Question: alternatives to insulin

[cathie]

Hello, I'm new here. I have diabetes2; rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism. I've been on steroids for the past six months to cover a change in my RA medication. The steroids have played havoc with my blood sugar levels and my GP has become concerned and wants to revise my medication.

At the moment I'm on Glicazide 80mg once a day; metrofmin 2 x 500mg twice a day and liraglutide injection. I'm worried that the hospital will want me to go on to insulin, which I'd rather not. Does anyone have any experience they could share?

Many thanks,

Cathie

[bodicea]

Hi Cathie,

like yourself I have Diabetes II RA, hypothyroid also have eye problems, restless leg syndrome and a mental injury. I have just been given a steroid injection for my RA and my sugars have rocketed. I have had to take loads of insulin to try to combat this to no avail. I don't know if there is an alternative but I would be very interested to know as my oral medications for diabetes was stopped last year and I have just been having insulin (even thou I am insulin resistant!!) My blood sugar this evening just said "HI" so over 35, and today I have taken 250 units of nova rapid and 100 units of long acting Lantus, when I asked the diabetes nurses what should I do they just told me to take as much insulin as I needed ?????

If they do want you to take insulin it would be better to keep your sugar levels low to reduce the risk of long term damage - but flip the coin - could they look at changing your steroid medication to something that won't have too much impact on your sugars?? its worth asking

Please take care and I hope things improve xxxxxx

[cathie]

Thankyou. I'm coming off steroid slowly but the only answer seems to be medication. Meanwhile I'm very restricted in what I can eat. Hope you start feeling better soon too

[angel-delight]

Hi Cathie,

I dsee you on the RA/D website, I am also new on here. I have similar health issues taking metformin 3 x 500mg per day after meals plus one other med which repla ced Glicizide as it which caused my blood sugar to be 2.1 first thing am and also hot flushes and hands to shake. I also take 125mg thyroxin, 30mg oxycodone am and pm, 20mg prednisolone and paracetamol 2 x 4 per day. The problem I have now is my blood sugar is 12.1 first thing in the morning. I also take a blood pressure tablet first thing also. My GP stopped the calcium vitimin D tab which I was taking alternative days to vitimin D only alternative days as the calcium level was too high and effecting my liver level.

I am in Canada at the moment and unable to contact either my rhuemy or diabetic nurses. I am not in any great deal of pain RD wise, mostly concerned about controling my sugar levels. I am staying with family and basically eating what they eat at normal meal times. I do not eat foods with high sugar content and check packages for all content levels being new to this.

Take care, Sue