2 months into Preds and noticeable increase in thirst?

[BrianL7C]

I am now into my second month of treatment (20mg Preds, was 15mg) and have notices that I have become continually thirsty. Symptoms like when you start a light cold. The aches and pains have almost disappeared since moving up to 20mg Pred per day which I now take in 2 doses, 15mg morning, 5mg 23hrs. If I had not started this medication cycle I would be concerned to be showing signs of Diabetes. Having moved from zero medication to the PMR treatment I am concerned by any changes that become apparent. Apart from enjoying a couple of beers and wine with dinner I consider my diet to follow all the healthy guidelines. Have any others experienced an increased thirst since starting the PMR medications?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred can cause the liver to release spikes of glucose from the muscle stores of glycogen - if you eat a diet with much carbohydrate the total effect can develop to what is called steroid-induced diabetes. The usual healthy diet recommendations include a fair amount of carbohydrate and probably include grains and fruit? The carbs in both soon mount up - and how much is in your beer depends on the beer. Some have a lot!

[SheffieldJane]

I did experience thirst and a very dry mouth. I did have high blood glucose levels that tipped me into steroid induced diabetes territory. This has normalised with a dramatic reduction in Pred and giving up beloved bread completely and all baked stuff. The dry mouth remains and dry mouth pastilles on prescription help the most.

[SnazzyD]

You could be getting sustained raised blood sugar. Healthy diet guidelines are a bit inadequate when it comes to Pred which forces spikes in blood sugar before you put anything in your mouth. Until I was well below 5mg I had to cut out all pasta, rice, potato, flours, sugars and maize. Fruit had to be limited but berries weren’t too bad. Root veg had to be limited. My treat of the week was two small glasses of white wine and I had two squares of 85% chocolate a day. Fats were not restricted and nor was protein. With this diet from the start I didn’t have any weight gain and my blood sugar level averages were good. For some, Pred is just a step too far and diabetes treatments have to be added in, but others have been able to pull back from the brink.

[Alchemy8 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you, that is useful info . I am on 20mg and avoid the usual carbs (bread, alcohol, etc.) but have noticed I am putting on a bit round the waist. Is there a definitive list of fruit and veg to avoid for those on higher doses?? I always have fruit (papaya/mango and berries) for breakfast and eat apples and pears in the daytime. Also love sweet potatoes, carrots and parsnips. Should these all be a no-no?!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Alchemy8]

dietdoctor.com/low-carb/ket...

shows nicely what to avoid and what to eat - towards the bottom of the page are links to more detailed images for food groups.

I fear you need to change your fruit and veg intake a bit! Your berries are probably fine (blueberries are borderline) but these days one apple or pear can be 20+g carb, sweet potatoes are as bad as ordinary potatoes for carbs. I hear your pain - I love roast parsnips so they are a real treat but only occasionally and in small amounts! Carrots are borderline too.

But you have to work out what works for you - you may be able to cut some rather than all or find something else to remove. Keep a food diary and be honest!

[Alchemy8 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much PMRpro. Lots of detail on the site. It looks as though I have to rethink. I thought cooked fats were a bad idea as the liver couldn't process them well (as in fried bacon - can't believe they are flagging up bacon and egg as a Good Thing) and I have also had read that red meat is not good for arthritic conditions. Hey ho! More stuff to factor in along with exercise/rest/meditation/healing modalities.....

I woudl also like to thank you for your incredible contributions to the forum along with all the others who give up their time to help as we flounder. This site is truly a lifeline.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Alchemy8]

Too much of anything isn't good - but they are now backpedalling on the "red meat is evil" and suggesting the recommended 4oz maximum per day is ok! That 's about the pack of playing cards or the palm of your hand measure. Bacon and egg now and again never hurt anyone. The flawed research that was funded by the food industry and favoured using sugar instead of fat in manufactured food has created a tsunami of obesity but finally it is turning round and showing that a well balanced diet with a bit of everything is probably best most of the time.

Nothing is inherently bad - too much of anything is and that really does apply for carbs. A diet that includes perhaps 200-300g carbs a day for a man, rather less for a woman is fine - but when you realise one Snickers bar has over 63g, flavoured coffees over 20g, a croissant 20g and many manage that just on the way to work without any other meals included it isn't surprising that a lot of people manage to down more like 400-500g carbs a day!

And then we are put on pred - which immediately changes how our body processes carbs, It isn't easy - but it is doable and you have made a good start. The other good point is that for many of us less sugar also helps the inflammation.

[Suffererc]

Yes. But only at night and a very dry mouth.

[Dubler]

I did but it was diabetes. My blood sugar was in the 500’s about a month after taking preds

[Hoobabes]

I have been pushed into steriods induced diabetes with the prednisone and now take metformin.

I do have a dry mouth at times particularly in the morning.

But I have also developed a taste for coffee.

I'm a tea drinker who drank coffee high days and holidays .

I now drink at least 2 mugs aday and proper coffee.