On steroids need help

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Mops - 21 Sep 2006 20:09 GMT

Hi there,

Firstly let me explain my situation before I ask for your help. I am
29 and Type 1 diabetic on insulin. I have had a really bad cold which
has caused problem with my diabetes so I went to the doc. I have been
diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics, inhailers and steroids.
I had asthma as a kid but grew out of it and don't really remember
much about it. It seems as though this cold has brought it back in
force.

I have a really horrid cough, my chest is tight, I wheeze just walking
up the stairs. I have been taking all the drugs prescribed but it
isn't making much difference. It is also really messing with my
diabetes, making that much worse too.

I am getting to the end of my tether about it all and don't know what
to do for the best. I want to get rid of the chest problems but it is
messing with the diabetes so much I am not feeling any better. Has
anyone had pneumonia and can give me any ideas on how long it will
last? Do you think I will have to stay in the steroids? They are
what is causing the diabetic problems!

Thanks
Mops

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Fred - 22 Sep 2006 04:14 GMT

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Thanks
> Mops

Be careful about using pregnisone. It will really make your blood
sugar peak. It is very dangerous to use when you have diabetes.
Fred

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rchrdcarlisle@NOTyahoo.com - 22 Sep 2006 06:48 GMT

>> Hi there,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>Be careful about using pregnisone. It will really make your blood
>sugar peak. It is very dangerous to use when you have diabetes.

You are quite correct that prednisone can cause the blood sugar to
rise. It is not that dangerous as long as you carefully monitor your
blood sugars and take appropriate amount of insulin to maintain a
blood sugar between optimum parameters.

But sometimes you have concurrent diseases of asthma and diabetes
which may necessitate using a therapy (prednisone) that can worsen the
blood sugar problem especially if the asthma is otherwise not
responsive to other measures and is very extreme. You do the best you
can by monitoring your levels.

RC

>Fred

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00doc - 23 Sep 2006 04:31 GMT

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> last? Do you think I will have to stay in the steroids? They are
> what is causing the diabetic problems!

Pneumonia can also make your sugar go up as well as the steroids so you may
have two things working against you. High sugars and more insulin for a
short period usually will not hurt you but not being able to breath will. If
this all from an infection you should be feeling better soon but it may take
several weeks - not all of which would usually require steroids. Chances are
you will be off them in 5-7 days - two weeks on the outside. The doses
should be tapered down as you feel better to try to minimise the effect on
your sugars.

Make sure you get a flu shot when they come out (and a pneumonia vaccine
now).

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00doc

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