Firstly welcome to the forum.
Secondly thank you for your service.
Thirdly, that’s a lot to be dealing with all at once but there’s hope as the CLL doesn’t mean you can’t get the diabetes under control.
How long ago were you diagnosed with CLL and how recently did the diabetes symptoms arrive?
What dose of metformin are you on and how are you coping with it so far?
Has anyone given you dietary advice for the diabetes taking into consideration the CLL?
You’re probably aware but Bloodwise offer great support for those diagnosed with CLL so may well be worth looking into for support in addition to us here.
Do you have any specific questions or issues which immediately come to mind? If you do then ask away! Nothing is a stupid question and nothing is off limits either!
Thank you for your response. It is difficult to separate my CLL from the recent T2 diabetes diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with a CLL in June 2015 when aged 57. My GP found that my white blood cell count (wbc) was repeatedly a few points over the normal wbc range. I was then referred to a consultant haematologist, who gave me the bad news, but who then reassured me that this leukaemia ‘is the best one to have’ and that he was placing me on
‘watch and wait’. Some people stay on watch and wait for many years; conversely, others need treatment quite quickly - it all depends on your genetics. I believe the average age for diagnosis is around 70 years, and more men than women. Sadly, some people get CLL when quite young.
The NHS treats CLL in a number of ways; much depends upon how advanced you are when diagnosed, how aggressive are the symptoms, your age, and your health and related fitness. Median survival is 10 years, but many stay on watch and wait, and never need treatment. Many go on to have treatment, go into remission, and that is that; others relapse and have more treatment. From my point of view, treatment is about taking control - you give your absolute trust to your medical team - and following the instructions. I am on “targeted drug therapy”, and it is pretty much the best option for me. That said, everything is relative.
When you get to ‘a certain age’, things can go awry as with me. I first gained weight when taking my science degrees, but got it back down; however, injuries, taxi driving and a stressful divorce eventually led to my gaining weight again. As with many others, I also gained more weight in the pandemic. I then had back surgery in June 2021, and had to slow down. CLL kicked off last Christmas when I became anaemic and had to begin treatment. I then noticed odd symptoms after each infusion of obinutuzumab, but did not associate the symptoms with possible diabetes. I had intense thirst, constant urination, and felt weird. As stated previously, the nurse advised an immediate blood sugar test, following which my GP confirmed Type 2 NIDDM - he thought it was linked to the steroids. Coming as I do from a very active and athletic background it was a total shock! I then went home and chucked the biscuits…
FYI, during the army and when in the NHS, I was heavily involved in health and fitness training, and wellness counselling. I was certified under the American College of Sports Medicine as a health/fitness instructor (H/FI); am a holder of the Premier Global Health and Fitness Diploma, and certified under the Wright Foundation as a GP Referral Health Practitioner. I even once counselled those unfit and unhealthy on how to avoid Type 2 diabetes (but can’t seem to keep my own counsel!) All this was long ago, but it does not diminish my feelings of hypocrisy, stupidity and failure. So, let’s get a grip.
Regarding my diet, I dug out my old nutrition books and got reacquainted with the GI and GL, as relevant to controlling diabetes. Am now on a low/medium GI diet, and although not a ‘foodie’, I never ate British stodge. Biscuits, beer, and inactivity were my demons! Otherwise, my diet has been historically quite healthy; however, there is always room for change.
I am on 1 x 500 mg metformin per day for 1 week; second week, 2 per day; third week 3 per day. I’m hopeful that when the infusions are just once per month, meaning less steroids in the pre-treatment, my blood sugar readings will return to normal levels. I also do a lot of walking, which aids weight control, and which burns the Kcals. By monitoring the glycaemic load, maintaining my activities, and being positive I might just reverse this.
Will check out Bloodwise.
Cheers
