Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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Buttercup-Kitty 12/30/2012

Hi everybody....meow,

I have to take 1 Tab of Dexamethasone 1.5mg every day. My doc prescribed it to be taken with breakfast, but it has caused Steroid-Induced Type 2 Diabetes. Also, my blood sugar readings are off the charts, thanks to this drug. ROWL!!! Also, I have awful insomnia around 2am. I didn't take it this morning (12/30)

I have done lots of research on Dexa, and I'm thinking of starting to take it at midnight with 1 cup of bland cereal. I called a pharmacy who knows me, and they said, it was safe to switch to midnight. So, I'm going to try midnight tonight. I'll post my reactions, but I'm not worried.

Does anyone else take this steroid? I gotta get the blood sugar meter readings down to the 110's. Right now, they are over 200.

I have re-read this post for errors. Hope it makes sense. I love this site.

Any advice is appreciated.....Purr

Buttercup Kitty

lexisgirl 12/30/2012

I took Prednisone which I know is a little different but they are all steriods. I took mine in the morning with food to avoid nausea. At bedtime, I took 35 mg of Benedryl to help me sleep. It worked like a dream.

I'm sorry you have high blood sugar. That is one of the side effects of steriods.

deleted_user 12/31/2012

I shifted to a plant based diet and made huge strides with my Hemeglobin A1C and fasting and with food glucose readings. Dr. Joel Fuhrman has a new book and it just came out about reversing diabetes... Might be worth the $20 to see what he has to say. I am plant strong and it made so many of my side effects and odd symptoms go away. I am using it in conjunction with Medrol ( my steroid) and IVIG. Even when i went back up on the medrol to 24mg a day my glucose levels have remained lower than the last time i was on these doses when i was not plant strong. Good luck to you, so sorry you are suffering, Shawna

deleted_user 12/31/2012

I was given Dexamethasone after my spine surgery. It tends to be stronger than prednisone or Medrol. I couldn't tolerate it for very long, as it gave me terrible nightmares/sleep paralysis. Plus, it really didn't help with my post-op pain.

nanny1611 12/31/2012

Like lexisgirl, I was on prednisone, starting at 100 mg. per day and then tapering down. Lowering my carbs and eating lots of vegetables and meat helped me keep my glucose readings below 200. You might want to get the book that Shawna mentioned. Changes to your diet might be helpful.

trpt1 12/31/2012

The good thing about type 2 diabetes is that it is curable for many people. It sounds like you need to know how to coordinate your high & low blood sugars. You should see your doctor of internal meds. The doctor will help you know when you will spike, and when to expect the low sugars.

If you are over weight, then losing the weight will bring your blood sugars down considerably. Good Luck. Keep us posted.

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