Metformin-Anyone on this trial?

Hi!  I just finished chemo on 9/13/12 and am applying to be part of the study.  I am not diabetic and have never taken Metformin.  Since the actual study is a double blind one, I won't know officially if I'm on Metformin or a placebo - unless I have side effects.  The info I was given says that 20 percent of people get the GI symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas.... I've been hoping those are no worse necessarily than the diarrhea and constipation I've had on chemo, but I'm not crazy about that possibility. I don't usually have "stomach problems" as a rule but chemo of course has changed things up.  Do most of you who actually know that you're on Metformin get those symptoms?  I guess I'm thinking that I volunteered for the study excited about the chance that I'd have one more weapon to throw at this, but I only have a 50-50 chance of even getting the real drug.

Also, I should be starting rads in about a month; does that make any difference, does anyone know?

I go 9/26 for my rads consult and meet with the study research analyst for some blood work and an interview after.  

I'll be interested to see what you think!

Hi Indigo

I am not diabetic, but taking metformin. Definte bloating and gas here the first several weeks.

Good Luck to all!

Hi all,

I am on the trail and no idea of course if I have the real thing or the plecbo. AT first I was a bit nauseous and not hungery. And I had this yucky taste in my mouth. These symptoms came on right way so could be plecebo side effect. Who knows.

After going up to two pills,  I became gassy and have two other strange changes to my body. They are: my tummy suddenly got bigger, ugh...pants don't fit now. And I am constipated. Wondering if any one else has had either of these changes.

 I did gain four pounds on chemo and have not lost it, but still that does not explain suddenly being up two sizes. Anyone else out there struggling with either of these.

WaveWhisperer,

I am in the trial too and pretty sure I am getting the placebo as well. I was on Metformin off and on for 4 years so I know what the side effects usually are.  I have had none and it has been 3 weeks. Oh well is right......

I was very constipated when on Metformin....which is actually the opposite of what most people experience!

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. My trail nurse seemed to think I am on metaforin and not the placebo. Whjo knows. I just hope that the results come in sooner rather than later so we know if metaforin actually can help reduce risk of reoccurance. Off to take my morning pill.

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. My trail nurse seemed to think I am on metaforin and not the placebo because I had some symptoms . Who knows. I just hope that the results come in sooner rather than later so we know if metaforin actually can help reduce risk of reoccurance. Off to take my morning pill.

I would love to know the "company" who declined to give support....the one that still holds the patent and the one that Ms. Goodwin didn't name. Anybody know?

Does anyone have any links to results type articles, not just the trial page. I want to show something to my primary and see if he will rx it. Thanks

Any idea if this trial is helping Stage IV?

I was coming to post this as well ladies. Well aren't we on top of things??? I just love it....

I am beginning this clinical trial on Monday, Oct 1, 2012. Had a 4.8cm tumor in right breast and several lymph nodes and started TAC for 6 treatments from March 2012-July 2012, then lumpectomy 8/21/12 with full lymph node axillary dissection. The cancer shrunk, but still had 1 cm of cancer in tumor and 9 out of 17 lymph nodes still positive after chemo. Started taking Arimidex this week and radiation. Will do Arimidex for 7 years and radiation for 33 treatments.

Purple32, your oncologist will not likely share results until all trials are completed, and will probably not be published until all are completed. Your family physician will probably share the results of a particular study if you ask. I think most are privvy to the information or know where to get it.

I had my interview, exam and labs for the trial on 9/26.  The nurse who is the research analyst went over my medical history, how I've dealt with chemo and side effects, measured my waist, hips, height and weight, took 8 different labs, and took my blood pressure 3 times in succession, 1 minute apart, and then 1 more time with me in a standing instead of sitting position.  I wished she had done that before the blood was drawn, because getting my BP taken that many times left me with a big bruise inside my elbow (but I've had worse).  I also had a have a chest x-ray.  My labs all came back fine except for my white counts, which had tanked due to nadir (last chemo was 2 weeks before).  So I'll have to repeat the CBC, but I'll have to do that anyway before I'm due to start the trial on the 15th, because I'll be having my port removed on the 12th.  No extra sticks, yay. 

I'm crossing my fingers my stomach issues have settled down once I get to a month PFC.  Just in case I have SEs from the Metformin.  

Sharing this for anyone who's thinking about the trial - and curious if everyone else had a similar work-up.  

I have been on the trial since July 2012. No real side effects till I started taking 2 pills. I am sure it is the real thing. Some days I have a lot of lower GI issues. I will not be constipated for at least 5years. I need to get serious with my weight and am hoping metforman will help with that.