metformin (glucophage)

MicheleS · 05-17-2012, 08:43 AM

Anyone on metformin?

I started taking it post-cancer. After treatment, (and after having my ovaries out) by FBG's hovered ~100. They used to be very low.

Recent studies have indicated that for my type of BC, metformin would be a good idea... so my oncologist put me on it. Other recommendations are "to eat a low fat diet" AND "to reduce endogenous insulin secretion." lol

Anywhoo- I went on metformin a year ago and my FBG has dropped. When I was eating LF, I would just eat a cracker or some fruit when I would feel like my BG was a little low during the day. I think that my solution is going to be to quarter atkins bars or to pack almonds in my purse for very small pck-me-ups.

But, I am wondering, are any of you on metformin? Did going LC make it difficult to stay on it? If you were on it for pre-diabetes, did you go off of it?

thanks for the help!!

muncheechee · 05-17-2012, 12:02 PM

I'm on it for type 2 diabetes & pcos. Going lc has put my blood sugar into mostly normal ranges but I generally don't get lows from the met. If you're eating at regular intervals you shouldn't have problems with lows... and if you do maybe your dose should be decreased. Have you had your insulin (not bs) levels checked since going lc? Could be that you insulin levels aren't high enough to need the met now that you are lc.

debkeversole · 05-17-2012, 12:07 PM

been on it for years for PCOS low carb is great with it

Glimmergirl · 05-17-2012, 01:15 PM

I was on Metaformin for about a year and could not get past the horrible stomach side effects. I was on a low dosage and the extended version and I still couldn't take it consistently. My healthcare coverage would not cover anything else. Finally, my doctor received discount cards for Onglyza which would make my copay the same price as generic metaformin so I was able to switch. My fasting numbers have been excellent and I no longer have the horrible stomach issues. I think because I can take the Onglyza on consistent basis versus a couple weeks on and couple weeks off on the Met that my numbers have improved.

I'm hoping to get off all of it before the end of the year. My last A1C came back at 5.7 and My dr. won't take me off it until I am consistently in the 5.0 to 6.0 range for several repeat tests.

mimivac · 05-17-2012, 01:27 PM

I am not on it, but am going to ask my onc. about it as a cancer recurrence preventative. I was also told to eat a low fat diet for my particular form of bc. The diet consisted of lots of easily digestible carbs (including unlimited sugar) and I ended up gaining 30 pounds on it, so..... Anyway, I've been hearing a lot of good things about metformin lately.

Vilya · 05-17-2012, 01:44 PM

I'm on it for Type 2 diabetes and I also eat very low carb (around 30 carbs per day). It is a very safe drug, although some people do have bad gastro problems on it. YMMV with that. The extended release version is usually tolerated better.

I think I might be able to control my BG with diet and exercise alone, but I see no reason to stop my Met, as it's only a mid-level dose and I have no side effects. I really think it helps with the weight loss, too (lack of appetite).

juliekaboolie · 05-17-2012, 01:48 PM

I was on it for 10 years and my doctor took me off it because low carb worked so well. I think it's a great drug to use while low carbing!!

Lony · 05-17-2012, 01:51 PM

I went on Metformin for PCOS. The awesome thing about it is that it won't drop your blood sugar too low. I did have tummy issues for about the first week or so but it has pretty much gone away now.

MicheleS · 05-17-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimivac

I am not on it, but am going to ask my onc. about it as a cancer recurrence preventative. I was also told to eat a low fat diet for my particular form of bc. The diet consisted of lots of easily digestible carbs (including unlimited sugar) and I ended up gaining 30 pounds on it, so..... Anyway, I've been hearing a lot of good things about metformin lately.

Mimivac-
did you have triple negative bc? that's why I am on metformin. I gained on the lf diet as well.

before cancer I was consistently 110 on Atkins for years (literally years and years). I was 150ish when I went on Atkins between baby 2 and baby 3.

After baby 3, Atkins got me back down to 115 when I got my dx. Baby 3 was still little.

I gained to 140 while beginning chemo and then lost to 105. After chemo, the "healthy lf diet" got me to 125 with endless sugar binging. <grumble>

So... here I am. Going off metformin isn't an option because of the recurrence prevention aspect of the treatment. I am just trying to figure out how to manage it!

mimivac · 05-17-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicheleS

Mimivac-
did you have triple negative bc? that's why I am on metformin. I gained on the lf diet as well.

before cancer I was consistently 110 on Atkins for years (literally years and years). I was 150ish when I went on Atkins between baby 2 and baby 3.

