Chemotherapy side effects and pre existing conditions

Hi I’m at the start of my journey, cancer was confirmed by biopsy and now I’m waiting for test results to decide on operation and treatment, so can’t share any experience of how to cope with diabetes as well, but it is an issue for me as well. I don’t know how you usually manage your diabetes, but I’ve decided I need to keep a very careful eye on my control throughout all of this. I did mention my concerns to to breast care nurse, and she’s going to contact the hospital diabetes nurse for me. I don’t yet know if that will bring any help, but fingers crossed. 

I don’t think you’ve got an irrational fear, I think you’ve got very sensible concerns which I can only suggest you discuss with the team caring for you. And especially your breast care nurse. Good luck, 

Hi Chris, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I am 52 and  due to my type of cancer (you can click on my name to read my biography if you like) I too had to have chemo. I was very scared after reading all the side effects so irrational fears are natural. Plus with being on your own and having some other health conditions it’s completely understandable. I can’t say how it will react with your existing health conditions but your medical team will have come across all of these before and with various studies over numerous years I would imagine if it were not suitable they would t do it. We are all different and we will all react to these drugs in different ways. There is lots of meds they can give you to help. My main side effect on EC has been tiredness and fatigue. I did have a bit of a sore tongue but gargled with salt water helped and cleared it. Muscle aches cleared after a few days. I didn’t want chemo but for me after looking at do I want to give myself the best outlook on life and lessen the chance of reoccurrence, the few weeks of chemo are a small price to pay. That was my view and understandably it will be different for everyone and their own circumstances. I wish you all the best in whichever decision you decide for your onward journey. I am hoping there are others who have experience with chemo who have other underlying health conditions that can give you more insight into their experiences. 
All the best.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi CJMP45  I also had the same surgery as you which removed my cancer. However, I was told I had 40% chance of recurrence so my chemo is reducing my chances to 25% so still higher than yours is before! I don’t have any of the health issues you have so can’t comment on that but I will say EC hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as I thought. Tiredness has been the worst and the obv hair loss. Perhaps you can speak to your oncology team as your recurrence percentage is quite low and see if they can help you decide if it’s worth it and what they can do if you decide not to go ahead? Wishing you good health x

Thank you so much for your message. I feel like it’s the first time for weeks that I have smiled. You have boosted my positivity no end. I’m so pleased you are doing well on EC. Have a lovely Christmas and thank you so much xx

Thank you CJMP45 that so lovely to hear!

Hi Chris,

I had a mastectomy back in August and have had 3 sessions of EC and have just had the second of 9 weekly rounds of Paclitaxel.

I have type 1 diabetes and am on an insulin pump. I also have a Libre Freestyle blood glucose sensor, which really helps me to monitor my sugar levels and react to the highs and lows.

I have found that the thing that effects my sugar levels most is the steroids which I have with each round of chemo to prevent the side effects, such as nausea and sickness, they tend to really elevate my sugar levels. I discussed this with the oncology consultant and, as I had not experienced sickness on the first round, we reduced the amount of steroids, which has really helped. I still take steroids but only just before the chemo and 2 days after chemo rather than the 5 it was after the first one.

I increase my insulin for the time I am taking the steroids and this has worked very well, but you do have to check more often.

im sorry I don’t have any experience of type 2 diabetes, so my experience might not be helpful, but the diabetes nurses are very helpful.

I wish you all the very best with your treatment and hope you find somebody with type 2, whose experience might be more similar to yours.

take care

Mary

Hi Mary thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I can't get a call back or appointment with my diabetic nurse until end of January. I'll muddle along till then. 

Chris x