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has anyone heard of this happening?
by Lee JAugust 21, 2009 11:32 PM
56 Replies
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Tags: help, medications
| From | Replies |
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kdroberts |
kdroberts replied August 21, 2009 11:51 PM
Why don't you want to take insulin? I guess I have a hard time understanding the fear of taking it. I also don't think your doctor should threaten you with insulin since it's just another treatment like metformin, byetta, actos, etc. It's not the end of the road or anything like that.
Lee J replied August 22, 2009 12:20 AM i was on metformin 500mg 2x day & glipizide 10mg 1x day & my bs was about 120-130. it went up to about 140 while i was ON the steroids, but after i FINISHED the steroids, my bs shot up to 330-350 even on my original meds & i gained weight even tho i kept to my diet of 200 carbs a day. i know u can gain weight while ON steroids, but how can it happen after you're off of them? i don't want to take shots the rest of my life. i just don't. also, my bp raised 10 points & won't come down even on meds. why? it seems like my body is not responding to any medication now. is this even normal?
kdroberts replied August 22, 2009 2:36 AM 200 carbs is a lot. You might want to start by seeing if you really need to eat that many. Steroids are powerful meds that don't just affect you while you are taking them.
Lee J replied August 22, 2009 10:16 PM Last edited 3 months ago thanks for taking the time to answer me; i appreciate it. my doctor said i should stick to 50 carbs per meal & 1 50 carb snack. i usually eat less carbs than that. do you think i should lessen it more? i lost 50 lbs following the 200 carb plan. how long does it take for the steroids to wear off? do they EVER wear off? if i take the insulin shots, which right now i'm not mentally prepared to do, can i ever stop & go back on pills? my doc told me that my pancreas will eventually burn out & i'll have to go on dialysis. WHAT??? sigh. the actos, which i'm on now, binds with albumin, which is eggs, so i'm eating more of them. i've been eating "poor man's sushi"--which is salami or ham with a little cream cheese spread on it wrapped around a dill pickle & sliced into pinwheels. essentially a sandwich without the bread. salads. fish. chicken breast pan-fried in newman's own lime vinegarette salad dressing--quite good! occaisional steak. no junk food, fast food, soda, mgd 64 beer once a week on wkends. only raw veggies. chrystal light or blueberry tea with splenda. matzo cracker once a day; my 1 indulgence. exercise, but apparently not enuf. any further suggestions would be appreciated. i am determined NOT to have to take shots. i was fine on pills before, i will be again! ...i hope... |
PAT L |
PAT L replied August 21, 2009 11:54 PM
Last edited 3 months ago STERIODS CAN AFECT THE PANCREST AN OTHER ORGANS. I MY SELF CAN NOT TAKE PILLS FOR THEY DONT WORK ON ME. I TAKE NOVOLIN N ABOUT ONCE A DAY AN ITS ONLY 20 UNITS IN THE SHOT. ONCE YOU HAVE DONE IT YOURSELF A COUPLE OF TIMES,, IT BECOMES NO BIG DEAL... AN MY NUMBERS WILL STAY AROUND 120 NOW INSTEAD OF 220. WATCH THE FOOD AN IF YOUR BS DOESNT COME DOWN GO TO THE SHOTS.. BY THE WAY I HAVE TO TAKE A-B- AN C CHANNEL BLOCKERS FOR MY BLOOD PRESURE AN LISINOPRIL IS ONE OF THEM...
Lee J replied August 22, 2009 10:26 PM thanks for answering, pat. the shots are a big deal for me because i am pathologically afraid of needles. when i go for my labs, i get nauseous & weak-kneed, and the poor phlebotomist has to joke around & distract me & then sneak the needle in, the ratbasterd, to whom i am eternally grateful. i have a hard enuf time testing because of it & also because i'm not a bleeder. how bad is the shot, really? where on the body do you have to do it? how often? could i ever stop & go back to pills? & i thought lisinopril would lower my bp, but it did nothing & neither does the diovan.
