Steroids and spiralling blood sugars

sue512 · Nov 9, 2022

Have needed to start short course of steroids for my asthma. I usually take 40 mags on daily basis for 5 days. First dose huge improvement in chest but blood sugars currently 15.7 and still rising. The last time this happened I hit 33 but wasn’t on low carb at that point and doc wasn’t particularly interested. Not asking for medical advice but those of you that have experienced similar how long did it take to settle sugars? I stopped testing last time as nothing was changing. Nurse today wanted me to consider stopping gliclizide as hba1c now 41 but I’m tempted to wait now until things settle. Diferent person deals with chest but not available until Tuesday.

ianf0ster · Nov 9, 2022

Hi @sue512 We can't give medical advice on here.
Did you discuss your current Blood Glucose numbers and the fact that you are currently on a course of steroids (which are known to raise Blood Glucose)?
Although Low Carb works quite well, it's unlikely that it alone will overpower the steroids to keep your BG down to where it got to. at least at your current amount of daily carbs.

Yes, certainly once your steroid course ends then it certainly will be time to consider tapering off the glic. HbA1C takes weeks to respond, so spot BG (finger prick) tests are more important for the short term.

Pipp · Nov 9, 2022

Hi @sue512
From time to time I need to have short course of steroid meds for asthma and allergies. Five days generally sorts it.
Usually increases blood glucose from average 6ish to low double figures when taking the meds, then up to eight or nine weeks at average 8ish. I also find my appetite increases, and sometimes crave, and give in to craving, high carb foods. I also tend to have a less calm demeanour than usual. Ok, I admit I become quite impatient, angry at least little irritation. When I need steroids my allergies, particularly breathing difficulties, are main main concern, and take priority over other health concerns, including my T2 diabetes. I just accept that things will be a bit erratic for a while.I can be alarming to see the BG levels in the teens, but I console myself by resting and feeling the breathing difficulties settle.

As you have said, you are not looking for medical advice, and we are not allowed to advise on changing prescribed medication. With HbA1c of 41, I would be happy to follow nurse advice, but keep monitoring my blood glucose more regularly than usual. Would ask GP or nurse for advice if the levels stay very high after course of steroids finish, or I felt really ill with it.

sue512 · Nov 9, 2022

Pipp said:
Hi @sue512
From time to time I need to have short course of steroid meds for asthma and allergies. Five days generally sorts it.
Usually increases blood glucose from average 6ish to low double figures when taking the meds, then up to eight or nine weeks at average 8ish. I also find my appetite increases, and sometimes crave, and give in to craving, high carb foods. I also tend to have a less calm demeanour than usual. Ok, I admit I become quite impatient, angry at least little irritation. When I need steroids my allergies, particularly breathing difficulties, are main main concern, and take priority over other health concerns, including my T2 diabetes. I just accept that things will be a bit erratic for a while.I can be alarming to see the BG levels in the teens, but I console myself by resting and feeling the breathing difficulties settle.

As you have said, you are not looking for medical advice, and we are not allowed to advise on changing prescribed medication. With HbA1c of 41, I would be happy to follow nurse advice, but keep monitoring my blood glucose more regularly than usual. Would ask GP or nurse for advice if the levels stay very high after course of steroids finish, or I felt really ill with it.

Thank you for that, breathing has certainly improved after first dose even and I agree side effects of steroids are foul, feels like head will explode! Last time I had about 36 hours couldn’t sleep and could conquer anything to crash and sleep, ugh! Wish there was an effective alternative! I’ve got a libre in at moment so will be interested in what happens to bg. Just hasn’t shot up this high for over 6 months

sue512 · Nov 9, 2022

ianf0ster said:
Hi @sue512 We can't give medical advice on here.
Did you discuss your current Blood Glucose numbers and the fact that you are currently on a course of steroids (which are known to raise Blood Glucose)?
Although Low Carb works quite well, it's unlikely that it alone will overpower the steroids to keep your BG down to where it got to. at least at your current amount of daily carbs.

Yes, certainly once your steroid course ends then it certainly will be time to consider tapering off the glic. HbA1C takes weeks to respond, so spot BG (finger prick) tests are more important for the short term.

Thank you for reply, not asking for medical advice just interested in others experience. Unfortunately nurse I saw this morning wasn’t interested in chest just diabetes and steroids started after I’d seen her. I’m seeing someone on Tuesday for chest. I’m feeling like lots of little parts at moment when each condition is influenced by the other! I think I’ll avoid checking bp at moment in case that’s crept back up!!!

HSSS · Nov 9, 2022

sue512 said:
Thank you for that, breathing has certainly improved after first dose even and I agree side effects of steroids are foul, feels like head will explode! Last time I had about 36 hours couldn’t sleep and could conquer anything to crash and sleep, ugh! Wish there was an effective alternative! I’ve got a libre in at moment so will be interested in what happens to bg. Just hasn’t shot up this high for over 6 months

That’s interesting you say about sleep being difficult on steroids. In September I was on iv steroids for covid/flu complications and didn’t sleep more than a couple of hours a night despite being very unwell. As soon as i stopped steroids I slept for England. My bgl doubled whilst I was on them (and not eating much, if at all) and gradually came back to near normal over the following weeks but slightly raised for about 8 weeks.

sue512 · Nov 9, 2022

HSSS said:
That’s interesting you say about sleep being difficult on steroids. In September I was on iv steroids for covid/flu complications and didn’t sleep more than a couple of hours a night despite being very unwell. As soon as i stopped steroids I slept for England. My bgl doubled whilst I was on them (and not eating much, if at all) and gradually came back to near normal over the following weeks but slightly raised for about 8 weeks.

Don’t know about you but I’m a sensitive soul to some drugs! I wonder if a lower dose would be as effective with less side affects. There’s a huge improvement in my chest with one dose wheezing has stopped breathlessness reduced and coughing reduced!

HSSS · Nov 9, 2022

sue512 said:
Don’t know about you but I’m a sensitive soul to some drugs! I wonder if a lower dose would be as effective with less side affects. There’s a huge improvement in my chest with one dose wheezing has stopped breathlessness reduced and coughing reduced!

Needs must sometimes. I hated seeing the high levels and 4 hrly testing as an in patient meant i couldn’t ignore it But it helped the other issues and they in the short term took priority. Usually I am very resistant to most medications so this was a surprise

sue512 · Nov 10, 2022

It’s taken 6 hours to go from bs 15 down to an 8 where it seems to be levelling off. Head is now mine again! If liver putting out glucose as a result of steroids does that mean fat is melting from around it?

Steroids and spiralling blood sugars

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