight loss.I will go back to my Dr and change from the Glbride to meformn as I know someone else in the study for breast cancer as she is not diabetic but in a trial study..I do know last year when I was taking 4 pills a day of metformn I had severe direaha I could barely leave the house and it comes on unexpectatley and so did my mother who is also on it for diabetas so just watch the dose.

Suze35 · July 2011

Figured I'd add my 2 cents, for what it's worth . My MO is starting me on Metformin next week, she feels the evidence is compelling enough that with my extremely high risk, it's worth it.

I think my MO is trying to grab every percentage point she can for me, and I appreciate it. We'll start with a low dose and work up as SEs allow.

ebann · July 2011

I know nothing about Metformin. My naturopath just mentioned it to me a couple weeks ago. Thank you for the information. The only concern I have from reading the information is it for triple negative and is it good for those who are already stage 4. From what I read it is not good for those who have liver and kidney problems. My mets are in my bones and liver. So I am not sure I would be a good candidate. I did email my naturopath and asked him more questions. Hopefully he will get back to me soon with some good information. Maybe there is hope for triple negative after all.

Chocolaterocks · July 2011

I posted this on another sight since I am stage 1, but I am pre-menopausal have tried tami and fareston so I asked my MO for Metaformin and thought I would post on this site the response.

Hope you don't mind.

My MO will not RX Metaformin because of fears of losing medical license. After long discussion was willing to refer me to the cancer trial study on it (will call) - if they will take me. Understands and first suggested that I get it from a GP. Also knows that I can purchase it on line. Is kind of back and forth on things and for now recommends no medication because of side effects.

Indicates my risk to stay cancer free 92% and with tami- 96% all approximate. Also does not recommend lupron for me because of side effects.

Feels that since I exercise, have a good bmi and gave up red meat- that may have the same benefit of tami.

Not sure what to do.

But I will have some dark chocolate later!

Chocolate

geewhiz · July 2011

Do you guys realize that getting zometa if you do not have bone disease, is actually off label and could cause an onc to "lose their license". So, thankfully, we find oncs openminded enough to read other studies lightyears ahead of the fda approval process.

I think metformin fits there. It's very easy to find a doc to write the script. My onc, gp and naturopath are all for it. The naturopath works with an md in his office. It just comes down to having a good relationship with your doctor. I don't want them to just write anything I ask for, I want someone who is as current as I am in the research and who will say no, if it's not right for me.

Octobergirl · July 2011

A few comments...Metformin is already prescribed off-label for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and has shown to be safe and effective in non-diabetic patients. It is also prescribed for anti-aging (not promoting this but saying a lot of non-diabetics take Metformin). There are potential side effects, many of which can be mitigated, so once again we have to weigh the risks against the gains.

Researchers are not certain if Metformin works to prevent cancer/recurrence solely through promoting consistent blood sugar levels or if there is another mechanism for it's success. So, exercise and healthy diet may or may not be adequate to take the place of Metformin's influence on cancer cells.

I have followed Metformin research since my diagnosis in early 2009 and continue to press my point and request a prescription at every oncology appointment. I believe oncologists/doctors need to understand that women are informed and practice strong self-advocacy. They need to hear our requests...over and over if necessary. For me, the risks of Metformin are miniscule compared to the risks of recurrence (and benefit of preventing cancers of all kinds).

And...it is ludicrous to me that women have to resort to ordering non-prescription Metformin online in an effort to save their lives when there is a strong body of research supporting it's effectiveness and safety. We are prescribed aromatase inhibitors and potent bone strengthening medications for which there is no long-term evidence of safety, side effects and effectiveness. We take them because we want to live. We deserve every break and we deserve doctors like Suzy35's trying to grab every percentage point possible for us.

Metformin

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