DIABETIC USING PREDNISONE

This is going to be a kind of wait and see thing as prednisone effects everyone a bit differently. What you will probably need to do is slowly increase it based on your blood sugar readings and you will need to take your blood sugar more often, like 6-8 times per day, as you do this. As f as how long the predinsone will last it can effect your bloood sugar for up to 2-3 months after you stop, but that too is an individual thing.

Welcome to HealingWell, Lesbemus. As Ms Ouchie has said, I think you need to talk to your nurse or doctor about programming the pump. The pump will be reading your blood sugar but I believe it has to be programmed. Is this correct?

Prednisone will raise the blood sugar and stay in your system for days after it's stopped. I was on pills and it took a week for my blood sugar to come down after that therapy ended.

We have another member on the pump, WillC, and I hope he comes on and has some suggestions. I know this must be frustrating for you.

Hi Again Lesbemus!

I was dxd. with severe RA 31+ years ago. I have been on and off Prednisone through those years, high doses then tapered down each time. This last stint with Prednisone started 9 years ago and I've run out of medication that works, so I'm on it for the long haul also. I am sorry that you have been diagnosed with COPD.

I was wondering if the cannula on your site may be kinked? Or perhaps your site is in an area with scar tissue?

I was bolusing Insulin in the earlier years when I was on high Prednisone but I was taking so much Insulin to try to catch up to it. For years now I've raised my Basal Insulin slowly instead which of course runs for 24 hours. I use the Bolus Insulin to cover the food that I eat and a small amount more if I need to correct for a high, if need be. I do test often. Also eating low carb meals helps a lot. The less carbs I consume, the less Insulin I need along with my exercise.

Post Edited (msOuchie) : 5/5/2014 9:57:36 PM (GMT-6)

Oh sorry Jim, I should clarify. When I spoke of raising my Basal
Insulin instead, I meant only for the 10 mg that I have tapered down to. I seem to be able to control the Pred. better this way since it is low dose. Basal Insulin alone, wouldn't work for higher doses of Prednisone.

As far as using the Bolus for food, certainly. I also use a small amount of Bolus sometimes if I undercalculate my food intake or if I am not able to do any exercises, etc.

msOuchie I am curious as to why you say adjusting the basil amount would not work. I am not on an insulin pump but it is my understanding that the basil amount is to keep your blood sugar under control in between meals and the bolus is to handle to raise in blood sugar due to eating.....same thing as if you were on say Lantus and Novolog fast acting.