Buzybe

[Buzybe]

I have just found the sight having been diagnosed with PMG in July this year. I was prescribed steroids,, alondronic acid, alcan-d3.

I was also advised this week that I am type 2 diabetic, possiblbly spiked by the steroids.

I felt physically normal for about a month before dreadful pains in neck and shoulder, and was told I had severe inflation in the blood vessels (400)

I have not had a bone scan, and my main concern is about taking alendronic acid and the fact that I have already had two mouth ulcers, which I understand may be related. I have to say that the pain I experienced has gone since taking the steroids, and from initially taking 15gms I am now down to 9.

I am also concerned as to if I should have the flu jab, given that there are warnings about having a vaccine. I would really like the communities views.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

And welcome

Request a DEXA scan to see if you actually need to take AA - you may find it’s not necessary. Have you been prescribed Calcium/VitD supplement? That may suffice.

Flu jab - yes, this year more important than every.

Just go a bit steady on the reductions from now on - you have done well to get to 9mg in quite a short time, but as you get lower it very often becomes more difficult....not so much “spare” Pred in your system to control the inflammation caused by underlying illness - which is still lurking.

So be led by how you feel physically, not the calendar!

[Buzybe in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank I will do that

[SnazzyD]

When you started Pred, did you go on a super low carbohydrate diet? Many of us have avoided weight gain and diabetes, even on high doses, by adopting this. Eating healthily isn’t enough when Pred is causing random glucose spikes even before you put anything in your mouth. Some here have reversed their weight gain and/or diabetes while still on Pred with this.

[Buzybe in reply to SnazzyD]

No advice at all re PMG and diet.

[SnazzyD in reply to Buzybe]

Doesn’t surprise me. For some reason, it is seen as an inevitable consequence of taking when it isn’t. I had no info on diet at all when I started on 60mg, but finding this site on day 2 saved me a lot of trouble.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Just to reinforce what DorsetLady has already said. Flu jab is more important than ever.

How was the diabetes diagnosed? It should be the Hba1c they use to monitor and do you know the figure? It isn't really Type 2 diabetes - it is steroid induced diabetes which has a different cause: pred makes your liver release random spikes of glucose from the muscle stores of glycogen. One way of combatting it is to cut carbs from your diet as much as possible - especially processed foods and added sugar, You should also limit some fruit and root vegetables. This should also help with any pred-associated weight gain as well. Quite a few people have reversed their "almost diabetes" successfully just by cutting carbs and losing some weight.

Have you seen your dentist before starting alendronic acid? If you are likely to need any invasive dental work done it must be done before taking AA and scrupulous mouth hygiene is needed when taking it. If the mouth ulcers continue do speak to your doctor as the NHS does list them as a warning sign to be taken seriously.

[Bcol]

Hi there, nothing to add to the other comments. Flu jab really important, had mine, as usual, about two weeks ago and no side effects at all.

[Buzybe]

Thank you for your comments, I did have the correct diabetes test and it was 48. The only reason I had it was because I was having a blood test to see how my steroids were working and I asked the nurse could she include it.

I have been hovering in the 42 plus over the last year.

I am not overweight but I will take your advice as I am waiting

for a telephone appointment with the diabetic nurse. (Gone are the personal appointments)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Buzybe]

You were already borderline before pred - so it is likely that you can get back there relatively easily.

[HeronNS]

When you take your calcium supplement make sure it's taken at a different time than pred as they interfere with each other. Also consider adding Vitamin K2 (not K1) to your supplements. Good info available on internet. Also have a look at this: healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

I was one of those who reversed high sugar levels when starting pred by eliminating all "white" carbs. Unfortunately for me it also made me lose weight which I can ill afford to. My levels were not completely normal until my dose was down to about 5 mg, but I got out of the "nearly diabetes" range very quickly.

[Buzybe]

Thanks for the advice

[Lyndaki]

My friend had terrible mouth ulcers while on steroids so I think the Prednisolone May be the cause there rather than the AA 🤔