Jipwhip replied August 23, 2009 2:26 AM The shots are no big deal. Like you I was afraid of needles, but the needles you use are a lot smaller than the ones used to draw blood. I still don't like needles but the ones for my shots aren't that bad. The needle is very short. The shots can be taken around your belly, back of your upper arm and on your thighs. How often you get shots depends on what insulin you are put on. I have a long lasting insulin, Lantus, once a day and a rapid acting insulin, Novolog, which I use on a sliding scale before I eat. I have better control of my blood sugar with the insulin.
Judimar replied August 23, 2009 3:39 AM Hi Lee,
Judimar replied August 23, 2009 3:41 AM Last edited 3 months ago PS Could the increase in BP be due to the stress of contemplating taking shots or any other kind of stress you maybe under?
Lee J replied August 23, 2009 4:36 PM judi-thanx for answering. my doctor also suggested byetta "for weight loss & oh, by the way, for diabetes". my bp went up 10 points soon after i stopped the steroids, which only lasted a week.i really don't think it's caused by stress. i didn't see my doctor for my regular appt until about a month after i finished the steroids. i had gained 20 lbs back in that month & my bs was out of control--like i wasn't even on meds. i saw the doc again a month after that, & despite really trying to lose weight, i
GoodWitchBeth replied August 27, 2009 5:52 AM Byetta has had some problems on the market. Be aware of some of the risks involved. As for the steroids, I don't know what doctor gave them to you, but they really were nuts to giv a diabetic steroids. They are proven to elevate blood glucose levels, and my doctor would not give them to me even when I had Shingles. I had to take just the antiviral meds and get through it as best as possible.
Lee J replied August 23, 2009 4:47 PM thanx for telling me about the needles. but can u test yr bs easily? i have huge trouble cause i'm not a bleeder. there have been times i've had to prick myself {arm, not fingers} sometimes 30 times & go thru 5-6 strips before i can get a reading! in the hosp, the poor nurses squeeze & squeeze & squeeze & still! a large enuf drop of my blood is hard to come by sometimes. if i've got 2 nurses grunting & squeezing & they're still having difficulty, u know it must be bad--LOL!! my doc says to take baby aspirin to thin out my blood SO I CAN TEST EASIER, but i'm on enuf meds, i refuse to take another just for that reason. i'm horribly stubborn, aren't i? but you're right. i need to see another doctor. what a pain. i always thought insulin was for type 1 diabetes, & i counted myself lucky i was on pills. sigh. i will think about what you've said. |
tpwoody |
tpwoody replied August 23, 2009 4:01 AM
i sympathize with you. i cannot take shots either. i faint at the sight of a needle. even in the movies. the best thing that has helped me was going organic. suggestions: read dr. jordan rubin, the maker's diet and the great physician's rx for health and wellness. and above all, get a dr. who will understand what you are going through. you dont need a hardcase, and believe me i've had a few.
Lee J replied August 23, 2009 4:50 PM thank you! u r right! i DON"T need a hardcase! i'm stubborn enuf on my own! LOL! thanx for the book suggestion. i will make an effort to find & read it. i will resist those needles for as long as i can!!! |
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VirginiaN |
VirginiaN replied August 23, 2009 5:39 AM
I don't think you are out of pill options. You can take 1000mg of Metformin 2x day. You also don't seem to be on a diuretic for blood pressure. That's a basic treatment with others on top as needed. It seems you need to see an endocrinologist if for no other reason than you no longer trust your physician. As to having to stay on insulin, the answer is that under some circumstances you can go back to pills or even diet and exercise alone.
