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Pred induced diabetic

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Lindalee77
Lindalee77

I was diagnosed with PMR in nov 2016. By my check up in January 2017 I was diagnosed with diabetes and put on metformin . I was told that it was prednisone induced and would probably go away when off the prednisone. Fast forward to March 2018 I am in remissionand weaned off the prednisone. The PMR gone but left a couple things behind. I now have rotator cuff tendinitis mainly in my left arm and I can deal with that but the diabetes has actually gotten worse instead of going away. My blood readings in the morning had always been about 95 but when I stopped the prednisone they went up.they are now averaging 107 in the morning. My docs explanation is that I am getting older (65). I don’t buy it since it certainly seemed to go hand in hand with going off the prednisone. I am certainly happy about the PMR but confused about the diabetes.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga Lindalee77

    Posted

    That does seem counterintuitive.  If you weren't diabetic before pred you would have expected to recover, not get worse, once pred was out of the picture.  You say you are on medication.  What kind of advice were you given regarding dietary control of blood sugar, etc., or was the doctor expecting your reliance on metformin to so sort everything?  i know a lot of people, myself included, have been able to control pred-induced increased blood sugar by severely restricting our carbs, especially those from grains and sugar.  I've also recently learned that it's important to maintain a healthy level of sodium (from table salt) in spite of decades long recommendations to reduce sodium intake to practically nothing.  Low levels can apparently increase the likelihood of developing diabetes.  One has to maintain a good level of potassium as well, but that's present in many healthy fruits and vegetables.

    • Lindalee77
      Lindalee77 Anhaga

      Posted

      i was given the usual advice cut the carbs. My diet is good. For the past month I have actually been written down what I eat and my following morning readings so I can go over it with the doc. It just seems so strange to me that it went up. Thanks for your input.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Lindalee77

      Posted

      Maybe the next question to ask your doctor is whether metformin is the best med for you?  Or whether there should be a change in the dose, or the dosing schedule?  Just a thought.  Good luck!
    • Lindalee77
      Lindalee77 Anhaga

      Posted

      Thanks I will be asking a number of questions. Thanks for you input Annaba.
  • EileenH
    EileenH Lindalee77

    Posted

    Fasting BS levels are no true indicator of diabetes - my husband does not have diabetes and is as skinny as a rake but his fasting BS is about 110. Some people just have high readings. You need an Hba1c level done to see if that is running high - it reflects the average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. You may have a slightly raised fasting level but the peaks after eating may be falling again OK.

    As Anhaga says one way to help control BS is to cut carbs drastically and it is recignised by the American Diabetic Association as a method of managing Type 2 diabetes. It is something we tell everyone on the forum to try if they are gaining weight with pred or becoming pre-diabetic. There is not a lot of logic to me in continuing to eat carbs and using medication to sort out the problem when cutting the carbs in your diet reduces the problem anyway.

    And if that doesn't help - it needs to be investigated properly. I get so annoyed at doctors who put EVERYTHING down to "your age"!

    • Lindalee77
      Lindalee77 EileenH

      Posted

      My a1C taken at the end of March was 5.5 so that was good.  I am sure in August when I go back I’ll get them taken again. It will be interesting to see what they are now. My diet is good. Especially this past month because I have been writing everything down. Granted with the metformin I am doing good, I’m just a tad angry that I’m still on it. Guess I shouldn’t complain it could be far worse. I am very active by the way. Thanks for your input.
  • Michdonn
    Michdonn Lindalee77

    Posted

    Lindalee, I have been a diabetic since 1962, still on Prednisone . As I have tapered down from 30 mg my BS reading have gotten better but much higher than your's. The most important reading for you is your A1C.

    An A1C level below 5.7 percent is considered normal. An A1C between 5.7 and 6.4 percent signals prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the A1C is over 6.5 percent. I hope that helps you, think positive and try to smile. ?? Stay active!

    • Lindalee77
      Lindalee77 Michdonn

      Posted

      Thanks Mitch. My A1C is 5.5 so with the metformin it is good. Now that was taken only about two weeks after I stopped my Pred so it will be very interesting to see what it is with these higher readings in the morning. I imagine I’ll be getting it done in August sometime. Thanks for your input Mitch.
    • Michdonn
      Michdonn Lindalee77

      Posted

      You are very welcome Lindalee, the

      A1C will give you a good average reading, that is most important.

      ☺️

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