Diabetes, Cancer And Infections

Controlling your blood glucose level will significantly reduce the risk @carina62 ,

Read what are the benefits of lowering HbA1c about half way down this page,,,,,,,

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1c.html

carina62 said:

Is there no end to what diabetes can bring? read on google last night that diabetics are more prone to cancer and infections like sepsis :-( - this really scares me to know.

What do others think?

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Carina, there do appear to be many things where diabetes is mentioned along the way, however, my view is if I keep myself in good shape and keep my diabetes in a good place, I'm doing the best for myself. I think often there is a word missing when the diabetes link is made, and that's "uncontrolled". So, my view is uncontrolled diabetes is implicated in lots of other conditions.

So many of these big, potentially life altering conditions are a lottery. How many people do you hear of who have condition x, y or z, and think; "I'd never have guessed that. They're so healthy!".

All we can each do, whether diabetic or not is to keep ourselves as well as we can, and if we have an issue, like infections, foot injuries or whatever, don't delay unduly having it treated we can't do much more.

We also have to get on with living our lives. I intend to be around fr a long time yet, and I still intend to travel and have the adventures I've always loved. I hope you can do the same.

Yep as a diabetes and cancer too I would be tempted to agree. Howeever, just recently there was a news headline on cancer that put the likelihood of people born after 1960 getting Cancer is now a 1 in 2 chance rather than a 1 in 3 chance.. So it looks like its going up for the population as a whole not just diabetics.

You can worry yourself sick overthis or you can just try to minimise health problems occurring by eating unprocessed foods.. More real meat and veg as the pre 1960's people did, walking, exercising etc...pre 1960's often had to walk to work, I certainly had to walk to school even as a '63 child...

I'm now in the statistics for both but just do the best I can.

Funny enough I had this conversation with my mum yesterday. Why some get cancer and others not.
We came to the conclusion it is in the genes.
My aunties family all have died of cancer. Our family is old age and kidney failure.
My partner's family has no cancer. Heart failure in old age and kidney failure.

We all have to die with something. Hopefully it wont be diabetes complications for decades yet. Please God. ;-)

I have diabetes and I have had breast cancer . I have had 2 heart attacks, the second 5 days prior to my proposed breast cancer surgery. I was still in another hospital 80 kms away the day surgery was to take place. I had just been informed my diabetes was out of control and now needed MDI of insulin.
5 years later I am still on insulin but apparently quite low doses according to my specialist. I am OK according to the stress test I had earlier in the year. And I have never had surgery for my breast cancer and the last 3 mammograms have shown no sign of cancer.
When I was first diagnosed as insulin dependant I low carbed without realizing what I was doing. Unfortunately due to a relationship breakdown my diabetes took last place in my life and my hba 1 c skyrocketed . I am now back low carbing have lost over 10 KGS my hba1c is better but not brilliant. But I am getting there and best of all I have a new partner who is extremely supportive.
Life is full of ups and downs, all you can do is try to live for today and look to tomorrow.
Death and taxes are inevitable so why worry about things you can't change, get on with the things you can change and keep trying

Cat0409_ said:

I have diabetes and I have had breast cancer . I have had 2 heart attacks, the second 5 days prior to my proposed breast cancer surgery. I was still in another hospital 80 kms away the day surgery was to take place. I had just been informed my diabetes was out of control and now needed MDI of insulin.
5 years later I am still on insulin but apparently quite low doses according to my specialist. I am OK according to the stress test I had earlier in the year. And I have never had surgery for my breast cancer and the last 3 mammograms have shown no sign of cancer.
When I was first diagnosed as insulin dependant I low carbed without realizing what I was doing. Unfortunately due to a relationship breakdown my diabetes took last place in my life and my hba 1 c skyrocketed . I am now back low carbing have lost over 10 KGS my hba1c is better but not brilliant. But I am getting there and best of all I have a new partner who is extremely supportive.
Life is full of ups and downs, all you can do is try to live for today and look to tomorrow.
Death and taxes are inevitable so why worry about things you can't change, get on with the things you can change and keep trying

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Apologies to @carina62 for what will be an off-topic response, but I just had to ask!

