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Autoimmune problem and type 2

Muddy Cyclist

Well-Known Member
Hi, it's been a while since I dropped into the forum. I have been managing my Type 2 with low carb diet and exercise, latest HbA1c 45 not great but still pre Diabetic.
5 weeks ago at my annual review, I agreed to having Shingles and Pneumonia jabs, how I wish I hadn't!
A day after the vaccine, I had a serious reaction, sore, rash red skin. I was given antibiotics, which helped at sight of vaccine. Since then, I have developed a burning rash on arms legs, torso and neck. The only help from my GP is moisturiser and 180Mg of antihistamine and to continue my aerobic 12 hour a week MountInbike sesions. I have been referred to a dermatologist and neurologist as the rash is equal on either side of my body and GP suspects an autoimmune system reaction to Shingles Jab. This is all taking time and entertaining with much discomfort. Even worse my joints have become swolen, sore and hot, suggesting rheumatoid arthritis.
I am worried because Internet research indicates steroids are used to sort this problem, but steroids increase blood glucose and insulin resistance.
I have looked at possible diet changes, but this seems to be even more complicated when already on a low-carb diet. How have other members coped with these situations? Any advice very welcome.
If it helps, my typical fasting blood glucose at the moment is 5.8 pre meal 5.4 post meal 6.4.

This is a picture of my arm, my legs and torso look the same.
 
I take steroids for an auto immune condition. I say I’m type 2 but in actuality my diabetes was steroid induced - I was told it may resolve once off the steroids but unfortunately I’ve never been able to come off them.

At low doses and almost near withdrawal (10-5mg and less a day) I was quite able to control my sugars with low carb still, though it was sub 20-30g per day. At higher treatment doses (such as currently) I can’t control my levels with low carb despite trying. I’ve now been prescribed glic and insulin.

I’d imagine if yours is a reaction, and not an underlying condition, if steroids are needed it would be very short term but of course I’m no expert or doctor.
 
Much appreciated. Your observation on control with lower doses is very reassuring. I hope my problem is from a vaccination reaction but GP thinks it's a reaction because I may have an autoimmune problem, time will tell.
 
Muddy Cyclist said:
Much appreciated. Your observation on control with lower doses is very reassuring. I hope my problem is from a vaccination reaction but GP thinks it's a reaction because I may have an autoimmune problem, time will tell.
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Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it, I have to say my auto immune condition did start with a rash - not to alarm you but they are common first symptom of some auto immune disorders.

However, even if they do recommend steroids, even for an auto immune condition, they can be shorter term as then they like to move you onto immunosuppressants. I was unlucky as the two normally used for mine didn’t work and had horrendous side effects (one was exorcist style vomiting despite every anti sickness know to man which is rare apparently).

So hopefully, even if you need steroids for a period of time, it might not be indefinite and you may find your body is more able to tolerate them as we do all react slightly differently.
 
What complicated creatures we are. A path I would rather not be on and yet another challenge to overcome. Will pass on the vomiting
 
Muddy Cyclist said:
Much appreciated. Your observation on control with lower doses is very reassuring. I hope my problem is from a vaccination reaction but GP thinks it's a reaction because I may have an autoimmune problem, time will tell.
Click to expand...

Is it fair to assume your GP has run a load of bloods to look for the likely auto-immune conditions? Consultants can order up more tests, but there are plenty a GP can do as a starter for 10. That could certainly help with insight to RA and a few other conditions.

However, did you experience a high fever at all after your vaccine, or flu-like symptoms? Sometimes after such an event, a poly-arthritis/arthralgia can develop, which is more often than not temporary, but during its course very debilidating.

Don't panic, and if it does transpire to be RA or such likes, you can always ask what options you might have to avoid, or minimise steroids.

Good luck with it all.
 
Muddy Cyclist said:
What complicated creatures we are. A path I would rather not be on and yet another challenge to overcome. Will pass on the vomiting
Click to expand...
For sure - when I tried that immunosuppressant it felt like the cure was worse than the illness. But it has meant I’ve had to stay on the steroids.

Specialist did say that was an uncommon reaction so assume most people do well on it and ditch the steroids altogether.

I hope you can get to the bottom of things, and if steroids are the answer for a bit, I’m sure you’d be able to get control with low carb depending on the dose.

Of course, if you do end up down that road and have any questions, pop a message on - I’ll always do my best to help. Navigating these things is always daunting
 
AndBreathe said:
Is it fair to assume your GP has run a load of bloods to look for the likely auto-immune conditions?
Click to expand...
Ha, Ha. 5 weeks 4 GP visits every one shrugged off with you have reacted to vaccine. Only after a desperate email to Practice Manager did I get to see a GP who took notice, then 7 days before I can get blood test next Thursday so that will be 7 weeks. I am having to find my own Dermatologists to speed up the slow process, a nightmare.
But thank you for the information, original symptoms were along the lines you described.
 

It will be no consolation to know that that scenario described (didn't involve a vaccine, but there can be many, many triggers) took months to recover from.

My GP's suggested treatment was aspirin, increasing the dosage until I had ringing in my ears, then reduce by 1 tablet a day, for as long as it took. He could not assure me it would ever go.

Needless to say, he was relegated to the "what are you on" pile and I sought advice elsewhere. The resultant advice was to be kind to myself and avoid acidic foods (as the time I loved oranges), which included tomatoes. Eventually it eased.

Based on my experience, if you firmly believe your reaction is AI, then a rheumatologist is the first potential key to your puzzle, if your GP will not order up tests. He/she absolutely can request RA factor, and a few others, to be going on with. Whether he/she wants to or not, is, of course a different story.

Take it steady.
 

OMG! I’m definitely NOT getting that jab!
Personally I’d use aloe Vera on it. I have been a therapist and prefer natural to bought creams.
 
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