Type 1 diabetes

Divergent

Is there anyone else with type 1 diabetes going through chemo? I'd love to talk with anyone going through this. I saw an old post someplace, but thought I'd start a new one for type 1. I'm starting chemo this week and am really scared about the steroids giving me high blood sugars. I'm not sure how I'm going to get through the 16 rounds of chemo. Any support or words of wisdom are welcome!

DebAL

Divergent, I'm sorry you find yourself here. Have you discussed your chemo regimen with your endocrinologist? A very valid concern especially being type 1. You take care. I hope you connect with someone here that has experienced your same situation.

Libber

I am T1 and went through all treatment for TNBC and ER/PR+. Happy to talk with you. I’ll send you a PM.

DebAL

That's great Libber!

Spookiesmom

I’m type 2, on the Omnipod system. I just did more fingersticks and boluseif necessary. Maybe your Endo would let you borrow a CGM.

Libber

Did you get my PM?

Farfalla6

I am a type 1 diabetic and just finished chemo. I did have terrible trouble with high blood sugars during the steroid days. Also my level of physical activity went down so I needed much more insulin even on days I barely ate. I lost about 15 pounds during chemo and was on the thin side to begin with. Having a pump and a sensor helped. I also decided not to worry terribly about having not great control during that time.

Divergent

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. I do have an Omnipod and CGM, so that should help. I've asked my endo on the past about steroids for a skin problem, but she wasn't much help. So I didn't end up taking them then.

I just don't know what to expect. When do blood sugars usually crash? I'm tempted to not take the steroid pill that I was prescribed...

Libber- I didn't see your PM.

Farfalla6

My blood sugar was consistently higher during treatment, as was my insulin requirement. On the days I took steroids, they were the worst, and this effect would fade within 24-48 hours after last steroid dose (till next cycle) But I never had lows.

Spookiesmom

I don't have a CGM, had 2, hate them. I've done steroids for various issues, just did more sticks. Never crashed, just watch out for stacking your insulin. Drink lots of waterto help flush it out, ask for a lower amount of the roids. It will help you feel better during the infusion.

Divergent

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the advice! It really helps me out. I also spoke with the oncology nurse today and she said they can stop using the steroids after the first two taxols as long as my SEs aren't bad.

Yeah, I definitely need to be careful about stacking insulin...it's so easy to do on the pump.

My first taxol round starts tomorrow! I'm scared and happy to finally get this started!

Divergent

I did ok during taxol #1 last week. I ended up being in the 300's the first 5 hours or so but was able to bring it down with a +40% basal, a few boluses and lots of water. The steroids did seem to wear off after about 24 hours, so everything was better then.

I know what to expect this time so I'm prepared! Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Dolly2019

Hi there,

I’m T1 and did treatment over three years ago. I refused steroids for that very reason and was only given a small dose of steroids in the infusion in the day.

For ant-sickness I was given other drugs to use and they were more than adequate!

My advice is that if you are going to take steroids then make sure you monitor regularly. I found that on the first couple of days when feeling sick I ate nothing and that meant very low sugars. So I had to rely on high sugar ice lollies. Even that was difficult to keep down.

But if you’re on steroids you’ll likely not get too low.

Divergent

Hi Dolly2019. Thanks for letting me know what you did. Did you have AC? Glad it worked for you because I was hoping to only have the steroids in the IV. I'm doing taxol now and the IV steroids are bad enough. My blood sugars seem to get worse with each dose. I'm doing the AC next.