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Diabetic due to steroids?

Monawhite1 profile image
14 Replies

Hi everyone I have posted on here quite a few times mainly regarding the steroids that I have to take over the winter months as I never get through this time without having to take them . I absolutely hate them as I get so many side effects and coming off of them is even worst. I have just had my Copd bloods taken and my sugar levels were quite high and they have said I have to see a health coach as I am prediabetic? I feel my diet is not that bad as I am always watching my weight, barely drink and never have cake and biscuits in the house. I have to see the health coach on Friday and I told her about the steroids and she said nothing to do with my sugar levels- I do remember going to my COPD nurse when I was 1st diagnosed telling me the importance of blood tests after steroids as it could tip you into diabetes? Anybody else been told this. Thanks for reading Mona

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14 Replies
rsmrsnl profile image
rsmrsnl

Hi Mona. There is such a thing as Steroid induced Diabetes. I have had Prediabetic sugar levels for a couple of years now which is due to all the steroids I take. My husband is type 1 Diabetic and on steroids for different illnesses and they send his sugars haywire. My strategy is to keep to a healthy diet as much as possible and not worry too much. Good luck on Friday. Rose

Monawhite1 profile image
Monawhite1 in reply to rsmrsnl

Thank you Rose for replying to my post. Yes I am sure steroids have something to do with my prediabetic bloods result. I cancelled my appointment on Friday as I got a last minute weekend away with the grandchildren but I am going tomorrow. I have decided not to be fobbed off with my bad eating habits which I know I have not got. Thanks again Mona

Caitlyn6 profile image
Caitlyn6

As a type 1 diabetic with quite good control, when I was put on steroids for an MS episode my sugars when sky high- like 3 times higher than usual so I can see how they would put someone in the pre diabetic range. I had to quadruple my insulin to bring them down.

Thomac profile image
Thomac

Hi husband had steroid induced diabetes after a run of infections and increased steroid dose. He was told that diet wouldn’t make a difference and he needed medication. The medication brought his sugar levels down and once his steroid was back to his 5mg maintenance dose he was able to stop his medication. Fingers crossed for you.

Shaurene profile image
Shaurene in reply to Thomac

Steroids are my No 1 enemy. I suffered terrible. I stopped them and told my doctor never ever prescribe me the poison again. After close to one year i am getting more power in my mustels and breathing better. Stay off them. You can read up a lot on them on Google.

Monawhite1 profile image
Monawhite1 in reply to Shaurene

Thank you for replying to me about the steroids. I agree they are awful and coming off of them is the worst, feel so ill when coming down off of them. Yes I feel like you not to take them at all. Thanks Mona

Monawhite1 profile image
Monawhite1 in reply to Thomac

Thank you for replying to my post. my appointment is tomorrow now and I have decided not to be fobbed off with my so called bad lifestyle and be assertive about my steroid intake and how that affects my blood sugar levels. The health coach actually said to me on the phone nothing to do with your steroids!, I really do beg to differ especially after reading comments on here thanks Mona

watergazer profile image
watergazer

Hi Mona- I've found that many health professionals that I've seen for raised blood sugars discount steroids as a reason however my son who is a GP in charge of diabetes in his practice always tells me that its not my diet or way of life but the meds that are affecting my blood sugars. Good luck with the health professional as I was suicidal after seeing mine and relapsed from my healthy eating . I was told to go to 1 fruit a day; cut out the one treat a week that I allowed myself and I very very rarely drink alcohol and I eat high fibre foods and am not overweight. I hope yours understands the relationship between our meds (steroids) and raised blood sugars better than mine did. Good luck x

Monawhite1 profile image
Monawhite1 in reply to watergazer

Hi Dickinson thank you for your very interesting reply to me. My appointment is tomorrow now and I feel I am going to have a battle with the health coach to impress on her that my lifestyle really good since being diagnosed with COPD but the downside taking the steroids in tablets during most of the winter and by puffer all year. I cannot think how to improve my diet really and like yourself hardly drink. I exercise regularly as my Copd rehab taught me so not sure what road to go down to improve my sugar levels? Thanks again for your interesting reply Mona

PollyP profile image
PollyP

Hi Mona,

3 years ago, due to persistent issues with lungs I unknowingly became dependent on oral steroids which indeed did give a full blown steroid diabetes.

With a full on attack to my already healthy diet, eventually ditching the steroids the diabetes went!!! Now no longer diabetic and very grateful not to have the disease.

Good luck with your health.

judes profile image
judes

I do wish these so called health coaches had more knowledge they seem to have tunnel vision about lots of things.

I have taken steroids for some years and was told by a GP that it can cause raised blood sugars. Likewise I take warfarin and was told by a health coach to eat lots more green leafy veg, fine in principle but have to be consistent due to the VitK. There was no way I could have eaten that amount each and every day.

Stupid people

irishdave profile image
irishdave

Hi Mona i am type 2 diabetic with copd emyphesema (wrong spelling ) and i can defenitly tell you that streoids talken orally predisilone etc will send you blood sugars sky high i have to almost double my insulin if i am on them. hope this helps dave

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47

Yes I have been on steroids for 3 years without a break ranging from 50mg a day down to 7 mg a day while currently on 13mg a day. I am border line diabetic and diagnosed with angular Glaucoma and I need hearing aids and my back teeth have all fallen out our been pulled so easily, one using my fingers!! I am consistently told it has been steroid induced. But they have kept me gong after spending 19 days in ICU and a month in hospital with pneumonia 3 years ago.

Shaurene profile image
Shaurene

Hi all.

We all have these good TV's. Go onto YouTube check out all the medical facts on video. You can type in the search, Diebitis, a good one is the 5 worst medications to take, Prenseson is high lighted.

There are a lot of special drink blending receipy.

The main items to make blending drinks are, LEMONS, GARLIC, TURMERIC, HONEY. THESE 4 blended the right way will do wonders for you, it did for me. Also, take Vitamin D3 also consider CO Q10 if over 50.

If you go onto Google search in Steroids, Prendison, Prendeslone I found very interesting facts that a top doctor/specialist condemn steroids Prendesone.

Your doctors know this diebitis problem with steroids but the way they have been taught, (The benefits outway the side effects.

They would NOT give their family them.

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