 |
01-21-2016, 03:39 PM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
|
Do you take Metformin?
Hello everybody,
I've noticed that some of you have or are currently taking Metformin as part of your treatment for cancer (not diabetes). I'm considering asking my onc to prescribe it to me and would be interested in your personal experience with using this medication.
Thanks for you input!
Take Care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
|
|
|
|
01-21-2016, 04:15 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 563
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I asked my Oncologist about this. She didn't exactly say no but doesn't prescribe it. Told me to go through GP and see if he would. I was on a trial at the time so think this might also have been a reason for not prescribing. I didn't want to rock the boat so haven't gone to GP.
Like you, I would be interested in hearing all the pros and cons of it!
|
|
|
|
|
01-21-2016, 04:38 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Millsboro, Delaware
Posts: 140
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Following this
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
01-21-2016, 04:43 PM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 26
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I may or may not be taking Metformin -- I'm participating in a trial to see if it has any effect on breast cancer recurrence. I haven't noticed any side effects, so I may be on a placebo.
__________________
2012-Feb-29 D-Day: IDC ER-/PR- HER2+++ Grade 3, Stage 3 - several biopsy proven positive nodes
2012-Mar - July: Neoadjuvant FEC-D + Herceptin (6 rounds)
2012-Apr: DVT in arm that received chemo - put on LMW Heparin
2012-Apr: Port installed
2012-Sep-7: Lumpectomy + ALND - pCR with residual DCIS
2012-Oct: Switched from LMW Heparin to Warfarin
2012-Oct-Nov: 30 days of rads
2013-Jan: Entered Adjuvant Metformin trial (Metformin or placebo for 5 years)
2013-Jan: Switched from Warfarin to Xarelto
2013-Mar: First signs of lymphedema
2013-May-16: Last Herceptin (17 doses in total)
2013-Jun: Port removed and anticoagulants stopped
2014-Mar: Lymphedema worsened and became unresponsive to treatment
2015-Apr: Started PENTOCLO protocol to attempt to improve radiation fibrosis
|
|
|
|
|
01-21-2016, 06:34 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 474
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Metformin seems to have an effect on stem cells which are becoming
more and more important. If your renal function is good the side effects are not sevefre.
Some people get stomac issues. It wond directly lower blood sugar like Sulfonylurea drugs
like glyburide
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
01-21-2016, 10:22 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 285
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I am using the ketogenic diet to lower my blood and brain glucose levels. So far my body is really happy about it.
Metformin is used a lot for women with PCOS dealing with fertility issues but my sense was that insulin resistance was at play for the development of breast cancer as well. Lots of stage 4 BC sisters are on metformin and tolerating it well. I think if you ask on Inspire.com you might find more.
I think if we think about cancer as a metabolic disease that we are fighting then it makes a lot of sense to switch to a less favorable diet, one that makes cancer grumpy. It has been part of my modus operandi -- making my brain mets uncomfortable 
BTW, I found this great article that is very relevant to this discussion:
An integrated multidisciplinary model describing initiation of cancer and the Warburg hypothesis
http://www.tbiomed.com/content/10/1/39
They think glucose dysregulation happens first, then cancer develops.
This also mentions that weekly dosing (metronomic, dose-dense) of certain chemo agents might work better based on cell cycle dynamics.
__________________
- Dx 2/14 3b HER2+/HR- left breast, left axilla, internal mammary node (behind breast bone). Neoadjuvant TCHP 3/14-7/2. PCR 8/14 LX and SND. 10/21-12/9 Proton therapy to chest wall.
- Dx 7/20/15 cerebellar met 3.5x5cm HER2+/HR-/GATA3+ 7/23/15 Craniotomy.
- 7/29/15 bone scan clear. 8/3/15 PET clean scan. LINAC SRS (5 fractions) Sept 2015. 9/17/15 CSF NED, 9/24/15 CSF NED, 11/2/15 CSF NED.
- 10/27/15 atypical uptake in right cerebellum - inflammation?
- 12/1/15 Leptomeningeal dx. Starting IT Herceptin.
- 1/16 - 16 fractions of tomotherapy to cerebellum, break of IT Herceptin during rads, resume at 100 mg weekly
- 3/2016 - stable scan
- 5/2016 stable scan
- 7/2016 pseudoprogression?
