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Back on steroids

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P

pav

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Been to the docs again, blood pressure still up :( more blood tests needed for the anaemia and the added bonus of more steroids for the cough.

Has any one had any experience of Prednisolone, got to 30 mg over the course a day. My BS levels are wacky enough as they are, with out any extra fluctuations.

If the x ray results can't be found (got lost in the change of doctors) looks like back to the hospital to have them re-done.
 
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Hi Pav, shame about the steroids. Expect to be aching with hunger all the time. If you don't get that side-effect, then be very thankful for getting off lightly! Steroids can be life-saving (I'm proof of that) but there's a price to pay.
 
Prednisolone

Hi Pav,

Prednisolone does tend to raise your blood sugar levels but if its only a short course you are on I shouldn't worry about it too much. Hope you will soon be back to normal.
Thelma.
 
The hunger thing could be a bit awkward, as already perm hungry with the gliclazide. :(

Initially is a short course, but cough has been going on for ages, may be around a year.
 
Prednisolone acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory at that kind of dose. I've only ever been prescribed it for life-threatening asthma attacks, which used to happen every few years. Now that I'm on the right dose of the right kind of inhaled steroids (that don't have any effect on BG, hunger or bone-thinning), I haven't had any bad episodes. Have you had a lung function test? Some GPs have the equipment, but others have to refer patients to the local hospital.

Another nasty to look out for with P is terrible heartburn. There is a coated version that makes the tablet get absorbed lower down the gut, so do ask for it if you have that problem.
 
Not had a lung function test. Though when doing the dreaded gardening can be left gasping for breath and really struggling to get some air, or when going up a very steep hill can get breathless, more than the people around me..
 
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That describes exercise-induced asthma, especially when coupled with a cough. I'm not a doctor, but I have had asthma all my life. If that's what it is, the prednisolone short course should help quite quickly - toward the end of the course you may feel on top of the world, so it's not all bad. Long-term treatment that I've had includes beclometasone or fluticasone inhalers (the latter works best for me) twice daily, and salbutamol for quick relief when short of breath.
 
That's what a nurse suggested it might be, when I went to the sleep apnoea clinic. She did stress she's not a doctor and would need to be investigated to find the actual problem.
 
Hi Pav, sorry to hear you are back on steroids due to your cough.
Just a query, are you 100% sure the BP meds are not causing the cough? I ask because you have exactly the same symptoms as my Mum had. It took nearly a year to convince her and her GP that the cough was possibly caused by the medication. Just to shut me up the medication was changed and low and behold after a few months the cough has gone.

Pred will rise your blood sugar no end. The body produces about 5 or 6 mg a day naturally. I have done the conversion from hydrocortisone so it's easier for you.
It might be worth enquiring if you can split the dose and take some at lunch time. Never take it in the evening because you will never sleep.
 
Old doctor took me of Ramipril for a few months as they can cause a cough, no alternative offered, then put me back on them when blood pressure went through the roof. :confused:

New doctor has taken me back off Ramipril again, though put me on an alternative, been struggling with high blood pressure since the old doc originality took me off the Ramipril, its not come back down. Just hoping new meds will get to grips with it.

BP fluctuated between 162 / 85 and 142 / 85 mostly at the 160 region.

The dose is split into 3 times a day, looks like tea time will be the last time to take it not bed time as I would of done. Just need to pick up the prescription and see what happens.
 
finally picked up the prescription, and have to take the 6 tablets all in one go not spaced out over the day.
 
That's the way they prescribe it for me as well. Never, ever take them on an empty stomach!
 
Thanks LeeLee, took them with food, as was sorting out a hypo as well at the time of taking them.
 
Getting ready for a very late tea, should be nearing hypo due to time span between lunch and now BS 10.4 not nice. After lunch BS was 9.8 thought slightly over did the correction, may be not and wonder what BS peaked at during the last 4 hours :(.
 
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