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Diabetes from Prednisone

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Posted 5/9/2012 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I was in a bad flare so my GI suggested I go on prednisone starting at 40 mg. I was on that for a week and my symptoms were getting worse, not better. He then suggested I up it to 60 mg which I started yesterday. I went for a blood test today and was diagnosed with diabetes. Does anyone know anything about this. My blood sugar level was 5 before I started prednisone and today it was 17.6

Could this be reversible once I come off the pred? Since the pred is still not helping my UC at all, even at 60 mg - should I come off the pred in order to minimize any potential diabetes issues.

Very frustrating times these days.

Thanks
Posted 5/9/2012 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
It's probably the pred and it's happened to others. I think it's usually reversible but others will be able to give you more input. What did your GI say about this? If it's not helping, it might be worth coming off. What other meds are you on?
Posted 5/10/2012 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I am currently only on Prednisone. My UC symptoms have gotten dramatically worse ever since switching from oral salofalk to prednisone to bring down this flare and then Diabetes came on as well. Any idea why all this could be?
Posted 5/10/2012 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
     OH YES, I had prednisone induced Diabetes.  My family doctor placed me on Medform, very low dose though.  I was scared out of my wits because both my parents were diabetics.  I knew the symptoms immediately.  My husband and I were returning from a two week vacation and were in our car.  My fingers were numb and I had excessive thirst.  I thought,  "UH OH".  When we arrived home, I used one of those urine sticks.  If it turns color when you uriniate on it, you know you have diabetes.  Well, mine turned bright purple!  I was scared out of my wits.  This was on a Sunday night.  I realized if the sugar were spilling out that much in my urine, it has got to be very high in my blood.  I phoned my family doctor but he didn't seem that concerned!  He knew I was on prednisone.  I had no other symptoms than what I mentioned.  The next day I had to come to his office and he gave me the medication and a glucose monitor.   My 2 hr pp in the blood was always close to 300.  I watched my diet carefully after that.

     I had a total colectomy with end ileo in June of 2010 and off that dreaded prednisone since then.  I no longer have diabetes.  Prednisone also caused me to have uncontrollable high BP.  On three different meds and my BP was always 216/110.  I only take one pill now and it runs about 110/70.  I will forever have osteoporosis, thank you prednisone.  That is a NASTY drug.  Try to limit your use of it.

Posted 5/10/2012 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Here is last year's thread on a similar topic. Wodin wrote an informative post in it. Perhaps he will chime in again.
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2197817
Posted 5/10/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Pred block insulin form doing its job, so blood sugars will rise. IF you also have some moderate insulin resistance (a condition that can lead to diabetes), they may rise quite a bit. Very high blood sugars can be dangerous and preset greater risk of stroke. Also you will feel lethargic.

However this is not Type II diabetes, which is a diagnosis given when about 50% of the insulin producing cells in you pancreas have died. So once pred is finished the sugars are expected to go back down.

In the meantime, eat lower glycemic index foods. Possibly get a prescription for lowest dose of Metformin (glucophage). This will block you liver from making too much sugar. With new sugar from food and metabolic sugar from liver both managed, you should be fine.

If you end up pred dependant, blood sugar control should be revisited.
Posted 5/10/2012 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Thanks Babe,

Pretty much what I said in the link you posted. I am still in remission for my UC, and am still a type 2 diabetic, although my BGLs are very well controlled. My Hemoglobin A1C levels usually run between 6 and 7, and the (one of) definition of type 2 diabetes is two consecutive A1Cs above 6.

As I said in the other thread, steroid diabetes usually, but not always resolves. Mine didn’t!
Posted 5/10/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tips - Could the onset of diabetes be the reason why my UC symptoms got dramatically worse while on Prednisone.

I must be one of the only people whose UC got worse from steroids.
Posted 5/10/2012 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
DBwithUC,

I think you might be referring more to type 1 diabetes in which there is an absolute insulin deficiency due to destruction of islet cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. (citation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2)

Steroid diabetes (also "steroid-induced diabetes") is a medical term referring to prolonged hyperglycemia due to glucocorticoid therapy for another medical condition. It is usually, but not always, a transient condition.

In Steroid diabetes glucocorticoids oppose insulin action and stimulate gluconeogenesis, especially in the liver, resulting in a net increase in hepatic glucose output. Most people can produce enough extra insulin to compensate for this effect and maintain normal glucose levels, but those who cannot develop steroid diabetes.

(citation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid_diabetes)
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