In trouble

[Amigo]

Thank you for your replies and also to the other people who have responded to my first post. I don't think she knew a lot. I said that stress raises cortisol in the body and she replied. I do not know about that you need to focus on your diabetes. I really will in a bit. I am surprised that they have bothered to phone me because usually the do not take much notice of what I am doing. My last review was over a year ago and in the car park. I gave some blood and that was it. BG has been quite good today. 6.5 was the lowest. Thanks again everyone. It is nice to have contact with sensible people 🙂

Hi happydog, as others have said, you’ve been undergoing surgery, stress and impact on your mobility which could certainly impact on your levels (though only you can know if you’ve really been good). I’m having cancer treatment for leukaemia and after more than 5 years of brilliant control, it’s like a switch has been flicked. I know my Hba1c will be up in August but I won‘t be taking any flack from an untrained health care assistant over the reasons for or remedies to put it right. She sounds clueless!
I’m struggling to keep my levels steady and a major medication change seemed to have impacted control enormously. I’m also in a lot of joint pain and my doctor recognises the link between pain and increased blood glucose.
Dont let them bully you. You can do this and sound like you’re making great strides. Best wishes for your treatment 🙂 Amigo

 

[Christy]

Phone call again from the surgery. Same woman who is a "health care assistant" said that the GP has given me 6 weeks to get my levels back to acceptable. At the end of the 6 weeks I have to have an HbA1c. I am hoping to get it fixed in that time, but of course I don't know what is coming on the cancer front and what influence that will have. Thank you again for all your support and help. I really appreciate it. This is such a good forum 🙂

Or what?? Where is the empathy or compassion? Maybe she means well but sounds like she needs to brush up on her interpersonal skills. Do your best but your primary goal here is to recover from your cancer op. Take care 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

So many health care professionals seem to see it as somehow motivating to tell people off and put pressure on them or make them feel guilty when it comes to diabetes particularly, and they really don't seem to understand how that approach has the opposite effect and causes stress which will increase levels and make people want to comfort eat all the more.

I agree with @Christy .... OR WHAT? I don't believe medication is appropriate at that level and they surely need to take an individuals circumstances into consideration. I am really quite infuriated by this sort of approach!

 

[Leadinglights]

If you are able to e-mail your GP then I would express your concerns about the unsympathetic approach from the person who contacted you and say you are disappointed that in the circumstances they did not speak to you directly to discuss a plan and more realistic time frame for getting your levels down. If you say how upset you were to receive the news in that way.
if they know you are motivated to address the issue when you are further down the line in your surgery recovery hopefully they will give you time.

 

[NotWorriedAtAll]

@happydog First of all huge hugs to you. You have been super brave and I am in awe of your ability to stay sensible under the pressure you have been/are under.

That person who has been harassing you is a complete twit ( I am thinking worse words than that but I don't want to use them here as this is a place where I try and use my best behaviour).

As has already been said - 1. your levels are not bad considering you have had surgery and been in hospital. 2. stress makes levels worse 3. injuries make levels worse.

You just need to be kind to yourself, eat the food that makes you feel healthy and do the things that make you feel relaxed, get plenty of rest and avoid stress - like phone calls from twits who are giving you deadlines and being naggy.

If you haven't already tried it I would suggest some meditation. I avoided meditation at first because I thought it was hippy dippy rubbish but I have found some that are just relaxation exercises and I find the Hello Sleep ones on Audible super helpful for helping me relax before falling asleep which is when my mind usually starts racing and worrying over stuff.

I always see a better morning result in my blood sugar levels when I have used the relaxation exercises at night compared to when I don't use them. I was surprised that using relaxation exercises two or three times a day seemed to have the biggest positive effect on my blood levels of all apart from eating very low carb. Even exercise didn't make such a big improvement.

Hope you are feeling a bit better today.

 

[trophywench]

Well I'm choosing my words carefully too when I say 'What a nasty small minded bitch' - or if it's a male, 'Vicious self righteous son of unmarried parents', rather than just saying what a pillock.

