Now diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

I don't think the preds themselves would cause Type 2 but I'm open to correction?  What you eat and when and lack of exercise are more likely causes.

Bit of added info:

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Look for:

Increased thirst and frequent urination. Excess sugar building up in your bloodstream causes fluid to be pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.

Increased hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This triggers intense hunger.

Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to metabolize glucose, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine.

Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.

Blurred vision. If your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus.

Slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes affects your ability to heal and resist infections.

Areas of darkened skin. Some people with type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you notice any type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Causes

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although genetics and environmental factors, such as excess weight and inactivity, seem to be contributing factors.

I believe that one of the side effects of prednisone is a risk of diabetes.  Others may wish to confirm or deny.

Hi OregonjohnUK,  I'm inclined to not agree with you re: pred not a causitive factor in weight gain.  Myi weight has been stable for many years, and when on the pred I gained close to 10 lbs.  My MD said it would come off when my pred was way lowered, which is beginning to slowly happen.  I believe it can be a causitive to diabetes for some people.  I have been VERY careful how I eat, a tendency to vegetarian, lots of veggies, salads with vinegar and some olive oil, etc.

Pulled this from a Diabetes website in the UK:

Corticosteroids are used to reduce harmful inflammation but can lead to diabetes - often referred to as steroid diabetes.

People on steroids who are already at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes or those who need to take steroids for longer periods of time are the most susceptible to developing steroid induced diabetes.

Is steroid induced diabetes permanent?

High blood glucose levels whilst taking steroids may subside after you stop taking steroids, however, some people may develop type 2 diabetes which will need to be managed for life.

Type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop following longer term usage of steroids, such as usage of oral corticosteroids for longer than 3 months.

Heres the link:  http://www.diabetes.co.uk/steroid-induced-diabetes.html

 

Pred can change the way your body processes carbs and can lead to raised blood sugars. It doesn't have to be due to weight gain or being overweight and does have a great deal to do with your diet - if you eat a lot of refined carbs (any carbs really, including fruit) then your blood sugar level will rise quickly after every time you eat them. It doesn't necessarily mean you are diabetic. I will put a post after this with a link - which gives good info about diagnosis of diabetes and says quite clearly that you cannot diagnose diabetes on the basis of a single blood test - particularly in patients on "medication that may cause rapid glucose rise e.g. steroids". The moderator may approve it - but I will send it by pm too.

What test did they do? Was it an Hba1c test? That is an indicator of the blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months and is far more informative than a single fasting BS level but even so, more is required than a single test to diagnose diabetes.

You can help it a lot by cutting the carbs you eat - it also helps with the weight gain that is so common when we are on pred. Some people have avoided weight gain by cutting their carbs right from the start. Others have been able to lose weight even though they are still on pred - I lost 38 lbs of pred-induced weight over a period of a couple of years. I put on 5lbs in a week a few weeks ago while at a conference because I was eating carbs which I don't normally do - I came home and lost the lot in about the same time once back to my normal diet. I have been back at 15mg pred for the last few months and didn't put on a pound due to that. Quite proud of that achievement!