HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Crohn's and uncontrolled blood sugar

Support Forums
>
Diabetes
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/20/2015 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have diabetes. Uncontrolled. I forget the blood test they do but I'm a nine. Numbers go from like 150 in the morning then I take my prednisone and it shoots up. Friday it was 403 and it burst the blood vessels in my right eye. I have crohns disease also. Scared cause the doctor wants to start me on humira. So many side effects. But I'm bleeding from the bowel every day. Prednisone and entocort for the crohns disease is not helping he said it's hurting me more. Did anyone else gain a ton of weight from being diagnosed and put on insulin? I went from 95 pounds to I'm now 207 and hate myself. I don't even eat that much.

Post Edited By Moderator (LanieG) : 2/20/2015 7:29:20 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/20/2015 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Diabetes Forum, pez927. I realize it's difficult balancing Crohn's and diabetes because of the meds like prednisone you have to take which will help one condition but aggravate the other. This is why I suggest that you get yourself into an endocrinologist's care if you're not already.

Your blood sugar is too high and has already caused some eye problems and to avoid any more eye damage or other problems with your heart or kidneys, you've got to get the blood sugar down. Insulin can do that but insulin is a fat producing hormone and is likely the cause of the weight gain. It's a vicious cycle. You need the insulin to control the blood sugar but the insulin itself is making you gain weight.

I can't help you with your diet for Crohn's but I can tell you that the more carbs you eat, the more insulin you will have to take. Carbs raise blood sugar; the insulin tries to control the blood sugar. So, the best advice I can give you is to cut out heavy carbs and eat other food that you can that will not aggravate the Crohn's. If you can do that, you will not need as much insulin.

Also, you should know that cardio exercise helps control blood sugar when it's done on a regular basis if you can do that. Swimming, walking, running, dancing for 30 minutes a day can help bring down blood sugar.

I am concerned about your high blood sugar readings. The insulin therapy you're on is not controlling your blood sugar for some reason which is why you need an endo to sort this out. Your insulin therapy needs adjustment and if you're overloading in carbs in your diet, that's also adding to the high blood sugar.

Can you write what you eat on a typical day?
Posted 2/20/2015 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
A waffle and some yogurt for breakfast, maybe a half a sandwich with some fruit , or a bowl of soup, or a small bowl of mac and cheese for lunch , chicken, with diabetic pasta or a small baked potato , or spaghetti with diabetic pasta for dinner. These things are OK by my endo and nutritionist.
Posted 2/20/2015 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Ok. Well, I'm not a doctor or a registered dietitian but I do have diabetes and check my blood sugar and in my opinion you're eating too many carbs. If I ate what you're eating, my blood sugar would be sky high, probably like what you're testing out.

That's right. I'm totally contradicting what they're telling you. Why?

Because for me the bottom line is what my blood sugar is. I don't want my blood sugar to go over 130 or 140 so I can avoid complications down the road. Following the "guidelines" of the ADA will keep a diabetic's blood sugar high. For some reason, the ADA doesn't think it's important to try to keep blood sugar levels to near normal.

