Cancer (bowel and secondary liver) & Diabetes - does anyone have cancer and diabetes??

Hi Tania,

I have terminal lung cancer and also type 2 diebetes, I'm taking metformin for that and pretty much is under control my sugar level right now is around 6.0 so your hubbys is very high!..I woudnt sit on the fence with this one, get on the phone to your doctor or do you have a macmillan nurse?..ive had that extreme thirst n its awful ..if you call them they will give you some advice of what you should do, there is also a link to a nurse on here...top right of this page where you can ask for advice...sorry I couldnt have been any more help to you but your own doctor or hospital is the best bet I think ....

Linda xxx

Hi Tania.
There is no need to worry about his diabetes. All of the symptoms you quote will go when you get his blood sugar levels under control. Get his HBA1C checked. Simply put It is the average of his blood sugars over 3 to 4 months and gives a better indication than the routine daily tests. Your specialist diabetic nurse or doctor can do this/should be doing it.
I have been insulin dependent now for about 4 years and diabetic since 1999.I also have primary liver cancer which as I write is untreated since diagnosis in Nov 2007.
You need to get your husband either to a diabetes clinic or a specialist nurse attached to your doctors and start the process of getting it under control. It may well mean that he has to have insulin but it really is no big problem.Modern pen style needles are amazing, Just dial in the dose jab and press. It really is easy and painless.
I take it that you and he are being sensible about his food and sugar intake? No naughty cakes or choccy. Hardest bit really,refraining from nice things.The stress and pressure of his illness will have an effect and is probably part of the reason his sugar levels have risen. Unfortunately the main organ in the body for processing food intake etc is the LIVER. If its suffering, it will have an effect. That could also be a reason.
I really believe that all the symptoms you quote will go when you get his sugars under control. You see all those symptoms are indicators of uncontrolled diabetes.
Get him to see the specialists and I think you will see a rapid improvement.
PS I had to stop using metformin when I was diagnosed with my cancer as it puts the liver under more stress. Just upped the insulin and all was well.
Best wishes
Tomdog.& Steffy

Dear Linda

Thank you for taking the time to reply - have printed your reply out of Paul to read - he has gone to his GP today to see what can be done -

How are you going? Do you have secondary cancer?

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks

Tania

Dear Tomdog and Steffy

Thank you so much for your time you took to reply to me - I have printed it out for my husband - he is at the doctors as we speak - I really hope it gets sorted out - he is reluctant to use the insulin but is feeling very sorry for himself - which I understand - as you well know - a lot to take on board - his cancer is not curable and he is convinced his pain in this lower abodomen is the cancer doing its best to eat away at him - I have told him how easy the insulin is to use as I have friends etc using it - just hope they do something to ease up the tiredness which I am sure is part of the diabetes at least - He has been very good with regards to sweet stuff - I have been cooking good wholesome meals - but the levels just continue to fluctate from 14 ish to 22 ish -

With regards to your cancer - am I able to ask whye they are not operating on you/treating you with chemo?

I am so hoping all goes well for you - you sound such a strong person -

Keep strong!

Love Taniax

Hi Tania,
I hope that the info will help your husband get his diabetes sorted. I am sure that is the cause of most of his symptoms.
As regards to his pain and thoughts of the cancer I am not sure. Try seeking out Matts 10 top tips on this site, blunt but honest. Matt (Embleton) really has been there and done it and refuses to give in. Saw Matt yesterday and he is doing fine.
As to myself I have primary liver cancer which is inoperable (too big). Only treatment is/was palliative with a new drug call Sorafenib (Trade name Nexavar). Unfortunately it has not yet been approved by NICE for general prescription so you have to apply to the local health authority for special funding.
Our local health authority are a bit sh*t and dont like spending money. So my requests for funding have been refused 3 times now, I have just had the whole case referred to a neighbouring health authority to review it. They found in my favour and have recommended I get 2 months treatment and then re-evaluate situation. If it works good if not end of story. There is a big BUT. My health authority dont have to take any notice as its only a recommendation I am waiting for the decision they make tomorrow Yes or no.
In the meantime I have been waiting without treatment.(See forum "WE WON")
You and your husband MUST realise that this is a FIGHT you both want to win and being strong mentally and remaining focused will help you both.
Never concern yourself about future predictions from the doctors, you only have to read Matt or Penny's stories to see that each of us is different and we dont always fit the doctors views.
Best wishes
Tomdog and Steffy.

hello - I have type 2 diabetes which was controlled by diet until I was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in 2004. Chemo shot my blood sugar levels and also affected my feet, always a danger area for diabetics. So now controlled by medication - metformin. The foot pain, intensified nerve endings responds to amiltryptiline. I suffer from fatigue and can never decide whether it is anno domini - 61 or my health. My GP observes that diabetes and the medication causes fatigue plus I think you never get back to pre-cancer energy levels. Remember the body has been fighting furiously.

hang in there

liz in cumbria

Hi Liz

Thank you for your email - and the interesting bits about the diabetes. His feel certainly feel the cold - with it being winter here - he wears two or three pairs of socks and still freezing - he is forever bathing them in the bath! The medication is has been put up to now seems to have got the levels down a bit - last few days has been betweeen 12 - 19 - so still not great but getting there -

Thanks again for taking the time - you take care too -

Love Taniaxx

Hi Tomdog and Steffy

I am soooo sorry it has taken me so long to reply - get a bit lost on this website as to who I have replied to or not - but thank you for taking the time to write. My burning question - did you get a yes???? I really hope so - really and truly do.

Things are going ok here - Pauls meds have been upped for his diabetes - and levels are down a little - he has had a greal four days just gone - back to chemo again for session 3 on Wednesday -

Take care and please let me know your outcomexxx

Hi

My Dad just found out he has primary cancer of the pancreas and secondary cancer in his stomach. On top of that he was told he has diabetes, not sure which type just know that his pancreas has pretty much stopped working. He has to monitor his blood sugar and take insulin (injections) twice daily.

This is all very new to us and we are all in shock.

AJ