Lee J replied August 23, 2009 4:59 PM thanks virginia. i'd like to think i'm not out of pill options either. & i'm beginning to suspect my doctor is setting me up to fail. i WAS on 1000mg of metformin Once a day. she told me to stop & take 500mg of extended release metformin ONCE a day. plus actos. why would she cut my dose in HALF??? and i didn't know i should be on a diuretic for bp. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TELLING ME THAT MAYBE I CAN GO BACK ON PILLS. you've certainly given me some hope now. but you & everyone else are right. i no longer trust my doctor. because the rise in bp & bs are not my only symptoms with this & she dismissed my other symptoms as irrelevant, which i don't think they are! everything's connected, right?
Pat Roth replied August 23, 2009 10:05 PM Last edited 2 months ago I had always thought that all things in our body and mind, are connected, so can't see the wisdom of specialists sometimes, because they seem to forget that and ignore other, seemingly irrelevant complaints (to them), when I thought that they might be a CLUE, if they would just LISTEN!! When they don't, it always leaves me feeling at odds---NOT satisfied with their opinion, for if they don't listen, how do they really KNOW?? I have had several close calls because I didn't complain loudly enough! But I can NOW!! hah--Oh---and as for B/P I am on 3 meds, and a dieuretic--works for me, especailly since I have vented and SHARED so much on this site!! haha--_Pat Roth
Lee J replied August 24, 2009 8:26 PM thanks pat. i'm hoping i don't have any close calls because someone didn't listen. one of my additional symptoms is that i am now tooting to beat the band. i've been on prevacid for 3 yrs now--no problems of any kind of that nature, IF u know what i mean. since i took the steroids, i have been tooting ALOT. & it's stealth tooting. the worst kind! LOL! it's embarrassing & why isn't the prevacid doing its job anymore??? my doc said Eat Yogurt. i like yogurt, but i can't force the stuff down my throat every single day. ok, she said, go to the health food store & get some pro-biotics. which i did. 2 bottles of the most powerful stuff they had in the place. just finished 1 bottle. still tooting. all day long. toot, toot, toot. all NIGHT long. toottoottoot. I don't even want to be around me!LOL! sigh. you're right. no one wants to listen. & i don't consider tooting to be irrelevant. it's d**n annoying!can u get dieuretics OTC? gotta find a specialist too. grumblegrumblegrumble
Pat Roth replied August 24, 2009 8:38 PM Hi, Tootie Louie! I thought I heard something going off in the north!! haha--Frankly, I am the MISS TOOT of our town, I went into a fabric store to get material for something, but left hastily without it, as the store owners 5 yrs old said, loudly--"Mama, it STINKS in here!!" Well, he didn't need to draw ME a picture!! ha---I discovered that the tootier I get the more I need the REAL THING to take place! I get constipated easily so guess when I am FULL, the south wind blows-----If I am in a store, I try to leave quielty---SWIFTLY--acting as tho I do NOT KNOW who the CULPRIT is!!
Lee J replied August 25, 2009 4:18 PM pat, u r 2 funny! i have discovered my d-ing, not my u-ing [or should i say p-ing??], has increased triplefold. i have accepted getting up in the middle of the night to u, but NOW i'm getting up 2 or 3 times a night to d! and of course, if i u, 5 minutes later i have to get up to d! what up with that? and there's no delaying that either! i cannot believe those stupid steroids have screwed me up this badly. my doctor just shrugs it off. but i will soon be working in a very closed environment and i need to get this under control NOW! too bad i can't bring a dog with me everywhere i go! lol! maybe i should find me a cork........ |
wolfettia |
wolfettia replied August 25, 2009 3:12 AM
My endro told me steriods would jack up blood sugars so yes I've heard of it.
Lee J replied August 25, 2009 4:21 PM they told me that too, so i monitored v v closely. no problems WHILE i was taking them. my bs shot up AFTER i stopped! and hasn't come down since! & it's been 2 1/2 months! stupid steroids. but thanks for telling me you've heard of that too. see? i'm not nuts!