Here is a website that has lots of information and studies about blood sugar: www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/
Posted 2/20/2015 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in a tough position cause what I need to eat for the crohns disease is not helping the diabetes and vice versa.its almost like I can't eat at all.so many things aggravate the crohns. I do follow what the the endo doctor gave me and the dietician.as for sugar, I'm supposed to take my blood before I eat, if it is under 200 then if I have a little something that has sugar it's okay but if it's over 200 then I don't get anything that may contain sugar. I also follow a paper they gave me. Take 12 units no matter what with each meal then whatever my blood is use the sliding scale they gave me and add those extra units to it to cover when I'm going to eat. Which is always 15 minutes after I check my blood sugars. Having both diabetes and crohns disease is very challenging. I get so crazy depressed that I just close my blinds turn on my tv and snuggle into a pillow and cry for hours. I don't know what else to do anymore. For example, in Dec that just passed I came down with influenza type a. 106 fever, lung collapsed, back of brain started to fry, so they stripped me naked and put me on ice boards I woke up in icu stayed there for seven days with life support machine right outside my door. They was moved to a regular room for another seven days. Was there for Xmas eve, Xmas day, then when I went home I ended back in for another seven days which was a crohns flare and they took out my old port and put in a new one. No sedation. I felt the needles, the cutting, the dripping of the blood, the pulling of the port, the insertion of the new one and was so tramatized I Peed the bed. Why no sedation? They were afraid cause I'm allergic to Ivp dye and with my last colonoscopy, I stopped breathing cause they used Ivp dye, and they had to intibate me, when they did that I woke up in recovery called the nurse over and started to spit my teeth at her they knocked out 4 teeth during the intibateing process. Yes I've been to hell and back several times. Including tmj surgery where they hit a diseased part of my neck and I bled out. Flat Lined for over 40 mins went to heaven, hada stroke on thetable Then Woke Up 4 Days Later after being in a coma.
Posted 2/20/2015 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I can't imagine everything you've gone through and are still going through! I hope you can get some relief for the Crohn's. Getting the flu or any other sickness on top of everything else you're dealing with is awful. Are you able to get the standard flu shots, etc.?

The only thing I disagree with in your post above is when you write that when you take your blood sugar before you eat and "if it is under 200 then if [you] have a little something that has sugar it's okay.." No, I don't think that's ok because 200 is too high to begin with.

Your blood sugar must be better controlled. Who is the doctor who is prescribing the insulin? Is the the endo? If it is, then you must ask him/her why your blood sugar isn't controlled. If it's the regular doctor, then you need to see the endo for this.

What are the limitations for food for Crohn's? Vegetables, meat, etc.
Posted 2/20/2015 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Yes endo doctor. Limitations? Spicy, greasy, nuts, milk, fresh fruit, corn, different vegetables, the list is huge, cream soups, fish, choclste, tacos, fast food...
Posted 2/20/2015 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, some of the food you list would also be on the list to stay away from for diabetes: corn, tacos, fast food, fresh fruit to an extent.

Here's what you can eat for better blood sugar control, so see if you can have your Crohn's and blood sugar come to an agreement: :-)

The acceptable list: chicken, other meat, vegetables but not potatoes, yogurt, cheese, coffee, tea.

For the vegetables, go for the ones that don't bother the Crohn's. Potatoes will drive your blood sugar very high. If you can eat leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, etc., then that's good. Or, if not raw greens, can you eat cooked spinach or turnip greens? Look through the frozen vegetable case at the supermarket and see what is ok. Raw cabbage like in cole slaw? Or would cooked cabbage be better?

Very limited portions of peas, beans and carrots as these are high in carbs but a few could be served over a salad.

Sometimes a smaller than normal portion is tolerable since there's no carb overload.
Posted 2/20/2015 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Oh your not going to be happy. All those greens like cabbage, spinach, etc all no. Too much roughage, causes bleeding. Trust me I live on yogurt, canned fruit, lite syrup is ok for the diabetes, soup, even though the sodium is bad but sometimes you have to pick your poison. I eat chicken with diabetic pasta alot I just try to dress it up a bit. I'm such a challenge. And with this I gain weight.
Posted 2/20/2015 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Who said I'm not going to be happy? mad lol! I'm just telling you what's ok for the blood sugar. If you can't eat something because of the Crohn's, then there'll be something else.

Roughage? Holy Mackerel, that's what we called fiber when I was a kid. I didn't think anyone used that term anymore. Suddenly it was 'fiber'. Now everything is fiber this and fiber that.

Well, as I said, my concern is your blood sugar and in my opinion, it's too high as you wrote yourself in your first post that it is "uncontrolled". Maybe you need to changed endos.
Posted 2/21/2015 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
This is second endo. Only been going to her for a short time. She's talking about putting me on the pump. Can you tell me anything about that and if it will interfere with starting humira?
Posted 2/21/2015 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know anything about a pump but there are a couple of members who have them. This might be the best way to get the blood sugar under control. I will start a new thread for you looking for some members who can post about their experience with a pump.

