So chaps here I am needing advice again! - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,294 members38,018 posts

So chaps here I am needing advice again!

Slosh profile image
40 Replies

I always feel like such a user on this forum - sorry but work full time and then some...

Was down to 6 mg in Dec. Went to SA - landed in hospital with pneumonia - was on high intravenous steroids and other hectic meds.

Started back on my dose (after fiddling a bit) on 10mg in Jan. Currently playing at 7.

Problems:

I am bruising loads. Started taking Vit C more regularly.

Headaches lately

Am worried that I could be heading for diabetes - often feel dizzy, blurry vision then and this feeling of feeling the blood run cold throughout my vascular system.

However I also run low on B12 - have had jabs for about 40 years - the last 3 I had left me feeling so weird - like the above - and I'm frightened to try again - so could be a bit of anaemia.

Also my psoriasis is just nuts!

Appreciate input as usual.

Xxx💞

Written by
Slosh profile image
Slosh
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
40 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Has anyone EVER suggested psoriatic arthritis? It can present identically to PMR. And some forms of spondyloarthropathy can lead to symptoms very like GCA.

arthritis.org/about-arthrit...

And why suspect diabetes with PMR, headache and other GCA-like symptoms such as blurry vision? Diabetes is easy enough to rule out - get your Hba1c level checked, it should be anyway. GCA not so much ...

The bruising may be the culmination of the short-term high dose steroids and the ongoing more moderate oral doses.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to PMRpro

Thank you for that - never considered it.

Hi you can get bloods tested for diabetes and b12/anemia. Is it pernicious anemia?

I think the idea is that people should use the forum for advice and information. 😁

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

I know but I give very little - just always asking.

My B12 tests will be skewed as I take it every day - currently trying sub lingual.

My Hba1c was creeping up on las test.

in reply to Slosh

Perhaps get bloods checked again. The blurry vision and dizziness can be related to diabetes. I have have chills too relating to high and low blood glucose, but I wouldn't describe them as cold in vascular system. Do sub lingual work as well as injections?

Hope you feel better soon.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Thank you.

No sublinguals do not work as well as injections.

I have actually bought a blood glucose monitor from Amazon. Not used yet - a bit scared and also been so busy to even set it up.

When should I test?

Xxx

in reply to Slosh

First thing in the morning before breakfast or pred. That gives you a fasting level. Somewhere between 4 and 8 is what you are looking for. However if you are at 8ish then get your hba1c done . The Lancet numbers relate to needle length. I started at 2 a few years ago, it never hurt me and I am a needle phobic who has to inject twice a day now ,(typical). It seems scary but hold it firmly against your finger and try not to jump when it clicks! It gives you a few seconds to put the blood on the test strip so don't panic. Make sure your fingers are spotlessly clean. Good luck.

I thought sub lingual wasn't as effective. My gran had monthly injections then they tried her on sub lingual s but she had to go back too hectic schedule.

in reply to

In fact click the Lancet a few times before you put it against your finger then you get used to it.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Thanks - did mine now before dinner to practice - was 4.6

in reply to Slosh

For me that would be low but I have done members of my family who don't have any issues and they were in 4s. How did you feel at the time??

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

I was feeling ok.

in reply to Slosh

Good. That test not a problem. Try a test two hours after eating a meal. Just trying to get you some baselines to work with.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

So at one hour after meal - it was 5.8.

One hour 20 minutes after - it was 5.

in reply to Slosh

Perfect. They seems "normal". I would be 8 to 10 after meals. You're still bang in the middle.

in reply to Slosh

A pre pred and pre breakfast one will give you fuller picture but I wouldn't be worried.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Thanks

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

I have my Pred at 10:30 to 11 at night.

in reply to Slosh

That's fine. It will probably have spiked in the night then.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

So it was 5.8 this morning???

in reply to Slosh

Hi slosh. That is slightly above what I would expect for fasting (less than 5.6) so the pred is pushing you a bit higher. I would just make some changes to diet. Fewer processed carbs if you eat and carbs in general. Hopefully that's what a Dr would advise, though they are often behind current thinking on glucose control! I think then do a fasting check once a month. Technically you are entering prediabetes but with small changes and as you reduce pred it should go into "normal".

