High blood sugars wolst on prednisone..

[carly23]

Ok so i refused the insulin because i jus started diabetes education and when i went there we said we werent starting insulin just yet..also my cf doc said she didnt want to start that either..well this on call doctor thats covering for the weekend called it in..

I refused because i didn feel right and wanted to ask her first if it was necessary since it is only that crazy high cause of the prednisone..i have not been diagnosed as diabetic as of now an we have been just checking blood sugars an loggin 2hour after each meal as weve done the readings before meals and they were normal..so with that bein said did i do the right thing?..

I know ive heard that insulin actualy can do good and bring fev numbers up..but just didn want to start something in my body until i actualy talked to the doctor myself and get her opinion <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ...whats yours ?

 

[carly23]

Ok so i refused the insulin because i jus started diabetes education and when i went there we said we werent starting insulin just yet..also my cf doc said she didnt want to start that either..well this on call doctor thats covering for the weekend called it in..

I refused because i didn feel right and wanted to ask her first if it was necessary since it is only that crazy high cause of the prednisone..i have not been diagnosed as diabetic as of now an we have been just checking blood sugars an loggin 2hour after each meal as weve done the readings before meals and they were normal..so with that bein said did i do the right thing?..

I know ive heard that insulin actualy can do good and bring fev numbers up..but just didn want to start something in my body until i actualy talked to the doctor myself and get her opinion <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> ...whats yours ?

 

[JustDucky]

Even non diabetics have issues with their blood sugars while on prednisone. As a former nurse, it wasn't all too uncommon to be giving insulin to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients because their sugars are in the high 200's or even more while on steroids. It is one of the side effects of prednisone.. Personally, I also have problems with it and require more insulin coverage whenever I am on the stuff (I am also a diabetic though, on lantus but well controlled otherwise).
If I were in your shoes and not normally taking insulin and some on call doc calls it in before any education, then yeah, I think I would be wary of taking the insulin too, especially you haven't had complete diabetes training but if my numbers stayed in the 200 range for the most part, then I would probably take it then only because I feel comfortable giving myself insulin and watching for any possible side effects (low blood sugars, shaking etc..)...Have you had any instruction on insulin administration? A doctor should make sure that the patient is confident and able to self andminister insulin before prescribing it. Are they staying high? If they are, then you should be having a chat with your doctor sooner than later, you may need insulin short term until you are finished with your course of prednisone. It doesn't mean that you will need it forever, just until you get over this illness/steroids. Even so, even with occasional readings like that, it still warrants a doctor's attention. Keep a close eye on your numbers, if they keep increasing, then you need to be seen ASAP....you do not want to go into diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetic coma), this is a life threatening side effect of very elevated blood sugars.

I am no doc, so please check with your doctor if you have any issues, that is what they are there for <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Hopefully they will clear things up...

Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[JustDucky]

Even non diabetics have issues with their blood sugars while on prednisone. As a former nurse, it wasn't all too uncommon to be giving insulin to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients because their sugars are in the high 200's or even more while on steroids. It is one of the side effects of prednisone.. Personally, I also have problems with it and require more insulin coverage whenever I am on the stuff (I am also a diabetic though, on lantus but well controlled otherwise).
If I were in your shoes and not normally taking insulin and some on call doc calls it in before any education, then yeah, I think I would be wary of taking the insulin too, especially you haven't had complete diabetes training but if my numbers stayed in the 200 range for the most part, then I would probably take it then only because I feel comfortable giving myself insulin and watching for any possible side effects (low blood sugars, shaking etc..)...Have you had any instruction on insulin administration? A doctor should make sure that the patient is confident and able to self andminister insulin before prescribing it. Are they staying high? If they are, then you should be having a chat with your doctor sooner than later, you may need insulin short term until you are finished with your course of prednisone. It doesn't mean that you will need it forever, just until you get over this illness/steroids. Even so, even with occasional readings like that, it still warrants a doctor's attention. Keep a close eye on your numbers, if they keep increasing, then you need to be seen ASAP....you do not want to go into diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetic coma), this is a life threatening side effect of very elevated blood sugars.

I am no doc, so please check with your doctor if you have any issues, that is what they are there for <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Hopefully they will clear things up...

Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[JustDucky]

Okay, just read that you were in the hospital and not home...That changes a few things then. I would have taken the insulin in that case. Like I said before, this is probably a temporary fix because of the meds and illness. You are in a safe place and your sugars are being monitored closely I presume, so that makes me feel better about saying yes to the insulin.. Just make sure you report any shakiness etc to the nurse, you may be having a sugar low and need carbs to bring it up.

Hope you feel better and are out of the hospital soon!

Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[JustDucky]

Okay, just read that you were in the hospital and not home...That changes a few things then. I would have taken the insulin in that case. Like I said before, this is probably a temporary fix because of the meds and illness. You are in a safe place and your sugars are being monitored closely I presume, so that makes me feel better about saying yes to the insulin.. Just make sure you report any shakiness etc to the nurse, you may be having a sugar low and need carbs to bring it up.

Hope you feel better and are out of the hospital soon!

Jenn 40 w/CF

 

[Incomudrox]

I would have taken the insulin if I was you... high blood sugar kills nerves which then inturn makes your CFRD worse - that being said the nerves and veins in the eyes are some of the weakest in the body.. hopefully you see where I am going with this. No pun intended.

 

[Incomudrox]

I would have taken the insulin if I was you... high blood sugar kills nerves which then inturn makes your CFRD worse - that being said the nerves and veins in the eyes are some of the weakest in the body.. hopefully you see where I am going with this. No pun intended.

 

[robert321]

I only take insulin while I'm on steriods. I would imagine they were prescribing a minimal dose. It wouldn't be a bad idea imo. Prednisone also has a weight gain side effect and high blood sugars will negate that.
Typically when I go for a tuneup I go on a 5 day prednisone run then taper off. By the time I'm tapered off and sugars have normalized again its almost time to go home. They are keeping a close eye on your sugars you'll be alright

 

[robert321]

I only take insulin while I'm on steriods. I would imagine they were prescribing a minimal dose. It wouldn't be a bad idea imo. Prednisone also has a weight gain side effect and high blood sugars will negate that.
Typically when I go for a tuneup I go on a 5 day prednisone run then taper off. By the time I'm tapered off and sugars have normalized again its almost time to go home. They are keeping a close eye on your sugars you'll be alright