How is humira taken?
Posted 2/21/2015 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
They told me humira is given as a shot in the stomach once a week or once every two weeks. Pen shot like I do for my diabetes. And yes please anything you can do about information on the pump would be so appreciated. I know you have to keep it at a certain level or you can bottom out. My friend did that and got dizzy driving and crashed her car and died.
Posted 2/21/2015 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
I made another thread asking for people who are on pumps to respond.
Posted 2/21/2015 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
THANKS lanie
Posted 2/24/2015 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
What about whole wheat bread with chicken for a meal? Can you eat cauliflower? There are many cauliflower "mashed potato" recipes out there.
Oranges, I'm thinking, might be safe. I wish you the best finding food that works with you!
Posted 2/24/2015 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Oranges will cause blood sugar to rise.
Posted 2/25/2015 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Oranges activate the crohns, so I save having orange juice if my sugars decide to take a drop. I do eat chicken that I make myself . Cauliflower, broccoli, water chestnuts, green beans, are my favorites, but always cause me a problem. I sure would like to know why every night I get these heart palpatations and shortness of breath. I thought it was the pain meds but I've been taking the same kind for quite some time. It is all so confusing. By the way, does anyone know the actual symptoms if you are dehydration?
Posted 2/25/2015 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Here are the symptoms of dehydration I copied from eMedicineHealth:

"The signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults range from minor to severe. Mild to moderate dehydration may include the following:
Increased thirst.
Dry mouth.
Tired or sleepy.
Decreased urine output.
Urine is low volume and more yellowish than normal.
Headache.
Dry skin.
Dizziness.
More items...
Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults - eMedicineHealth"
Posted 2/25/2015 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
What about short of breath and heart racing with palpatations?
Posted 2/25/2015 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
pez, if you are having shortness of breath and palpitations, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

I have no idea. Please do not use HealingWell in place of medical care. Those symptoms could be related to your heart or anxiety but only a doctor and certain medical tests can diagnose them.

How old are you?
Posted 2/25/2015 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
44 but I've had the palpatations checked out. I just don't like yhem. I've been told that with crohns disease fast heat beat can happen. I also take a very high amount of pain meds for the crohns disease. They seem to only happen at night, and they get better if I prop my head up a bit and not lay down flat. I've had several ekgs and as many times that I'm in the hospital and hooked up to monitors I'm sure they would find something. I'm also taking an antibiotic for a uti right now and I've never done well with antibiotics unless it's hooked up to my port.
Posted 2/25/2015 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
And I know this site shouldn't take the place of a doctor. But I love knowing I'm not alone with all these symptoms and questions I have to deal with everyday. This is a wonderful, friendly place to go when your feeling scared and alone. Thank you for your help.
Posted 2/25/2015 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you've had these medical tests because that should give you some peace of mind. I know that palpitations can be caused by different things but I don't think they would be due to diabetes - but I'm not certain.

I know that anxiety can cause them but there are other reasons, too, like some medications, so I'm glad your doctor is aware of what;s going on.

You can come here anytime! We may not know the answers but listening is our specialty!

:-)
Posted 2/26/2015 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Just swung by and saw this.

Prednisone definitely affects blood sugar and I *think* can also give you palpitations. I have had them with other forms of steroids. Being on it for a long time has lots of bad side effects (lots of weight gain, "moon face", mood problems, diabetes, bone problems). Humira could be a good option. Just curious, do they ever use 6mp or azathioprine for Chron's, and if so, have you tried them?

Can you eat dairy? Some people with IBD can't, but for me (and I only have UC not Chron's), cheese and milk slow down my bowels and make me feel pretty good. Some creamy soup like cream of chicken might be good? Filling and probably no fiber. Idk how many carbs they have so check that before eating. If this is an option for you, I'd try it. It doesn't sound like it would bother your sugar. I understand wanting to eat a lot of starchy foods-they help me with UC (and are tasty!). But Lanie is definitely right that they're bad for diabetes.

Stay hydrated! Exercise, safely, if you can. Hopefully you can get things under control and get off that prednisone! I hope your body settles down :) And sorry if I said anything totally obvious you already know! Good luck!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12