Metformin-Anyone on this trial?

Ginger, a doctor is not going to say not to take it if you have diabetes.  

But diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease, and metformin is not safe for people with kidney disease.  If you walk into a doctor's office, are 50 years old and healthy as a horse, you have much greater odds of being able to take metformin safely than if you walk into a doctor's office, are 50 years old, and have had diabetes for several years.  Ironic, isn't it?

My mom is 83. She had breast cancer last year and is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and put on this drug. I don't remember her dr saying anything about these tests so I will certainly be asking. Thanks!

Gee, I am already on Metformin for diabetes. I hope this works for me. 

I'm just guessing, but it's probably all in how it's being used. If you're diabetic, it's a good thing. If you're not, and using it for cancer treatment like I am, it's probably a little less safe because my kidney (only have one), is already being compromised by pamidronate for bone mets. I seem to remember him saying something along those lines when he gave me the prescription. I guess that's why all the tests. I'm assuming he just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be hit with a double whammy of diabetes and a bisphosphonate because they are so hard on kidneys to begin with. I'll ask next time I go in. LuvRving, thanks for the explanation of what the 24 hour urine is for....I didn't know myself.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Diabetes/33626?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&eun=g376694d0r&userid=376694&email=jlong@i-review.com&mu_id=5369993

Metformin May Repair Stroke Injured Brains

I saw the endocronoligst today.  He mentioned my blood sugar HBA1C levels if I have that right...are not really too high.  I am kind of on the cusp.  At first I didn't think he was going to write me a script but then he seemed to change his mind.  He gave me the extended release form of Metformin/GLuchophage brand name.  I know the clinical trials are just doing Metformin but I guess the extended release has less side effects but they do the same job.

Smiley,

My big bottle of pills for the trial just says Metformin 850mg or Placebo so no way to know! 

Since we're involved in a clinical trial, we have no idea WHAT we are taking.  We've all been randomized to either 1) receive metformin or 2) receive a placebo.  Since the trial is what's known as "double blind", our oncologists don't know either.  No one will know who was randomized to what group until the end of the study when the codes are broken.

I mentioned it to my naturopath and his eyes lit right up!  He wanted all the details and was fascinated that a drug for something else entirely, might prove beneficial for breast cancer.

http://www.dximaging.com/diabetes-care.htm

Purple, metformin is free at my grocery store, so check around. My pcp prescribed it and basically said the same thing as another poster. Don't run it through insurance. You don't need to have diabetes on your record.



My husband is pre-diabetic. He doesn't take anything yet, but does est. I know he doesn't run it through insurance, and he is cheap. I will have to ask him where he gets his strips.



I take tamoxifen also. With both drus, I neither gained nor lost weight. Stayed pretty much the same.



I have been kind of surprised at the number of doctors that are familiar with the trial, yet not cancer related docs. At my last fat grafting surgery, my anesthesiologist knew all about it and my PS didn't. He couldn't believe the sleep doc knew about it.



When I was originally supposed to be in the trial, before they realized my tumor was a smidge too small, the onc in charge at the med center said they discovered the potential when they realized that diabetics with breast cancer who were also on metformin were having far less recurrences than those on other diabetic drugs.

I am on the blind study, I have started 3 weeks ago tomorrow and I have only had 3 to 4 days of side effects of runny stool, it seems to have gone away.  I wonder now whether I have the placebo, has anyone else had minor side effects from metformin?

Hi fluffqueen

THX .  Yes, I went through Walmart.

I have changed my diet a lot since my DX, and in the past ( months ago) I used to use a  meter a friend had and I would avg 100 or so fasting.

Now it is steady at 91, fasting.

 I cannot believe it is from the metfomin as I only take one (so far) and it's been about a  week.  With such a low number, I am a little concerned now about titrating upward !

THX LuvRVing

I appreciate knowing that . You're always such a help!
  I truly believe it is the dietary changes. I was a BIG carb addict, and I have pretty much cut all the bad carbs ...eating lots of fruit though.

In any case, I am a little concerned about taking *more* metformin which these norm numbers.  It's not that I wanted to be pre-diabetic or on the cusp, but I felt  if the metformin brought me from 100 to 97, fine.  That is, all 4 pills of metformin! I dunno'.

Think I will watch my numbers for another week anyway.

Going to my PCP tomorrow. Of course, I must tell him I am on it, but not sure what I will say as to why. I dont think my endo dr. will be too happy with the whole thing. I certainly cant say I'm diabetic. I also dont want him thinking she's a jerk.

What to do ?

Thanks fluffqueen. 

That would be amazing!  It's the strips that cost.
My BS was 87 this morning. I used to avg 99/100.

This is one pill and a change in diet.  I have to say, I'm pretty concernd about upping the dosage at this point  :>(

Has anyone else had a similar drop ?

Feel like I was better off with the sugar filled junk food habit.....ironically!