I have been having issues with right bicep/shoulder for a while, got real bad about 4 weeks ago, enough that I decided to go see doctor for pain as it was bad enough that I could not insert or even touch my left arm with my right and thus use that site for insert site. MRI, doc sent to orthopedic doc and I have calcified/inflamed bicep tendons. OD said easily taken care of with “Steroid injection fluoroscopy of the shoulder” I mentioned I heard that this raises hell with diabetes and he said only for a couple days, then instruction booklet said 7-10 days, I scheduled it before holiday where I’ll be home for 4 days after. Anyone with more direct experience so I can prepare myself, be glad to hear from you…
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I had a cortisone injection for arthritic shoulder pain about 10 years ago, and unfortunately the orthopedist was unaware there were any issues for diabetics. I was having super-high BGs for at least a week–more like two, if memory serves. But I think if you’re prepared for it you should be able to deal, especially if you use a pump. A bit harder with basal-bolus MDI I would think, but basically just a matter of upping your lantus or levemere. I was still on R/NPH when I had it, which made it a lot harder to deal with.
Did you find a decreased sensitivity to bolus doses as well or mostly a need for more basal?
Thanks Drbb, I thought it was you who had written about this before. so the instructions are closer at 7-10 days huh? I figure up the basil rates to start right away and then just chase the dragon testing a bit more than usual. BTW I have an endo appoint next week and was scheduled for injections this Friday but changed that to after endo Appointment, knowing this would kick the crap out of BAC if I got it done before.
Like I say, it was about 10 yrs back when I was on R/NPH and not bolusing for meals individually like you do with Novolog or Humalog. So I really had only a much cruder grasp of what was going on. Maybe someone with more recent experience will weigh in.
As to why I was still on R/NPH, well, that’s a much longer, angrier, and not particularly on-topic story…
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Sounds like a good call. My memory is that it actually took about 3 weeks before I was sure I was totally rid of it, though I’m sure that differs by individual metabolism, and it may be that the current formulation of cortisone isn’t as bad in this regard. I think being mentally prepared would have made a huge difference, and the fact that it took a long time to figure out WTF was going on may have colored my impression. I just thought something had gone seriously haywire and had no idea what it was.
I had one for a injured shoulder a couple years back and I had to increase my basal for it for a couple days. Unfortunately I can’t remember the exact % but I believe it was around 20%.
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“Roids” (steroid-based medications) and blood sugars do NOT play well together. Most PWDs struggle with sky-rocketing BGs for days after steroid use.
Not to mention the fact that roids can cause a host of other bothersome side effects…
Sometimes you just can’t get around the need for steroid medication, however. But I would avoid it whenever possible.
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I pretty fairly have steroid added to my medication. When I do (yes I avoid them) I go to Lantus and supplement the pump with lantus. I take the number basal I take and divide that in half then inject each half every 12 hours. I will then make adjustments using normal bolus process. I keep my basal lever the same on my pump.
i start comin off og it in as many as 48 hours oe as long as 4 days
stopping a half will give you cover
Ask you doctor to write a 1 vial of Lants plus syringes i do this 6 times a year and it words pretty well
rick
I had a cortisone shot in my ankle a few months ago and It gave me high bloodsugar and insulin resistance for almost a month.
I had to increase my lantus by nearly 50% and my I:C ratio went from 1:10 to 1:6. The stupid shot didn’t even help for more than a week either. It turns out the “swelling” in my ankle was actually severe impingement and a pinched nerve.
I’ve never had a cortisone injection, but my sister has had upwards to a dozen or so… We both now firmly believe that they are no good- they do more harm than good.
Curious about other steroids in general. I take Flonase… I’ve been on and off of it since the allergy season is pretty much over for me, but would a spray or two make a difference with blood sugars? Maybe that’s the cause for some of my spikes here and there.
Two reasons to avoid Cortisone I guess.
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Thanks all for chiming in, will be talking to endo next week about this, see where we go.
avoid cortisone injections if at all possible. too many of us diabetics see our bgs soar into the stratosphere and I’m one of them. Even 3X the normal amount of insulin doesn’t get my bgs below the mid 200’s, day and night til the cortisone is out of my system. therefore I have often refused to use prednisone or get injections.
Am having a steriod injection for frozen shoulder in 10 days. On insulin pump so would I just do a +tbr and test more for a few days? Diabetes nurse didn’t have much advice. Thanks.
Seem to be the consensus and realize you’ll still probably be high. Mine is in 9 days so maybe I;ll have more advice after next week.
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Thank you JC14 good luck with yours.
I had a cortizone injection in wrist ~10 years ago. Advice from endo was to up both basal and carb ratio by 20%. That did not touch the insulin (in)sensitivity. From memory, I was at 50-100% increased basal and bolus and was there for 2-3 weeks. Had to take prednisone for 6 weeks ~7 years ago and insulin increase was similar. Test a TON and do not be surprised at how much increase in dosage you see. I also remember it taking longer for Humulog to actually work. No fun, but I did benefit from both uses of steroids. Good luck! Jessica
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Thank you @Jessica v kind. Really good info. I have a pump from diabetes team but they aren’t v up to date with pumps. Rep usually sees me every few months if I need any info. Thanks again.
Ok, this is first day after cortisone injection. Nothing noticeable until about 4 hours after. Normal bg before dinner and 2 hrs after. Stared rising before midnight, kept about 250 most of the night and before work this morning. At work was just over 300, blouses and ran a higher temp basil rate and ate an apple and coffee for breakfast, usually 43 carbs. Well it just kept going up to about 330, raised the temp basil rate to almost half a unit more than normal, ate nothing for lunch and went for a 2 mile walk instead. Down to 150 by mid afternoon and 116 now home from work. So it seems that the shot does not raise your sugar but as said before makes the insulin almost completely ineffective. Lite eating might be the only way to keep it down. I did not feel horrible during the day but wonder if longer exposure to 300 plus readings will wear me down. Will update daily. Good luck jo.
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Almost a week after injection and insulin resistance seems to be getting closer to normal. Still blousing a little more and testing more often but don’t have to run up the temporary basil rates like I did last week. Wondering how Jo_Aff made out with her injection?
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