- 9/2016 more LM, start new chemo protocol and IV therapy treatment with HBOT
- 11/2016 Cyberknife to temporal lobe, HBOT just prior
- 12/2016 - lesions starting to show shrinkage
- 8/2017 - Stable since Dec 2016. Temporal lobe lesion gone.
- Using TCM, naturopathic oncology, physical therapy, chiro, massage, medical qigong, and energetic healing modalities in tandem. Stops at nothing.
- Mother of 2 boys - ages 7 and 10 (8/2017) and a lovely partner with lots to live for.
Last edited by agness; 01-21-2016 at 10:22 PM..
Reason: typo
|
|
|
|
|
01-22-2016, 08:00 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 83
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I take metformin. Had no problem getting a prescription from my onc. She even asked me what dose I wanted, maybe she was testing me to see if I had done my homework. But I asked for 500mg tabs. I think I read somewhere that was the clinical trial dose. I take 2 pills per day, so 1000 mg. I also bought a glucose meter. I test my blood in the am and sometimes at night. I'm usually around 86-90, fasting at 70. But I have cut out sugars and carbs. And like Agness I am following a ketogenic diet, so no refined carbs or sugars anyways. Carbs through veggies.
__________________
June 2013 DX Stage 3 Idc, rt breast, er/pr-, her2+++
PET/CT/Brain MRI clear
ACTHP until Dec 2013
BMX Dec 2013
28 Rads Feb 2014
Exchange surgery June 2014
Herceptin end Sept 2014
Headaches start Oct 2014
CT body clear Nov 2014
Brain MRI 4 lesions Nov 2014
SRS via LINAC in Dec 2014
Rt side infection, hospitalized, lost right implant on Jan 1, 2015
Jan 14 2015 MRI brain lesions shrinking
Jan 27 2015 Re-start herceptin every 3 weeks
Feb 2015 CT/PET Body clear
Re-start Lymphedema treatment April 2015
Breast MRI clear April 2015
Brain MRI April 2015 - shows everything stable, nothing new (whew)
CT scan June 2015 - clear
|
|
|
|
|
01-22-2016, 08:10 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 83
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Also metformin can cause diarrhea and it can be compounded if you take other chemo that causes diarrhea. And sometimes I only take one tab. I've done some experimenting to check my glucose without taking metformin and find that since my diet is low in sugars, carbs, and fruits, my glucose measures low. Still trying to figure out what I am going to do with that info. Maybe someone has an idea? But I continue to take it.
Some people lose weight on metformin.
|
|
|
|
|
01-22-2016, 09:49 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Thanks for your responses. Sounds like metformin may be worth taking. My diet is pretty good but I do like an occasional sweet.
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
|
|
|
|
|
01-23-2016, 07:14 PM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 362
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I'm on Metformin, have been for a few years. I take 850 mg twice a day and other than a metallic aftertaste, I don't really feel any different.
__________________
DX 10/2011
PET Scan + MRI 10/2011
Lumpectomy 11/11/11
Stage 2B +++ ER+(10%), PR+(5%), HER2+++(1 positive node, 1 micromets to second node)
AC started 12/2011 ended 1/2012
Taxol + Herceptin weekly for 12 weeks ended 4/2012
30 zaps of radiation done 6/2012
Tamoxifen 6/2012
every 3 weeks of Herceptin for another year.
Metformin Trial 8/12
10/12 MRI- CLEAR
01/13 BRAIN MRI- CLEAR!
01/13 Neck MRI- CLEAR!
FINISHED HERCEPTIN 1/9/2013...Woot Woot
Starting Walter Reed Vaccine Trial 2/13
CT Scans + ultrasound of abdomen CLEAR-5/13
02/2015 through 11/2015 emergency D&Cs for Tamoxifen induced uterine polyps which caused uncontrollable hemorrhaging
12/2015 blood clot to left leg caused by Tamoxifen. No longer taking it. On Xarelto, a blood thinner
12/2015 Ablation to prevent hemorrhaging from potential issues with Tamoxifen residue in my system
1/2016 continuing journey without hormonal therapy. Reevaluating the option of a hysterectomy and oopherectomy.
