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    • 14 hours, 9 minutes ago
      Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
      If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
      The hospital made me disengage my pump and promised to monitor my BG. After 10 hours with an incorrect basal my BG was high and going up. No nurse or doctor was available to administer insulin. I finally reinstalled my pump and forced the hospital to acknowledge that they could not monitor my BG. After appealing to the hospital Board, after my stay, they started using CGM's in all the wards for diabetic patients.
    • 14 hours, 10 minutes ago
      Jeanne McMillan-Olson likes your comment at
      If you have been hospitalized for a reason unrelated to T1D and you were alert during your hospital stay, were you allowed to manage your own insulin dosage? (If you have been hospitalized for reasons unrelated to T1D multiple times, please select the option that describes your most recent hospital stay.)
      During my hospitalizations for cardiac issues, my endocrinologist (who does not do hospitals) told the attending endo that I was capable of managing the diabetes. I was allowed to mange pump and CGM without any problems. For one stay, I had a pump-using T1D nurse. This was the premier cardiac hospital in the western part of my state, so their handing of diabetes may be more advanced. There are two rules for handing the type 1 diabetic in a hospital setting. 1) Never separate the Type 1 diabetic from his or her insulin. 2) Let the expert in the room handle the diabetes. And bring your own supplies, because the hospital will not have pump supplies, CGM replacements, or your insulin.
    • 15 hours, 1 minute ago
      Jan Masty likes your comment at
      Have you (or your loved one with T1D) been diagnosed with retinopathy?
      No retinopathy... But AMD both eyes last 2 years...No treatment available... Unable to wright... bareley able to read only large type... use the talking guy hideing in my computer to read for me... Almost 91 years OLD.... 70 years T1D...
    • 15 hours, 28 minutes ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      I didn't have a stopwatch out, but it was about 12 to 15 minutes. There was a lot to go over (new devices, etc.). I probably got everything I needed, but, for some reason, I always feel rushed at this office.
    • 15 hours, 41 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      It was so long ago, I don't remember...
    • 16 hours, 33 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      It was over 20 minutes but since my Endo has me so well Regulated (A1c 5.4 - 5.6) even Medicare is allowing a Visit every 4 Months. Dex 6 and Tandem CIQ is my Cure!
    • 16 hours, 40 minutes ago
      Judy Hampton likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      My A1C is normally in the 5 to 6 range also, but I am lucky to have an Endo who answers any questions I may have and discourse on new technologies. He also checks my feet and eyes. He spends up to 40 minutes with me. I have been T1D for 59 years and have been through a pregnancy (hellish) also. I still have many questions about this disease and it’s effects on the rest of my body as I am very active.
    • 17 hours, 2 minutes ago
      Patricia Dalrymple likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
    • 17 hours, 4 minutes ago
      cynthia jaworski likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      I believe if you have good control and your A1C's prove it, maybe 10 to 20 minutes is enough. My A1C's are in the high 5's / low 6's so my session is usually complete within minutes tops, but there are probably other patients that should require a little more time from their endo to get them on a 'well managed' A1C path.
    • 17 hours, 11 minutes ago
      Anneyun likes your comment at
      If you are an adult with T1D, how much has type 1 diabetes affected your thought-process and decision to have/not have children?
      I was diagnosed at age 12 and I don’t remember anyone talking to me about having or not having children. I married at 23, had an unplanned pregnancy that began when I was 24. I was not seeing an endocrinologist at the time (in 1979), but my OB doctor sent me to one. Both of the doctors made comments to me about maybe ending the pregnancy, but my answer was a definite NO!!! It was a hard pregnancy without the better insulin and technology that is available today. I went into labor approximately 6 weeks before my estimated due date. Since a Caesarian had been planned, no one had explained anything to me about going through labor, so that took longer and was harder on me than it should have been. Anyway I delivered a 7 pound, 11 ounce boy. He had jaundice and a slight heart murmur at first , but that cleared up after a short stay in the hospital. My son is 42 now and bloodwork has indicated he will not become a T1D. Same with his 2 children. That was my only pregnancy. I am now 67.
    • 18 hours, 36 minutes ago
      Joan Fray likes your comment at
      During your most recent appointment, about how much time did you spend with your main T1D health care provider?
      It was so long ago, I don't remember...
    • 1 day, 9 hours ago
      TS likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      jo likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      jo likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I tried to donate them to my healthcare system but was told they were not allowed to take them. I tried a couple of other places- same story so I now will have to put them in the garbage
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I'm still looking for someone to give them to.
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
    • 1 day, 14 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      My other was gave them to the Endocrinologist office to give to people who needed them
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Trina Blake likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have decided to give them to my endo's office. They have a nice supply closet of donations, that they give to people in trouble. Since i have had to dip in that closet once, I now know how important that can be.
    • 1 day, 16 hours ago
      Richard Wiener likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I would love to learn of places to give/donate supplies!
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      pru barry likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I gave insulin to a friend for her cat who used the same as I did.( she also checked with her vet).
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      pru barry likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      I have given most to my doctor to give to someone in need. Some I gave to my chiropractor for his son.
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      Sue Martin likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      My unused diabetes supplies like meters, that I was given but don’t use, just sit in a drawer. I wish there was someplace to send them. Any ideas, folks?
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    If you have ever been prescribed steroids, did they have a noticeable impact on your blood glucose levels? Please share more about your experiences managing T1D while taking steroids in the comments.

