Hi,

[charpug]

Just checking into the forum for the first time. I am type 2, but insulin dependent due to high dose long term Prednisolone use
(devils tic tacs)

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

Which insulin(s) do you have and how are you managing with them? Are you also on other diabetes medication?
Is there anything particular which brings you to the forum ie any particular difficulties that you need help with or just wanting to compare notes with others?
Feel free to ask anything. We have a very broad range of experiences so it is rare for there not to be at least someone who has had similar issues and come up with a strategy to deal with it.
Hope you find the forum as hugely beneficial as I have since my diagnosis.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @charpug I am glad that you have found us.

How are you getting on with your management.
If you are happy to tell us which insulin’s you are using it helps us in our responses.
I look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[charpug]

Hello again and thank you for your responses 🙂. Firstly I have Myasthenia Gravis which is still quite rare in this country only 12,000 recorded sufferers however this figure is rising. The only medication option for me is steroids. I have two A4 sheets with medication that I cannot take as it may will put me in crisis and I could end up in ICU again. I use slow release Insuman Basal Solostar 100 IU/ml twice a day 12 units in the morning then top up with 6 in the evening. I also use Apidra Solostar 100 Units/ml solution 3ml and inject 3 to 7 units with or after meals depending on what the prednisolone has been doing to my sugar levels. Steroids start peaking early evening so instead of wearing off by then the affects on my levels gets worse. I don't know if this happens to everyone on steroids. My 3 monthly reading was 51 (still don't quite understand this) even after reading about it on here. But the diabetes team taking care of me are not unduly concerned because of the steroids. I initially visited the Diebetes UK site to see if there was anything about sickness & diarrhoea and what to do about your insulin. I have continued to take my slow release so as not to shock my body, but have had to watch out for hypos. I normally test at least 10 times a day however during this bout of illness I have been testing through the night as well and having to eat something at what I consider to be the wrong times. Glucose or dextrose tablets, gels and so on always always upset my tummy so that is a catch 22. Ah! the joys of life 😉 Thanks again and any advise welcome

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @charpug

Sorry to hear about your health challenges, and how steroids have impacted your blood glucose levels. Not an uncommon side effect, but really tricky when long term steroid use is needed.

Your 51 will be your HbA1c. There are some details about that measure, and what it means here

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).

www.diabetes.org.uk

Is there anything in particular you are unsure about or don’t understand about it?