I don't get those symptoms, but my husband was diabetic and anytime he was on prednisone or medrol, he had problems controlling and had to go to insulin. Are you diabetic? How is it that you have a meter to check? C

Actually yes and I've been on pred for 6 years. I thought I had a thyroid problem, never thought about diabetes nor has my doctor. Sigh.

I can tell you that my primary gave me a home blood sugar monitor and told me to start watching.

I don't have any dangerous symptoms yet (he said anything over 160 to watch more closely) but he also said that with my weight issues and the pred that I am a prime candidate for prednisone induced diabetes.

I am also getting facial hair....but I thought maybe it was just getting older.....only a few that I pluck as they come(about once a month).

I would definitely call your primary if you can't get in with your rheumy....they would be the ones to handle diabetes anyway.

Good Luck......

Marianne

CandiMaggie...Three years ago I had to check my blood sugar levels because it was low. That was before I was diagnosed with RA. I have an appointment with my primary care Dr on Wednesday. My RA Dr's office made me pretty mad when I talked to them. Couldn't even tell me if the problem would resolve after stopping the prednisone or how long it would take for it to get out of my system. The nurse just kept saying to make an appointment with my primary care DR!!! Thanks for the replies!

I was pre-diabetic before the prednisone. Now I have to take Metformin and I'm a type 2 diabetic. Prednisone: the drug that just keeps on giving!

Lifeis2short,

Ive been a type 1 diabetic for 30 years and you describe the classic symptoms of diabetes. Drinking a lake and peeing a river! My husband was just diagnosed with type 2 and had those symptoms as well. Another symptom of being high is also feeling hot. Low you tend to feel cold and high hot. So if you cant seem to get your clothing to match the temperature it could be another symptom of it.

For me and most diabetics according to my endocrinologist (these are doctors who specialize in the endocrine system which the pancreas that produces the insulin is part of yes yet another doctor to add to the regime) regular oral prednisone last on average between 6 to 10 hours for increasing the blood sugars. The steroid injections Ive had so far for me last around 10 days.

This doesn't mean though if you have type 2 diabetes now that it will go away in 10 hours or 10 days after stopping steriods but it would be highly suspicious to me that it won't go away after that amount of time has passed.

Was the 139 reading a fasting reading (one where you hadnt eaten for at least 8 hours or drank any carbs)? If so than it could be a concern otherwise dont be too surprised if your GP thinks nothing of it but says to keep an eye out cause as WVMel said Prednisone: the drug that just keeps on giving!

Thanks so much for sharing these posts! I have an eye problem that my Retina specialist figured was because of Diabetes. However, I am not Diabetic.. but I have taken Predisone 4 times this year! Researched and that could be the cause of the eye problem. Have had some of those same side effects too. Sometimes I think we have to figure it out alone and then tell the Dr. I started keeping a diary too. Love those days when there is not a "pain" entry because it is not enough to mention. Hang in there everyone!

Yes I have had prednisone induced diabetes. At first took oral tablets but after a few months they had to change it to insulin injections. When I got off the prednisone the diabetes was gone. That was 10 yrs ago. I now am back on low dose prednisone and so far my blood sugar is testing normal.