4/1/2018 2mm stroke. Yes, stroke! No cause ever found but they believe it was a migraine that went bonkers and created a tiny clot. No deficits. I was back to normal with 24hrs. Now on baby aspirin for life.
7/27/2018 hysterectomy and oopherectomy
01/07/2019 Mastectomy and expanders put in
3/22/2019 Vtach, almost died. Cause unknown.
7/22/2019 New perky boobs put in
7/21/2020 Off of all drugs but a baby aspirin because of the stroke in 2018.
www.mychemobag.org
www.facebook.com/mychemobag
8 YEARS NED
|
|
|
|
|
01-26-2016, 10:05 PM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New York, new york
Posts: 73
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I take 750mg at night for the past year..
__________________
Eileen's history her2+, er+,pr-, Pk13 mutation
Feb 2017. Herceptin and perjeta ..still ned
Oct 2015 dendritic cell vaccine university of Pennsylvania..6 weekly injections...boosters every 3 months
July 2015 stopped weekly taxol (2.5 years of weekly taxol) still on herceptin perjeta every 3 weeks..still ned
Jun 2014 liver ablation of 1 liver tumor..now ned
Jun 28, 2013 ca15-3 24, cea 3.8... Pet scan showed 2 liver tumors with intensity of 2.7 and 2.5 (11/13 intensity was 8.0)
Jan 2013 herceptin, perjeta every 3weeks, taxol weekly
Jan 2013 MRI showed 3 liver tumors doubled in size ca-15 is 55 end of month 71, cea 7
Dec 2012. Pet scan showed single liver nodule, having MRI liver on dec18th...MRI liver 3tumors... on herceptin, tykerb , fulvestrant ca-15-3 is 42
Sept 2012 ca-15 went from 85 to 35, pet scan showed decrease
May 2012 herceptin every 3 weeks, 1500 tykerb daily (6pills) and fulvestrant every 3 wks
May 2012 herceptin stopped working ca-15 is 85
Sept 2011 started herceptin every 3 wks and femara daily..mets to liver. Bone and lymph nodes
2011 liver mets...all samples from 2001 and 2010 reviewed...her2 positive, fish 5.4. Er positive, prog neg. Stage 4 breast ca...never was lung cancer
2010 16 weeks of chemotherapy for lung cancer (incorrect). Carboplatin and vinalbine...was actually breast ca mets
2010 misdiagnosed with lung cancer ..2cm tumor removed..lower right lobe removed
2001-2006 tamoxifen
2001. Ductal ca. Rt mastectomy
|
|
|
|
|
02-02-2016, 06:18 AM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: france
Posts: 1,648
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Really interesting to know about this. I am definitely interested. sarah
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
02-02-2016, 09:52 AM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Yes, it does seem that a fair amount of us with Her2 take metformin. I have an appointment next month with my onc and I'm going to ask her for a RX. If the side effects aren't bad, I think I'm going to start taking it (assuming she writes me a RX).
Thanks everybody for your responses!
Take Care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
|
|
|
|
|
02-27-2016, 11:00 AM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 26
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I've just heard from a friend on the Metformin trial who had TNBC that all ER-/PR- patients are being dropped from the trial because the latest analysis of the data has shown that Metformin has no effect on recurrence rates for that group.
I haven't yet heard from my study coordinator (my cancer was ER-/PR-/HER2+) but once I do I'll post back here.
__________________
2012-Feb-29 D-Day: IDC ER-/PR- HER2+++ Grade 3, Stage 3 - several biopsy proven positive nodes
2012-Mar - July: Neoadjuvant FEC-D + Herceptin (6 rounds)
2012-Apr: DVT in arm that received chemo - put on LMW Heparin
2012-Apr: Port installed
2012-Sep-7: Lumpectomy + ALND - pCR with residual DCIS
2012-Oct: Switched from LMW Heparin to Warfarin
2012-Oct-Nov: 30 days of rads
2013-Jan: Entered Adjuvant Metformin trial (Metformin or placebo for 5 years)
2013-Jan: Switched from Warfarin to Xarelto
2013-Mar: First signs of lymphedema
2013-May-16: Last Herceptin (17 doses in total)
2013-Jun: Port removed and anticoagulants stopped
2014-Mar: Lymphedema worsened and became unresponsive to treatment
2015-Apr: Started PENTOCLO protocol to attempt to improve radiation fibrosis
|
|
|
|
|
02-27-2016, 11:03 AM
|
#15
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: france
Posts: 1,648
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
that's disappointing. Did they test ER+ as well or not?
