And the brand name of Metformin is

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #1

Glucophage!
Very cool. I may have to take it, as the cancer med I’m taking causes high glucose (400+) even in a non-diabetic.

(Windmill Tilter) #2

That’s a bummer. You’ve done some pretty amazing work driving up your GKI though, so even if you do have to take it, you’ll probably be at a lower dose than you would have otherwise. :+1:

(Bob M) #3

Metformin is one of the best drugs for diabetes. It’s so good, I’ve seen people recommend everyone take it for life extension. I’m not sure that’s a great idea, but the vast majority of the studies I’ve seen on it have been good.

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #4

I’m not going to take it unless I need to. But, since I monitor closely I’ll have a very good idea of if/when it starts to spike. But if rather have it on hand then have to try to get it if things go haywire. Apparently, about ⅔ (or more) of people experience really high glucose. So it’s routinely prescribed.

(Bob M) #5

That’s a bummer about the glucose. How long does it take metformin to work? That is, if you get a glucose spike, do you have to begin taking it daily?

My main readings on metformin come from either Twitter or from the Hyperlipid blog, but the latter gets into the gory details of how metformin operates, so it’s not the best for actual “how to use this” info.

(Bob M) #6

Also, I’m wondering (out loud) what a spike of say 300+ would feel like? I know when I got my OGTT done, I got a pretty high spike, near 200, and I literally could not keep my eyes open. I was supposed to take another reading on my CGM in the middle of the test, and I think I was asleep or comatose.

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #7

Maybe glucose “spike” is the wrong wording… More like sustained (super) elevated glucose

(Bob M) #8

Do they know the mechanism of how this causes sustained glucose?

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #9

I don’t know if it’s gradual… I’m supposed to get a weekly CMP. I was told, that they had people hit 300+ with no symptoms

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #10

No, it’s not really clear why it causes it. This is a fairly new medication.

(Bob M) #11

Were those people on a very low carb diet?

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #12

I highly doubt it. They were probably following SAD.

(VAL) #13

If you end up taking Metformin, ask for the slow release or else it might give you bad stomach cramps. I took Metformin as a PCOS girl and it worked great but until they gave me the extended-release I had bad stomach pain after I took it. Also, Metformin will drain your B vitamins so I would take a B complex supplement in order to keep your vitamin levels up. Good luck with your journey.

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #14

They are starting me on a 1/2 dose (250mg) if I need it.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #15

I started it 30 days ago. I had some loose stools in the beginning days but nothing too terrible. Otherwise I don’t have any side effects. I take 500 mg once a day. My oncologist called in the extended release which retailed at $500. I got him to call in the uncoated generic and it is $11. I also added a B vitamin supplement.

(Bob M) #16

The generic is $11 and the “real” version is $500? Both are extended release?

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #17

The package/bag says that insurance saved me $12.50 for a 30 day supply of 500mg tablets. My cost was $0.99!

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #18

No, I probably confused things. Metformin and Metformin ER (extended release). Regular metformin has been around a long time. Coating it and making an extended release option helps some with GI side effects and also makes more money. Same drug, same action, one is coated, one is not. So essentially, $490 to have your metformin dipped in a slow release coating.

(Cancer Fighting Ketovore :)) #19

That’s crazy!

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #20

Crazy stupid but we’re used to by now, aren’t we? :rofl:

Today I scheduled labs and a follow up with my oncologist so he would fill out the financial aid paperwork for the pharma company who makes my chemo. She said she could get me in six days after my labs and wanted to know if that was too long? I thought, you work there, why are you asking ME? I said no, that if my cancer changes that drastically in six days no amount of oral chemo is going to help me. She didn’t get it. I can’t be the only one who makes jokes with the oncology staff…can I?