Diabetes

[Teddy23]

Just wondering what other members made of this. I have been on prednisolone for 10yrs now for GCA starting at 60mg tapering down slowly to 2.5mg but always had flare so had to keep going up to 40mg and start to.come down again.My sugar levels varies between 42 -48 on most occasions,but once went to 52 my GP rang me to say I was diabetic, but I said it will go down when come down on my steroids which it always does ,but on my medical records it now says I am diabetic which is not technically true,and he refuses to say steroid induced.I don't like being labelled with diabetic if not so.Has other members had this problem.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Are you saying you went back up to 40mg each time you flared -and how often has that happened?

No issues with diabetes ..

[Teddy23 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi Dorset lady, I went up between 20-40mg it happened about once a year when I got down to about 4mg.I have never had any diabetes symptoms. I am currently on 8mg.

[Koalajane in reply to Teddy23]

I had steroid induced type 2 but although mine has been in remission since 6 months after diagnosis I am still type 2 diabetic in remission. I have no problem with this as I get annual checks. Diabetes doesn’t go away but goes into remission.

You have been prediabetic but your 48 and 52 are in the diabetic range so technically you are type 2 diabetic. You should be getting the annual hba1c checks, feet checks and eye screening.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Teddy23]

Ok - how strange -obviously 4mg is YOUR dose, KJ has replied re diabetes.

[pammy_hyland in reply to DorsetLady]

I've been on a 4mg maintenance dose for many years now and am staying on it for life now as I never manage to get get down to 3mg without hugely flaring ...xx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to pammy_hyland]

Obviously 4mg is yours as well… and if and medics are happy then keep doing what you’re doing. 😊 ..

[pammy_hyland]

Yeah I am ..xx

[winfong]

I developed steroid-induced diabetes, but have it fully under control with Januvia (and at 5.5 megs of pred). I'm hoping it will go away when I reduce further, but don't want to kid myself about how serious diabetes is. My father had it, kept denying he had it, and eventually ended up losing a leg.

[tomaitistomas029]

Managing GCA and being on long-term prednisolone can certainly complicate things, especially with how it affects blood sugar levels. It’s understandable that you don’t want to be labeled as diabetic if your elevated sugar levels are primarily due to steroid use.

Many people have experienced similar issues with steroids causing temporary spikes in blood sugar. The fluctuations you mentioned, especially when you’re tapering down your dosage, can make it tough to get a clear picture of your glucose management. It’s common for healthcare providers to label someone as diabetic based on a single high reading or a certain range, but it’s important for them to consider the context—like the influence of medications.