Pat Roth replied August 25, 2009 10:22 PM Lee, not sure that I completely understand your abbreviations--have you had your prostate checked--but first--are you a man?? Doesn't diabetis make you urinate more frequently? I used to get up 2 or 3 times a night--to void--not sure why--Oh, we are doing exercises at the Wellness Center ---squeezing a ball really hard, between our knees, then our ankles, which is to strengthen the bladder muscles to help hold it all till you can make it!! When Our center burned down and we didn't do those exercises for a few weeks, believe it or not, I started to have trouble again, so know it has helped me.
Pat Roth replied August 25, 2009 10:27 PM Oh, forgot, yes steroids can make you ravenously hungry and also jump start your BS readings. My neice gets frequent infections, diarrhea etc, and has to really struggle to get things back under control! She usually has to spend a few days in the hospital as she hates the whole round of things, that she puts off going until she is delerious and her poor husband doesn't know what to do with her! She has had problems for 30 years, but he can't seem to help her or be forewarned until she about dies--- She has been on Insulin since she had her 3rd child----so is her mom etc,,--PR
Inkaddiction replied August 25, 2009 11:34 PM Last edited 2 months ago Hey Lee...
Pat Roth replied August 26, 2009 12:55 AM For some reason, needles don't bother me, but too much PAIN sure does. However, it doesn't hurt that much to stick my fingers several times a day, I stuck my hubby ONCE! And he let out a yowl!! I THINK that he was exagerating, not sure, and probably will never get a chance to poke him again! ha- One thing that has helped me endure pain is to compare it to having a baby, that was a bit much, that and spells of diverticulitis --were right up there, so got used to it--kinda---hugs, PR
Lee J replied August 26, 2009 5:27 PM i feel you girl! when i get an iv, they're so disgusted with me, they tell me to shut up, i'm scaring the other patients. & that's with me actually TRYING to shut up! i always warn them beforehand & i generally have to have an extra person holding my arm still. when i get my labs, the ratbasterds[to whom i am eternally grateful nonetheless] have to distract me & sneak the needle in. they know me already & can handle me like the baby i am. i never EVER let anyone test my bs on my fingers--way too painful. i do it on my arm. i had an argument at the ER; they wanted to test my bs from my finger--i said no, do it on my arm. they said the reading would be off!!! i said, what?? 7 inches is going to matter? they said yes. i said no. i won. but what u said about yr stomach is making me think. pricking my fingers hurts like hell; my arm not so much. maybe the stomach won't hurt as much. maybe i need to do it like you do it. hmmmmm. thanks for taking the time to answer me. it's helped.
Lee J replied August 26, 2009 5:13 PM hi pat! thanks for taking the time to answer me; i appreciate it. your answer was interesting, however not really applicable, sorry. i'm a 57 yr old childless woman. so, no excuse, right? lol! my abbreviations [i was trying to be subtle] are right on, unfortunately. i know diabetics are supposed to urinate[u-ing] more often, but i've never had that symptom. i know about kegel exercises,[yr ball], but, again, that's never been a problem for me--at least so far! my problem has developed on the other end! lol! i can't seem to hold THAT in for even 15 mins! i think the steroids screwed with my metabolism or something, cause now my defecation[d-ing] has revved up from 2x a day to about 7x a day. wot tha hey??? mostly in the middle of the night, too! v annoying. pat, yr BLADDER fell OUT? OMG!!! i've never heard of that before! that, the diabetes & the GERD would probably have done me in. you are one strong resilient lady. & you're always willing to help others on this site. thank you. i salute you! yes, i WAS ravenously hungry AFTER the steroids, & i know steroids cause weight gain, so i guess it's no surprise that i gained 30 lbs in 2 months. that symptom has waned in recent weeks, thank goodness. v v depressing, tho. especially as i was so happy & proud i had lost the weight, i had given away all my fat clothes!grumblegrumble. back to the big girl stores, as nothing in my closet fits anymore. i've had a colonoscopy [which, despite all my fear, was a great big fat NOTHING to go thru]; u have to choke down about 2 gallons of ColonBlow in about 2-3 hrs--that was the only hard part--everything was fine. & surprise, surprise! i felt absolutely no aftermath whatsoever. i thought i would feel SOME evidence of intrusion, but i just had a nice nap. i'm really having a hard time accepting all the changes in my body that the steroids evidently wrought. i've decided to see an endocrinologist cause this is just nuts. i can't go on like this. stupid steroids. grumblegrumble. thanks again, pat!
