Cancer and diabetes

[whelkstall99]

I've had type 2 diabetes for many years with variable control, I've just had surgery for metastatic colon cancer and I'm now on chemotherapy.

My diabetes is way out of control. I've been put on insulin with an increasing dose but it appears to make no difference. My BG remains in the 20s and 30s regardless of the time of day or the insulin dose, but all the medics can say is, "increase the insulin."

I feel really unwell. I can't really talk to the doctors any more because it seems like I'm finding fault

 

[Amigo]

I've had type 2 diabetes for many years with variable control, I've just had surgery for metastatic colon cancer and I'm now on chemotherapy.

My diabetes is way out of control. I've been put on insulin with an increasing dose but it appears to make no difference. My BG remains in the 20s and 30s regardless of the time of day or the insulin dose, but all the medics can say is, "increase the insulin."

I feel really unwell. I can't really talk to the doctors any more because it seems like I'm finding fault

Did you require steroids whelkstall or has this happened as a result of the chemo? I wonder if your oncologist could speak with an Endocrinologist for guidance for you? I think you really must tell them how much this is bothering you. It’s not finding fault at all, it’s trying to find solutions.
I have this coming up soon and fear my diabetes spiralling out of control so totally understand your issues. Please speak to one of the specialist nurses or attending doctor and make your fears known. It may be that this is the temporary price of the cancer treatment but you need more information and support with this. Sending best wishes to you.

 

[whelkstall99]

The three days of steroids are far worse but the BG then falls to the 20s and 30s. The insulin is the new factor. It doesn't appear to do anything. (Good luck to you.)

 

[KARNAK]

Hello mate welcome to the forum. Sure your blood sugars are high, I`m afraid steroids do tend to keep your blood sugars high, also being on chemo doesn't help, we feel for you. How about coming back to the forum everyday just let us know how you feel on a daily basis, compliments are better than supplements😉.

 

[trophywench]

It is absolutely amazing how much more insulin anyone using needs, when they are ill with something else. eg I broke a kneecap last year and thereafter and whilst I was in hospital being pinned back together and for weeks afterwards until the swelling was virtually gone and I was well on the way to recovery I suddenly needed up to nearly 4x the amount I have normally. So when they tell you to keep increasing it - just DO it until your body shows some signs of being a bit happier. If you didn't have diabetes and just had the cancer which was being treated - your own pancreas would have to do it and even then might not be able to produce enough, so you would then be started on insulin - some individuals who recover successfully from the other illness, are able to come off the insulin again at some time, but others don't. Nobody knows whether you'll be able to or not.

However - it's perfectly plain that your body cannot recover from anything whatever at the moment since nobody's body possibly can, with blood glucose as high as yours. No way.

So get those doses cranked up - and don't be frightened if the doses get enormous because in that case - there are stronger insulins that can be prescribed so the actual amount of it you inject reduces but you are still getting the right strength of insulin to do the job but eg only injecting 30u rather than 90u of the normal sort.