    Home > LC Polls > If you have ever been prescribed steroids, did they have a noticeable impact on your blood glucose levels? Please share more about your experiences managing T1D while taking steroids in the comments.
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    How many times in the past 12 months did you have your A1c measured by a healthcare provider?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

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    76 Comments

    1. Wanacure

      I don’t know if applying a 2% steroid cream daily for a rash made a difference or not in bg levels. It must not have been very obvious.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    2. Wanacure

      Does the answer depend on type of steroid? Or whether the steroid is taken orally, injected, or as cream/ointment?
      One local doctor running a regenerative clinic claims that for his patients a pharmacy-compounded male sex hormone ointment (strength determined by periodic lab tests) can, in effect, increase motivation to exercise and yield other health benefits. His lab test measures hundreds of components claiming, “If you don’t test, you don’t know.” Con: $4000/year costs not covered by Medicare. Pro: He cites reputable cutting edge research published in Lancet and other medical journals where research is peer-reviewed. I have learned from his paid weekly 2-hour broadcast call-in show.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    3. Sharon Gerdik

      I do a temporary increased basal rate on my pump to help with elevated blood sugars while on steroids.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    4. Jan Masty

      I have been prescribed prednisone a few times in the past. I have to double and even triple my insulin during that use.

      3
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    5. Steve Rumble

      Oral steroids significantly raised my glucose levels..

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    6. kilupx

      I understand that cortisone is a type of steroid. On two different occasions I had cortisone shots in my hip for bursitis and each time my blood sugar was high and very very hard to bring down for 2 days. I had been warned that this might happen; the improvement in my hip made the unconvenience worth it.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    7. lis be

      I had steroid shots for trigger finger. It raised my blood sugar for about 5 days

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    8. Lawrence S.

      I was put on prednisone for about a week, last year. My blood sugars went up a lot. I had to run numerous personal profiles on my Tandem X2 pump. I ran 150%, 200%, 300% and 400%. During each day, I kept switching from one profile to another, depending upon what my blood glucose levels were. It was very mentally and physically draining. I was happy when I was taken off the prednisone.

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    9. The Diabetic Survivor

      Crazy sugars for one week after my shoulder distension arthrogram due to ‘diabetic’ frozen shoulder

      3
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    10. Nevin Bowman

      I will not take prednisone. It makes controlling blood sugar impossible.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    11. Carolann Hunt

      Just double or triple our insulin on those days. We add lantus to the regular pump

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lawrence S.