Pat Roth replied August 26, 2009 5:46 PM Last edited 2 months ago Sorry, Lee, but you have me laughing out loud!! You have a unique sense of humor that will see you through whatever is tormenting your tummy!! See, some advice just does NOT fit the symptoms--does it?! I laughed when I read that you were a 57 yr old childless woman---really NOT funny , but my intent to help sounds ridiculous now---but I know that you know that I meant well, and was just going by my own experiences!
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 9:52 PM geez pat, u SHOVED IT BACK IN???!!! good lord, u amaze me. u must derive immense satisfaction from that fish pond. i hope u sit there each evening & taunt the fish. if they squirt u, u can squirt 'em back! [teasing] many many people have told me that i need PROFESSIONAL HELP & they don't mean for my body either! LOL! but i really really appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out here with all sorts of good advice. i'm rethinking the shots. my body has always reacted oddly to stuff. i've got my labs tomorrow & i'll get an endocrin recommendation then. wish me luck! thanks again!
Pat Roth replied August 27, 2009 11:22 PM Well, what else was I to do?? I just acted on INSTINCT, did NOT THINK it THRu--wouldn't have done me any good anyway--what was there to think about?? ha If it had hurt, I probably would just have put myself into a sling and gone to ER--Now wouldn't THAT have been embarrassing??!! Glad I didn't take time to THINK! Not always a good plan, but it worked that time!
Pat Roth replied August 27, 2009 11:24 PM Oh, and CPR worked, she brought the woman around, while others called 911, but she was the one who turned her around and got her to breathing again!! That isn't always the story, sad, but true!! PR
Brighty replied August 26, 2009 6:04 PM Last edited 2 months ago Steriods will make your blood sugars really spike. The last time I was given steriods my sugar jumped to 450 and was hard to bring down, so I told my doctor no more it is not worth the risk. So far I have been lucky and not had to take them again cause, I know there will be a hard conversation about this subject.
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 9:56 PM thanks for the comment brighty! how long did u take the steroids? i took a medrol pack for a week & 3 months later i'm still paying for it. my highest bs was 378--which it was when i was first diagnosed & before meds! i could eat nothing & it's still over 200. discouraging. cause i was under control up until the medrol.
dj7110 replied August 26, 2009 8:05 PM I recieve injections of a commonation steroid and cortazon for pain every 6 weeks. these do raise my blood sugars. have been in excess of 500 on a few occasions afterward. So I closely monitor myself and take the extra insulin on these times. |
Amy Tenderich |
Amy Tenderich replied August 26, 2009 8:26 PM
Steroids are well known to raise blood sugar. Thus, they're generally not recommended for people with diabetes.