Might have been a deal more helpful had the surgery asked when informed of your cancer diagnosis, Sorry to hear of this, how can we assist you to achieve the best BG control possible before your operation?

Just Aaaarrgghh.

 

[ColinUK]

Well I'm choosing my words carefully too when I say 'What a nasty small minded bitch' - or if it's a male, 'Vicious self righteous son of unmarried parents', rather than just saying what a pillock.

Might have been a deal more helpful had the surgery asked when informed of your cancer diagnosis, Sorry to hear of this, how can we assist you to achieve the best BG control possible before your operation?

Just Aaaarrgghh.

Trust me when I say men can certainly be small minded bitches.

 

[JJay]

Anyone who who expects an HbA1c result to be "acceptable" within 6 weeks clearly doesn't understand what an HbA1c is! It measures your last 3 months, so half of it will overlap with your previous result in any case, and the second half will cover a period in which you have been recovering from serious surgery and all the stress that involves. I would be complaining to my GP about such ridiculous expectations, but I can understand if you probably don't want or need to add to your stress by doing so.

How about you do just as much as you feel capable of doing and if they are not happy emphasise that you've done your best in the circumstances of your cancer surgery and in view of the additional pressure THEY have put on you? Could you get some support from your oncologist? If you haven't already done so I'd also suggest getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support - they are brilliant.

I wish you well.

 

[TIGGY]

Hi i am going through the same thing i just concentrated on staying alive, i am 3 years in now and all is well touch wood its just this blood sugar level i need to get down now i am taking my medication, i am active i am just stuck on what to eat that is ok to eat now , you will get there concentrate on one thing at a time best wishes xx

 

[ColinUK]

Second vote for contacting Macmillan here.

They have a free support line which is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm

0808 808 00 00

This is from their website:

Controlling your blood sugar

When you are ill or stressed, the amount of sugar in your blood increases. This helps your body fight the illness or deal with the stress. People who do not have diabetes will produce more insulin to stop the sugar level getting too high. But if you have diabetes, your blood sugar level can keep getting higher.
While you are having cancer treatment, it is important to try to keep your blood sugar in a safe range. This is not always possible, and a slightly high blood sugar level is not a big problem if it is only for a short time. But very high blood sugars can be a problem. They can cause symptoms such as being more thirsty and needing to pee a lot. This can lead to dehydration. Get advice from your diabetes team if you notice these symptoms.
Having high blood sugars may increase the risk of developing other problems while you are having cancer treatment. These can include infection and wounds not healing properly.
Your diabetes treatment can be changed to fit around your cancer treatment if needed. During cancer treatment, you may need to change your diabetes medicine to control the amount of sugar in your blood.
Most people with diabetes know how to manage their food and medicines. They may not find it difficult to keep their blood sugar levels normal during treatment. You may need more help if:

• you have only recently been diagnosed with diabetes
• you often have problems controlling your sugar levels
• if you have lost a lot of weight before cancer treatment.

Before you start your cancer treatment, talk to your diabetes nurse or ask to see one. They can give you more advice.
Some people with diabetes, especially those with type 2, may not monitor their blood sugar level. You may need to start monitoring it while having cancer treatment. Your cancer doctor or diabetes team can give you advice before you start treatment. If you do not already have monitoring equipment, ask your diabetes team for some. The diabetes team can tell you:

• how to test your blood sugar
• how many times to test a day
• the sugar level you should be aiming for.

