AI Impact on Blood Sugar

Posted by feetsweeper @feetsweeper, Aug 29 4:29pm

46, Right breast IDC, ER+, PR+, HER2-, BRCA -, ONCO 18 node negative (with isolated tumor cells in the lymph nodes)

I had a lumpectomy to remove two masses and then a margin re-excision. I am currently healing from surgery before I begin radiation. It has been recommended that I follow radiation with 5-7 years of ovary suppression (lupron) and AI (anastrozole) medications.

I am not sure I can commit to the hormone therapy given the potential complications with my three autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis).

Any fellow T1s who can share their experience with AIs? Specifically, did you experience insulin resistance/high blood sugars?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 8 4:17pm

@feetsweeper, welcome. I scanned the discussions and would like to bring a few members into your discussion who may have some insights. I believe @mossa @sschafer70 @windyshores have experience with type 1 diabetes and breast cancer. @cogardner @meeshodge @sunsetsrgreat @syska @astaingegerdm and others have celiac disease and/or ulcerative colitis. Some have also taken aromatase inhibitors.

Feetsweeper (interesting username by the way), you're asking great questions. I assume your cancer team is aware of your co-conditions of type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis. Have they discussed the possible impacts with you?

meeshodge | @meeshodge | Sep 8 5:12pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "@feetsweeper, welcome. I scanned the discussions and would like to bring a few members into your..." + (show)

I have a couple of AI diseases (Hashimotos and Celiac). I chose not to take a hormone blocker.
I’m sorry I am of no help.

windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 8 7:15pm

My kid has had type 1 since age 4, going on 30 years now. The medical establishment- doctors, nurses- know nothing about type 1 in our experience (only 5% of people with diabetes are type 1) and make basic wrong assumptions because they do know type 2.

Are you on a pump or CGM?

I think the important question is whether any effect is consistent so that you can adjust insulin in a stable way and not have to react constantly. I would imagine an endocrinologist would have good advice on this since they handle both hormones and diabetes.

An Oncotype score of 18 isn't low- it isn't bad either. I would want the added protection of meds. Has any doctor mentioned tamoxifen? Are you close to menopause?

My kid also has lupus and celiac. I am not sure how the suggested course would affect celiac- I can't think of a reason so would love an explanation. I also don't know if it would affect ulcerative colitis but maybe. Your doc would know.

I had a nasty grade 3 cancer with a lowish Oncotype and did letrozole for 5 years. It will be 10 years in Feb, knock on anything in sight.