Pat Roth replied August 26, 2009 8:40 PM My problem is that I have developed diabetis in later years, and they USED to have to give me steroids to get the upper hand on lung problems etc. I haven't really been too sick in the past 3 years, when I was dx, so now that is another curve IF I don't get over this left lung and back thing, left over from the CRUD a few weeks ago---I guess just more time. I have had this problem before but have finally gotten so I can breathe better and walk some---guess I will just have to be patient! At least I don't have anyone needing me to wait on them anymore, and have adjusted to where it feels good, BUT I NEED to clean house--- Oh, well, it has waited this long! PR
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 11:06 PM the eye, ear & nose doc prescribed them. my inner nasal membranes were so swollen, i couldn't breathe thru my nose. so now i can breathe again, thank goodness, but everything else is @#*&%#@*. PLUS it's aggravated my arthritis!!! or maybe that's the weight gain. either-or, it STINKS!!! |
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MaryEK |
MaryEK replied August 26, 2009 10:38 PM
Hi Lee, I have not had steroids; but am suddenly having problem with weight gain and high blood sugars. I go to an endocrinologist. I pay $40 to visit him,and he talks to me like I am obese and a binge eater. I am not either, and my friends will vouch for this. I do have congestive heart, so cannot take Metformin. Doctors were giving to me before. He did not try any other pills. Just outright put me on insulin shot at bedtime. It is not hard and has helped the higher blood sugars, but is causing other problems. I am presently on 2mg of Prandin 3x a day and the shot at bedtime. Now, I think, if you get a good endocrinologist who really cares, they can be good. A few years ago I had a good medical program which allowed me to go to this young female endocrinologist who was very good, kept me on pills and I was able to keep both weight and blood sugar down. Good Luck to you!!!
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 10:06 PM thanks maryEK. i've never heard of prandin; will look it up on drugs.com & bring it up to whatever doc i see next--an endocrin guy, most likely. have they figured out what caused yr sudden weight gain & bs? maybe we both experienced atmospheric conditions! LOL! gotta blame it on Something.....i know--not all of us eat mass quantities & i possess a rather formidable glare, so i don't get accused of that more than once. oh no i don't. thanks for taking the time to give me some encouragement. |
Pat Roth |
Pat Roth replied August 27, 2009 3:01 PM
As I re-read some of the posts, something came to mind about your not bleeding--Do you drink LOTs of WATER? I take so many pills that affect my outputs---that I have started drinking a big glass of water before I go to the lab to have blood drawn for tests--and it seems to help some---my veins are BAD, have only one in my hand that they can access-----then it is stingy with letting the blood flow---If you are having so much trouble in getting blood out---really 30 X and several strips? That would send me into a panice attack, just KNOWING ahead of time what a struggle it was going to be---maybe this is a part of your fear of needles---the "whole process"----
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 10:42 PM that's the thing, pat. i drink LOTS of water. that's practically all i drink. since i was diagnosed early '07, i quit soda & everything else cold turkey. i exclusively drink crystal light powdered drink mix in water now. & let me recommend the ruby red grapefruit flavor--tastes just like the real thing but without the thickness of the juice. a little hard to find in the stores, but i really like it. i can drink as much of it as i want for breakfast. it helps me to feel not deprived. i don't drink fruit juice anymore. the only other thing i drink is celestial seasonings true blueberry tea--not really a tea since it contains no tea leaves--with splenda.& a little lemon. no soda, no wine, a mgd 64 beer about once a month with friends [about 3 carbs] and the crystal light in water. & yes--sometimes it's really 30 pricks & 5-6 strips[at $1 apiece!!]. when that happens, i generally give up at that point. it ain't gonna happen. i have a needle pen that i can change the needle depth on--i've got it on the most depth. u should see me in the hosp & the poor nurses try to test me. squeezesqueezesqueeze & it still takes multiple sticks & more squeezing til we can get enuf blood out of various sites & quickly wick thru them all to get one good test. i try to think liquid thoughts, but....i NEVER test on my fingers--could u imagine? i'd have to wear gloves to cover all the marks!!! in the beginning, the doctor told me i could test on my thighs. even worse. i actually took a picture with my digital camera to show my doctor cause she wouldn't believe me that i had that much of a problem testing. that was 45 pricks for one test. no lie. once had an argument with an ER nurse who insisted on