diadonosed with GCA in February put on steriods now have diabeties and feel worse am very fatigued is this normal?

[adelle]

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello Adelle

I'm so sorry to hear of your GCA diagnosis added to which you have now been diagnosed with Diabetes.

I have had both PMR and GCA but believe both to be in remission (everything crossed when I say that!)

Although I didn't develop Diabetes from the high dose steroids, I have learned that it is very necessary to reduce intake of certain carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes and parsnips whilst on steroids as these foods turn to sugar in our bodies and could add to the risk of steroid-induced diabetes. However, sweet potatoes can be safely substituted for white.

The fatigue you mention is unfortunately very "normal" with an inflammatory illness such as GCA - I can remember almost 'crashing out' whilst at a friend's for dinner in the early days and was amazed at how suddenly it can hit. Rest assured that this will improve as the steroids get full control of the inflammation and you reduce down through the doses. Meanwhile, take care not to overdo things on a 'good' day - it's very important to learn to pace ourselves and have plenty of rest to allow the steroids to do their job of getting the inflammation under control.

I do hope you start to feel better soon.

Shirley

[meggies]

Hello Adele, sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with GCA & diabetes too. As Shirley says having an inflammatory disease does make you feel rubbish & steroids don't make you feel good either. But, GCA can cause sudden & irreversible blindness, so it really does have to be treated with steroids.

Regarding diabtetes, many people with steroid induced diabetes find that it does go away when their steroids are reduced - hope you will be one of them. When I was on higher doses of steroids, my sugars were very erratic. My GP gave me one of the testing kits & I learned to manage my diet - I cut out all the cakes, chocolates, get most of my carbs now from fruit & veg & the bread & cereals I do eat are always high fibre, slow release carbs. Thankfully, I did not have to go on medication for diabetes & since my preds have been under 20mg, my sugars have been ok. I appreciate this is not the answer for everyone & once sugars get unmanageable, then medication has to be taken.

Hope things improve for you.

Margaret

[adelle]

Hi Meggies Nice to know that there is a good chance of the diabeties going. Will try controling my diet better and hope this will improve how I feel..

Adelle

[adelle]

Hi Celtic You mention being in remission do you mean this never goes away? How long was it before you started to feel normal.

Adelle