Metformin-Anyone on this trial?
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Purple - a fasting of 87 is really good. Your change of diet is probably having more influence than the metformin. Really, metformin will not cause hypoglycemia. Try not to worry - just follow the dosage instructions and keep testing. Normal fasting glucose is 70-99 so you were initially on the high end of normal. Over 100 and you're pre-diabetic, so the metformin and your diet are doing exactly what you would want them to do.
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My sugar levels are normal, always have been. Not much change with the metformin at all.
With diet change of trying to eliminate white and refined sugar, and white flour, I lost 30 pounds and brought my somewhat high cholesterol into normal range.0 -
purple, my morning blood sugar levels went down a bit once I started the metformin, too. I used to be pretty consistently at 98-102, once in a while it would be 103, but now it seems to be averaging in the low 90's. I haven't made very many diet changes, so it must be the metformin.
I do notice that once in a while I get the shakes when I haven't eaten for a while, but when I check my levels, they are usually around 80, so I don't know why I'm getting so shaky. It might be because my body is just used to having a higher reading. Don't know.
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Weety - what you are experiencing is somewhat normal. If your body is used to having higher glucose readings, you may feel a bit shaky or "hypoglycemic" when you're hitting that 80 mark. Many diabetics notice this when they first start treatment (including me) and experiencing rapid drops. Something as simple as a sugar-free mint and a glass of water often solved the problem for me.
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I just took my first dose on Sunday night. First night no problem. Last felt the bloating and had gas. I have noticed i am goign to the bathroom a lot more. maybe that is a good thing and i will hopefully shit all the toxins out of my body!
But with this gas and pooping a lot....I may stay on the 500 mg dose a little longer than a week. Yesterday, I didn't eat as much and I ate later than I usually do. I noticed i was REALLY tired. Almost like my sugars were too low. I don't have diabetes but sugars have always run on high side. So not sure if that is maybe why I felt tired? 0 -
OK thanks again LuvRVing! And also to Weety.
I guess the body is adjusting.
Went to my PCP today and mentioned all. He said to stop looking at the numbers and keep on trucking.
I suppose a glucose of 80 would " feel " hypoglycemic if used to 100.
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I wonder if I should be testing my sugar levels. I am experiencing a number of mouth sores as recent as today, four to five under my top lip and same on the inside of bottom lip. I looked it up and it may be low b12. does metformin not lower b12, would it happen this fast, I have only been taking the med for 3 weeks. My hospital is only testing my blood after 6 months on the trial.
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Nicole4
I dont know about that at all, but when I was at my PCPs...he told me to stop testing dailly( I usually only do the fasting). He said he gives this to people with PCOS all the time, who have perfectly normal blood sugars and it never causes hypoglycemia which was my primary concern.
I dunno'. Up to you of course.
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My MO's office left me a message today to say I was NOT eligible for the Metformin trial. I have read the eligibility requirements several times and can't figure out why. As far as I can see, I should be eligible.
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rn4babies - I would ask for a specific explanation. And if you find one near you, you can email the trial administrators. I don't think you necessarily need your doc's approval to enter a clinical trial. I did one a long time ago for an arthritis drug, and my PCP wasn't involved at all.
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hi all, been lurking a while here. I recognize some names from other threads. My MO is wanting me to do this trial once I am done with surgery and rads. Reading all your info and experiences has been helpful to me. I am not real excited about taking medicines twice a day for 5 years and definitely not excited about potentially getting a placebo and less than excited about side effects but it looks like a promising medication. I am still on the fence about all this.
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rn4babies
If you really wnat the metformin and are refused entry you can always ask your DR for it. My endo was against it, but I went in for a checkup with my PCP last week and he said it was no big deal as he Rx for PCOS all the time. I have a feeling he wouldnt have minded giving it to me which is good to know.
jpmomof3
If you are VERY concerned about placebo then dont ebnter the trial and take the advice I gave rn4babies. Chances are you will be taking 'some' med for 5 yrs anyhow.
In the end, we each have to do what we need for ourselves. If we can help someone else at the same time, thats great, but we have to live in some peace as well.
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I started the Clinical Trial for Metformin on Thursday, July 12th. I also am hoping I received the "real" drug. So far no side effects, but it may be to soon to tell. I feel good about possible helping others with my kind of Breat Cancer ~ Negative 3 and Grade 3. I hope you all remain well and healthy because I am not ready to let go of life yet! Who else is doing the study? Anyone know of any secrets that we can trll if we got Metformin?
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gwen.. if you bite it ,it tastes awful,, kind of fishy
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Gwen
I am on metformin.
It is well known for causing gastric disturbances and loose stools, esp in the beginning.
Also , it took my fasting glucose from 100 to avg 89 in no time. I would think that is most telling. You can buy a glucose meter OTC but strips and needles are pricey. Perhaps your PCP or MO would RX you one or else you may be able to borrow / share from a diabetic friend . ( They usually get more than meter)
OBVIOUSLY , never use anyone elses needle/finger stick ( disclaimer
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Good Luck!0 -
jpmomof3, I was of the same opinion as you for awhile. I stopped and realized how I would rather take medication for 5 years than no be given the opportunity. It is a personal decision, I have read as much as possible on metformin and I am over the moon that I met the criteria to be in the trial.
