Awake as always after yet another night with partial sleep. 2 x 2 hour sessions though is better than nothing though and whilst Zopiclone does provide relief, I prefer the natural stuff best.
I am very cautious about all things medical and always have and always will err towards those medically trained, so without starting a topical debate, may I ask, has anyone ever used a blood glucose meter as a prophylactic aid? The reason that I ask, is that I have visited many reference sources to examine the impact of temporary high dose cortico steroids and saw an article on steroid induced diabetes and thought to myself “hope I don’t develop that”.
On that basis, I am carefully, but not over zealously monitoring my carbohydrate intake, particularly highly refined variety; eat as little processed, cakes etc etc.
My other step has been to purchase a blood glucose meter, cheap and accurate. Personally I don’t feel that is necessary for me to monitor my bloods, but 65, sleepless and browsing amazon for the umpteenth time, click and it was done.
So has anyone else done similar? I have many medical/nursing friends and am aware of how to monitor my bloods. I am not obsessive either and see this as a small way to monitor the inevitable impact on my system and the way that I assimilate sugars, but moreover identify the warning signs if I stray too far. Finally, for me, a simple person who often sins: it might just make me avoid that statement when the coated peanuts come out “May I have a few of those”?
My Mum has been Diabetic for many years and is insulin dependant and my Brother is on meds and has lots of other health problems that are diabetic related .
Hence monitoring my levels, i have never had sugar in hot drinks although I do have a sweet tooth .
Personal choice of course, but maybe not necessary.
You are aware of the possibility and are being sensibly about eating. If you are seeing GP regularly presumably you are/will be tested for blood sugars as well as blood pressure etc.....
On similar starting doses to yours, my blood sugars rose slightly early days, but not enough to require intervention and then returned to normal as Pred reduced.
So long as you maintain your sensible diet, and refrain from too many coated peanuts I would leave it at that!
Thank you as always for your sensible response. I am not going to say anything negative about GP per se, as I have asked them to formally review their systems re my diagnosis. But being aware of NBC and knowing your history re BAOR etc. All I can say is that with 60mg codeine, 2 courses of antibiotics, 4g paracetemol daily and 1.6g of ibuprofen daily, for intense facial pain, they were still reluctant to see me. Only the intervention of my best friend saved my sight and possibly more - 30 seconds was all he took to say, “I am taking you to A&E I want them to confirm...” and you know the rest. It is against that background, my eventual visit to my GP was not too dissimilar to conducting an NBC exercise at the height of the Cold War - only thing that was missing was fuller’s earth, blot bang rub and a respirator. Sorry I digress.
To be honest, I was bored in the middle of the night. My GP has surrendered my care now completely to ophthalmology and Rheumatologist and whilst I know their responsibility, I have direct access to advice via many professional friends. Personally I feel that I should be tested and I will take this up with the rheumatologist when we next speak, i can call him at any time, but felt I should ask here.
I have no intention of undertaking any form of interested diagnosis, but bored £20 to spare, dare I say enthusiastic at 2:13 a.m. it seemed a reasonable idea and might just provide me with an indicator of potential problems, although as you say, low carb diet, being sensible etc.
I know exactly where you are coming from, having gone through similar.....my GP was so far off trajectory- in hindsight it reminded me of tales from hubby when in Outer Hebrides testing Rapier missile undergoing trials. In fact she was probably more lethal!
As I said it’s your choice....but having either watched or tested hubby sugars 3 times a day for 18 years (and trying machine on myself if it wasn’t working), not to mention the amount of blood I’ve given through the years either as a donor or a patient- I’d leave it where it is!
....and spend your £20 on something else.
I know it’s not a laughing matter for those who are diabetic - so please don’t be offended.
In steroid induced diabetes it is the Hba1c level that is more informative than random BS readings. That should be checked every couple of months at least at first - if you see it starting to rise then you can take action. Not a lot of point doing it more often as it reflects the average BS level over the previous 8-12 weeks.
Pred makes the liver release random spikes of glucose into the blood stream from the body's stores of glycogen. The spikes may be very high and they trigger the release of insulin to bring them back down but because there is not a full meal and ongoing release of glucose from food the level often overshoot - creating the craving for carbs to bring it back up. But besides that they add to the average BS level and may bring it high enough overall to be defined as diabetes. Because they are random the chances of catching a high one is not necessarily high and you may well find that you get acceptable readings with a glucometer but the Hba1c is still rising. You can't control the release of BS from that - but you can control the release from diet and by reducing the carbs you eat, especially the simple quick release carbs found in processed foods, you can bring the Hba1c level back down and many on the forum have done so.
The cost of the monitor is low - it is the cost of the disposables and strips where the companies make their money. We have an INR device - it was expensive as they aren't sold as much as the glucometers, but each individual strip costs 5 euros! Much cheaper to go to the GP/hospital but it has saved much messing about during Covid!
Well you have made things clearer to me than my Rheumatologist, GP and diabetic nurse combined. I have been given a steroid induced diabetes diagnosis and have been lent the finger prick glucose testing kit, been put on Metformin and taken off due to side effects, no other drugs yet. No further blood tests have been offered. I suspect I am borderline. The dietary advice would suit us all.
OH is on dexamethasone steroid and when tested was 30. Action stations immediately as they managed to lower it. It took a few days and is now on insulin but hope to get it better as steroids decrease.
