Prednisone

[EeyoreButterfly]

I am on prednisone for the next 5 days to due to a bee sting reaction. (Stung three times, I'm allergic to topical benadryl which is hte normal remedy. Several hours in the ER=not fun!) I was on it once before. It was before I was diagnosed and I remember feeling wretched. I also remember hearing something about it making blood sugar harder to control. (I know it made me hungrier than all get out.) Does anybody have experience with this?

[Dis-N-Dat]

I'm on a 2nd Prednisone taper in the last 3 weeks. I've only been diabetic for 3 weeks (well, diagnosed that is) but my numbers went from 259 to and average of 121-137 (except for this afternoon when I drank a Red Bull sugar free energy drink and tested at 150). (I'm taking Metformin 500mg bid).

I guess this is a long winded way of saying I don't think it bothered my numbers. If you're by any chance taking a blood thinner like coumadin, it can & will disrupt your inr.

[KatGirl]

My grandmother has been on predisone for several years for Polymyalgia (she's a type 2 diabetic on insulin). Whenever she needs her predisone adjusted her bs goes out of wack until she figures out the correct amount of insulin. Her endo hates the fact she is on it but there is really no other solution.

I think now that she has the predisone dosage down to a science she can now at least estimate how much to adjust her insulin (or at least I never hear her talking about her predisone/insulin dosage anymore).

So to answer your question, predisone does cause your bs levels to go higher.

[fgummett]

Hey EB, sorry to hear of your woes :(

I have no direct experience of Prednisone and its effect on BGs but according to Wiki

Prednisone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisone)Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant, and affects virtually all of the immune system. It is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases and (at higher doses) cancers, but has significant adverse effects. It is usually taken orally but can be delivered by intramuscular injection or intravenous injection. It has a mainly glucocorticoid effect. Prednisone is a prodrug that is converted by the liver into prednisolone, which is the active drug and also a steroid.

Glucocorticoid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucocorticoid)Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones that bind to the glucocorticoid receptor, which is present in almost every vertebrate animal cell. The name glucocorticoid (glucose + cortex + steroid) derives from their role in the regulation of the metabolism of glucose, their synthesis in the adrenal cortex, and their steroidal structure

If it were me, I would be on my guard, increase the frequency of testing and -- depending on medication -- have a plan for combating highs and lows.

Please let us know how you go with this.

[notme]

I have had steriod injections and taken prednisone before. It definitely raised my blood sugar levels and made them hard to control. It took a lot more insulin for me to get my numbers somewhat in order.

I think while you are on prednisone, you will just have to cut yourself some slack. Do the very best you can and understand it is just for a short time.

Obviously, you need the prednisone, so just take it and watch your diet as close as you can. Good Luck.

[EeyoreButterfly]

Thanks for the responses! I have to take 50mg at bedtime so I'm hoping it won't be too bad (If I remember right, last time I was on it I had to take it twice a day). It does tend to complicate matters when you are severely allergic to the normal allergy medicine! Everytime I tell them they look at me funny because while diphenhydramine (the active ingredient) is a known allergen for some people, very few people have the allergy and most docs have not heard of it. Issues like yesterday is exactly why I have the allergy on my medical alert bracelet.

[princesslinda]

EB, it may make it very difficult to get any sleep as well. I took a couple of the dose-packs for a ruptured disc (prior to diagnosis), and I remember feeling like I was "bouncing off the wall," and slept very little at that time.

[SueM]

Thanks for the responses! I have to take 50mg at bedtime so I'm hoping it won't be too bad (If I remember right, last time I was on it I had to take it twice a day). It does tend to complicate matters when you are severely allergic to the normal allergy medicine! Everytime I tell them they look at me funny because while diphenhydramine (the active ingredient) is a known allergen for some people, very few people have the allergy and most docs have not heard of it. Issues like yesterday is exactly why I have the allergy on my medical alert bracelet.

Are you sure you have to take it at bed time? :eek:
Steroids cause lack of sleep. So that's why it is always recomended to take in the morning. Pred does rise blood sugar a lot.

[EeyoreButterfly]

Well, it said once a day and I got it pretty late last night. I was fine last night for sleep, but then my IBS med tends to knock me out.

[rak1978]

So sorry for your ordeal!!!
I just posted on another thread this same thing, so sorry for the redundancy. I was on prednisone a couple of months ago and could not get out of the 350-450 range no matter how much insulin I took...guess I could've kept taking more, but I was already doing correction boluses of 10 units + at a time. I believe, and I could be wrong, that it makes you extremely insulin resistant.
My advice would be to be extra cautious about carbs while you have to take it...maybe cut them out completely and give your body a little break.
I hope you are better soon!

