• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Diabetes and Chemo

V

vege

Member
Messages
10
Location
Suffolk
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi I'm a type 2 diagnosed when I went to my GP with 'menopause' problems .. I immediately went on a Low Carb Diet and have lost 20lbs since the beginning of December I test every morning and was between 5.6 /6.6 walking 2 / 3miles a day before my operation.. I had a key hole hysterectomy 2 weeks ago am testing around 6.5 (have lost 4lb since the operation) and am back walking daily but much shorter distances.. I have heard today that I need Chemotherapy starting in the next few weeks and would appreciate any advice from you all .. my Husband thinks I need to stop losing weight so fast..??
 
Um, maybe tell us how much you weigh? Sometimes that's important in questions about weight loss.
 
Unless you are underweight, that is a reasonable rate to be losing weight provided you are eating enough protein. Provided you don't look at the diet as a "short-term fix", there are few issues with rapid weight loss.

(Recent research is showing that both low carb and Metformin seems to make Chemotherapy more effective, but the case is not proven yet.)
 
vege said:
Hi I'm a type 2 diagnosed when I went to my GP with 'menopause' problems .. I immediately went on a Low Carb Diet and have lost 20lbs since the beginning of December I test every morning and was between 5.6 /6.6 walking 2 / 3miles a day before my operation.. I had a key hole hysterectomy 2 weeks ago am testing around 6.5 (have lost 4lb since the operation) and am back walking daily but much shorter distances.. I have heard today that I need Chemotherapy starting in the next few weeks and would appreciate any advice from you all .. my Husband thinks I need to stop losing weight so fast..??
Click to expand...

Vege - I'm sorry you're having to have chemo after your op. That's a bit rotten. I can't comment on that, but I can comment on both the hysterectomy and your weight loss on your LC way of eating.

My own hysterectomy was to deal with a fibroid the size of a melon. I don't know if I lost weight, my tummy was immediately flat, due to the significance of my fybroid. I had been told I'd need elasticated waistbands, but I went home in the same jeans as I went in to hospital.

Eons later when diagnosed T2, I started reducing my carbs and my love handles just evaporated. I wasn't carrying much excess, but I was like the disappearing woman!

When I wanted the loss to stop, I upped my protein, and when that wasn't quite enough, I upped my fats.

Of course, like everyone else, I hope I never have to face a diagnosis of the Big C, but I do know if I did I would go very low carb. A couple of years ago we had a member who stayed on the Newcastle Diet throughout her treatment for breast cancer. She is one strong woman.

Of course, nobody knows how they'll feel during their treatment, so maybe just keep a bit of an open mind on your diabetes, whilst tackling the chemo.

Every best wish for your treatment and beyond. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
 
Hey Vege, sorry to hear about your need for chemotherapy....have gone through it twice myself, and only with lots of love and support from family and friends was it even near tolerable....that being said, it was many years ago and protocols have changed drastically, so much better for dealing with side effects like nausea/vomiting, bowel issues, etc. I would suggest that you keep eating as you are for now - you may need to change it a bit once you start your treatments as some chemo drugs cause you to hate the smell or taste of certain foods, like coffee or beef.....you will find out soon enough! I think it is paramount that you concentrate on being the healthiest you can be for what lies ahead and losing weight is secondary, and might naturally occur with chemo....all the best/hugs&prayers for successful treatment/L
 
That was awful news for you. I am so sorry.

I went through chemo 5 years ago, and whilst it wasn't the best few months of my life, it was nowhere near as bad as I anticipated. Don't believe everything you see on TV. You will be given any meds you need to help you with potential side effects. The most important thing, and top priority, is to concentrate on getting rid of the cancer. Your diabetes must take second place, and you must not stress yourself out even more worrying about what your levels are doing. They will increase. There is no doubt, but it is the medication doing it and absolutely nothing you can do. That medication is making you better - that is what is important. At the end of the tunnel, when the chemo is over, then you can concentrate on diabetes again - and your levels.

One tip I have is for you to read the Macmillan website and forums on the type of tumour you have. There is a lot of help and tips on there.

I wish you all the best. :)
 
Hi. I was diagnosed last May with cervical cancer. Went through chemo and radiotherapy in July and August. As Bluetit says. it wasn't great but it is completely doable.
I'm not sure how the chemo on it's own will affect you, but having both for me made most things taste awful. They will also give you steroids with your chemo which kept me awake most of that night.
I'm sure your oncologist will tell you that the cancer fight comes first. I ate what I fancied.. which actually turned out to be very little. If you get nausea and bowel problems they will give you a list of foods, none really diabetic friendly but it's best to eat what stays put..
Keep up the walking .. gently ...as long as you can. Fitness really helps.
If you'd like to chat or ask any questions please feel free to message me.
Good luck with your treatment x
 
Thank you for your messages.. when my blood tests flagged up the diabetes I suppose trying to take an active role in controlling my blood sugars was something I could be positive about while the cancer diagnoses , surgery and now chemo is something I have to rely on others help... so far their help has been amazing
 
Back
Top