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Can Prednisone cause diabetes??

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Posted 7/3/2007 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, just wondered if taking pred can actually cause diabetes, or if the side effects from the drug just appear like diabetes symptoms?

I am currently taking 35mg, started 4 days ago. I take 1-2 week courses at this dose when required. During the winter I take maybe only 1 course every 2 months. But during the summer I need to take more. I have had several courses over the last few months, sometimes only a week between them. Since last night I have been having such severe thirst, and I have drank more or less constantly. Obviously, this means many trips to the loo! I still have the blurred vision, which seems to have been dismissed by the opthamologist as tissue on the back of the eye, but gp not so sure. Any input would be appreciated.

almost forgot, is it safe to take the pred if there was something with my liver? I'm awaiting a liver scan following liver function tests and have some symptoms of liver problems.

Thanks x x

Posted 7/3/2007 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lion:

Sorry to hear you're having troubles with your vision. I know that diabetes is a side effect of taking high doses of steroids. This last hospital stay for me my blood sugars were all out of whack. I was getting anywhere from 2 to 4 units on insulin with my meals. The nurses would give me the shots. I kept saying hey I don't have diabetes, and they'd respond with you're taking steroids it can cause it, and the infection was also raising my blood sugars.

You should have your sugars tested and see what they look like. Wishing you the best, let me know what your doc says.

Love,
Barb
Posted 7/3/2007 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Barb, thanks so much for replying. It's good to have you back. x x
I will ring the docs tomorrow and get an appt for some bloods taken. I'll let you know what happens. Love & Hugs x x
Posted 7/3/2007 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
hey when i was first put on prednisone i was in the hospital already so they checked my blood sugar three times a day and gave me insulin if i needed it...i have also heard that it can cause diabetes if you are not careful. it increases your blood sugar and it also increases your appetite so from what i have heard if you gain a lot of weight and dont eat right while on prednisone you can in fact become diabetic..the higher the dose of prednisone though, i think the higher the more it affects your blood sugar. although i have heard this...i have not actually heard of anyone to whom this has happened. i hope you are doing well otherwise!!
Posted 7/3/2007 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
It's interesting that you asked this question because there was just something written about it in my new issue of Lupus Now. From what I remember of the article is that not all people who take prednisone get diabetes but it does raise your risk, especially if you are on high doses and if you are already overweight and/or have a family history if diabetes. It's best to play it safe and get it checked out if you are having symptoms, so I'm glad you are calling your doc. Take care and let us know what you find out.
Posted 7/3/2007 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Lion, I've heard the same thing. My rheumy checks my blood regularly and keeps a close eye on my blood sugar. It's my understanding that taking high doses of prednisone can cause high blood sugar, or steroid-induced diabetes that usually resolves when the steroid use is decreased or discontinued. I don't know the answer to your second question, but I would be sure to ask your rheumy about prednisone use if you have liver problems. Good luck, and as hippi said, please let us know what you find out.

Pat
Posted 7/4/2007 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Okie

 

YES!!!! I hope you called your doc this morning.  I was walking around with sugar levels so high my family doctor couldnt believe I didnt go into a coma.  I had the incredible thirst, and found it impossible to eat because my mouth was so dry.  I also developed a yeast infection in my mouth...thats when I went to family doc and found out I had diabetes!!!!  The results of having untreated high sugars is the reason my eyes are so bad now sad

I hope you get this looked at immediately, because I was told at the diabetic clinic that the doc who had put me on the prednisone, should have been keeping an eye on my sugars.

 

Diane

Posted 7/5/2007 4:59 AM (GMT 0)

HI--

Steroids definitely raise blood sugar levels alot.  I'm using a steroid cream regularly and that is even raising my blood sugar.  You need to be very careful.  I would definitely go in to the doctor, even urgent care if you need to, about the blurred vision and stuff.  if you feel silly, just go into the er and or stop by your doctors office and ask if they can test your blood sugar for you.  Most doctors offices and ERs definitely have a sugar test kit and they can test it right there for you.  In the ER, you probably wouldn't have to wait, they would do it quickly, especially if you tell them you are on steroids.  If you have a test kit or don't mind spending about 18 dollars on one (you may have to buy lancets) or whatever. they are good to have around and you can do it yourself.  80-120 is the normal range.  Many people, especially overweight people, are under diagnosed for diabetes.  It is hard to lose weight when you have it and being overweight causes it too.  I hope you please get tested.  If you have a friend who has diabetes, they can test you, but really you should go to urgent care, or er.  It can go from bad to really really bad fast.

Please take care and let us know what you do and how it comes out. 

Posted 7/5/2007 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and thank you to everyone for your replies.
I had a phone call from my gp's office yesterday. The day before I had had my blood work done to check the liver and wbc again, and I didn't realise this full blood count included your glucose levels. The doctors said my glucose levels are too high, and I have to go on Tuesday next week for a blood test at 9.30am then return 2 hours later for another one. The interesting thing reading all your posts is that I don't seem to fit the reasons for this from the steroids. I am not overweight, in fact I'm probably a little underweight. I also am not on continous steroid treatment so my body has regular breaks from them. But, i'll go on Tuesday and see what they say. Thanks again, x x
Posted 7/6/2007 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Here's somthing from the Merck Manual Home Edition on diabetes mellitus that explains the weight loss part, which a lot of people don't get. I wish I did in a way.