Just so you have a guide, my fasting hba1c at diagnosis 20yrs ago was 18.1. Now they use a different measure for hba1c with normal less than @40s. After I had been in pred 8months mine was 114.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Wow! So I ate at 7ish but had a Chocolate at 9 😬. Could that have caused it?

I will be more careful. My diet is generally low carb but I LOVE chocolate and generally crave it in the evening.

in reply to Slosh

In the morning more likely last night's pred. You have to have something nice otherwise what's the point! I think a few people here have dark chocolate but limit to a price a night. Once you don't have it for a but you stop craving it.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

I didn't eat brekkie - got involved and before I knew it- it was 12 and I started feeling weird. took blood sugar - it was 4.3 - ate and at 12:20 and took sugar again at 2:15 - it was 6.5.

Sorry for bombarding you with all this.

in reply to Slosh

No problem. There may be others who also have BG issues. I think you are probably bang on with those levels. It looks like it's a morning pred spike though missing breakfast not good😉

Diabetes UK say:

For the majority of healthy individuals, normal blood sugar levels are as follows: Between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) when fasting. Up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating

At lunch you had effectively fadted.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Does moving around change it. When I woke up it was 5.7 and hour later (with just some water and a few sips of ginger water it is 4.7 - I hope I am not being bothersome.

in reply to Slosh

No prob. Exercise can. But suspect it's the spike from pred dropping.

in reply to Slosh

diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-units-...

in reply to Slosh

I found that my meter average was only a point or two away from hba1c over past 19yrs. If you test a few times in a month then look at your averages it will hopefully tell you what's going on.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to Slosh

I check mine before Breakfast on a Sunday morning and keep a record of it .

Thier easy to use but the testing sticks are expensive so hence once a week .

Most of my Family are Diabetic hence me being so careful

in reply to Rose54

Free prescriptions for them and Me then. I would be bankrupt if I had to pay for all the things I take.

Rose54 profile image
Rose54 in reply to

I am lucky in the fact that I have thyroid disease so have had free Prescription for years.

What a thought lucky to have a illness

65 now so free anyway

in reply to Rose54

I was a minute or two trying not to say fortunately and lucky for me. Lol.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to Rose54

I also have Hashimotos - 62 so free meds.

PMR2011 profile image
PMR2011 in reply to Slosh

“So busy to even set it up”...sounds like you need to slow down! Could some of this be stress related and is there a way for you to de-stress? Stress feeds into AI diseases and diabetes. Hope you’re able to figure it out.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to PMR2011

Yes I do need to slow down and hate winter - really struggle. Thanks

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

PS, forgot to say - everyone is a user here. Even your question may help someone else - who may not have realised they need to ask it or didn't have the courage to put finger to keyboard ...

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to PMRpro

Thanks - makes me feel better.

Slosh profile image
Slosh

Thanks for your input and concern.

Slosh profile image
Slosh

Ok - yes I had. Had only had water and lemon and I cup of coffee at about 9 am.

Thank you for your help. Xx

Daffodilia profile image
Daffodilia

Good news to be down to 10 mg of preds but all the best with your other troubles

You may also like...

Here I am again looking for reassurance

successfully to 10 mg , but after decreasing to 9 began to feel absolutely horrible so advised to...

Flare up...again! Advice please, am I doing the right thing?

increase to 10mg, 4th day today. Legs feeling better, not fully pain free and generally a bit...

I am new here and so grateful for all the information

Need help and advice, again

my pred at 10mg for aprox a week and then reduce to 7.5mg. This worked really well at 10mg. My...

I am new here: possible GCA

should I be concerned with? I still feel the pain a little bit on the side. I have seen an eye...