diabetes

[cassey1879]

Has anyone gotten diabetes as a result of large doses of prednisone?

[annettepackham]

My sugar levels have been raised by 60mg dose of Prednisolone to around 12.9 previously they were only ever around 5. Hope this helps.

[patdencass in reply to annettepackham]

Hi I have been diagnosed with Diabetes after 18 months on pred. I am overweight, made worse by the appetite increase caused by taking steroids, but my GP has said the preds can play a part in the onset of diabetes. I'm trying to take care but it's one more thing to deal with!!! Good luck x

[cassey1879 in reply to annettepackham]

Yes, thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I, on the other hand, have been on pred at about 20mg at times and my blood sugar is normal. But I eat very little carbohydrate - just vegetables really, no processed carbs at all - and that can make a big difference.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

cassey, my sugar levels remained normal throughout 6 1/2 years with PMR/GCA and a 40mg steroid starting dose. Like PMRpro, I stuck to a diet full of fresh veg, some fruit and rarely ate refined carbs/sugar. I gained very little weight. So all this probably helped, but perhaps some people are already pre-disposed to diabetes via family background etc putting them at higher risk from the steroids.

[cassey1879 in reply to Celtic]

Thanks, I know I eat to many carbs just craving popcorn. The is a lot of diabetes in my family and my mother died from the juvenile diabetes, so sure that doesn't help. Just hoping that my sugar will go down when I get down to 20 mgs.

[panda12]

Yes I was on Prednisolone for 12 years and put on a lot of weight on the higher doses and about 7 years ago was diagnosed with diabetes. I have now been off Prednisolone for a couple of months but now take MTX instead. I have had PMR now for about 13 years and have been told by rheumy that probably got it for life. Have lost most of the weight I put on and glucose levels under control but have to take Metformin. When I was first diagnosed the GP put the diabetes down to the Prednisolone.

[highwood]

Yes I have, could not believe it when my doctor said I had steroid induced Diabetes 2. I have been on and off Prednisolone since 2006 GCA and now GCA/PMR very large doses up to 60mg. I am now down to 5mg but having flares. I did have a 6 year remission from GCA

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Hi there. Yes, after coming off prednisolone (I had been on it for four and a half years) I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. This although I had thought I was doing what I could to look after myself and only put on one stone in weight. However, I didn't stint myself on carbs like spuds and pasta, and I think this was probably a mistake. As a rule we don't pay enough attention to our pancreas and the strain we are putting on it.

[cassey1879 in reply to Polywotsit]

Thank you, am reading your book now and finding it very, very helpful. Seems most doctors here in the states are not that familiar with the GCA. Going to Philadelphia now, and they are much more knowledgeable.

[11caroline29]

Hi. I started steroids last July at 40mg and diagnosed diabetic type 2 in Sept. Now on Metformin and 25 mg steroids. No weight gain but hard to control diabetes even with very strict diet. GP and Neurologist blames steroids.

[whitleybayfc]

Hi ive had type1 diabetes for 17 years ,then got addisons then pmrand gca.The alternative answer to your question.My sugars are difficult to control ,my hb1c was 7 not bad for being on pred still.I take metformin alongside insulin to gain better control ,prescribed by my endocrinologist not rheumy.

[northants]

I am borderline never had any problem before PMR