Metformin experience

[Kark]

Hello everyone,I was recently tested for sugar and it seems I probably have pre-diabetes. In my past research I have seen studies done on the possible benefits of Metformin on PCa. Does anyone have personal experience with this drug and their PCa? I also have periferial neuropathy in my legs which may be the result of my developing diabetes. Would the taking of Metformin not only help my high sugar but also help my PCa situation and neuropathy? I know there is a lot here but I'm hoping someone may have been in a similar situation.

Thank you in advance.

Mark

[Hidden]

I speak from experience.

Metformin is the safest diabetes drug made. Its the first line for PRE-diabetes.

I have no idea if it helps with PCa, I was taking Metformin 10 years before my PCa diagnosis, so you decide!!

Pre-diabetes should not cause peripheral neuropathy. That starts after many years of uncontrolled HIGH blood glucose. It starts at the toes, and moves up to the legs.

If there is no other cause of your neuropathy, and it is full on diabetes, I urge you to get a diabetic retinal scan as fast as possible.

[Kark in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Terminal...question, so the Metformin has obviously been controlling your sugar. I just had a fasting glucose test score of 100 and my first A1c score of 5.1%. I have been around 100 for many years on my fasting score. How has life been on Metformin? Any issues?

[Hidden in reply to Kark]

No, added Glipizide to fully control.

[JohnInTheMiddle]

I'm taking Metformin now three months, no problem, for both metabolic syndrome and its putative anti-PCa benefits. Haven't noticed any problems. Otherwise life as usual with Firmagon ADT and Abiraterone ARPI. When I avoid carbs it seems to help with blood glucose. I'm trying to exercise a lot too.

[middlejoel in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

I don't have an issue with blood suger. My MO suggested I might try metformin as well as the standard treatment and I have been doing so for about 7-8 years. Wether it help or not. I can't say. but I can say that my cancer is not worse today than 8 years ago.ip

[Kark in reply to middlejoel]

Thanks Joel....very interesting your MO did that, not surprised tho. How has living with Metformin been??

[middlejoel in reply to Kark]

No issue, nothing that I can point to and say..." that's why I take metformin". Just like vit D and others

[Kark in reply to middlejoel]

Ok, thanks

[Hope49823 in reply to middlejoel]

Hi Joel, new to the forum. How much metformin did your MO suggest?

[Kark in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

Thank you for that John. I'm metabolic syndrome myself and it sounds like even more reason to advocate for myself to take it. My glucose came back 100 and my A1c was 5.1% My glucose has been border line high for many year, right around 100-102.Any thoughts?

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to Kark]

We are fans of Dr. Jason Fung - his work on diabetes is very strong and scientific. My A1c was 6.1 last time. So it wasn't too hard to persuade my doctor. I have done Keto, but now it's just low carb. The most important thing is exercise! And what we are learning is volume and intensity!

And everything is interrelated it seems - metabolic syndrome, hormone-driven cancers, CVD health, brain health. And beyond today's evolving therapies, we can make a difference with exercise. And probably a lower carbs. (I'm not so sure about the plant-based diets that many people here advocate for - but I'm listening.)

[Kark in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

John, can I ask what your fasting blood glucose scores are doing?Mine have been between 106 and 116.

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to Kark]

Looks like I haven't done a fasting glucose in the past year. I feel stupid.

Anyway my A1c has been about 5.9%. My fasting glucose as measured by my glucometer is between 4.9 and 6.5 mmol/L. Clinic random (i.e. non-fasting) measurements are between 4.8 and 6.5 mmol/L.

These numbers apparently translate for an American situation into about 126 mg/dl random blood glucose.

You can see I have some work to do. If I resist my craving for carbs - which seems to go away when I exercise - and concurrently exercise a lot - then I can get my fasting glucose number down to 4.5 mmol/L!

I've started taking Metformin as of last month. So as I get back into my exercise routine again and a better eating regime I expect my numbers are going to improve.

[KarkMuzio in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

Agreed John, I would imagine you will see significant improvement. Thanks for responding....it seems your numbers are a bit higher than mine but from what I read you should do well on the Metformin.

[ron_bucher]

I've been very physically active my whole life. A couple months after starting metformin, I experienced the strangest muscle issue I've ever had. On the golf driving range, after I had hit 2-3 dozen balls, I felt a pop in my gluteus muscles that could be seen on an MRI as a tissue tear. It took a couple months of inactivity for the muscles to heal. I immediately stopped the metformin and have returned to tennis, hiking, cycling, and golf without any problems. I also do not take any statins because all those gave me muscle issues.

My oncologist said he hasn't seen muscle issues with metformin, but it is listed as a possible side effect and a member of one of my support groups said he had to stop metformin because it caused him severe muscle issues.

[ron_bucher in reply to ron_bucher]

p.s. One of my oncologists, who is very good, says "every drug is a poison".

[Kark in reply to ron_bucher]

Thanks for that Ron. Very interesting as I am active also, working out and playing vigorous pickelball. Did you switch to a different medication?

[ron_bucher in reply to Kark]

no because the metformin benefit for cancer is questionable and that was the only reason I tried it.

[KarkMuzio in reply to ron_bucher]

I think that there are studies going on that are trying to measure the effect to see if it is worth using for PCa. Thanks for getting back. I hear this drug is pretty common but certainly treats everyone differently. Good luck and thanks for getting back.

[j-o-h-n]

You're a Newbie............ (Greetings BTW) so learn how to search our history and you will come across tons and tons of info regarding metformin that you can peruse..... Meanwhile if you will, please update your bio....... all info is voluntary but it helps us help you and helps us too.

Thanks and keep posting....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 09/21/2023 5:38 PM DST

[KarkMuzio in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks John, I will.

[j-o-h-n]

To Kark,

You're welcome......... no hurry, concentrate on your issue(s).

BTW both of your parents were 2 letters short.............or they are German or Italian......

Note: I love humor but I also enjoy my hobby of researching names and Immigrants who came here to the US though Ellis Island (like mine).

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 09/21/2023 6:07 PM DST