Steroid injection effects...how long?

[jade_dragon71]

I know from past experience that corticosteroids are a bad thing for my blood sugar, but today I didn't have any choice in the matter.

I had gone to the doctor yesterday with the throat/ear crud that's going around (that my son also has), and he gave me Cipro to take and wanted to give me a steroid pack. I told him no on the steroids.

Well, I am allergic to many, many antibiotics, but I have always just gotten a skin reaction- hives or rash. My throat swelled up bigtime last night and scared the bejeezus out of me since I couldn't breathe well, to say the least. I've only gotten this reaction from eating crab in the past.

I called my doctor this morning, who had me go to his office right away, where he gave me three shots of epinephrine and a big ole shot of two steroids to help with the throat/ear infection and inflammation and my nasty cough.

How long can I anticipate my sugars to go crazy from this? The last time I had take an oral round of steroids, it was pretty scary to see my numbers for a pre-diabetic. (a little higher than 350...) I do take Januvia and try to limit my carbs to the "good" ones.....brown rice, whole wheat grains, nothing "white", but of course I fall from grace like anyone else does from time to time. I tend to get reactive hypoglycemia after a big spike (well, big for me....250+ is my typical "I ate something bad" reading.)

Thanks in advance for any insight, and for just "listening"...it's been a crappy day and my throat is still swollen, although I know if I feel well enough to complain, I'm gonna live........ :)

[kgm0612]

Sorry you're not feeling well and hope you get well soon!

As far as the steroid shots........my blood sugars were out of whack for a good week or two the last time I had one, which was about 4 years ago.

Karen

[Mich]

My endocrinologist says at least a week. That's also been my experience.
Mich

[notme]

I had a steriod injection in my shoulder and it lasted for about nine days or so.

[SueM]

It does depend on what sort of steroid it was and where it was injected.
In a joint it can cause problems for aprox 10 days.
In a vein te effect is very quick and lasts about 6 hrs if in the muscle I go out of wack for a couple of days if hydrocortison is used.
But it's prob a lot better to be high for a few days than have an infection drag on for weeks and cause even more problems.
Try going low carb until the steroids wear off and see if that helps.
Hope you feel better soon.