After baby 3, Atkins got me back down to 115 when I got my dx. Baby 3 was still little.

I gained to 140 while beginning chemo and then lost to 105. After chemo, the "healthy lf diet" got me to 125 with endless sugar binging. <grumble>

So... here I am. Going off metformin isn't an option because of the recurrence prevention aspect of the treatment. I am just trying to figure out how to manage it!

Michele, yes triple negative. The study that they base the low fat diet on is a diary study that, although large in sample size, has a lot of methodological problems IMO. I hated eating all those carbs and then absolutely starving all day long. Yep, led to lots of binging. Totally unsuccessful on it and trying a different way now with low carb, which I did really well on back in 2003. Good luck managing the drug and low carb. Please keep us informed. This is a really important subject.

mimi

debkeversole · 05-17-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glimmergirl

I was on Metaformin for about a year and could not get past the horrible stomach side effects. I was on a low dosage and the extended version and I still couldn't take it consistently. My healthcare coverage would not cover anything else. Finally, my doctor received discount cards for Onglyza which would make my copay the same price as generic metaformin so I was able to switch. My fasting numbers have been excellent and I no longer have the horrible stomach issues. I think because I can take the Onglyza on consistent basis versus a couple weeks on and couple weeks off on the Met that my numbers have improved.

I'm hoping to get off all of it before the end of the year. My last A1C came back at 5.7 and My dr. won't take me off it until I am consistently in the 5.0 to 6.0 range for several repeat tests.

ooh that ER stuff was AWFUL i get the regular generic from walmart of it no stomach problems even the first week

Janknitz · 05-17-2012, 02:20 PM

I'm on Met for PCOS, and low carb dieting really helps me with the Met. The reason is that carbs give me the horrible, uncontrollable diarhhea that is the most common side effect of Met. I like to joke that the Met keeps me honest on my low carb diet, because when I eat too many carbohydrates, boy, howdy, WOW, I'm going to be in the little girls room for quite a while!

Met has many positive effects, and there are studies suggesting it may help fight cancer. I've also read that many cancers use the glucose in our bodies and we can help "starve" the cancers with low carb diets. So I'm not sure why oncologists persist in giving the conventional low fat advice because low fat diets have to, by default, be high carb.

Here are some things your doctor may not have told you:
Start Met slowly and SLOWLY increase your dose. Usually the pills are in 500 mg. Start with just one per day and wait a week or so before increasing your dose by 500 more. Keep increasing slowly until you get to your prescribed dose. Side effects will happen if you rush it.

ALWAYS take Met with food. Some people find they have to take it in the middle of the meal to reduce side effects. NEVER take it on an empty stomach, you'll be sorry if you do.

Did they give you extended release tablets? Most people tolerate extended release tablets better than regular, with fewer nasty GI side effects.

If you don't tolerate it well, ask for a different version (i.e. an extended release by another manufacturer). Sometimes people are sensitive to the fillers certain generic manufacturers use.

Stick to low carb. It helps.

05-17-2012, 08:43 AM	#1
MicheleS Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: deep south Posts: 356 Gallery: MicheleS Stats: 140 (biggest)... 118/110/107... 5'0" WOE: mostly Atkins but organic and no beef or pork Start Date: restart May 2012	metformin (glucophage) Anyone on metformin? I started taking it post-cancer. After treatment, (and after having my ovaries out) by FBG's hovered ~100. They used to be very low. Recent studies have indicated that for my type of BC, metformin would be a good idea... so my oncologist put me on it. Other recommendations are "to eat a low fat diet" AND "to reduce endogenous insulin secretion." lol Anywhoo- I went on metformin a year ago and my FBG has dropped. When I was eating LF, I would just eat a cracker or some fruit when I would feel like my BG was a little low during the day. I think that my solution is going to be to quarter atkins bars or to pack almonds in my purse for very small pck-me-ups. But, I am wondering, are any of you on metformin? Did going LC make it difficult to stay on it? If you were on it for pre-diabetes, did you go off of it? thanks for the help!!

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05-17-2012, 12:02 PM	#2
muncheechee Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NC Posts: 378 Gallery: muncheechee Stats: Pregnancy goals 240/244/260 WOE: LC pregnancy	I'm on it for type 2 diabetes & pcos. Going lc has put my blood sugar into mostly normal ranges but I generally don't get lows from the met. If you're eating at regular intervals you shouldn't have problems with lows... and if you do maybe your dose should be decreased. Have you had your insulin (not bs) levels checked since going lc? Could be that you insulin levels aren't high enough to need the met now that you are lc.

