Another Newbie!

[LovelyTapir]

hello everyone,
I've been recently diagnosed with Type 2 though my tests suggest I've probably had it for a couple of years.

To complicate matters I was diagnosed as a result of blood tests done when I was also recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It's all happening here!! My first session of chemo last month was just before my diagnosis and the chemo and steroids I had sent my blood sugar soaring while the sickness & diarrhoea meant I couldn't eat so I ended up in hospital very hyperglycaemic and dehydrated. A perfect storm...

On a more positive note I did come out of hospital with a meter so I can now test my blood sugar myself but also on Gliclazide. I've struggled to get below 8 in the 10 days since I came out of hospital though my dose has been increased - I need to do more eating to the meter I think to see what affects me most. However, my next chemo is tomorrow and the steroids I started today have made my levels shoot up ridiculously. I don't know what to do!!

Sorry for the lengthy post - any advice from anyone who's had to deal with Type 2 and chemo/steroids would be much appreciated

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome to the forum LT 🙂. I became a risk assessor for Diabetes UK so people could find out asap. It sounds like you have been though a lot. If I were you I would be as active as possible cut down on the carbs. Really good luck. Pls keep asking if not Shure.🙂

 

[pav]

Welcome to the forum. When I have steroids I don't stand a chance of keeping my levels anywhere near what they normally are, even using steroid creams knock me about. With all that's going on with yourself a call or trip to the doctors to see what they can do to help.

 

[Ljc]

HI welcome. Oh boy You have got a lot on your plate right now. Steroids, stress I am not sure about chemo but knowing Diabetes as I do it probably can , will affect your blood glucose levels.
To be honest IMO I think it would be best while you are being treated for cancer, if you were under the care of the diabetes team at the hospital as they are the specialists in all things related to diabetes. If you are I suggest you contact them ASAP to let them know about your high levels , if not ask the staff at your appointment tomorrow if they can refer you.
Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Northerner]

hello everyone,
I've been recently diagnosed with Type 2 though my tests suggest I've probably had it for a couple of years.

To complicate matters I was diagnosed as a result of blood tests done when I was also recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It's all happening here!! My first session of chemo last month was just before my diagnosis and the chemo and steroids I had sent my blood sugar soaring while the sickness & diarrhoea meant I couldn't eat so I ended up in hospital very hyperglycaemic and dehydrated. A perfect storm...

On a more positive note I did come out of hospital with a meter so I can now test my blood sugar myself but also on Gliclazide. I've struggled to get below 8 in the 10 days since I came out of hospital though my dose has been increased - I need to do more eating to the meter I think to see what affects me most. However, my next chemo is tomorrow and the steroids I started today have made my levels shoot up ridiculously. I don't know what to do!!

Sorry for the lengthy post - any advice from anyone who's had to deal with Type 2 and chemo/steroids would be much appreciated

Hi @LovelyTapir welcome to the forum 🙂 Love the user name

Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and everything else you are having to contend with I don't have experience of steroids or chemo, but both are likely to make blood sugar control very difficult. I would say that if you are achieving single figure numbers then you are doing well. It's very early days for you and these things do take time. It's possible you may need an increase in your gliclizide dose - what dose are you currently on? The gliclizide stimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin to help counter your high blood sugar levels. What are your levels like currently, on the steroids?

You might like to read Maggie Davey's letter to help you pass the time in chemo - it is a well-respected source of information about how to manage Type 2 diabetes, including information about appropriate diet. May not be of great use just now, with the other things you are contending with, but hopefully it will increase your understanding of diabetes 🙂 I'd also highly recommend getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker which will guide you through these early months, and have a look at the blog post Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S for information about how to use your meter effectively to tailor your diet to your own particular tolerances for different food choices 🙂

I hope all goes well with the chemo today, and that, ultimately, you make a full and complete recovery from the cancer 🙂 The diabetes will be a walk in the park after dealing with that, and you will have lots of people here who are happy to help with any questions you may have 🙂

 

[khskel]

Hi there. Steroids make BG control very difficult. Just do the best you can and don't be too hard on yourself if they are a little wayward.

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.
As others have said it is difficult to control blood sugars when on steroids.