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More diabetic after chemo

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Dockyardgill

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi

A year ago I was borderline type 2 and managing fine then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Chemo sent my bloods to 30+ so the meds started in earnest. Cancer is gone but chemo gave my pancreas a good kicking so been a bit of a struggle to get sugars sorted.

Determined to get on top of this and I'm sure that the great folks on the forum will be a fantastic support!
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm a member of the MacMillan BC forum as I was treated for BC in 2015 but only surgery and radiotherapy. I understand from other members that the steroids they use during Chemo are a known trigger of diabetes. Along with stress sending your levels up now you are on the road back to "normal" (well the new post cancer normal) hopefully you will get back to control.

Have you been given Metformin as I have read on line it's been tested/researched regarding preventing many, including breast, cancers recurring. Also they think sugar has a role in cancer so getting your sugar under control will also be a help.

I'm following a very low carb diet and it's brought my blood sugars right down. I have my first review in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping I've smashed my hba1c from my diagnosis.
 
I am on metformin 500g x 2 in the morning, and the same again at night. Also take 25mg empagliflozin and 30mg slow release gliclazide in the morning.
Before cancer and diabetes I was being treated for poly myalgia rheumatica. That involved steroids but affect my sugars so have had to gradually reduce them. Unfortunately pain is back so think I may have to restart them. Have a horrible feeling that my lovely diabetic nurse will have to add some insulin pretty soon...
Ain't life great!
 
Dockyardgill said:
I am on metformin 500g x 2 in the morning, and the same again at night. Also take 25mg empagliflozin and 30mg slow release gliclazide in the morning.
Before cancer and diabetes I was being treated for poly myalgia rheumatica. That involved steroids but affect my sugars so have had to gradually reduce them. Unfortunately pain is back so think I may have to restart them. Have a horrible feeling that my lovely diabetic nurse will have to add some insulin pretty soon...
Ain't life great!
Click to expand...

Okay lets be positive. If you can reduce your blood sugar you can reduce your dependency on the drugs. Your body is still recovering from your BC treatment as it's had a hammering so lets give it some time. Insulin may not be inevitable.

My blood sugar based on my hba1c was 17/18 on average, this meant at some point during the day(s) I was probably over 20. It took me a week to get my numbers down to 10/11 and then another week and single figures. I'm now, just over 2 months in and in the desired range. I take Metformin 1 tablet morning and night.

Do you test, if not get yourself a meter. Ask your GP to supply if possible. If you don't test and don't know what to do you can watch a youtube video. I test upon waking and before bed as minimum (looking for 4-6). Then I test two hours after food (looking for under 8.5).

In first few weeks I cut out pasta, rice, potatoes and bread except for 1 Lidl protein roll a day. Following advice from on here I ate as much healthy protein and fat as I wanted. So in came butter, double cream, chicken, decent quality sausages etc. Cakes & biscuits are a very rare treat. I drink mainly red wine as I find it lowers my blood sugar and is fine with my medication.

In two months I'm a stone lighter, a full dress size smaller and bordering on next size down. My waist is 3" smaller 🙂. I make sure I walk for 20 minutes min each day. I go to loos on third floor in work instead of my first floor and use the stairs. I'm looking to do pilates once a week as well as continuing with my Zumba.

You have kicked BC arse and you will also do the same to diabetes 🙂
 
Hang on actually - insulin could easily be your best mate right now! There's absolutely no doubt whatever that it will get your BG down even if you have to be on steroids and there are some complaints where there's simply nothing for it.

But if the chemo hasn't completely done for your insulin production, the insulin you give yourself will actually give your poor ole pancreas a bit of a rest and who knows - you might start producing reasonable amounts of it again - all the Gliclazide is doing is pushing that pancreas even harder, when you already know it's flippin struggling!

For instance - pregnacy is really hard work for a diabetic - hormone hell so T2 ladies frequently need insulin cos nothing else is remotely capable. However once the pregnancy and raging hormones have finished - it doesn't automatically mean they have to stay on it. I know you have the chemo and the steroids to contend with - BUT - you never know!

Ask if it's worth going on it sooner rather than later, for the reasons I've suggested, and have a think about it.
 
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