Diabetes & Prednisone

My sugar is out of control.  I'm on insulin plus pills, but my question really has to do with prednisone, 20/mg daily, which I have to take for Polymyalgia Rheumatica, an extremely painful muscle disease.   Without the pred. I literally cannot walk.  My sugar has been in the 300's & 400s no matter what I do - I've heard prednisone can wreak havoc with diabetes and I'd like to know if perhaps this is why my sugar level is so high?  Thank you.

[WaveRider]

Prednisone is known to elevate glucose levels, especially when taken over a period of time. From what I have read after the first two to four weeks of treatment, your doctor will gradually decrease your dosage depending on your symptoms and the results of sed rate and C-reactive protein tests. For now you should speak with your Endocrinologist about adjusting your diabetes medication until you're off of Prednisone.

[WaveRider]

Prednisone is known to elevate glucose levels, especially when taken over a period of time. From what I have read after the first two to four weeks of treatment, your doctor will gradually decrease your dosage depending on your symptoms and the results of sed rate and C-reactive protein tests. For now you should speak with your Endocrinologist about adjusting your diabetes medication until you're off of Prednisone.

[Millianne]

Thank you for your response.  My latest sed rate was 185 - normal is 20-30 for PMR (muscle disease).  I bolus with Novolog and that brings my sugar down rather quickly.  But you're right, I'll have to talk to my physician about this. I don't have an endo.

Thanks again :)

[WaveRider]

You're welcome. Might Google brands and types of premixed and long acting insulin and discuss with your doctor. Good luck

[caregiver222]

As an alternative to prednisone I suggest you research the adviseability of using medical grade DSMO, a powerful anti-inflammatory. There is controversy in the conventional medical community. Only use medical grade (diluted) DSMO.

20 mg of daily prednisone is a high daily dose. In addition to elevated glucose levels adrenal atrophy and an increased liklihood of a malignancy are possibilities.

In addition, you shoud be screened for an HERV-W infection.

[Millianne]

Thank you for your input.  I didn't realize malignancy is a possibility - may I ask what type?  Careful please, I'm a hypochondriac :)  And what is HERV--W?

I appreciate your taking the time to write me - I have so much to learn and sometimes I get scared. I hope you have a good weekend.