Re: Prednisone and High blood sugar levels

[Guest guest]

I read sometime in the last year that folks who take a lot of pred

can be at greater risk of high blood sugar and therefore diabetes.

Joy. Diabetes...cataracts...that list just keeps getting longer,

doesn't it?

[Guest guest]

I thought I was the only one but I guess it's a common problem for

those of us on long term Pred use. My glucose levels are a little

high but managable if I watch what I eat... unless I have a flare up

and have to up the Pred dose. Then, I'm into the diabetic range. I

first noticed it because my vision got blurry, wounds took forever

to heal, and I was getting up several times a night to use the

bathroom.

I guess weight gain and craving sweets are also signs, but I

attributed those to the Pred. Our doctors should probably be doing

regular blood work on those of us on long term Pred. I've heard

Potassium loss can also be a problem.

Annette

>

> I have been off the pred for about 3 weeks now. When I was on it,

it

> was just a " burst " of 20 mg then a taper down and off that lasted

4

> days.

>

> I had my annual physical last week and found out that my fasting

> blood sugar was 120. The doctor ordered a re test today and this

time

> it was 154.. YIKES!

>

> A friend of mine who used to be an EMT said that pred can cause

blood

> sugar to go up... but after I have been off of it for 3 weeks?

>

> I don't want to be diabetic too. Believe me, my asthma is quite

> enough! I am waiting for my family doctor to call me and tell me

> what my next step is.

>

> Doug