"The first symptoms of diabetes are related to the direct effects of high blood sugar levels. When the blood sugar level rises above 160 to 180 mg/dL, glucose passes into the urine. When the level rises even higher, the kidneys excrete additional water to dilute the large amounts of glucose lost. Because the kidneys produce excessive urine, a person with diabetes urinates large volumes frequently (polyuria). The excessive urination creates abnormal thirst (polydipsia). Because excessive calories are lost in the urine, the person loses weight."

There's more after that. In overweight people, our bodies still produce insulin, but we become immune to its effects until the pancreas (actually islets of langerhorn) can't keep up and burn out. Because of our increased hunger from the diabetes, we may even gain weight until we get sick enough to perhaps start losing weight from the kidney thing. It just hits different people different ways. The overweight thing is just the most common. Most overweight people have undiagnosed diabetes, which is why its so hard for them to diet effectively. I'm glad you're going in to see the doc and make suer they give you a script for your meter and strips and all if they want you to test so they get paid for by insurance.
Posted 7/6/2007 9:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Marji,
Thank you for taking the time to write your post, I haven't heard of that before. I'm still hopeful that the high glucose may just have been a one off, and the test on Tuesdy will be ok (maybe thats wishful thinking though!) I'm really lucky because I'm in the uk, no insurance needed. If I need any tests or any meds etc, I'll just get them. Take care and thanks again, x x
Posted 7/7/2007 11:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lion

 

Just wanted to clear something up, but maybe I misread your post

 

Diabetes doesnt effect just overweight people.  I am not overweight, but when I was put on a high prednisone dose like yours...I was dx with diabetes 2 months after I initially started the prednisone regime.

 

Good luck with your tests on tues!!  I hope you havent developed diabetes.

 

Diane

Posted 7/9/2007 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have lupus, but can add my personal saga about prednisone-induced diabetes. I am proof that it can indeed cause diabetes. about 10 years ago I was taking very high doses of prednisone for not-very-long time for an inflammatory condition my retina specialist thought might be helped. It didn't, and in fact rendered me type 2 diabetic. I have been taking glucophage for several years, but am about to think about taking something additional because my blood sugar readings are not where I want them to be, despite daily exercise and trying to watch diet. The diet thing is very difficult to do, more so for type 2 than type 1 diabetics. It is definitely up to the patient to know all the impending side effects when considering taking Rx, no matter what the condition, and weighing the good and bad when trying to make the decision. Had I known I would be diabetic and now facing taking some injectible Rx, I think I might have decided not to take the prednisone.
Posted 6/23/2019 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
I know this was a very old post but I am facing diabetes due to years of steroid use. My A1C was 7.2. I’m trying to wean off of the steroids as I have RA and I haven’t been able to get off steroids for years and years. I only recently came down from 10 to 5 mg. However I’m hurting really bad. I will just have to hurt I guess. I have to get off this mess. My RA doctor has me in methotrexate now and I’m doing so much better taking this. I have failed many of the RA medicines and we started over with the methotrexate yo see if I can tolorate it this time. Worried so much about this diabetes tho. Runs very high in my family.
Peggy
Posted 6/23/2019 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
The body naturally produces about 5 mg - long term prednisone use can sometimes cause the body to quit producing what it needs. Sometimes it's necessary to have some adrenal gland tests to see what amount your body is producing... it can be dangerous to go lower than 5 without this testing or without the close supervision of a Dr. It's what keeps the heart beating!!!

After years of prednisone, when I came off, after we got below 10 mg, it was down by 1 mg per week. If I felt okay at the end of the week, I could go down again after waiting 1 more week. If I didn't feel okay, I had to go up 1 mg and try again after waiting a week. It was a slow dance!
Posted 6/23/2019 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lynnwood. I appreciate all you have explained to me. I’ll certainly call my doctor tomorrow and find out if he wants me to come in for that bloodwork.
Hugs
Peggy
Posted 6/24/2019 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
While prednisone and solumedrol makes makes us feel so much better in the beginning I can tell you in the long run the toll they take on the body it is not worth it! I now have Addisions Disease from steroid use. My adrenal glands shut down and I went into adrenal crisis, it’s a scary situation that none of my doctors recognized was happening until it was too late. I totally agree with Lynnwood, be very careful weaning off prednisone if you have been on them for years because most likely your body has stopped making it’s own and it could put you in a life threatening situation.
Posted 6/25/2019 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Wow Melissa that is very scary. What happened to you. I surely don’t want anything life threatening going on with me if I can prevent it. My rheumy called today and made sure I went to 7.5mg. Not the two that I thought he meant. I had already went back up to 5mg anyway I couldn’t handle it being so low. Thank you for talking to me
Hugs
Peggy
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