Hi. I am sure many of you will be aware that steroids can cause dramatic increases in blood sugar levels, and that long term treatment with particular steroids can actually trigger or directly cause Type 2. I got diabetes after taking prednisolone for over three months as part of my anti-rejection treatment following a renal transplant (due to a hereditary condition). Most people will experience an increased level with this drug but things should drop back down to normal if the treatment is under 30 days or so. Most transplant patients will be on it for life though the dose can be dramatically reduced. I was warned by all my doctors pre-op that it was a common consequence of the transplant treatment..and I was more than happy to take the risk..indeed, I would do it again and would always take having Type 2 over total renal failure..of course. Some uninformed people still think Type 2 isn't so much caused by steroids as it is triggered. Initially, my doctors (a number of them) referred to to it as Steroid Induced Diabetes but all of them are now clear, as is the diabetic consultant I see, that long term treatment with this particular steroid CAUSED my diabetes. Now, after a great deal of effort, testing, recording, avoiding carbs and getting docs to cut my prednisolone down to a minimum, my levels have been pretty normal (so long as I stick to my approach), and my last HbA1c was 41 (barely diabetic), averaging meter readings under 7mmols. I have not been on any meds for diabetes for at about 18 months (by choice). Problem is, people on anti rejection drugs have their immune systems suppressed to minimise the body attacking the intruding new organ..and as a consequence they are open to more infections than the average person. One particular infection I just got can cause pain from inflammation in a rather sensitive place...and doctors don't want renal transplant patients to take anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or voltarol ..soo...they up the prednisolone for a period as pain relief while the anti-biotics hopefully do the job. ANYWAY...point is...three hours after the increased dose my levels went up to about 14mmols, and have not been much below that over the last two days regardless of zero carbs. I am not just writing this to **** off prednisolone (it has some very good uses), but to inform...I worked very very hard to get things under control only to have to start again when I come off this (as it doesn't just drop down right away when you stop). My point is that if you don't have to take this particular steroid...don't. Many transplant centres are not avoiding it completely. I am not saying stop taking it..but discuss alternatives with your doctors. I think I might just try and bear the pain rather than risk further damage (however temporary).