@Cat0409_ - What sort of treatment did you have for your cancer to body swerve the need for surgery? Was/is it a hormone based treatment or a chemo? I'm fascinated.

I have heard of no surgery in the past, but can't say I've heard of no surgery + disappearing mass. You must be ecstatic.

Again apologies, Carina.

@carina62 On a positive note, I often read here of people turning their lives around following a diabetes diagnosis. "It gave me the kick in the bum I needed" etc. Perhaps for some people it improves their quality of life and lengthens their lifespan.

Thank you @AndBreathe.
I actually followed a woman who was a chemist from memory who took a huge interest in drugs and their intetactions. Her name is Suzy Cohen. I read all her books . Drug muggers had a huge impact and I followed a lot of her advice in sourcing vitamins and minerals for all the meds they had me on. I leant them out frequently to others who also followed her advice after reading them as well as doing further research on the net.

I used to take so many supplements I rattled. I still take some including vitamin d at 3000 units a day as I have always been low in it, magnesium, coq10 at times , mega b and a green mix of lots of things. Does it work for everyone I don't know , but her advice and willingness to correspond over the internet gave me a hife boost at the time and I regularly think about the things l learnt and put into practice.
I still question every drug now and is probably why apart from painkillers for an unrelated condition I only take insulin now for my diabetes. My specialist and gp are usually surprised at how much I know about my medications and there potential interactions.
Sorry @carina62 for hijacking your thread but I believe positivity can help and only looking at the negatives only makes you more depressed and miserable. There are many people that never find the kind andwondeful people on diabetes.co.UK who are so generous with their time and knowledge and understanding of the journey that is diabetes

I'm same as @Cat0409_ in many ways. Even to the point of using frankincense oil massaged over Mx and remaining boob. The remaining boob always had lumps in it depending upon hormones but since using the frankincense they've all gone. Every single one. Due for mammogram next month so will be interested to see what they say. previously had to have biopsies on the uniboob so it will be interesting.

I take turmeric and astragalus as well as the ones listed by Cat... Gastroenterologist was impressed with the turmeric and he reckoned it had health advantages although the reason why was unknown.

I really rattle, as I can only eat little, so just try to keep my vitamins up no matter what.

donnellysdogs said:

I'm same as @Cat0409_ in many ways. Even to the point of using frankincense oil massaged over Mx and remaining boob. The remaining boob always had lumps in it depending upon hormones but since using the frankincense they've all gone. Every single one. Due for mammogram next month so will be interested to see what they say. previously had to have biopsies on the uniboob so it will be interesting.

I take turmeric and astragalus as well as the ones listed by Cat... Gastroenterologist was impressed with the turmeric and he reckoned it had health advantages although the reason why was unknown.

I really rattle, as I can only eat little, so just try to keep my vitamins up no matter what.

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Do you eat your turmerc, or take it in another form? I have planted ginger this year, although I don't know which variety it'll transpire to be. There are some beautiful ginger lilies.

I'm also going to grow turmeric, but it's best planted in the spring, in this part of the world.

I bet you could grow lots of your goodies.

I take turmeric tablets... I tried growing ginger from roots before and was too impatient.. Mind you the weather was a bit too dull for it in Wales at the time. Good idea for growing next year!
I did have water infused with ginger and also sprinkle it liberally on my 13 melon balls, if I have them. Ought to try ginger on my tinned peaches-lol!! Also have Rachels ginger yogurt-only small amounts in that though.

Never thought about growing turmeric, will do next year though...

Well I'm currently have type 1 diabetes hypo unaware also fighting MRSA and I carry the BRACA2 cancer gene default so I have had a risk reducing double mastectomy as I'm 90% higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer so how much more can my mental stability and physically appear every day I am not feeling well I feel drained all the time and it makes me feel guilty as I have 7&8 year old boys. X

I've taken tumeric in the past and I eat loads of ginger, lucky its so cheap here.
We also grow lots of our own veg and use no pesticides and loads of manure from the nearby racing stables.

