Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Virtue on September 16, 2010 at 2:54pm

I wish I had something magical to say, but I don't :(

Steroids are a nightmare with blood sugars. I've not been on oral/IV steroids, but inhaled. They insist that because it's inhaled it's not systemic... and maybe not by their terms, but it's throws my blood sugars around similar to yours. I just try to stay on top of it. Boost my basal... override insulin to carb ratios and insulin sensitivity factors... Then, test, correct and repeat :(

I hope you get better soon and that the steroids are not something you need long term.

<3
V.

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Permalink Reply by Jennie on September 16, 2010 at 2:58pm

Steroids are known to make insulin pretty much work like water. Once you get to lower the dose of steroids your numbers should start going down too after a while. As for now, all you can do is taking more insulin and test test test.

I'm not confirmed diabetic even though I do have highs and lows beyond the ordinary. But when I get prednisone or such for my allergy I do reach diabetic high levels. Prednisone pills are especially bad for my levels even if it works better for my allergy.

I hope you feel better real soon and get off those steroids nice and slow.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on September 16, 2010 at 4:01pm

Even when you go home, your numbers will remain elevated on oral steroids, but better, and I had issues for a couple of weeks after stopping the steroids.

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Permalink Reply by Brian on September 16, 2010 at 5:35pm

its kinda funny you posted this cause yesterday my pain management doctor gave me a cortisone shot which i had no clue would effect the diabetes but it has.. my sugar was 300 all night and day no matter how much insulin i took it wouldnt go down.. i increased my basal rate from 1.05 to 1.50 and its bringing it down slowly crazy how much steriods effect us.. but when my son was in the hospital for breathing related troubles they gave him steriods and said it would raise his bg and hes not diabetic!

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 16, 2010 at 6:44pm

Yeah it's crazy how bad my numbers have been with the amount of insulin that i have going. It's funny your basal rate that you increased to is my normal basal rates during the day. I'm still stuck over 375 and just got an additional 15u of R so hopefully that will help. I couldn't imagine how high my BGs would be if I wasn't being given insulin... lol

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Permalink Reply by Sunshine on September 16, 2010 at 5:46pm

Yep - it's the steroids. I wish I could tell you what would make it better, but I don't have an answer except upping insulin and activity, if possible, but it sounds like you are pretty sick.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Betty J on September 16, 2010 at 5:52pm

I have been getting steroids injections for Spinal Stenosis since May I know what you mean about the highs. What I did before starting on injections was to consult with my educator and he told me what to do. Since May I have had one other shot, which was in July and soon I will be getting another one.

Since my shots are voluntary I wanted to know what can I do to fight the highs...knowing that temp basals weren't enough. I don't know what brand of pump you have but I have a Medtronic 522 which has a bolus wizard feature which I use. There is a pattern feature in the wizard that we set for higher basal rates. So when I get my injections I set my pump to the pattern B which has the highest basal rate and it keeps my bs from going high.

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Permalink Reply by Brian on September 16, 2010 at 6:33pm

yea i have the same pump and pretty much did the same thing... but im just afraid that its gonna lose that high effect and just bottom out.. i hear about 36 hours

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 16, 2010 at 6:46pm

I have the Ping. I'm running a 200% increase on my basal rate of 38u and am being given tons of extra insulin. I'm still going high and have been since Saturday. At this point I just don't know what to do. My endo called this morning to make sure I wasn't having super crazy highs, but it's still not really doing any good! lol

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Permalink Reply by Brian on September 17, 2010 at 4:10pm

i know my endo said it should last for about 36 hours.. and well we are at about 50 hours and i still cant eat nothing or anything! ive actually read that steriods can make normal people diabetic! that shows you what it does to those who are already diabetic... BTW off topic but how do you like your Ping? im hopefully gonna get one soon!

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on September 18, 2010 at 4:12am

I love my Ping! I demoed other pumps and it's hands down the best. My screen is so bright I can use it to see in the dark and the other thing is that it's completely waterproof. The moment my feet hit water my blood sugar starts climbing. I stay connected with my Ping and go for it. I love it! Let me know if you have specific questions that you want answered...

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Permalink Reply by Brunetta on September 17, 2010 at 9:13pm

I will start the steroid injections in Mid-October. I, too, have a diagnosis of spinal stenosis. I got the steroids injections, pre-pump, 9 years ago when I had neck and shoulder pain,; They really helped me A LOT, but I shot up to the 300+ range until I, along with my CDE, figured out what to do. I know to expect that my blood sugar levels will be higher, and I will also use a much higher basal rate... I have not had corticosteroids since I have been on the pump. But my current pain management specialist , endo and CDE feel that wecan manage this by working together to devise a good plan.

God Bless,

Brunetta

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