You should be given the contact number of a diabetes specialist. You can call them to talk about any worries you have about your diabetes

 

[happydog]

Hi happydog, as others have said, you’ve been undergoing surgery, stress and impact on your mobility which could certainly impact on your levels (though only you can know if you’ve really been good). I’m having cancer treatment for leukaemia and after more than 5 years of brilliant control, it’s like a switch has been flicked. I know my Hba1c will be up in August but I won‘t be taking any flack from an untrained health care assistant over the reasons for or remedies to put it right. She sounds clueless!
I’m struggling to keep my levels steady and a major medication change seemed to have impacted control enormously. I’m also in a lot of joint pain and my doctor recognises the link between pain and increased blood glucose.
Dont let them bully you. You can do this and sound like you’re making great strides. Best wishes for your treatment 🙂 Amigo

Thank you Amigo. I am very sorry to learn of your leukaemia and that you have pain . I don't know what my treatment will be but have become aware that it may impact on my BG. You have done so well and must be a bit fed up that there is something else to deal with. You sound as though you are up for the challenge 🙂. I wish you success and hope that your pain will ease. Take care. I would like to send you a big hug {}

 

[happydog]

So many health care professionals seem to see it as somehow motivating to tell people off and put pressure on them or make them feel guilty when it comes to diabetes particularly, and they really don't seem to understand how that approach has the opposite effect and causes stress which will increase levels and make people want to comfort eat all the more.

I agree with @Christy .... OR WHAT? I don't believe medication is appropriate at that level and they surely need to take an individuals circumstances into consideration. I am really quite infuriated by this sort of approach!

From September 2012 when I had my diagnosis they have put a lot of pressure on me to take medication. I have refused and apparently now have "non compliant" written on my notes. Maybe I will have to give in at some point but not yet. Thank you for your support 🙂

 

[happydog]

If you are able to e-mail your GP then I would express your concerns about the unsympathetic approach from the person who contacted you and say you are disappointed that in the circumstances they did not speak to you directly to discuss a plan and more realistic time frame for getting your levels down. If you say how upset you were to receive the news in that way.
if they know you are motivated to address the issue when you are further down the line in your surgery recovery hopefully they will give you time.

My GP is not happy with me because I have refused medication all along from insulin to statins. Normally he takes no notice of me and I find that less stressful. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[happydog]

@happydog First of all huge hugs to you. You have been super brave and I am in awe of your ability to stay sensible under the pressure you have been/are under.

That person who has been harassing you is a complete twit ( I am thinking worse words than that but I don't want to use them here as this is a place where I try and use my best behaviour).

As has already been said - 1. your levels are not bad considering you have had surgery and been in hospital. 2. stress makes levels worse 3. injuries make levels worse.

You just need to be kind to yourself, eat the food that makes you feel healthy and do the things that make you feel relaxed, get plenty of rest and avoid stress - like phone calls from twits who are giving you deadlines and being naggy.

If you haven't already tried it I would suggest some meditation. I avoided meditation at first because I thought it was hippy dippy rubbish but I have found some that are just relaxation exercises and I find the Hello Sleep ones on Audible super helpful for helping me relax before falling asleep which is when my mind usually starts racing and worrying over stuff.

I always see a better morning result in my blood sugar levels when I have used the relaxation exercises at night compared to when I don't use them. I was surprised that using relaxation exercises two or three times a day seemed to have the biggest positive effect on my blood levels of all apart from eating very low carb. Even exercise didn't make such a big improvement.

Hope you are feeling a bit better today.

That sounds like a plan NotWorriedAt All. I will certainly give it a try. Interestingly my cancer surgeon also suggested meditating to calm the mind and spirit. Thanks also for your good wishes. Fortunately I realised early on that although well meaning the folk at my surgery know a limited amount about diabetes and how to treat it. Their initial reaction is to reach for the prescription forms. Hope you have a good day. 🙂

 

[happydog]

Anyone who who expects an HbA1c result to be "acceptable" within 6 weeks clearly doesn't understand what an HbA1c is! It measures your last 3 months, so half of it will overlap with your previous result in any case, and the second half will cover a period in which you have been recovering from serious surgery and all the stress that involves. I would be complaining to my GP about such ridiculous expectations, but I can understand if you probably don't want or need to add to your stress by doing so.

