Thought I would document how a steroid injection changes my sugar levels and any related concerns. I am getting a steroid shot in my L5-6 due to a stress fracture and constant pain. I have been in physical therapy for one month. This is kind of a last resort. No surgery can repair my pain without being too intrusive for any substantial improvement
I am 5’11" 190 lbs. type 1 with a A1c of 7.8. I’ve been a diabetic for 20 yrs. Being diabetic is second nature. I take 50 units of Lantus a day. Humalog for short term control.
As of this morning when I woke up I was 170, a little high but stress from this may be elevating it slightly. I’m usually 150 or better.
I had peanut butter toast with my 2 yr old son this morning and took 5 units of Humalog. We are headed out the door now for the hospital.
I had pills a couple of years ago, for a stubborn cough that lingered for like a month (2x bottles of codeine cough syrup, 1x bottle of vicodin cough syrup, LOTR+ Star Wars...) and doubled my basal rate to 200% the normal rate. I probably wouldn't do that with shots though...
Good luck today! I had a steroid shot in my hand several months ago (trigger finger, may or may not have been D-related -- I'm a systems guy so use my hands a LOT doing keyboard stuff; I've also been a guitar player for the past 39 years...). Man, that shot sent my sugars LOOPY! I was up in the 300s for days on end, no matter how much bolus I did with meals. Finally settled back in though as the 'roid dissipated into me -- maybe about six or seven days in. This was an expected reaction.
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Oh, dear. I hope you do OK. I had steroids injected into my shoulder capsule a few years back after a (slight/quick) dislocation. (Worst pain of my life, that darn shoulder.)
My blood glucose went through the roof.
Test, test, test and correct, eh?
I had a steroid injection into my shoulder about 6 weeks ago. My doc and I had talked about the effect on bg and I looked for a rise in bg's and expected a rise in insulin needs... but didn't see any. Maybe my doc used a smaller dose or the targeted injection just doesn't have such a big effect on bg's.
I contrast that with others that take steroid pills, and see a substantial increase in insulin needs, or with others who got a steroid shot into a joint and had high bg's. Maybe I got lucky. Or maybe talking about bg's with my doc helped him choose a steroid dose or a type of steroid that minimized bg effects.
So it’s been about 10hours since the injection. The injection hurt like hell. And my left hip and joint hurt.
My sugars have been hanging around 250. I have tripled my usual short term insulin and still have high sugars. I might increase my basil rate tonight 4 units. I’ve drank 5 glasses of water and one diet Coke. Hoping tomorrow is better. Thanks for all your input! It’s been helpful.
I also did a lot of pushups. I asked the doc "will this stuff make me studly?" and he was like "oh no, it's not like that..." so I went home and looked them up and, since they were banned, I figured "what the hell..." and pushed it extra. I am still waiting for the rippling muscles though...
Yep. Be careful -- don't go all out on the boluses. I think that could make for some hairy times a few hours out. That said, your body is different and could react quite differently to your short-acting insulin. Good that you came here and read the previous experiences.
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I don't have any rippling muscle to share, but if you need any extra body fat...?
(Not the kind of "bulk" you were hoping for, I know.)
So after a pretty restless night due to some hip pain my sugar was 215. I took triple the short term dosage again and had 4 scrambled eggs. They have very little effect on blood sugar. Just like many meats and cheeses.
And of course a diet coke.
I had a shot at L4-5 last year. I did end up doubling my basal rate. Same thing with steroidal nasal spray for a sinus infection that wouldn't quit. The trick is keeping a really close eye so you don't wait too long to lower it.
Hope it helps!