testing on my finger instead of my arm. will 7" make that much difference in the reading, i asked. yes, she said. no, i said. naturally, i won, but still. why would she lie like that? she couldn't explain WHY it would make a difference [& neither could the doctor], so why should i comply? i'm not exactly docile, am i? lol! but i don't have any trouble with the labs, just the daily bs testing. once u get into my vein, i'm golden. the phlebotomist just has to distract me & sneak it in, the ratbasterd. but it's getting harder, as i'm on to her tricks. lol! poor woman. they've gotten to know me there & i appreciate them putting up with my baby ways. i had lost 3 sizes & kept it off for almost a year drinking the water, so i feel rather murderous right now. lol! hugs back at ya, pat! take care
Pat Roth replied August 27, 2009 11:25 PM OK, I found your post again on drinking lots of water---well, it was just a thought, one that I can't seem to take seriously--kinda---but--PR |
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BlingGirl |
BlingGirl replied August 27, 2009 6:26 PM
Really, really, are you eating properly? Try a 1200 calorie diabetic diet. Sometimes we think we are following a diet . Maybe try writing everything you put in your mouth down on paper. Chances are you won't eat it if you don't want to write it down
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 10:47 PM hi blingGirl! really,really--i'm probably not eating properly. the nutritionist said never mind about the calories, watch the carbs. 200 a day, but other people r telling me that's too many. i generally eat less carbs than that. but i like yr idea about writing everything down. that will be useful to show the new doc. thanks! |
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SusanMG |
SusanMG replied August 27, 2009 10:23 PM
steroids make you gaine weight. Why are you on them? I also take metformin. I was diagnosed in 2002 and have lost a lot of weight. I eat no sugar at all. With metformin you typically do not have lows. Do not let your Doc scare you, maybe you should get a new one! I go to Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and they are very open minded as to how YOU want to care for your diabetes.
Lee J replied August 27, 2009 10:53 PM hi susanMG! i was only on the steroids for a week in may. that's 3 1/2 months ago & i'm still dealing with the fallout from taking them. i DID lose a lot of weight & was doing fine [weight-wise & bs] until i took the medrol pack. then i packed on 30 more pounds! i also eat no sugar at all & drink only water [with an occaisional 3 carb beer once a month]. i've come to the inevitable conclusion that i must see an endocrin guy. too bad i'm in chicago instead of boston--yr center sounds great. thanks for answering. |
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MomofSweetKid |
MomofSweetKid replied August 28, 2009 5:17 PM
You should go to an endocronoligst. the spike in blood sugars could be from the steroids, or it could be the pancreas just failing. the cold you had may have triggered the autoimmune system, which is what they say can cause type 1. but the endocronolgist would be the best bet as they are usually more understanding when it comes to blood sugars and such. Good luck
Lee J replied August 28, 2009 7:01 PM hi mom--thanks for the heads up about the cold triggering the a.i. system. i didn't know that. & frankly it's depressing. my doctor never said i was now type 1 & i truly hope i'm not. i got a recommendation for an endocrin doc today & plan to make an appt asap. thanks for taking the time to help me. |
BeckyJ |
BeckyJ replied August 28, 2009 6:25 PM
First let me say...I'm sorry that you are goin thru this. I too had a LOT of problems after I had a cortisone shot. It has now been almost 3 mos and I STILL am having troubles. Thank heavans I have a wonderful Endo who really looks out for me. I also had a lot of problems with my stomach afterwards and had to start taking some probiotics. The gastro doc I went to suggested Colon Health its OTC and I take it with Glauceau's Smartwater. It's like gatorade in that it has electrolytes but tastes like reg water and NO Calories. I also had the same problem with blood draws. Before this it was a one shot deal, now they have to practiculy beat me to get blood out. The nurse said it's because I was severly dehydrated....even though I was u-ating (love that phrase) every 20-30 min. I just wasting retaing the water in my skin. I now have to drink a LOT of water. A little tip I found for getting the blood for test strips...pinch the skin very hard a few seconds before pricking the area. This causes a slight inflammation at the test site and the blood rushes there. Wait about 5-10 seconds after you pinch the skin, then prick, It will provide a little more blood to test with. Also try using the palm of your hand(the area just under you thumb) I usually have better success there. I hope some of this helps. I would really suggest finding another Endo...It's amazing how much easier it gets when u have one you trust.
