Metformin and Breast Cancer

Heather - I don't know the answer to your question.  For me, it was intestinal and lasted for a couple of weeks.  If it's tummy bloat, then I'd say it could be the met. 

Heather

I used to have problems with when I take Metformin for example - I don't take it 1st thing in the am because I want something in my stomach. 2nd- if I have coffee to function  - I don't take either..Messed up on thanksgiving day and I was sick..... to much eating. So I take same dose as you- take 1st pill with lunch ( lunch - is a normal but not heavy meal) and take 2nd pill with  juice or milk an hour or so after dinner. I have found that I have no problems this way. hope this helps.

Chocolate

Chris, big congrats for you and abby. Wishing you guys continued success with your treatment.

Hi,

 Does anyone know whether metformin and evrolimus+femara produce the

same good results as the chemo+metformin combination?

 Evrolimus has elevated my mom's cholesterol and sugar levels(and shrunk her liver mets by 60%) , so this might be a good chance to start metformin and beat the hell out of cancer(hopefully for a long time)

Susan:  Good for you.  I would be willing to do the same.  I think there is a trial going on in my area as well.

Hi everyone,



Thanks for all the great info. I started the clinical trial last month. I believe I am getting the drug (otherwise, I planned to quit the trial and get my PCP to prescribe it). I had mild nausea a few times during the first few weeks. But, it seems most suffer with diarrhea/gas/bloating on Metformin. I seem to have constipation. I am not diabetic but am slightly overweight. What SE's have you experienced? Has anyone tested their blood sugar to try to determine if you are getting the drug?

I enrolled in the MA.32 Study in Ontario this morning.

Got an all-clear at my 3-month follow-up with my MO this morning.  I asked her about low-dose aspirin: she's not officially supporting a low-dose aspirin regimen because she says that there isn't enough solid, clinical data to support that it aids in preventing breast cancer recurrence, but she said that the scientific theory behind it is relatively sound and taking it would "... not hurt ..." anything.  She's excited about the Metformin trial; she says that it looks very promising.

Since it's a double-blind, randomized study, I won't know if I'm getting active drug or placebo, but participating is such a great way to "... pay it forward ..."   Also, it's a win-win situation: I've already had the "gold standard" of treatment and my recurrence risk is low.  I have nothing to lose even if I get randomized to the placebo group and everything to gain if I get randomized to the active drug group.

This is so cool! I'm pre-diabetic and had asked my onc nurse about taking metformin for that. She gave me a big grin and told me to see my PCP asap! I did and the next time I saw my onc I told him I was taking it. He too smiled big and said it was an excellent idea. I take 500 at night with dinner. My sister the pharm. recommended dinner, because we tend to eat stomach coaters at dinner (bread, pasta etc.)

fujiimama:  It would be good if all doc's were this open about trying new things.  When I mentioned Metformin to my MO he said you are not diabetic and overweight so I wouldn't prescribe it.  He didn't want to see the articles on clinical trials...hard headed!

I read all the studies and got excited. I had gestational diabetes with each pregnancy, and my last, 7 years ago, I had to take insulin injections until my son's birth. I sent info to my Onc and she was excited about the studies too, but didn't want to prescribe off label. However she did send a not over to my regular doc and my regular doc had no trouble prescribing it. I am on 500mg 2x per day and will increase at my next appt. Only SE so far has been bloating and feeling very fatigued in the late afternoon.



Chris, I really enjoyed hearing about your wife. She is very lucky to have you.....good job on finding the information and making it happen! I hope she has continued success for a very long time! Keep posting to let us know how she's doing!

I just wanted to share my experience being that I do not have diabetes, but I am taking Metformin because my Gynecologist diagnosed me with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Simply put, I produce too much insulin in my ovaries causing a lack of period and pregnancy being nearly impossible without this drug. I take 850mg a day, which I'm actually supposed to take two pills a day, but one side effect I have is extreme fatigue, so for now I stick with one a day. I believe that the extreme fatigue in my case comes from not having diabetes and taking this medicine that balances hormones and sugar levels may possibly lower the sugar in my body a little too much. I'm 25 years old, being used to a certain caffeine intake to taking this medicine that is controlling it is a huge adjustment. I also had diarrhea about 3-5 times after taking the pill within a 3-hour time frame when I first started it. This simply was the detox part, the initial "sugar release". Now that my body is used to the medicine, I don't feel any different, besides the tiredness. After reading this article, I do hope that everyone looks more into this, YOU have to be your own doctor. They call it a "practice" for a reason. Love, Christina!

I am to start metformin next week for a clinical trial.  I am really confused and I am running out of time to decide, I have to do it this weekend.  I spoke to my RO today about it and he told me to take time to consider the risks.  He mentioned that cliinical trials in the past have caused patients to pass, he said that scientifically it makes sense, but is it for everyone?  that is the question.  Do certain variables make a difference, like tamoxifen, herceptin, etc.  I was really excited about it prior to this discussion.  I would love to hear some opinions, am I looking a gift horse in the mouth?

My plan was to find a doctor to prescribe this to me, rather than partake in the trial if it is a 50/50 that it may be placebo.  RO said that I would have to be monitored very closely with my blood sugar levels.  He said it could be damaging to organs kidney etc.

I have done chemo, radiation, tamoxifen, herceptin until November 2012, right mastectomy, March 2012, left mastectomy sch for October with immeidate TE's on both sides. 

I have three rads to go, I am not sure if I should just put this behind me and go shopping.

Chris,

I think you are spot on with your comment about there not being a lot of money in Metformin!  What would our doctors do without us if no one had cancer!?  I am Stage 4 and will definitely look into this.  I am not diabetic but I have high blood sugars.  I was on the verge of gestational diabetes or probably did have it during pregnancy.  I still have high blood sugars as of a couple weeks ago.  I think this could really be part of my treatment! 

I just need to convince my oncologist who has the biggest ego ever!!!  I can barely fit in the exam room it is so big!

And congrats to you and your wife Chris!  Your wife's story and success should have every doctor in that office writing Metformin for their cancer patients!  Amazing!

I was so inspired by this post last night that I could not fall asleep until 2 AM!  Uuuggh!  I feel so tired today but can't wait to ask a doctor about this!  Kaara, completely agree that you can't rely on doctors to totally look after your best interest.  I think they are so inundated with people having cancer (you know there is a problem in this nation when I can't find a parking spot at the cancer treatment center or the lab room!) adn frankly I think they are almost robotic and just follow "the standard care".  No thinking outside the box with most of these doctors!

Smiley

You just might qualify for the trial link I posted.

If not, or if your DR wont give this to you, and endocrinologist might.

Good luck.