        Very interesting. I never heard of putting Lantus into a pump. Was that something your doctor suggested?

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
    12. Jane Cerullo

      Had steroid hip injections and had to watch BS for first few days. Also had infusions for thyroid eye disease. One of the side effects was hyperglycemia even for non diabetics but didn’t impact me at all.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    13. terrih57@msn.com

      I get them often for pinched nerves in my back. I have a special profile setting on my pump ( 30-40% higher)when I get injection. Steroids help my pain and raised pump profile sorta keeps my sugars in control. I definitely do more testing beyond com readings during that week.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    14. Meerkat

      Was given a VERY low dose by an ENT. It sent my levels up. It was a challenge to manage.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    15. Ginger Vieira

      UGH – yes! What a pain. I received a cortisone injection in my shoulder many years ago. I needed about 50% more insulin to simply keep my blood sugars in the mid-to-high 100s! Even that was a battle. It was frustrating but it only lasted for about a week.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    16. Kristine Warmecke

      I notice none to a slight raise in sugars wvengiven Prednisone or an injection in a joint. While on oral and IV dexamethasone my sugars went through the roof. The solution my endocrinologist and I came up with that worked, was to to use R Novoline (in an injection) on the days I took it orally twice a day and on treatment day I took an injection right before they began IV bag. It seemed to keep me at a more normal sugar level, thankfully. It’s along the same plan that Stanford used when I had my brain surgery there.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    17. Marty

      My BG doubled before I even got home after a cortisone injection in my knee. I managed to stay in range by increasing my basal by 75% and doubling correction boluses for about a week. Even though the pain went away for a while, research suggests that cortisone accelerates osteoarthritis progression so I don’t think I’d do it again.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
      1. Sherolyn Newell

        My arthritis doctor forgot to tell me about the cortisone effect. I spent 3 days trying to get my BG down and couldn’t figure out what wrong. Finally, it crossed my mind that maybe it was the cortisone injection and looked it up. About the time I found out the problem, things went back to normal.

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
      2. Marty

        When I resisted having a cortisone injection because I anticipated a BG problem, my sports medicine doctor told me the injection wouldn’t affect my BG unless I was “extremely sensitive”. Unfortunately, we can’t count on regular physicians to understand diabetes-specific issues.

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
    18. David & Kaleo of Team Nani

      Same for me as others, 200-300%,unresponsive to increased insulin or exercise.
      Steroids that I recall: prednisone, Albutrol.

      Also, Z pak (Azithromycin strong antibiotic for bad congestion) leads to similar spikes

      3
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    19. Robert Wilson

      Was around 700 for 5 days WITH massive boluses! Will never use steroids again. Ever.

      3
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    20. Janice Bohn

      While on steroids I had to add 50% to my basal insulin and then add 50 to 100% for bolus

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    21. John McHenery

      BS up so increased insulin

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    22. Sarah Berry

      I needed to take steroids for 5 days each time I did chemo. I am on Tandem x2 with CIQ so I created new profiles to use during the steroid days and the days after steroids’ were done. One profile was 2 x my normal doses of insulin.

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    23. William Bennett

      Emphatically yes, the first time I had a cortisone shot for an orthopedic problem. I wasn’t warned, and my BG inexplicably (to me) went through the roof for a week or more, very hard to bring down. I was on the old school R/N MDI routine back then, which made it even harder to manage. I did finally get informed by my PCP (or maybe my endo?) that this was a thing, and when I reported it to the Orthopedic surgeon he was totally gobsmacked. Had no idea that could happen. Seems like a pretty common blind spot among the breed.