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
02-27-2016, 11:56 AM
|
#16
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Broccoli,
Thanks for the info. I'll be curious to see if they do infact decide that ER-/PR- folks are not helped by metformin. I appreciate your comment about posting back to this thread if you are contacted by the study coordinator.
Take care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
|
|
|
|
|
02-27-2016, 12:31 PM
|
#17
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 26
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Sarah -- all types of breast cancer were included in the trial.
__________________
2012-Feb-29 D-Day: IDC ER-/PR- HER2+++ Grade 3, Stage 3 - several biopsy proven positive nodes
2012-Mar - July: Neoadjuvant FEC-D + Herceptin (6 rounds)
2012-Apr: DVT in arm that received chemo - put on LMW Heparin
2012-Apr: Port installed
2012-Sep-7: Lumpectomy + ALND - pCR with residual DCIS
2012-Oct: Switched from LMW Heparin to Warfarin
2012-Oct-Nov: 30 days of rads
2013-Jan: Entered Adjuvant Metformin trial (Metformin or placebo for 5 years)
2013-Jan: Switched from Warfarin to Xarelto
2013-Mar: First signs of lymphedema
2013-May-16: Last Herceptin (17 doses in total)
2013-Jun: Port removed and anticoagulants stopped
2014-Mar: Lymphedema worsened and became unresponsive to treatment
2015-Apr: Started PENTOCLO protocol to attempt to improve radiation fibrosis
|
|
|
|
|
03-03-2016, 01:12 PM
|
#18
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 26
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
I just got confirmation from my study coordinator that all ER-/PR- patients are to stop taking Metformin, as it is having no effect on outcome.
Of course what that DOES mean is that they are seeing an effect for patients that are ER+.
__________________
2012-Feb-29 D-Day: IDC ER-/PR- HER2+++ Grade 3, Stage 3 - several biopsy proven positive nodes
2012-Mar - July: Neoadjuvant FEC-D + Herceptin (6 rounds)
2012-Apr: DVT in arm that received chemo - put on LMW Heparin
2012-Apr: Port installed
2012-Sep-7: Lumpectomy + ALND - pCR with residual DCIS
2012-Oct: Switched from LMW Heparin to Warfarin
2012-Oct-Nov: 30 days of rads
2013-Jan: Entered Adjuvant Metformin trial (Metformin or placebo for 5 years)
2013-Jan: Switched from Warfarin to Xarelto
2013-Mar: First signs of lymphedema
2013-May-16: Last Herceptin (17 doses in total)
2013-Jun: Port removed and anticoagulants stopped
2014-Mar: Lymphedema worsened and became unresponsive to treatment
2015-Apr: Started PENTOCLO protocol to attempt to improve radiation fibrosis
|
|
|
|
|
03-03-2016, 03:04 PM
|
#19
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 411
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Thanks so much for posting. It is a bummer that it doesn't help all of us with breast cancer but the good news is that at least it is helping some.
Take care,
Brenda
__________________
8/2013 Diagnosed IDC Left Breast ER-/PR-/HER2+ Stage 3C, DCIS ER+/PR+/HER2- Right Breast (54 yr)
8/2013 PET/CT scan shows mass in uterues and suprclavicular nodes
8/20/13 Begin 6 rounds TCH chemo, Perjeta added for rounds 4-6
9/2013 After 1st round of chemo, mass in neck and breast no longer able to feel
11/2013 Hysterectomy, mass from PET/CT scan not cancer (adenomylosis)
12/2013 Finished chemo
1/2014 Double mastectomy with chest expanders
1/2014 Pathology report from surgery and SNB show complete pathological response!
3/2014 Finish IMRT radiation
8/2014 Fat transfer to radiated breast
8/2014 Completed 1 yr of Herceptin
10/2014 exchange surgery expanders removed implants placed
6/2015 3D nipple and areola tattoos
|
|
|
|
|
03-03-2016, 11:46 PM
|
#20
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: france
Posts: 1,648
|
Re: Do you take Metformin?
Thanks Broccoli,
Sarah
__________________
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:20 PM.
|
