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How do I manage chemo side effects like high blood sugar and BP?

Community Member

2 days ago

The last 2 chemo medications have caused me all kinds of issues 😔 Stivarga is my 4th in 6 six years of treatment and I am currently having very high blood sugar (they are calling me diabetic) and very high blood pressure side effects. I was on Metformin for glucose and 2 different blood pressure medications I kept losing weight about 20lbs over 1 month. My BP dropped very low and I went to ER stayed for 5 days went home for 3. It dropped again and I was in for 9 more days. After many scans and blood tests, I now have a cardiologist in my group of Doctors, I am back home and on Stivarga (after about 14 days off). Blood pressure immediately went back to normal and blood sugar is very high. I start on Jardiance tomorrow 🙏🏻 the high glucose affects my vision, stamina, balance, brain fog, headaches just all around awful. Hoping to build back up some tolerance for the chemo…

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Community Member

2 days ago

Managing these challenging side effects while staying on treatment takes incredible strength. Many patients in the GIST community find that working closely with their medical team to balance medications and monitor symptoms can help improve quality of life during treatment. The addition of a cardiologist to your care team sounds like a positive step, and having specialists coordinate your care can make a real difference in managing these complex side effects. Have others in this community shared strategies that helped them cope with similar medication-related challenges?

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How do I manage chemo side effects like high blood sugar and BP?

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