EC and Type II diabetes

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BMGky
BMGky Member Posts: 621
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
My husband was a well controlled by diet alone Type II diabetic prior to his DX of EC. Recent CT scan showed no problems. Doctors feel very good about "getting it all." Another scan in a couple of months or so. Recovery has been challenging but we're getting there. Handling "dumping" and food timing and getting him to eat enough has been a challenge but again, improving. Since the surgery, what we thought was "dumping" -- not diarrhea but rather weak, sweaty, etc.-- may have been high blood sugar. We've started checking his sugar levels when he experiences this and sure enough, they are high. We do have insulin because when he was on the jtube, the low sugar feeding still raised his sugar levels. So, we can reduce the sugar. It is really not consistent but it seems that he can have absolutely no sugar or simple carbohydrates. We are going for more protein and reduced carbs; however, we still manage to do something wrong. With his egg and bacon for breakfast, he had one piece of whole wheat toast with about 2 tsps of blackberry jam and 1/2 a fresh peach. 30 minutes later, sugar over 200. Has anybody had to deal with this and have any suggestions. Of note, his sugar was a little higher this morning (154) than usual. It usually runs between 120 and 140. MG

DX: December 7, 2009
Stage: IIB N0M0
Chemoradiation: Jan--Feb 2010
Ivor Lewis: April 7 2010

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  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #2
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    My dad also have type II
    My dad also have type II Diabetes. As you probably know the morning is the time of the day that a diabetic is most sensitive to sugar. Perhaps the blackberry jam (if it isn't sugar free) or the peach is what spiked his blood sugar. I know that in the morning carbs make the sugar go up and fats and proteins help keep it more stable. Perhaps he might want to make a sugar free protein shake in the morning with flaxseed oil -- that would give his body lots of fuel to burn instead of carbs which are converted to sugar. I do know my dad had a hard time controlling his sugar when they gave him steriods before his chemo - it would spike over 200 to sometimes in the 300 range.

    You probably already have this information, but you might type to look up the glycemic index of foods and try foods that metabolize slowly and that may help. Also, remember that stress effects blood sugar levels and may be making his sugar more volatile. I would speak to my endroconologist and nutritionist at the hospital and see if perhaps they think it might be beneficial for a while to begin taking some oral insulin drugs or even injections depending on how unstable his blood sugar levels are. He doesn't want to have the additional stress on his body while he is fighting to beat this cancer of fatigue because his sugar is out of control.

    Good luck,
    Cindy
  • BMGky
    BMGky Member Posts: 621
    #3
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    unclaw2002 said:

    My dad also have type II
    My dad also have type II Diabetes. As you probably know the morning is the time of the day that a diabetic is most sensitive to sugar. Perhaps the blackberry jam (if it isn't sugar free) or the peach is what spiked his blood sugar. I know that in the morning carbs make the sugar go up and fats and proteins help keep it more stable. Perhaps he might want to make a sugar free protein shake in the morning with flaxseed oil -- that would give his body lots of fuel to burn instead of carbs which are converted to sugar. I do know my dad had a hard time controlling his sugar when they gave him steriods before his chemo - it would spike over 200 to sometimes in the 300 range.

    You probably already have this information, but you might type to look up the glycemic index of foods and try foods that metabolize slowly and that may help. Also, remember that stress effects blood sugar levels and may be making his sugar more volatile. I would speak to my endroconologist and nutritionist at the hospital and see if perhaps they think it might be beneficial for a while to begin taking some oral insulin drugs or even injections depending on how unstable his blood sugar levels are. He doesn't want to have the additional stress on his body while he is fighting to beat this cancer of fatigue because his sugar is out of control.

    Good luck,
    Cindy

    Sugar control
    Believe it or not, due to his sugar being so controllable and staying within an acceptable range prior to his diagnosis of cancer(his sugar was diagnosed early), we have not been as prudent in studying diabetes control. That will have to change. I didn't know that morning time was sensitive to sugars. There goes the french toast and biscuits and gravy. I guess with the stress of managing his recuperation, his sugar is more volatile. Our family doctor has been managing his diabetes up to this point. Should we see a specialist? We don't see him again until mid-September. Should we see him earlier? You gave some very good information and suggestions. Thank you. Mary
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #4
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    BMGky said:

    Sugar control
    Believe it or not, due to his sugar being so controllable and staying within an acceptable range prior to his diagnosis of cancer(his sugar was diagnosed early), we have not been as prudent in studying diabetes control. That will have to change. I didn't know that morning time was sensitive to sugars. There goes the french toast and biscuits and gravy. I guess with the stress of managing his recuperation, his sugar is more volatile. Our family doctor has been managing his diabetes up to this point. Should we see a specialist? We don't see him again until mid-September. Should we see him earlier? You gave some very good information and suggestions. Thank you. Mary

    Mary,
    I would probably ask
    Mary,

    I would probably ask to see your family doctor now and not wait - 45 days with out of control sugar with the other things your husband is dealing with is too long.

    I would also discuss with him the possibility of getting a referral to an endroconologist for his diabetes management and ask for a meeting with a nutritionist who is associated with the cancer center you are going to --- not just a general nutritionist because they may not understand the nutrition related to the cancer treatment. Many insurance plans provide special coordinating nurses or nurse practitioners to assist with maintenance programs.

    Personally, and again this is just a personal opinion. I would not see a GP for diabetes treatment I would go to an endroconologist. The treatment and management of diabetes is a field that is constantly changing and endroconologist are the specialist in the field.

    Also, each person is different so some foods that your husband may be sensitive too others might not be. You may want to test out different foods (one at a time) and keep a list and test his blood sugar after eating so you can see how he reacts. Also, see what foods seem to help keep his blood sugar level (an important issue). And remember if he was given steriods during chemo (a certainty I think) those really throw things out of whack.


    Good luck and don't hesistate to ask questions.

    Cindy

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