How about you do just as much as you feel capable of doing and if they are not happy emphasise that you've done your best in the circumstances of your cancer surgery and in view of the additional pressure THEY have put on you? Could you get some support from your oncologist? If you haven't already done so I'd also suggest getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support - they are brilliant.

I wish you well.

Thank you JJay I am going to do my best. I have been in contact with Macmillan who as you say are very good.

 

[happydog]

Hi i am going through the same thing i just concentrated on staying alive, i am 3 years in now and all is well touch wood its just this blood sugar level i need to get down now i am taking my medication, i am active i am just stuck on what to eat that is ok to eat now , you will get there concentrate on one thing at a time best wishes xx

All the best to you. I felt like saying "I might die from my cancer so my diabetes has to come second at the moment". Glad that you have managed 3 years. I hope that you will have many more healthy ones. Sending you a hug {}. Good luck wit your treatment may it go well.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Big hugs to you @happydog

Some of the mindfulness stuff can be very helpful too, and gives you tools and exercises that really help when your ‘doing’ brain is running in circles.

I’d recommend Mindfulness, a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world by Mark Williams and Danny Penman, which comes with a CD of guided sessions.

 

[happydog]

Second vote for contacting Macmillan here.

They have a free support line which is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm

0808 808 00 00

This is from their website:

Controlling your blood sugar

When you are ill or stressed, the amount of sugar in your blood increases. This helps your body fight the illness or deal with the stress. People who do not have diabetes will produce more insulin to stop the sugar level getting too high. But if you have diabetes, your blood sugar level can keep getting higher.
While you are having cancer treatment, it is important to try to keep your blood sugar in a safe range. This is not always possible, and a slightly high blood sugar level is not a big problem if it is only for a short time. But very high blood sugars can be a problem. They can cause symptoms such as being more thirsty and needing to pee a lot. This can lead to dehydration. Get advice from your diabetes team if you notice these symptoms.
Having high blood sugars may increase the risk of developing other problems while you are having cancer treatment. These can include infection and wounds not healing properly.
Your diabetes treatment can be changed to fit around your cancer treatment if needed. During cancer treatment, you may need to change your diabetes medicine to control the amount of sugar in your blood.
Most people with diabetes know how to manage their food and medicines. They may not find it difficult to keep their blood sugar levels normal during treatment. You may need more help if:

• you have only recently been diagnosed with diabetes
• you often have problems controlling your sugar levels
• if you have lost a lot of weight before cancer treatment.

Before you start your cancer treatment, talk to your diabetes nurse or ask to see one. They can give you more advice.
Some people with diabetes, especially those with type 2, may not monitor their blood sugar level. You may need to start monitoring it while having cancer treatment. Your cancer doctor or diabetes team can give you advice before you start treatment. If you do not already have monitoring equipment, ask your diabetes team for some. The diabetes team can tell you:

• how to test your blood sugar
• how many times to test a day
• the sugar level you should be aiming for.

You should be given the contact number of a diabetes specialist. You can call them to talk about any worries you have about your diabetes

Thanks ColinUK. I had missed that on their site. I am feeling a bit of information overload at the moment as I had not given a lot of serious thought to cancer until recently. Very useful to know. You are a star!

 

[AndBreathe]

@happydog - when it comes to juggling mind, body and soul, it can get very complex.

Right now, I would say my advice would be that you concentrate on very well nourished, and cut the starchy stuff right down, where you can. I'm sure as a diet controlled T2 you are already keeping the starches down, so maybe do try to focus on nutritionally dense eating to ensure your body is in great shape for the fight.

At the end of the day, it would be your decision if you accepted any medications offered.

Every good fortune in the coming weeks and months. It's a hard time.

 

[ColinUK]

Thanks ColinUK. I had missed that on their site. I am feeling a bit of information overload at the moment as I had not given a lot of serious thought to cancer until recently. Very useful to know. You are a star!

I’ve worked with Macmillan for years and worked for Cancer Research for a bit.
Honestly Macmillan are superb at the support they offer.