Metformin and Breast Cancer

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...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.

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?