weight gain and elevated blood glucose level on venetoclax treatment

[Belkin123]

I am a half way through on V treatment and my blood numbers and spleen size. are already in a normal range. But my blood glucose level became elevated from below 100 to 150. I also have high blood pressure , resulting in a stroke . I appreciate you sharing information or expirience on those symptoms. Thanks.

[LeoPa]

Are you insulin resistant? Overweight? Do you eat much carbohydrates? Do you avoid eating processed foods? How is your HDL and triglyceride levels?

[skipro in reply to LeoPa]

I've never been tested for insulin resistance. How is that done?

How would you define processed foods?

eg

restaurant food?

canned chili or spagheti sauce or other canned products?

I have eliminated most empty carbs

Last LDH and triglycerides were great about 3 years ago, due to Covid, I've not kept up on monitoring much else than CLL, treatments, cardiac monitoring, and prostate.

Thx

[westcountrylad]

Hi,

I have just completed 12 months of obinutzumab and venetoclax for cll. It shrunk my spleen very fast allowing me to eat more. before starting this I would have one cereal bar a day and worked a full week.

I have had no issues with both drugs for the 12 months so far.

I have found that I am not gaining weight at all. It was fast to drop off me but has not yet gained a pound.

I was the only person on this treatment so there was no way of seeing how I compared with others. I am 66 years old.

Hope you get some more answers.

[skipro in reply to westcountrylad]

Thx

I'm 65 and did have my oncologist recommend eating more protein, 80 + gms per day and more fiber.

I have alternating diarrhea and constipation and after a few days of the runs, I've lost 4 lbs.

[Greenbunnies]

I'm a few months into O&V and although my appetite has stayed the same I've gained 3kg (which is fine as I was only 49kg to start with). Presumably my fast-growing CLL was gobbling a lot of the calories before, so I take it as a good sign that most of the little blighters have gone now. Could that be what's happening to you? If so, perhaps time to adjust the diet?

Also I was on steroids for a few weeks and that definitely raised my blood sugar.

[Pearlpink]

I have put weight on during venetoclax and am always ravenous! My spleen shrank pretty quickly from “massive” and I now never feel full!! The shrinking spleen seems to have triggered my appetite unbelievably! All that space for the bowel I guess! I tend to often feel little sickly on venetoclax if I go without food for long, but hoping will go back to normal once it finishes. However I’m so grateful for venetoclax x

[skipro in reply to Pearlpink]

thx

maybe my spleen dropping 3 fold in volume size has increased my apetite??

[SofiaDeo]

Have you analyzed your diet, and tried cutting back on high carb/high glycemic index foods? That should bring your blood sugar down. It may be the drug changing your metabolism, it may be simply aging, or some combination of these.

Weight gain has been associated with the drug, high blood sugar not:

drugs.com/sfx/venetoclax-si...

[Belkin123 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you , Sofia for replying. A lot of people are mentioning weight gain on Venclexta but nobody mentions an increased blood sugar level, which can lead to pre diabetic or diabetic condition, high BP and stroke. Of course we compare the risks and benefits of the drug, and we hope that we avoid the side effects. But it is good to be informed. I am not overweight and never was, sticking to a no sugar, low carb diet, close to a keto diet. Nevertheless I had 2 strokes on a treatment with acalabrutinib and Venclexta. I am not paralyzed , but I have impaired walking ability and vision, memory loss and other issues. Yes , it can be just aging, I am 78, dealing with CLL for 25 years, last 3 years on a treatment, but IMO people have to be aware of a trade… On a positive note - my blood counts, concerning CLL, are almost normal, and my spleen is under the rib. Again many thanks to all those who replied.

Belkin

[DriedSeaweed in reply to Belkin123]

What is the blood sugar level up to?

[skipro in reply to Belkin123]

So sorry to hear about your stroke, it must be hard. Prayers for some recovery!!!

[Otterblue2]

I had high glucose while on AVO. My team insisted it had nothing to do with the meds, but it receded after completing them. I had no history of high glucose before treatment.

[t2aa]

I gained about a pound a month on Venetoclax and my blood sugar went up to where I became pre-diabetic. In remission now but still dealing with blood sugar issues.

It could be a coincidence as diabetes runs in my family on the paternal side. I do, however, tend to believe it was ‘encouraged’ by the treatment. But the results of the treatment were pretty awesome in that I got my life back. I can live with limiting carbs!

[skipro in reply to t2aa]

Wow, happy for your results.

How long were you on V

Did you get O or R with it?

thx

[t2aa]

I was on Venetoclax for a one year treatment. Started with Rituximab for a month, then added V. Rituximab continued for 6 months, then just V. Never did get to full dose of V. Too much nausea! I pretty much threw up at least once every day for a year, but somehow still gained weight. Blood sugar did go up!

However, I am still undetectable after 3 years so I am a happier camper!