Metformin

Proud Mom_wife,

 Congrats on having a MO who is up on the trials.  I really like mine at NYU, but he is def in the "wait until it is all proven" camp.  I do see a complimentary doc who suggested Metformin to me before I started chemo (she also has me filtering my water and taking magnesium because my copper levels are high).  My MO wasn't thrilled, but relented to letting me take the Metformin.  I've been taking 500mg  two times a day for 5 months with no side effects of GI distress.  

I can't believe I'm saying this, but even if he had said no, I would have taken it behind his back..the studies are too compelling and if anything, it has been shown to make chemo work harder. As others have said, it's a very old and proven drug and between my twenty docs (they found thryroid cancer after my BC diagnosis), god knows my blood is being monitored. 

Do you know what the trial dosages are?  I am doing 1000 a day, but sometimes I hear of people doing 1500 and 2000. 

I would love that information as well..If someone could PM me I would appreciate it!

Thanks for the link. I really appreciate it!

For those of you asking about the clinical trial dosage, I believe they start the participants low and get them up to 1000 mg twice a day.  Not everyone has GI issues, I had just a tiny bit during the first couple of weeks...that was eleven years ago.

 I agree that anyone taking it should be followed.  My oncologist does full metabolic panel labs, and my prior onco also did the same ones.  Sounds like not everyone gets these done on a regular basis.  My PCP also did them regularly so I had to make sure that they were communicating with each other so that I wasn't being subjected to too many lab tests.

I went to the link that Judy provided.  All I can say is ask your doctor first.  WalMart will fill a prescription for a 3 month supply for $10 - no insurance required.  That could be as many as 360 pills if your doctor orders them as 500 mg each.  That site is making a hefty profit on a dirt-cheap drug.  I get 180 pills, 1000 mg each, for $10.

 Michelle

Timothy, Your strategy is sound re "first do no harm".  A patient in the USA should to be aware that disclosing use of non-prescription Metformin to her/his doctor becomes part of your medical record which is subject to review and evaluation by your insurance provider. Non-disclosure can cause problems during medical emergencies and usage must be adjusted prior to certain kinds of testing. So, the decision to take non-prescription Metformin can be a real Catch-22 here. 

It was nice to read that your wife was finally able to get a script. I remember you were researching Metformin some time ago. 

Jenny, I found out that my doc is actually one participating in studies on metformin and he said the same thing to me, still investigational and kinda dropped the subject. Maybe they know something we don't.....? He didn't even invite me into the study, which I don't think I would do, as I would want to know whether I was receiving it or not!

Good strategy, Timothy.

I looked into metformin in the past and decided not to go with it until more conclusive results were out and more known about the mechanism of action. I had also read that exercise was superior to metformin in reducing blood sugar levels. Chronic exercise also inhibits mTOR synthesis, though I don't know how it compares to metformin in this regard. I figured exercise also had other benefits that made it a better choice than metformin in the long run.

What is ALND?

hi -I started taking metformin and increase the dose tomorrow  and had blood work prior to starting. My MO would not rx it but supported the decision. She did inform me that there are 12 studies in phase 3 at this time which is encouraging so we will see.  I found a clnical trial through bco but did not qualify because you had to be 1c and I am 1a (my mo did research it). I am seeing a general md for this and he has no objections at all- return again in 3 weeks. I am also scheduled to see a holistic md as well so we will see. It is inexpensive ($4 for rx). I just spoke to my gyn about this today and she is also going to research this as well.

I also do exercise, gave up red meat.... Its all such a personal decision.

take care

Chocolate rocks

I am type 2 diabetic and do take metforim so hope it works for me have been taken it though for 5 years and got diagnosed with breast cancer.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110819131523.htm

Metformin and Exercise Combination Less Effective for Glucose Control

I guess the side effect I was worrying about, whether exercise and metformin together would make my blood sugar levels drop too low, actually may trigger a "counter regulatory response." Maybe not the desired result either.

bump

KAARA, did they give the amount that is usually prescribed?

Just asked my MD for Metformin today...no problem!  I was surprised , but happy