Type one on prednisolone for asthma........high sugars!

[Dido]

Hi everyone,

I'm 40 years old, type 1, asthmatic with underactive thyroid. take novo rapid, lantus thyroxine and inhalers. Diagnosed with chest infection last week. Asthma got really bad at weekend, two visits to a&e, sent home yesterday. Been on prednisolone 40mg since last Friday with another two days to go. Co amoxiclav antibiotics. Chest now clearing and I can breath again but my BS are horrendous. Trying to compensate with novo rapid but not really getting any readings less than 15. I've lost five pounds since Friday, now seven stone five. No ketones in urine, have been testing myself. Anyone been through similar? I have no energy, blurred vision and shakes, jelly legs. Been off work since last Friday but worried as I love my job and scared of what people might think. Basically I'm knackered and just needing some friendly advice thanks xxxx

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi @Dodo,

The antibiotics, steroids and the infection will raise your blood sugars. It usually takes a few days for them to come down even after you are feeling better and have completed the course of tablets.

I think it is usual to feel so unwell with a chest infection and I expect your appetite has not been so good as food is not something we care about when feeling like this and could account for the weight loss.

I will bump your post up to see if anyone can help with the insulin as I am a Type 2.

 

[Dido]

Thank you @catherinecherub. I've lost another pound since my post, sugars still high x

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi Dido, It is well documented that prednisolone increases bg levels so you will probably need to increase your insulin over the course of your treatment and for a week or so afterwards until your bg levels gradually return to normal so if you are at all unsure of how to do this I would suggest that you speak with your diabetic care team and ask for their advice.

Although I am a T2 my diabetes was caused by long term prednisolone use and I too lost weight after developing diabetes until it was diagnosed and I was prescribed MDI treatment. I was able to stabilise my bg levels fairly easily once I understood how to inject and adjust my long and short term insulin.

Over the long period that I used pred ( 3 years) I put on several stones in weight and it was only after developing diabetes that I started to lose weight, my weight loss was only about 10 oz but it was strange as I was eating if anything more than usual at that time.

Pred can a life saver as it was for me but but its down side is that it can cause T2 diabetes and for anyone already diabetic regardless of type it will increase bg levels often dramatically depending on the dose.

Good luck and I hope will get things sorted quickly.