I am a diabetic. I am on a chemo drug for rheumatoid arthritis.?

Question

I have lost my appetite. Should I continue to take my insulin injections anyway, even if my sugars are within normal limits?

Answer 1

I am going to assume you have Type 1 diabetes since you also have (autoimmune) Rheumatoid Arthritis (some people also get Type 2 from the medication used to treat RA, however).

If you are Type 1, you need insulin to live, even while fasting. Without it, you will go into a DKA coma. If you can't eat and you BG's are low, you could also take in carbohydrates via sweet drinks that help nausea, such as Ginger Ale.

You need to switch to Lantus as your basal insulin. It doesn't have a peak, and will keep your BG's steady without eating.

You can then bolus with Humalog when you do feel like eating.

You need to take these types of questions up with your doctor to get the care you need.

Answer 2

I wouldn't be using chemo to treat rheumatoid arthritis with all the new drugs about to come onto the market in a couple of years. I'm taking part now in a new drug trial and you can check out the trial at google by typing in the drug name called "Golimumab", and this drug has proven to be very successful world wide in all countries and before I went on it, I couldn't even shake hands with someone, or slap someone. Now I am a totally new person with no pain what so ever.

Answer 3

you need to find something you can eat as you should still take the insulin. I am a type 1 and somedays I am just not hungry. Try milk with instant breakfast. You can adjust your rapid insulin down if you are eating less but you still need to eat something. Taking insulin and not eating can also be very dangerious.

Answer 4

DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR INSULIN! If you do it could result in insulin shock which is an eyelash away from singing with the angels. I sound like you might need an appetite stimulator.

Answer 5

You should definitely consult your physician, because you're in danger of your sugars dropping too low since you're not eating.