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Steroid shot and blood sugar

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Posted 10/14/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I know this has been discussed before, but since I am new and the post was old I thought I would start over.

I have been type 2 for a little over a year, and combining meds and diet I stay relatively normal between 120-180 (usually in the am). Its hard for me to test on a reg basis because my insurance charges $40 for strips and $30 for lancets and that doesnt even cover a month st once/day.

So my main question is this: I have had many foot surgeries (not related to diabetes at all) and on Thur I had a steroid shot in my foot. That night I started feeling 'off' and tested and I was at 275. Various readings between then and now have been at low 180 and at high 375. I have read that steroids have caused this in many other people, and I was wondering:

1) What did you do to bring it down and re-stabilize
2) How long did you see this side-effect

I know many will suggest going to a Dr, which unfortunately I do not have right now, but any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

And since I know it is asked often, the meds I take are metformin 2000mg/day and glyburide 5mg 1-2x/day
Posted 10/14/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
When my stupid doctor decided to give me a shot of steroids for a really bad flu with asthma, my blood sugar went to over 400 and took about four or five days to get back to my normal range between 100-115. (Yes, I do share part of the blame for not saying no, but I was so sick my brain was on leave.)

The only thing I know that will help is time. Be very sure you're eating an extremely low carb diet so you don't contribute more to keeping I up there. Extra exercise might help too, although I was too sick to try that. Do test each morning and watch for a good decrease every day. I think I was in the 200's the second day, the around 180 for a couple of days.

Do not take extra medication, as this likely won't help and could make you sick with other side effects. Good luck, and hope you recover soon!
Posted 10/14/2013 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, steroids will do it every time. I've had shots in the hips for bursitis and a couple of times I was prescribed the prednisone packet of pills taken over several days and each time my blood sugar shot up. As Judy says, you can help yourself A LOT by eating a lower carb diet. The more carbs you eat, the more elevated your blood sugar will be even taking meds. You help get the glucose out of your system by exercising. Sustained exercise like walking, swimming and cycling are good all around for that and general health.

Your blood sugar should be averaging lower than between 120 and 180 no matter what time of day. Maybe you should think about changing what you're eating so you can get lower blood sugar (when you're not getting a steroid shot).

What do you normally eat for meals?
Posted 10/15/2013 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
So for an update I have stopped hitting the 300s and top out at 250. Still frustrating but at least its moving in the right direction.

The problem for me with exercise is as I said I had foot surgery, and in total I have had 9 surgeries in the past 4 years (again not related to diabetes at all). So for me exercising is painful and tough. In fact, I think my surgeries is where I developed diabetes. There was a time for about 15 months that I was bedridden and couldnt get up much at all. At the time this period started I weighed a little over 200, which being 6'1 I wasnt THAT much overweight. I ballooned to about 300 since not moving combined with snacking out of boredom led to significant weight loss. It was after that round of surgeries that I was diagnosed. Now I am finally getting mobile again and I am down to 275 so thats heading in the right direction too =)

As far as my diet....got me? I was never one to pay attention to what I was eating, especially since my Dr never really discussed my diabetes with me in detail. I cut out sugary snacks and drinks but that was about it. I still ate pasta, potatoes and all that other 'natural' stuff we're supposed to avoid.

I am however taking this seriously now since this spike was kind of my wake up call. I went through lists of foods to eat and avoid, I signed up for a fitness/meal tracker and I went through the GI to make a list of fruits/vegs to eat and avoid. My wife is also taking this more seriously and is helping me shop for food and when we go out she's helping me choose what to eat.

Again I appreciate the comments and look forward to chatting with you all since I am hoping to remain active on here as it seems to be a good, encouraging community.
Posted 10/16/2013 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again.  Here is a website that has lots and lots of information for you.  http://www.bloodsugar101.com/

I suggest keeping a food journal with time/meal and what you eat and your blood sugar before eating and about two hours afterward.  In this way you'll see how your blood sugar reacts to the food you eat.

You need to strive to get your blood sugar lower in order to prevent health complications later (heart, kidneys, eyes, circulation).

I don't know how to tell you to get activities in.  Maybe your doctor can do that.  Have you been to rehab?

Posted 10/16/2013 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
I would love to be able to test like that, but my insurance co thinks it is ok to only give me 25 strips/mo even though the Dr prescribed me to test minimum once a day. She even tried to get me coded as 'extreme diabetic' or whatever the terminology is so I could more testing supplies, and the insurance co denied the change, go figure.

Good news though is the highest I have hit in the last 36 hrs was 246, way down from the 375 that freaked me out, and I just tested and I was at 146. So it seems my shot is finally wearing off and I am returning to normal.
Posted 10/16/2013 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad it's coming down! It needs to get into the the low 100s at least to avoid all sorts of damage later on in life. (Read through Blood Sugar 101 for all that information.)
Posted 10/19/2013 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
quick update....

yesterday high was 187 an hour after eating
today high was 167 an hour after eating, AND I hadnt taken my evening Metformin yet

I know I still have a ways to go, but way better than the 200s I was seeing for a few days....
Posted 10/19/2013 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, steroids will raise your blood sugar levels and keep them high for  a few days.   Your doctor should have informed you of this prior to giving the steroids.

 

Posted 11/5/2013 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently on the prednisone 4-day pack for an ungodly attack of RA (rheumatoid arthritis). I'm on day 2 and I spike up about 25 points. Which I guess I'm lucky it didn't spike more. 135 from 110.

My 2 whines are:
1. If I didn't take the prednisone to relieve (and I say relieve - I'm walking with a limp) the limp, I'd rather be dead as I couldn't even lie down pain free
2. Exercise is no longer an option for me since it hurts to just 'walk' .

Before I had this flare, I was doing the indoor walking dvd 1 mile.

Oh, I hope this goes away.
Posted 11/5/2013 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I hear you! I have had cortisone shots and prednisone packs a few times for bursitis and have seen wild spikes in blood sugar because of this. And because the bursitis is in the hip (both hips at one point but more one than the other lately) I couldn't continue my walking routines either. I used to walk about 45 minutes a day. I don't have access to a pool (and I don't want to join the gym that has one here) so exercise is rather limited although I'm getting back into it slowly now.

There really was no choice for me either. Living with the hip pain and at the worst of it I could barely go up stairs.

So, when my A1c came back higher than usual my doctor knew why.

Sorry you have to go through this! I understand! Hope you're doing better!
Posted 11/6/2013 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lanie for the supportive words.

Question - how does one know if it's bursitis or hip replacement issue?

Georgia
Posted 11/6/2013 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Georgia. An orthopedist would consider a case by x-rays or MRIs (and other tests, I'm sure). Bursitis only involves the bursa sacs, which might also affect muscles, nerves, etc. but not the bones.
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