RE: [IPk] Steroids
Hi Wendy
I am glad that you are on the mend now. I am quite surprised that the
doctor didnt know that steroids would have this effect on the BG levels as
it is a very well known sided effect. (I dont have diabetes but my daughter
does) I took steroids in the past because of my RA and my tablets
definitely had warnings about diabetes and BG levels. There is a large
number of children on the UK CWD mailing list who have diabetes and asthma
and it can be a real struggle juggling the asthma meds (even the inhaled
steroids) with the diabetes.
Thanks for letting us know as there will be people out there who dont
realise how much effect steroids have on the BG levels. \Have you finished
all the steroids now?
Kind regards
Jackie J
-----Original Message-----
From: email @ redacted [mailto:email @ redacted] On Behalf
Of WENDY SPILLANE
Sent: 11 April 2010 10:37
To: email @ redacted
Subject: [IPk] Steroids
Dear Members
I have suffered an experience which I feel bound to share with you. I was
admitted into hospital with severe chest pains - after spending eight hours
in
casualty and having x-ray's and ecg's, I was discharged with further tests
pending. Within hours of returning home, I developed a chest infection. As
the
Easter bank holiday loomed, I became worse finding it hard to breath and
very
chesty. On Easter Monday I booked in with the out of hours surgery based at
our
local hospital. I was told my chest was at the moment, clear but because I
was
finding it hard to breath I was prescribed steroids and anti-biotics to
cover
any infection. My first question to the person dealing with me was - will
the
steroids have any impact on my diabetes - no was the answer - none
what-so-ever.
How wrong! Perhaps the infection was partly to blame but within hours of
taking
the steroids (30mg) my bg's which are usually 80% in range shot up and would
remain
17 - 25 for the next five days. I phoned my DSN on Tuesday and she
confirmed
that steroids do impact bg's, 'big time.' In turn I had ketones ranging from
0.5
- 2.3 Many of you are probably aware of what I am saying but having had
diabetes
for forty years, I have never experienced steroids and the affect they have
on
diabetes. Through trial and error over the next few days, I trebled my basal
rate, bolus corrected every hour day and night until I finished the
steroids.
(DSN suggested I finish the course). Reading through the instructions for
Soluable Prednisolone 5mg, no mention is made for people with diabetes and I
do
intend writing to the manufacturars because it is vital that we are
forwarned.
It's bad enough having an infection, suffering the change to our diabetes
treatment and having to suffer the side-effects of other medications which
can
change everything. Sorry to rabbit on but I sincerely hope what I have to
say
may be
of help to someone on this page in the future. Also, beware of the LOWS at
the
end of the course
Wendy
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