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Type 1 Steroid injections

V

Vs39

Member
Messages
11
Hello. I had a steroid injection on Tuesday (5 days ago) for a frozen shoulder. Since then I just cannot control my blood glucose levels. I’m taking 3-4 times my normal daily dose of insulin yet cannot get BMs in range. I’m negative for blood ketones (although at times have physically felt like I must be positive for them). Obviously I’ve not been able to speak to anyone since Wednesday due to the long weekend. I don’t feel as ill as I did initially just more ****** off that I can’t control my levels. The diabetic nurse I spoke with on Wednesday just told me to follow sick days rules but wasn’t sure when things would normalise. Today I’ve changed my pump/insertion site but confident it’s working (as my levels dropped down earlier) but since eating I’m now sitting at 20 mmol. It seems after I’ve eaten and through the night it’s just uncontrollable tbh. Anyone else had a steroid injection and when did things settle? I had steroid injections when pregnant and my levels were no where near this bad.
 
Hello @Vs39. We're not allowed to suggest doses (I know you haven't asked for that), and we're all different, but my experience after a steroid injection in my shoulder a few years ago, was that I initially needed about 50/60% more basal and bolus insulin, which gradually tapered off over about 6 weeks. I found the worst bit was that it wasn't a steady tapering off, so I ended up doing loads of blood tests day and night. I did correction doses by pen if my blood glucose was high teens or over (as taught on DAFNE course), as that usually brings my levels down quicker.

Hope you start to feel better soon, as it's horrible having constantly high levels.
 
Thanks @Hopeful34 i was wondering about trying to get insulin pens from my gp (I’m on pump but don’t have any back up pens) I had a hypo during the night but have woken up high again.
 
When I had steroid injections (for arthritis) in my basal thumb joint, it was about three or four days before things started to normalise again. My sugar levels were more unpredictable for a few days after that, but were clearly headed in the right direction. I didn't put up my basal insulin, because experience had made me mortally afraid of overnight hypos and I knew my waking level would best indicate when the effect of steroids was wearing off. I never found any nurse or doctor prepared to offer any real advice as to the best course of action in this situation. They said it depended on the individual.
 
@Vs39. It's important to always have back up pens in the house in case your pump fails, or at least syringes so you have an alternative means of giving insulin. In my experience it's best to ask your DSN or endo to prescribe, if they're good at replying to emails etc.

Just to add to JMK1954's post, that when i've had steroid injections in my thumb or fingers, because it's a tiny amount of steroid compared to a shoulder, I didn't need anywhere near the extra insulin, and it took a lot less time for things to get back to normal.
 
Thanks, yes my back up pens expired a few months back but never got round to replacing them,as a nurse I should know better and have requested some today. As to whether the GP authorises the script I’ll have to And wait and see. todays levels have been slightly better so I guess I’ll hope things normalise soon. Thanks for the replies and support x
 
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