[Dis-N-Dat]

Hey all, you were right, I was wrong. I'm 24 hours from first dose of Predinsone taper and my numbers are 30 points highr.

And yup, I'm still low carbng (@15g per day).

[mjcmurfy]

I believe, and I could be wrong, that it makes you extremely insulin resistant.

You are absolutely right rak. Prednisolone is a nightmare for diabetics. It's a synthetic glucocorticoid, which does the same thing as the endogenous hormone, cortisol. It affects several metabolic pathways, including glucose metabolism.

First, it stimulates gluconeogenesis, which causes the liver to release its glucose stores into the blood, and second it inhibits glucose uptake in muscle and fat tissue by increasing insulin resistance. So basically, it has a double whammy effect on your blood glucose.

If you're on prednisolone you should definately either decrease your carb intake, or increase your antidiabetic meds... or both. If you are going to be on it for an extended period of time, then it might be a good idea to ask your doctor about starting a temporary course of insulin, perhaps a small basal dose in the mornings.

[moorejames]

I just got another cortisone injection in my neck last week. Within the hour, I was in the 300's.... and I've been erratic all week.

The shots effect on my BS lasts several weeks. Fortunately, the effects on my necks last almost 6 months :)

[rak1978]

I just got another cortisone injection in my neck last week. Within the hour, I was in the 300's.... and I've been erratic all week.

The shots effect on my BS lasts several weeks. Fortunately, the effects on my necks last almost 6 months :)

I hope you recover soon. From your high glucose levels and whatever neck pain or injury brought you to this. Unfortunately, I can relate to this one too. I have two degenerative and bulging discs and have had several cortisone shots....I know, I'm a mess. They absolutely reeked havoc on my blood sugars for weeks if not months. They sure do help with pain and swelling though! I guess, as in most things, there is a give and take.
You have to decide whether the good outweighs the bad.

[moorejames]

:thumbsup: I hope you recover soon. From your high glucose levels and whatever neck pain or injury brought you to this. Unfortunately, I can relate to this one too. I have two degenerative and bulging discs and have had several cortisone shots....I know, I'm a mess. They absolutely reeked havoc on my blood sugars for weeks if not months. They sure do help with pain and swelling though! I guess, as in most things, there is a give and take.
You have to decide whether the good outweighs the bad.

Bulging disc(s) in my neck. Not bad enough to consider surgery, but it's pressing directly on the nerve that runs across my upper back and down my arm. Lot's of radiating pain and numbness in the fingers.

I try to bear it until it affects my sleep and I'm miserable, and then I schedule another shot....

They do work wonders, though. :thumbsup:

[rak1978]

:thumbsup:

Bulging disc(s) in my neck. Not bad enough to consider surgery, but it's pressing directly on the nerve that runs across my upper back and down my arm. Lot's of radiating pain and numbness in the fingers.

I try to bear it until it affects my sleep and I'm miserable, and then I schedule another shot....

They do work wonders, though. :thumbsup:

Ouch! I'm sorry! Mine are in my lower back. I think neck pain is the worst! Hope you heal soon.

[moorejames]

Ouch! I'm sorry! Mine are in my lower back. I think neck pain is the worst! Hope you heal soon.

Thanks. It wouldn't be so bad, but the symptoms are *exactly* like a heart attack. Radiating pain in the back and chest, numbness in my left hand...

I'm pretty sure heart attacks don't last for 8 years though :D

(it's ok, I've had stress tests and the ticker is fine -- and the MRIs on my neck are pretty conclusive -- just not "you're going to surgery" conclusive.)

[TommyC1]

Prednisone is an extremely effective anti inflamatory.
I took three courses of it for asthma some years before I came down with the big D.
It cleared up the asthma nicely but when I mentioned to my doc that it seemed to make my vision blury he got a little pale and sent me in for a glucose tolerance test. Turns out it's not that uncommon for pre D's to become full blown D's while on prednisone. Kind of wished he'd warned me to be on the lookout.
Unfortunalely prednisone has a whole collection of potential side effects including making your D a whole lot worse.

Good Luck,
Tommy

[EeyoreButterfly]

How long after you go off do the side effects last? I am taking 50mg once a day for five days.

I remember feeling crappy the last time I was on it, and this is no cake walk either. I hate the sort of floaty feeling, hot flashes, feeling this crawling/irritated sensation of my lungs, feeling like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. It's not fun. Two more days and then I am home free!

[Dis-N-Dat]

Thought I'd check back in. I'm 5 days into the Prednisone Taper and my numbers are good again. Earlier spikes gone.

I asked My PCP about the side efects and she indicated
long-term use damages organs (not bad for the heart though).