Thank you. As I say this was a general conversation starter, but being awake most nights; it was browse the internet or read my wife’s digital copy of the Daily Mail. No offence to their regular readers, it just isn’t my bag - love the puzzles page but soduko 1-6 was complete.
I have just taken advice from a very competent and trusted diabetes nurse, who knowing me well and knowing my personal circumstances feels that I can well afford testing myself once a week and she will welcome some feedback on how I proceed.
I am very sorry to hear that you have a further issue, which is what in fact I fear for myself (more restrictive travel insurance based than personal health). If I garner anything else which is of value, I’ll share it with you.
Thanks for such a comprehensive response. Strips will not be a problem tbh I think I could have got one for free, but at the time I purchased it, I was also contemplating buying a new camera lens at 400 the cost, so I am grateful the urge to spend was not so great.
Some of the others may consider you need a warning about shopping online during the dark hours of wakefulness with pred Not something I know about - I don't online shop and am not on high dose pred - but I gather it is a vice that may need curbing ...
PS - my view is more with regard to the limited value of random BS testing. in steroid induced diabetes You can't do your own Hba1c
Our house is full, but photography being a passion and almost 6 months of dining in, cancelled holidays I had a desire to spend. I have curbed myself somewhat to the more practical, however, I am about to depart shortly to use my newly acquired civil aviation authority license and take to the air with my new drone for some more aerial Landscape photography.
£20 was a small price to pay compared to that as well.
Exactly as do I over the rolling Dorset countryside.
As always, your sage advice is heeded. My wife would not agree with the need to rein me in at the moment, just simply on the basis that I have just taken the Aga out of summer hibernation and for the first time in August - it is quite cold here and it will make my early mornings on the kitchen sofa more tolerable.Thankfully, I can turn it off just as quickly should she try to disable my cards 😃
I have a sphyg, but rarely use it. Perhaps it is time to check the battery and give it a go.
Morning, in reality half way through the day for those of up since the very early hours. We have a BS machine as my OH is diabetic and I am using to keep a general eye on what is happening with me. As PMRPro says its the HbA1c which is more important, but at least it and keeping an eye on your weight can help to point you in the right direction regarding your diet. Doesn't replace regular blood tests at docs though.
There's value in taking what control of your healthcare you can and seeing some numbers -- if you're not reading too much into them -- and it sounds like you've got a good perspective on that. I'm finding that the more involved I am in that way, the happier I feel.
--So long as it doesn't get in the way of spending unjustifiably on a new lens in the middle of the night--that's _always_ a good use of prednisone over-excitement. Don't let anybody tell you different.
Thank you. Honestly it was very much tongue in cheek. I have courted the lens for some time as I have the drone.
In terms of prednisilone, apart from insomnia (learning to cope and enjoyed 5 hours last night in two spells) I have become incredibly verbose and type an awful lot - as witnessed on our blog. Other side effects, but I am still able to function as a councillor etc.
I am capable of undertaking more in terms of my health and am trusted to be fairly autonomous, however I think that it reassures NHS enormously when knowledgeable patients leave their direct care with them. It is on that basis, that whilst I can be critical of them, mainly with justification, I do fully trust their clinical competence; failings arising in between.
And you are so right. Sadly when I commenced treatment I peaked at 120mg per day. To state I was “hard wired” is an understatement and was unable to sleep. Some 5 weeks now into my treatment I enjoyed 5 hours last night in two spells. Natural sleep 💤 no drugs - remarkable as my dose remains at 80mg.
You may have coped better on similar dosage? All I know is that I am wide awake, I do read, but watching tv or listening to the radio, whilst pleasant are insufficient, mindfulness etc help, but ultimately, I’m bored, not tired.
It could be worse though. I am feeling so much better
gardening by pretzel torch? night walking?I knew a family and 2 of their children did not sleep as we do{very short periods like swifts}Lots of investigations and expert opinions later they had to adapt .Build a separate annex room so children could happily play etc all night then ready for school ,nursery etc in the morning.I think they had carers to help when they where very young.Perfectly happy lively normal children! I think they gradually grew out of it over time but never needed hardly any sleep.I never seem to have enough time,money or sleep..Glad you are feeling better!
How kind of you to say. Steroids addressing the disease and sleep 🛏 whilst not perfect at least is better.
Thanks as always and having shared your experience of some of the challenges, I trust your responses.. Perhaps my terminology is not correct and it would be more appropriate to say, “my symptoms are reduced”. I know that I am not well and receive the occasional sensation accordingly. Compared to how I was 6 weeks ago, acknowledging that the disease is active, but symptom free mainly, is a huge bonus. Both my dog and I miss our walks, my 20 year old misses our joint workouts (or possibly not) and I suppose that I am pleased that I am no longer in pain - I have no alternative way to cope.
On a separate note, I haven’t bought the new lens, although I still longingly look at it, but as it is sunny today, just setting up some kit in the garden to photograph a sparrow hawk who is terrorising the local wildlife. Keeping busy, keeping positive but being sensible.
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Not something I know about - I don't online shop and am not on high dose pred - but I gather it is a vice that may need curbing ... 
Query on hair growth and unusual cessation of perspiration 
Update to previous post
Hello, I'm new to posting.
following on from my last post …….Turns out no PMR or GCA
12 months on. A gratitude post
