Breast Cancer and Diabetes

I am glad to see this discussion thread.  I have tried to start one on a couple of other forums and have not been able to gain any traction. 

I have Type 2 diabetes, diagnosed 9 years ago.  I found a 3 cm lump at the end of May and just had a lumpectomy on Wednesday.  I am awaiting the hospital pathology report to determine if I can have Mammosite radiation and waiting for the Oncotype score .

 My glucose numbers were running 30 - 40 points higher in the last few weeks, so I am now taking 1000 mg of metformin twice a day.   They are settling down a bit, although still a little higher than I would like them.  I like my fasting number to be under 120.  Hopefully as I heal, the numbers will come back down. 

My hospital used ringers lactate during my surgery and my numbers stayed under 160. 

Anyone considering chemo?  I would be very interested in your thoughts about chemo for a diabetic.

Michelle

Oh okay, I didn't know there was a difference; just assumed there was glucose in saline. Thanks.

EDIT: Saw surgical oncologist today and asked him about diabetes and BC and he said it is a non-issue. Although high stress can raise your blood glucose, I do know that. But for the CT I need to quit taking metformin for the day of the CT and the day after. Other than that I'd just let it be known that you have diabetes. I wear a medical id bracelet. If you still have concerns, I'd talk to your doctor.

Very interested in the diabetes and bc subject.  I have never had any hint of high blood sugar and no symptoms - also was married for 35 years to a diabetic so my diet is very, very low in bad carbs, sugar, etc. BUT after almost two years on Femara and Arimidex (I am now off both of them) by blood sugar reading skyrocketed as did my chloresterol - I am now waiting out a three month period before I have my blood tested again - my primary care physician is my biggest strength through all of this - I now have suspected recurrence in other breast and possibly a tumor growing under the scar tissue on the original breast (site) - will be having a least one mastectomy in next few weeks and possibly two - so much for taking AI's they don't work for everyone for sure and I was so sick on them it was like I was allergic - my very best friend in the world has been on Arimidex for five years and is now on Femara for one year and has never had a single se so for those of you who can take them they are truly a miracle drug for me they were poison - oh yes I am being tested for heart problems I have a very unstable heartbeat never had problems before the chemo, radiation and AIs - oh well.....

Patmom, there is a lot of research leading to using Metformin as a kind of "adjuvant therapy to adjuvant therapy." You are very fortunate to have discovered this. If you can control your blood sugar it may be more powerful than almost anything else.

We all want to know why we got breast cancer and how we can change the body's metabolism so we don't make it hospitable to cancer. I wish we had more researchers pursuing the "insilin connection."

well  maybe my doctor doesn't want me to worry so remains optomistic for my sake until all the test results come in. I can't tell when they are just being nice and sensitive and when they really mean what they say. But I shall find out later what my reality is. Y'all have captured my attention and will continue to follow this thread. Thx. ...Mindy

As we ladies who have had bilateral mastectomies, we can't use either arm to test our blood glucose due to lifelong risk for lymphedema. I'm trying to find a good alternate site other than my arms but so far have to prick myself multiple times at another site in order to draw blood.

What are y'all doing to test your blood glucose? Where is a good alternate site so that you don't have to poke multiple times at the same site? Maybe the toes, but to take your shoes off every time you need to test! Might not be very sanitary from there.