Personally I think vitamin d is a major vitamin we all miss out on. As we age it becomes harder for us to assimilate it into our bodies from just being in sunlight. I have found when I have higher levels I feel better and being an Aussie I spend loads of time out in the sun throughout the year, a lot of it without sunscreen yet my levels without supplementing are low yet not low enough for supplementation according to my gp.
I also believe many of our foods are missing many of the key vitamins and minerals because of over farming and the continued use of pesticides and chemicals to produce them to look attractive and perfect and to keep for such long periods of time. There is nothing quite like vegetables and herbs picked straight from your own garden, they have far more flavour and intensity of aroma. A massive massive taste sensation!!

saraD1 said:

Well I'm currently have type 1 diabetes hypo unaware also fighting MRSA and I carry the BRACA2 cancer gene default so I have had a risk reducing double mastectomy as I'm 90% higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer so how much more can my mental stability and physically appear every day I am not feeling well I feel drained all the time and it makes me feel guilty as I have 7&8 year old boys. X

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My heart goes out to you @saraD1 !!
You have obviously been hit very hard yet you have so much to live for.
I would try and read "Drug muggers" personally and try some of her suggestions and see if they help . Depression is going to be one of your biggest issues and you need to reach out to others and ask for help no matter how trivial you think it might be. I am grateful to some of the wonderful people who have come in and out of my life both friends and professionals. The cancer council here in Australia were brilliant! I got free telephone counselling, latest research photocopied and sent to me and most of all they listened and didn't judge.
I hope you can find resources that can help you find out information and talk to who listen and are non judgemental and offer a shoulder to cry on and listen to you rant and rave!
My wishes are that you grow stronger both physically and mentally so you can watch your children grow up.

@saraD1,
My hospital have a cancer therapy unit.. Which has sessions called "hope courses" or "moving forward" courses. They also have therapists that can see you on a 1 to 1 basis. My therapist was the biggest help I have ever had... Not just with the cancer issues, but stomach and diabetes, my family etc.. She is absolutely fantastic. There is also an arts and crafts therapy sessions that are brilliant, again with a wonderful art therapist.
I also have very deep depressive thoughts.. Really bad ones.. But my cancer therapist got my diabetes clinic and GP aware of the strength of these thoughts and got the diabetes people at least trying for me....and enormous help.
They will also have a drop in cafe opening soon.
Has your hospital got anything like this? I had to get referred to attend it. Mines called the Robert Horwell Centre.

I don't know how long it is since you had MX but things can and will improve but if you can get to a cancer therapy unit, they really know how to help our minds...

My hubby even learnt from me talking about my therapist sessions. He learnt distraction techniques with me.. I know he's using them but I actually don't mind. I got extremely wound up on Saturday and he sat down with me and just said "lets do the crossword"..its a daily distraction technique that he adopted to calm my anxiety. It works, even though I know why we do it.

I got poisoned and was close to death.. And that knocked me totally down and huge trouble with hospitals.... And complaints. However, again the therapist found solutions for me to try.. And got that support I needed.

I so hope that you have something similar that you can try. It does help.

Thinking of you, but please let me know if I can help...

I suffer bpd so I'm in therapy

I'm doing OK ATM. I see one of the local hospitals psychologists and she is great. My new partner is brilliant and supportive or at least he tries.
Depression is the biggie for me and I have more good days than bad days now
Thank you @saraD1

If I worried about what I could get I'd forget to live. eg. my uncle died of a heart attack at 54 20yrs ago, his younger brother fretted so much so about his brothers age that when he reached 54 he also died, was never given a specific reason, not a heart attack nor cancer. (54 is my age now) my grandmother (paternal) died of a heart attack in the street, she was 54. my father, his 2 brothers died of cancer, his sister & niece has cancer. (My mothers side) grandfather died of cancer, grandmother died of cancer 83, my aunt cancer, an aunt living had cancer, 2nd cousin died of cancer at the age of 16.. yet I'm blessed everyday, I have my grandchildren, my 3rd due in a few weeks. I could get run over, have a car accident, cooker blowing, fried by poor electrics when switching on a light etc so I take life to the full everyday, worry is stress & stress is fatal. I battle with what is & at the moment its diabetes (winning so far) don't worry about what you may or may not get, deal with the issues that you can control