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
      1. William Bennett

        OTOH, much more recently I had a cortisone shot for a shoulder issue, only this time it was quite different. The ortho’s spouse was T1 and very familiar with the phenomenon. She used a formula that was supposed to minimize the BG effect, and also did it with simultaneous ultrasound scanning to guide the needle to the specific spot in question, so a much smaller amount could be administered. After my previous experience I still expected bad things but I decided to go ahead because I’m now I’m using a pump and CGM, and much better able to monitor and respond to what was happening. But instead I had very little effect at all. But it’s definitely something to watch out for and bring up with your doctor.

        3
        1 month ago Log in to Reply
      2. Bonnie Lundblom

        Would you be able to get the name of the steroid drug name that was used “to minimize” the effect? I’m due to get my next steroid shot soon.

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
    24. Barbara Bubar

      Long ago, a cortisone shot in my knee for knee pain…followed by no way to catch my blood sugars so NEVER AGAIN!!

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    25. Barbara Bubar

      I should have added….IF that was the only solution for horrendous pain I am sure that with a pump and a CGM, though it would still be a challenge, it would be much more manageable today—as others have noted.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    26. Twinniepoo74

      My blood sugar rises after a hour of taking my steroids

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    27. Bruce Schnitzler

      A steroid injection into my knee to ease pain and inflammation after a fall. Pre-DexCom days, finger sticks every two hours during waking hours and insulin injection for a couple of days.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    28. Yaffa Steubinger

      I got a bad case of poison ivy twice and steroids were the only thing that helped…the poison ivy. Took a lot more insulin while on the steroids.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    29. Debra Nance

      My blood sugars went up and had to double n even triple insulin usage.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    30. Carol Meares

      I was prescribed steroids prior to getting T1D as an adult. I had sore joints and very tired. He did a lot of bloodwork prior. My blood sugar went up and he took me off the steroids. About a year later I was diagnosed with diabetes, T2 at first then he put me on insulin when glucophage did nothing for 6-12 months.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    31. Janelle Stallkamp

      It’s like chasing a freight train, you really have to increase your basal rate for a few days.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    32. Cristina Jorge Schwarz

      Yes. I had a bad case of poison ivy and was prescribed extra strength topical hydrocortisone, early on in my diagnosis. Within an hour, I went from 90 to 175mg/dL, and kept climbing. I increased my basal rate 200% – double my normal rate – just hovered at 150mg/dL! I was so resistant.

      It was a terrible time, with migraine after migraine. My sites blew out quickly (less than a day) with so much insulin. I now avoid steroids – and poison ivy – like the plague.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    33. cynthia jaworski

      a cortisone shot in my elbow had no noticeable affect on blood glucose. The first time was before cgms and the 2nd, years later, was during the cgm era. Booth times the cortisone was completely effective against the pain.
      More recently a 5 day course of prednisone created blood sugar havoc. I was given a progressively lower dose each day, and could watch how the effect on glucose diminished accordingly. It DID clear up my eczema. I would look into other options before repeating the experience with prednisone, but I would not rule it out.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    34. kathy scott

      This is my second day on steroids (Covid, chest) and have increased insulin all around by 200%…. and still run high. Our next step is 250%, then 300% if needed. The steroid is a low dose for 5 days.
      True, drs don’t like to give steroids to diabetics for BG reasons. I chose to bite the bullet at the beginning instead of staying sick for 6-8 weeks like before.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    35. Sherrie Johnson

      Cortisone injection in my knee threw me for a loop all weekend. Glucose went up to 400 is and it took all weekend to get it down. I used many units to get it down and then it kept going up. Terrible experience I will never use it again.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    36. Lyn McQuaid

      YES! And, unfortunately, the doctor did not warn me ahead of time so, like someone else said, it was like chasing a runaway freight train. I should not be surprised that they did not tell me, though, as the nurse who had seen me before the doctor came in commented that it was nice that I was no longer diabetic after she saw that my latest A1c was 5.3. I had to explain to her that *yes* I was indeed diabetic as it took careful usage of exogenous insulin to achieve that A1c!

