Metformin and Breast Cancer

I have chickened out on the trial.  I am not sure what to do.I am so worried about developing diabetes and more complications from this than anything.  still on the fence.

update:  I have done my research and started on the trial today.  btw one year today diagnosis

yes, sorry it was only a misinformed fear, I have now learned more about it.  I have a natural healer and he said it would happen, it can be so hard to make decisions when most people I speak to and learn from are against medications.  I have now started the trial. sorry for the confusion

I went to a sleep specialist/respirologist 10 days ago. Had a sleep study 4 days later, got up, went downstairs to the hospital lab, and had my bloodwork done.

A couple months ago, I talked to the MO about metformin. She said no. It's not authorized for DCIS, not even the clinical trial. I talked to my PCP, who poopooed it becuase it was once hoped that it would work on HIV and it didn't pan out. So I asked the sleep specialist to test my blood sugar because sleep apnea is highly correlated with cancers, including BC, and with metabilic syndrome.

I have the results of the bloodtest. I am in the prediabetes range, 6%.

I now have to figure out who's the most likely to prescribe it given my blood test, not my BC.

Aargh. Advocacy is hard!

You are all most welcome to vote for one of the three docs. MO? Sleep specialist? PCP?

My integrative MD / pathologist was unsure but when he read the articles on LEF he was ready w the rx.  My GP already had me on it for the thyroid issues and I was borderline diabetic back then due to the thyroid and body not using anything I ate, and when asked forthe max  dose, she upped it, said she knew what met can do.  Wish she had done so before when I did not know whaat met c an do.

For me, I would not bet on any of your docs.  I would find one though, docs who poopoo what we feel we need aare not working w us, we need someone to have our backs too, not saying get rid of them, but keep looking for one more bcz you are going to need open-minded docs for complementary and alternative choices.  And i am w NatKat, I too would take matters inhand and order for my own but do know the max dose is 2500 mg a day and for good reason.  So that is why we need med guidance too. and each other.

Diane Essa

What is an endo dr??

Thanks. Perhaps I will ask my PCP for a referral.

I plan on asking my doc for this at my next appt on 9/19. Does Metformin have a bad effect on the kidneys?

Also, if anyone else on this thread has recommendations for health care providers that you trust, please let me know.  I have pretty much lost trust in all but one of mine.

Linda - sent you a PM just now.  Sometimes I don't revisit threads for weeks, so anyone needs to talk, just PM me.  Sorry to hear the reoccrence hit again, Linda.  Scary sh*#.

Purple, good info.  

Kidneys - I don't know but don't think it does.  What they are concerned with is the diabetic who takes it, their kidneys have to be protected for some reason.  I am not diabetic but pharma and ins are treating me like I am, giving me a hard time.  I will orderit on side if I have to, will not go off it.  I also do take liquid potassium ea day, something that can be leached I suppose, our bodies need it so much, so not taking chances.  My kidneys always have tested fine for two years now.

Metformin and MRIs w contrast - when not diabetic, they MUST KNOW you are on Metformin.  They are not going to note it unless you have it noted big and plain for them - METFORMIN.  Bcz they are just looking at the diabetic box, checked or not.  They will do MRI contrast then have you not take the Metf for a few days after then do a blood test to be certain the contrast is out of system, or else that is potentially something not good for kidneys something or other happens hahah, I just know all I know. and that is it........ blah

LOVEEssa

I wouldn't get into a trial with a chance of being in a placebo group. There are over a dozen studies that already show the benefit in breast cancer. Every month you don't take it seems risky. There is a video on Youtube with Dr. Pamela Goodwin in Toronto. She is the current go to person for the state of Metformin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyRbCWcOueE

Metformin's had a hard time because there is NO money in prescribing an old, out of patent drug.

My pharmacist keeps sending me info on meds for kidneys sinceI am on Metformin and he assumes i am diabetic, he will not listen.  Then the ins co sent my dr a letter for me to take the kidney meds.  She wrote on it, stick to practicing insurance.  Go lady.  I think a day will come soon I have to order out of pocket from Canada or something, but for now, they are still paying.  I an rx'ed to take 2500 a day but only take 2000 mg a day tops, with the meals of my day i think it is enough.

LOVEEssa

I met with my new MO yesterday, and it turns out that her area of research is metformin! She has a huge trial going on right now, but I am not eligible because it is only for newly diagnosed early stage.  I did not ask about just going on it anyway ... I am basically starting from scratch with a new treatment plan (or not...) with this new MO.  I really her.  She explained the biology of breast cancer in a way that I had not previously thought about it.  Triple negative either responds to chemo (in which case, you just don't see a lot of recurrence) or it doesn't (in which case, you have progression).  Her2+ respond well to herceptin.  Er+ might respond initially to chemo, then they hide out.  That is why long-term treatment with antihormonals is needed - as soon as those cells in hiding get the least little feeding of estrogen, they come out and feast!  So, what does this have to do with metformin?  She says that they don't know right now if the metformin is more effective in some types of breast cancer.  Right now they don't know which of them might be oversly stimulated by the glucose/insulin pathways, so that is what they are trying to do with the studies.  And we have to remember that clinical trials are NOT aimed to helping an INDIVIDUAL patient - we sign up for them because we are altruistic, and should not hope for cure or improvement based on the medication being studied.  We are just "data points" that help develop new treatments for the next generation of cancer patients.

interesting thread.

is Metformin the same for trip negs..  ill give it a go, give just about anything a go

edit:  just checked out and can purchase online but have to have a script. seeing dr next week will discuss and hopefully i will be able to get a script.  sounds promising especially if they are doing clinical trials now. 

we will just do our own trial.

xx