Lee J replied August 28, 2009 7:17 PM hi becky! yr suggestions are quite intriguing & i thank u for yr empathy to my plight. everyone on this site has been so nice & helpful. i've gotten tons of good info. i've had about 15 cortisone shots--all before i was diagnosed with diabetes 2. i never had any problems associated with the shots; i'm sorry to hear that you did. but after the oral steroids[post-diabetes], i've had nothing BUT problems. i, too, have taken the OTC probiotics--i'm on my second bottle & can't say that they've had any effect whatsoever. i only drink water with crystal lite powder[or tea], so i would be v v surprised if i was told i was dehydrated. i've found that a glass of G2[gatorade] before bed helps alleviate night sweats[an on-off problem--& v annoying too!]. yr pinch method of testing sounds like it would work--the doctor had told me to rub my arm to get the blood flowing but i will add yr method to that as well. i'll let you know if it works! thanks so much for telling me! i had labs today [huffpuffgasp] & got a recommendation for an endocrin doctor, whom i hope will be the answer to my prayers! lol! thanks again for taking the time to help me.
BeckyJ replied August 28, 2009 7:32 PM Glad that I could help. I just got a call from My family doc and they said that I was actually having some circulatory problems...not dehydration. They got the results back from a test I had taken to check out my heart. I will be seeing a specialist on Tue. This may explain why my extremeties are FREEZING most of the time...especially my fingers.lol.
Lee J replied August 29, 2009 2:38 PM sorry to hear that becky. good luck to you on tuesday; you will be in my thoughts. i hope it will be a simple fix for you. take care! |
graciepoo |
graciepoo replied August 29, 2009 8:55 PM
Hi there Lee,
Lee J replied September 2, 2009 10:16 PM hi there graciepoo. i sure will find out for both of us. i too get night sweats[altho a glass of gatorade before bed sorta helps with that, altho it may take a few days to notice any relief.] a pharmacy student i just met is also researching for me the diabetes/steroid angle. she was intrigued by my side effects & length of time i'm experiencing them. altho--good news! my bs is starting to come down again--slowly--so i think the steroid side effects are starting to wear off. [i'm hoping!] i will be consulting an endocrin guy soon, so i'll ask & post what he says. i hate it when i get dizzy &/or sleepy. doing my externship & on my feet 8 hrs a day now, can't test whenever i want, having some dizziness. i may walk my feet off & lose weight that way!! lol! i DO know if yr bs is high, u should eat some cinnamon. u can buy it ready-made in gel caps, make yr own, or brew a tea with some right from the spice rack. hope that helps a little. good luck with yr fibromyalgia--that must be difficult. |
joann4999 |
joann4999 replied November 7, 2009 9:46 AM
yes steroids make you gain weight and also mess with a lot of the bodys functions. i refuse to take them anymore. |
i took a medrol[steroids] pack in may & since then my sugar levels have been out of control, even on my regular meds. since i was doing fine up until then, i am starting to panic, as levels have risen to pre-diagnosis levels. i was originally diagnosed type 2 in '06. i have carefully monitored my diet, & i do exercise, but i've gained 30 lbs since may and my blood pressure, which previously was fine, has now risen 10 points. i was put on lisinspril, which did nothing but give me a dry cough. now i'm on diovan, but it's not lowering my bp either. i was on metformin & glipizide, now i'm on metformin er & pioglitizone. januvia didn't work. my doctor has threatened me with the spectre of shots, because "there are no more pills i can give you." she has never said that i am now type 1. i am scared & at my wits end. she has given me til halloween to lose the 30 lbs OR ELSE. she seems more interested in threatening me than helping me understand what is going on. i was FINE until i took the steroids {for a nasal spray addiction from a cold}. can anyone give me some advice on what to do? do i see an endocronologist? I DON'T WANT SHOTS. would very much appreciate any & all comments. thank you.