Ossa, I bit into mine and there was no taste whatsoever, I was convinced that it was metformin as I have experienced loose stool for one week if taken without food, tomorrow I will take it again on an empty stomach to see what happens. Did I read somewhere that someone had metformin and it didn't taste bad?
I have not experienced any other side effects other than loss of appetite lately and a mild headache
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I have metformin.
I have never bit into it. I will try tomorrow if I think of it.
Please feel free to PM me if I forget . I have a zillion things on my mind and a lot to do coming up at work as well/
Best wishes to all!
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I am borderline diabetic and i'm 3 months off chemo. At my one year check up with surgeon i mentioned the metformin and she said that the studies have been showing amazing results and that if i can i should go on it.
I've also heard something about an ostioporosis drug that prevents recurrence too?
Anyone know about that?
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OK, I bit into the AM pill.
It really doesnt taste bad. If I absoluetly had to, I could take it as a chewable...but wouldnt really want to! I mean, it is SLIGHTLY bitter- but nothing at all like an spirin. Not very much taste to it really.
Loose stools are a sign. Gastric upset- ESP on an expmty stomach,
The most telling would be a glucose meter if you can get your hands on one.
Good luck to all of you !
I hope this helps someone
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I got a prescription from my PCP. Starting off really slow, like 250mg a day. So far no gastro stuff at all. Will take a whole pill soon, but will probably stay at 500mg for a while.
I am a bit pre-diabetic. Not as bad as I used to be because I lost some weight and am careful with my diet. But figure still insulin resistant anyway.
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Okay, I bit into one of the "pills". It really doesn't have a taste ... maybe a bit chalky. Still no loose stools, though I did have a stomach ache the other day. I don't know. Becoming a little dissapointed now. Maybe the new Metformin doesn't have a taste ? Would I have had any side effects by now only being on it for 5 days? Thanks for everyones input! Look forward to your reply's.
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Can anyone help me interpret glucose levels? My baseline fasting glucose for the trial was 82. A month after I started the metformin/placebo, my doc ordered another glucose test because I was having dizzy spells and she wanted to see what was going on - I got it that same day, so it was non-fasting. It came back at 91, which she said was fine. What would the difference between fasting and non-fasting levels typically be? To those who mentioned that monitoring glucose levels is the best way to determine if you're on placebo or not - does this suggest anything either way? Or do you have to look only at fasting levels? This is all new to me, so any insights would be appreciated!
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There really arent many SEs to speak of gwen.
I still think the best bet is glucose testing . Get a basline and see if it drops after a week or two.
I would go with the fasting because the other is too confusing.
oaktownmom
In either case your levels are normal. You need a baseline fasting ( 82) compared to another baseline fasting. Cant really compare the apples to oranges. sorry
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I think i may ask my MO how willing she might be to just put me on metformin. if she isnt i am willing to do the trial. Barring side effects i would complete it either way, placebo or not. Its still relatively untested but basicially harmless. The information is important for the future.
The most reliable way to test blood sugar is fasting. taking it after meals the results can be very dependent on what you ate and how long from the meal you tested. it isnt quite as important with non diabetics but it is just easier to interpret fasting sugars.
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Metformin actually has a more pronounced effect on post-prandial (after eating) blood sugar elevations. Early in the course of diabetes, people can have elevations of post-prandial blood sugar without elevations in fasting blood sugar. That's one reason (as well as the ease of the test compared to a glucose tolerance test) that the hemoglobin a1c is now used as one of the ways to diagnose diabetes.
JPMom is right in that post-prandial blood sugars can have a big variation depending on what a person ate. Without strict attention to both pre-meal blood sugar and the carbohydrate content of the meal, comparing post-prandial blood sugars is always going to be to some extent comparing apples to pears. Maybe not as distant as organges, but definitely not another apple from the same tree, if that made sense.
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Metformin actually has a more pronounced effect on post-prandial (after eating) blood sugar elevations.
That may well be true, but I know for me , I was a very consistent 99/100.
In less than 2 weeks , on 2 pills a day, I am at 86 fasting.
As for post-prandial there are just too many variables therefore ...it varies! :>)
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gwendolynan.. Try taking it on an empty stomach,, If I don't eat when taking mine I get nausea after abou half an hour
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I have nothing to add other than I am still hanging in there with the study. I dont have any gastric issues unless I miss a couple of pills. Still loosing weight but that maybe because I am cutting back and working out in addition to Metformin. Next month makes a year. I will update and let you guys know how my follow-up visit goes...
Stay encouraged and keep moving forward ladies!
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Fighter 34 WOW, a year now! Good for you. And you do not know if you have the Metformin or Palcebo?
I took my pill today on an empty stomach and nothing happened ..... so I just don't know! I haven't lost my appitite either (wish I did though) : ) It feels good to be doing something good for Breast Cancer study also. Plus I will be a life long patient at the Cleveland Clinic ~ I'll have close eyes on my recovery. If nothing else that is very comforting to know! Have a great day all !
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OK....I'm a little confused. I was told today that I wasn't eligible because of my tumor size (Stage 1b) and it needs to be a 1c......However, when I read the eligibility guidelines, because I had ITC's it looks like that trumps the tumor size. I'm probably misinterpreting it.
Purple32.......Were you turned down because of your tumor size? Your stats are similar to mine except I was a Stage 1b, Grade 3. I may ask my PCP to give it me as well.
Has anyone seen any noticable weight loss yet?
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