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    37. Bob Durstenfeld

      I have take Prednisone for severe respiratory issues. It definitely raised my BG and made it harder to manage my T1D within range.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    38. Rebecca Killion

      Took steroid shots for severe back pain. I had to stop because my blood sugar would get as high as 600 and had to take frighteningly high amounts of insulin to wrestle it back down to just normal high.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    39. Kathy Morison

      My sugars are always elevated up to high 300’s to low 400’s

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    40. Sue Martin

      I received a kidney transplant 1.5 years ago. The prednisone the dose they had me on at first raised my BG. They changed my insulin to N from glargine. I was so glad when my dose was reduced to 5 mg and I could go back to using glargine.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    41. Maureen Helinski

      I could/should have steroids for shoulder arthritis, but have put it off because I know they cause problems with BGs.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    42. Amanda Barras

      Because of others, anytime my docs suggest steroid I luckily have been able to turn it down. But, I haven’t yet been in the position where it was absolutely necessary. I’m dreading the day I’ll have no choice as a path to recovery from something. I’ve heard nothing but horror story’s of extreme highs on them.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    43. Vicki Breckenridge

      If I get a steroid injection or have had to take oral, I turn my basal rates up 150% which helps tremendously.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    44. TS

      Oh my goodness! Yes! They injected my knee twice with steroids and both times my blood sugars remained uncontrollably high for at least a month. They also tried it to treat my trigger finger and the same thing happened. The next time I developed trigger finger in another finger, the doctor just did surgery and it worked great! But yes, steroids adversely effected my bs. It was weird though…..there was nothing predictable about it. They just stayed high no matter how much insulin I took.

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    45. Mick Martin

      That REALLY depends on which specific type(s) of steroids you’re referring to.

      When I was taking prednisone, which is a glucocorticoid, yes, it DID have a noticeable impact on my blood glucose levels. It raised my blood glucose levels so high that I had to be admitted to hospital. (I was prescribed this to help with the pain and swelling that I had when I had adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) in both of my shoulders at the same time. Physiotherapy served no useful purpose in my case, and steroid injections was followed up with the prednisone.)

      On the other hand, I’ve been taking Fludrocortisone, which is a corticosteroid, for about 20 years now with no noticeable impact on my blood glucose levels. (I take fludrocortisone to stimulate my adrenal glands to ‘push up’ my blood pressure as I have severe ambulatory hypotension (postural hypotension). What compounds matters is that I also have hypertension (high blood pressure), for which I take Lisinopril, which lowers my blood pressure so much that I require the fludrocortisone to raise it again the next morning.)

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    46. Pauline M Reynolds

      I have taken steroids twice for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and prednisone raises my BG’s a lot, even to the 300’s. Serendipity: thanks for reminding me. Having another bout of PMR and just took the first prednisone about two hours ago!

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    47. Anthony Harder

      I did not have a steroid prescription, per se. Rather, I had steroid injections as part of orthopedic treatments. They caused significant issues with my glucose management and did little to provide relief for he original orthopedic issue.

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    48. TomH

      Went in for hernia surgery, BGs required higher doses to control; contacted the doc, he checked the records and IV fluid contained some steroids.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    49. Becky Cain

      I had many steroid injections over a period of time 15-20 years ago for 5 trigger fingers and 2 carpel tunnels. All finally resolved with surgeries. In the earliest of those days (pre-pump and CGM), my BGs stayed in decent range. In later years, they were horribly high. My doctor said they were using a different manufacturer of cortisone and it was causing much higher BGs.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    50. Mary Boudousquie

      I’ve taken steroids before & never will again. Couldn’t get my blood sugars under 300 no matter how much I increased my insulin. Now if a Dr suggests it as treatment I just tell him I can’t take them.

      4
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
      1. KarenM6

        Yes, Mary!!
        I had my doctor list me as being allergic to them!

        1
        1 month ago Log in to Reply
      2. Marsha Miller

        Same!!

