Lupus and diabetes

[Jeffscott69]

I have lupus but because of chronic itch,my GP tested bloods,i have to get a fasting glucose test done early mon morn,she think i may have diabetes and that can cause intense itching,anyone else heard of this.

[jacclaire]

Where do u get the itching? I have recently had 2 toes that have come up a glazed red all time n it feels like they have inside blisters. I know I have not got athletes foot etc but thought a lot of people get gout or chill blanes for some reason with lupus but did not think of diabetes. Oh my. Fingers crossed for u as I don't know what I would do if I got that. Let me know how u get on and where ur itching is xxxxx

[PMRpro]

It can cause itching - but so can a lot of other things in autoimmune disease! Does she have other grounds for the suspicion? And a fasting BS won't tell her a lot - my husband has raised fasting BS, his Hba1c reading is perfect though. The GP sent him to the dietician and then to the specialist - who pointed out an Hba1c was more use (it reflects the average BS level over the previous few months).

[Jeffscott69 in reply to PMRpro]

I got several blood tests done,doc said because of recent blood test,she requires a fasting glucose test early in morning,possible diabetes but not to be too worried.

[vaderviper]

Yes, unfortunately diabetes can cause itching of the skin

Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin. In fact, such problems are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.

Some of these problems are skin conditions anyone can have, but people with diabetes get more easily. These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching. Other skin problems happen mostly or only to people with diabetes.

However, lupus can also cause itching in just small areas of the skin as well. Lupus can affect any organ of the body (skin is an organ). It is usually caused by a superficial vasculitis.....the blood vessels just under the skin become inflamed and can cause itching. One of the reasons people with lupus are put on Plaquenil is because it has been show to help prevent vasucilitis as well as prolong one's life if you have lupus.

If your condition is caused by diabetes, then you will have to be treated for that and begin changing your diet with exercise as well. If it is caused by lupus (and your blood sugar is fine) then often a small dose of prednisone will help eliminate your itching, but you will have to start other meds long term, i.e., prednisone, plaquenil, cellcept, methotrexate, azathioprine. Most often you are started on Plaquenil first and prednisone is added for flares. [cellcept and azathiprine are considered prednisone sparing drugs......

Hope I have helped. Let me know if you have other questions.

Dr. S. (in the USA)

[Jeffscott69 in reply to vaderviper]

Thankyou so much,i am on 400mg hydroxychloroquine,17.5 mtx jab,got atarax antihistimine,it seems to be working but before i got that one gp said to take 4 prednisolone to see if it calmed down,get my blood taken early tomorrow,never thought of diabetes causing chronic itch,i was in such a state with itch,my GP gave me zimovane to get a rest from it,had hardly slept in over 2 days.

[vaderviper]

You must listen to YOUR Dr. as I do not know your history, however, IF IT WERE ME, I would not take the prednisone until after I had my glucose checked (I am assuming besides the GTT [glucose tolerance test] he/she is also ordering an A1C test......that gives your average blood sugar levels over the last 3 months. (prednisone can drive up your blood sugar)

BTW: Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquinine) is the gold standard of treatment for lupus. I myself have lupus and take 400mg of Plaquenil plus other meds everyday. I am sure you were informed that being on Plaquenil you MUST have your eyes examined by an Ophthalmologist AT LEAST yearly _ I suggest every six months plus a 1st time baseline exam. (Plaquenil can rarely cause bulls eye maculopathy........YOU WANT TO CATCH IT EARLY AND YOU WILL BE TOLD TO STOP THE MED IMMEDIAITELY!)

Dr. S. (retired Neuro-Ophthalmologist)

[Jeffscott69 in reply to vaderviper]

Yeah i was told that,had my eyes tested last week,do need stronger lense,but still just for reading and distance,i took the prednisolone as a one off,when i was first diagnosed with lupus,i was on prednisolone about 6 weeks,feel its really trial and error to get the right meds,also have staphococus,on 2000mg flucloxacillin a day,get op on sinuses again! On 9th feb,ryheumy wants ent surgeon to take biopsy of sinuses when im under anaesthetic.

[vaderviper in reply to Jeffscott69]

Unfortunately.......when you have lupus, your Dr. will imperically try which meds will give you the most relief possible........while staying at the lowest dose possible to give you that relief. When you had your eye exam I assume you had a retinal scan as well as a visual fields test. You will need a visual fields test at least yearly (certainly sooner if you notice any change in your vision).

BTW: Prednisone is similar to prednisilone as the body converts prednisone to prednisilone. Some docs will RX prednisone, others prednisilone..........in the long run, they are both the same.

Dr. S.

P.S. Good luck in your bipopsy...........I assume you were told it is not that uncommon to find a polyp in the sinus that can cause recurring infections......very rarely are they malignant, so don't worry.

[Jeffscott69 in reply to vaderviper]

Thankyou,this is 5th sinus op iv will be getting,reumytologist suspects other autoimune disease going on,possibly weganers?i havent had scan of eyes just normal vision test.

[vaderviper]

I assume you were told Wegener’s can affect virtually any site in the body, but it has a predisposition for certain organs. The classic organs involved in Wegener’s are the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, ears, and trachea). Wegener's is considered a distinct form of vasculitis........a CT scan of the orbit and sinuses could show Wegeners. If an autoimmune disorder is a possiblity then multiple blood tests will be ordered, such as ANA, ds-DNA, anti-phospholipid antibodies, Coombs' antibody, Robosomal P antibody, RNP antibody, SS-A and SS-B antibodies..........plus others.

Wish you the best,

Dr. S.