Steroid-induced diabetes

[BonnyQuine]

I'm feeling v discouraged, last couple of days because, despite noticeably reducing Pred - now on 12mg ->> 11mg - my steroid-induced diabetes seems to be getting worse instead of better. My blood sugars are creeping up; not disastrous, but are hovering around 14mmol/l at all times - too high. This is despite a v low carb diet and maximum doses of Repaglinide + Alogliptin and Dapagliflozin. (Metformin worked better, but I had to stop it 2-3 months ago because of side effects.) Sigh. Will have to consult on what to do next . . . . Just having a moan . . .

[Rosedail]

Hang in there Bonny! Keep on with the low carb diet. Perhaps time to do something special for yourself

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You have seen your diabetes specialist I take it?

[SheffieldJane]

Hi Bonnyquine!

I was told that I was pre-diabetic a couple of weeks ago. I made minor adjustments to a few silly habits and lo and behold further tests are normal. I am now being chased about the dreaded statins because my cholesterol is slightly raised. I don't want this medication either. Most of my conditions seem to be drug induced that's why the tests are so erratic. The NHS just plods along treating you like a statistic without taking any extraordinary factors into consideration. Seeing my sane Rheumatologist tomorrow whew! Have I got some serious steps to report to her ( step counting).

Perhaps a watched pot never boils. Keep up the good habits and don't look at the measures for a bit. I don't know how we fit anything else in with all this self care.

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Mmm statins. I have been on them years. Atorvastatin caused muscle pain. Prvastatin has be okay that way for 10 years. However, i may have mentioned elsewhere, recent research that says they make no diffetence fir women who have no history of heart problems and limited help if had heart problem previously. Much better for men in terms of both pre and post heart issue efficacy..seriously thinking about coming off yet another med...just want palpitations check first. The worm is turning 🐛...well caterpillar.. .

[piglette in reply to Hidden]

There is an article in UK's Daily Express today saying that statins don't help against heart attacks, probably tomorrow there will be a counterbalancing one!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Atorvastation practically had me in a wheelchair after a week, not pain, just weakness. I quote that research too - you would have to pay me a LOT to get me to take them. I'll take my chances. The cardiologist agreed (it was her non-specialist colleagues who'd put me on them) that that was right and atrial fibrillation due to the autoimmune part of PMR didn't count as a cardiovascular event. And THAT was where my palpitations came from ...

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

Statins?

nytimes.com/2016/04/04/heal...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

"How can a drug that lowers something that is associated with benefit not show any benefits?"

Because it is lowering a surrogate measure - and surrogate measures aren't always as meaningful as you think...

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

What don't you get? It's a quote from the paper - and the probably reason.

Statins lower cholesterol and (sometimes) reduce the risk of a heart attack. The immediate assumption is that it is the lowered cholesterol that makes the difference and that is what they keep striving for. But the evidence is mounting that the statins are doing something else - and the reduction in cholesterol is incidental. It is a "surrogate measure". So in this article they are describing possibly seeing something similar - and reducing cholesterol doesn't necessarily mean it will reduce heart attacks.

Does that make sense?

[CT-5012 in reply to PMRpro]

Statins played havoc with my IBS for eight months after taking them for one week. I wouldn't ever think of taking them again.

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

Copied and pasted and couldn't find the quotation. Really just wondered why you were addressing me as I wasn't asking a question, just attempting to contribute to the discussion about statins, which I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, just as I wouldn't touch Cox 2 inhibitors or bisphosphonates when offered me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

And mine was contributing to the discussion too but needed to be in response to the link you had given - hence the quotation.

It's a fault with the nesting system of this forum - which I hate with a passion!! But we can't change it...

[Koalajane]

Are you able to do exercise as I find that gets my blood sugars down. I just do about 8000 steps a day of walking, which is for about 20 minutes after each meal.

[BonnyQuine in reply to Koalajane]

Thanks for this excellent advice. Not easy - fatigue, aches etc - so needed this prompt.

Have just been reminded by my doctor too - just need to walk around a bit. Am v bad at putting it into practice, but know that it's crucial, now more than ever. 3 x 20 mins ought to be manageable. ?? Will do my best.

Onwards with determination . . .

[Hidden in reply to BonnyQuine]

Start at 10 or 5 min sessions at first so you don't dread it so much in terms of body being up to it. I used lampposts to gauge time/distance but they have just moved them all!! Back to square one....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to BonnyQuine]

Koalajane may have made a very important point: AFTER A MEAL.

Someone on another forum who is diabetic had found he could make a major difference to his BS figures by exercising after meals.

I also found it was much easier identifying a shortish walk to a point where I could sit for a rest before going back - doubled what I could do in comfort. Especially if there happened to be a cafe/bar - normal practice here in Italy...

[CT-5012 in reply to PMRpro]

You could always take an insulated mug. 😊

[Hidden]

I would also agree after a meal. As soon as possible thereafter. Once that blood glucose starts to rise you will feel less inclined..even on insulin if I have more carb than I should i can still feel consequences...sweating tired etc.

[BonnyQuine]

Replies noted, thanks all. Have made a small start today. Bit zonked, but will keep it up.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to BonnyQuine]

Start really small - 5mins out and 5 mins back is plenty at first - if you still feel good later you can do it again. And tomorrow - 6 mins out, 6 mins back. It's how I started - I could barely get into the village using crutches. Within a few months I was up to a half hour circular walk around the village and then we worked on speed. By then I could chuck the crutches away - I carried them with me for ages

[BonnyQuine in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for guidelines - will follow. I use a stick. Good to know will get there.

[CT-5012 in reply to BonnyQuine]

My husband uses a stick to make me walk. 😁😁😁

[BonnyQuine in reply to CT-5012]

Whatever works!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to CT-5012]

Wouldn't a carrot be kinder?