        1
        1 month ago Log in to Reply
    51. Carl Robertson

      Tried Flonase for sinus issues, definitely had an impact in term in increased insulin needs and difficulty bringing BGs back into range

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    52. KarenM6

      Oh my word, yes! Significant problems with blood sugars that would not come down for love nor money… and angry feeling all the time while on them. (For a sinus infection.)

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    53. Molly Jones

      Birth control pills are steroids. My need for insulin decreased by almost half after coming off of them more than a decade ago, but I had no idea why my sensitivity increased so dramatically as it took a while for them to completely leave my system. When I recently restarted them for a short amount of time and my insulin needs increased the very same day incredibly, I understood the reason.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
      1. C B

        No, bc pills are hormones. No steroids

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
      2. Molly Jones

        I made sure to look it up before hand on multiple sites to be sure they were considered steroids by everyone.
        A published article of “Oral steroid contraception” from pubmed.gov states “Oral steroid contraception is a popular method of family planning worldwide. Over the past several decades, this method of contraception has changed significantly by decreasing the estrogen dose, changing the progestin component, and reducing the hormone free interval.”
        They are steroid hormones. I assume we are both correct.

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
    54. Becky Hertz

      I had to increase my basal to 250%!

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    55. Vicki Andersen

      I had Bell’s Palsy and I was prescribed steroids. My blood sugar increased dramatically.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    56. Marsha Miller

      Scary Highs… never again. It was awful!

      2
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    57. Melinda Lipe

      Steroids always raise my blood sugars to an out of control range – over 200 for days at a time. I usually set my basals to double my usual rate and take boluses as needed.

      1
      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    58. Andrew Stewart

      I’ve had steroid injections to help sports injuries a few in the last 15 years and it was as if I stopped my insulin, both MDI and pump. I’m curious if non-T1D people experience insulin sensitivity issues or whatever our T1D issue is with steroids.
      #BeWell

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
      1. ConnieT1D62

        Good question re: Do non-T1D people experience elevated BG excursions when on steroids. Curious people want to know.

        1 month ago Log in to Reply
    59. cmangels

      Steroids had a terrible impact on blood glucose. I will always refuse steroids from now on, unless my life depends on it.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    60. C B

      It increased my insulin needs but I don’t let my bg get high. Correct A LOT to keep it down, carry fast carbs if I overdo it (rare). I am grateful steroids are available because they work and will continue to take them when needed

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    61. Keira Thurheimer

      Steroids raise my blood sugar significantly. I rake them as infrequently as possible and when necessary stop as soon as possible.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    62. Linda Pease

      I had to take an extra unit during the day which for me is a lot but when done it returned to normal levels took about two weeks for an infection

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    63. Bonnie Lundblom

      I’ve received steroid injections into my cervical spine “facets” and my finger for osteoarthritis, each time within 4 hours it was like my insulin was tap water. I turn my basal rate up to 250% and need to significantly increase bolus amounts and give many extra bolus doses for about 7 days.

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    64. PamK

      I had to take Prednisone orally. It raised my blood sugar considerably. 200% basals and I still had to bolus on top of that to get my blood sugar down to 250 mg/dl! I’d say that’s “noticeable!”

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    65. Mary Hennessey

      I stayed high (>250) the entire time

      1 month ago Log in to Reply
    66. Lisa McBride

      No, thank goodness! I know the likely impact prednisone (and similar steroids) would have on my blood sugar as my BG was tough to manage throughout my menstrual cycle (due to Progesterone, mainly). When I was not getting pregnant for NO MEDICALLY EXPLAINABLE REASON, the reproductive endo used a hormone to get me to ovulate which caused my BG to really go out of control. After two attempts, my husband and I decided enough and began working on adoption to save my long term health. So, I never want to have to take a steroid again!

      7 days ago Log in to Reply

    If you have ever been prescribed steroids, did they have a noticeable impact on your blood glucose levels? Please share more about your experiences managing T1D while taking steroids in the comments. Cancel reply

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