Diabetes? really?

[Firstviolin]

Thank you for all the comments re pred-induced diabetes and just to say I read your posts TangoCharlie with interest. I had watched an episode of the Glucose Godess but frankly I was a bit bewildered. I had an appt with my GP on Thursday. In the 3 minute consultation she said that I needed to take medication for the diabetes. No question of diet or anything else. I am not really a candidate for diabetes, being slim, and very physically active, but anyway I took the prescription and she rushed me out the door before I could ask for a copy of the blood test results. I got the metformin from the chemist and got the test results the following morning. My Hb1c is 49. Is this diabetes or pre-diabetes? I would be prepared to do a strictly no added sugar diet to try to reduce this to a manageable level. I didn’t start the metformin because I had an upset stomach and now I want to find out more before inflicting yet another medication to my extensive list. Any insights welcome. Thank you!

[SnazzyD]

You’ve just tipped over from the pre-diabetes to diabetes range by 1. Were your big doses of Pred for your chest infection included in the 3 months up to your test? I imagine they were. From your words about diet, I suspect there is some wiggle room to reduce carbohydrates (not just sugar!) in your diet.

It might be worth suggesting to your GP that you first undertake to properly make dietry changes and retest having got properly clear of the Pred blip that might have messed with the averages. Have a read of below about HbA1c results.

diabetes.org.uk/about-diabe...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It isn't just added sugar - you need to limit ALL simple carbs, especially processed ones. Koalajane revered proper Type2 with diet and has written quite often about that. She also identified a window about 4-8 hours after taking her pred where the spikes occurred so avoids eating in that period. Tangocharlie also did a lot as you know.

It is a very LAZY attitude to push pills and ignore lifestyle changes. Even just going for a walk after eating carbs can make a significant difference and removing carbs even more.

I don't know what your diet is like but I imagine you can get back to pre-diabetes levels without metformin. And I'm sure we can help.

[Firstviolin in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much!

[Sharitone]

Just to say that my husband had a diagnosis of diabetes last year - scored 54 - but has had no medication. He managed to improve his diet so much that he is no longer even pre-diabetic. I hope this might be realistic for you too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

Well done him!!

[Firstviolin in reply to Sharitone]

That is wonderful to hear! Thank you.

[agingfeminist]

pred rapidly tipped me into pre diabetes... a strict diet dealt with it...and also stopped me putting on weight...eat like a diabetic...(also no artificial sweetners)...no bread, cakes, bisuits, crackers, pasta, rice, no fruit juice , no bananas...(berries are ok). You lose the taste for sugar in a few weeks...tell chatgpt what ingredients you've got or can eat and it will produce all sorts of recipes...telll it you don't have any energy to cook and it will produce easy to make recipes. Good luck.

[Firstviolin in reply to agingfeminist]

Thank you very much for that advice!

[Dresdenplate]

Hi

I have been on steroids for PMR since November 23 and continue, with ups and downs, on12 mg. I have watched this forum religiously and researched all that I can about steroid treatment and the possible side effects. One being the likelihood of steroid induced diabetes.

I noticed on a routine blood test that my Hba1c blood reading had gone up to the limit of 'normal' so questioned my GP who ordered another test which also showed that I was now in the pre diabetes range, what a surprise that I had to prompt this investigation myself!

The GP sent me links to a very helpful free programme which can be on line or face to face groups. You can choose from different practitioners.

I joined and have 9 months free support on line and can join groups if I want to. The practitioner was knowledgeable about PMR and agreed that it was most likely the steroids but it still needed addressing. We set goals and will be in touch by messages on line about progress. There is the ability to ask questions at any time.

When I registered I was asked if I had been referred by my GP. As I was there were not many questions about registration but I think you can self refer or just ask you GP.

lwtcsupport.co.uk/join-the-....

Or

[e-mail]

Or call

0300 3020652

I hope that helps

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dresdenplate]

"what a surprise that I had to prompt this investigation myself"

Absolutely - because you SHOULD have basic blood monitoring every 6 months at least when on pred and any GP not doing that needs a wake-up call. That should include basic biochemistry ad haematology parameters.

Pleased to hear someone there had heard of PMR though!!

[Pixix]

I went onto the Keto diet for 3 months & reversed my prediabetes. My number wasn’t quite as high as yours, but heading quickly in that direction! As a long term steroid user (many years for other medical issues & now 5 years for PMR, I have the test done every 3 months, & dread the results!! Latest one is back last week,& is 41. I’m planning to diet again as soon as I feel better (not PMR related illness!) I would speak to your medics, & ask if you can have time to try& lower it without metformin. Also, I keep getting offered a course onthe subject…there’s a lot of free help through your GP surgery. Good luck.

[Firstviolin in reply to Pixix]

Thank you for this. It helps to know that other people have managed to control the diabetes without going on meds.

[Pixix in reply to Firstviolin]

Pleased to help where I can, I’m sure if you go onto a diabetic forum, or diabetes web site you will find others who have reversed it, too!

[Viveka]

You can reverse it but you need to inform yourself about diabetes. Michael Mosley's book on diet is great. Also the Zoe site, but you need to do some searching cause the information is not all together. Pred is the major factor for us and it will get better as you lower but can't wait for that. Have a look at some of my posts which have discussions with Tango Charlie and others on the timing of meals and intermittent use of continual glucose monitors to identify and amend patterns. Good luck.