05-17-2012, 12:07 PM	#3
debkeversole Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: southern ky Posts: 49,372 Gallery: debkeversole Stats: 370/285/199 WOE: 8/29/11 R9P2 HCG diet Start Date: 10-8-09	been on it for years for PCOS low carb is great with it

05-17-2012, 01:15 PM	#4
Glimmergirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 358 Gallery: Glimmergirl	I was on Metaformin for about a year and could not get past the horrible stomach side effects. I was on a low dosage and the extended version and I still couldn't take it consistently. My healthcare coverage would not cover anything else. Finally, my doctor received discount cards for Onglyza which would make my copay the same price as generic metaformin so I was able to switch. My fasting numbers have been excellent and I no longer have the horrible stomach issues. I think because I can take the Onglyza on consistent basis versus a couple weeks on and couple weeks off on the Met that my numbers have improved. I'm hoping to get off all of it before the end of the year. My last A1C came back at 5.7 and My dr. won't take me off it until I am consistently in the 5.0 to 6.0 range for several repeat tests.

05-17-2012, 01:27 PM	#5
mimivac Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 629 Gallery: mimivac Stats: 160.4/131.8/125 -- body fat % 42.2/32.2/24 WOE: Back to low carb Start Date: July 1, 2012	I am not on it, but am going to ask my onc. about it as a cancer recurrence preventative. I was also told to eat a low fat diet for my particular form of bc. The diet consisted of lots of easily digestible carbs (including unlimited sugar) and I ended up gaining 30 pounds on it, so..... Anyway, I've been hearing a lot of good things about metformin lately.

05-17-2012, 01:44 PM	#6
Vilya Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,691 Gallery: Vilya Stats: 285/184/170 WOE: LC/HF for T2 diabetes Start Date: Sept. 2011	I'm on it for Type 2 diabetes and I also eat very low carb (around 30 carbs per day). It is a very safe drug, although some people do have bad gastro problems on it. YMMV with that. The extended release version is usually tolerated better. I think I might be able to control my BG with diet and exercise alone, but I see no reason to stop my Met, as it's only a mid-level dose and I have no side effects. I really think it helps with the weight loss, too (lack of appetite).

05-17-2012, 01:48 PM	#7
juliekaboolie Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,382 Gallery: juliekaboolie WOE: Whole30 Start Date: 1/7/11	I was on it for 10 years and my doctor took me off it because low carb worked so well. I think it's a great drug to use while low carbing!!

05-17-2012, 01:51 PM	#8
Lony Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Buffalo Wyoming Posts: 11,647 Gallery: Lony Stats: 357/230/160 WOE: Atkins(ish) Start Date: July 6 2011	I went on Metformin for PCOS. The awesome thing about it is that it won't drop your blood sugar too low. I did have tummy issues for about the first week or so but it has pretty much gone away now.

05-17-2012, 02:20 PM	#12
Janknitz Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,753 Gallery: Janknitz Stats: 254/195/150 WOE: Low Carb High Fat, No Grains Start Date: June 16, 2011	I'm on Met for PCOS, and low carb dieting really helps me with the Met. The reason is that carbs give me the horrible, uncontrollable diarhhea that is the most common side effect of Met. I like to joke that the Met keeps me honest on my low carb diet, because when I eat too many carbohydrates, boy, howdy, WOW, I'm going to be in the little girls room for quite a while! Met has many positive effects, and there are studies suggesting it may help fight cancer. I've also read that many cancers use the glucose in our bodies and we can help "starve" the cancers with low carb diets. So I'm not sure why oncologists persist in giving the conventional low fat advice because low fat diets have to, by default, be high carb. Here are some things your doctor may not have told you: Start Met slowly and SLOWLY increase your dose. Usually the pills are in 500 mg. Start with just one per day and wait a week or so before increasing your dose by 500 more. Keep increasing slowly until you get to your prescribed dose. Side effects will happen if you rush it. ALWAYS take Met with food. Some people find they have to take it in the middle of the meal to reduce side effects. NEVER take it on an empty stomach, you'll be sorry if you do. Did they give you extended release tablets? Most people tolerate extended release tablets better than regular, with fewer nasty GI side effects. If you don't tolerate it well, ask for a different version (i.e. an extended release by another manufacturer). Sometimes people are sensitive to the fillers certain generic manufacturers use. Stick to low carb. It helps.