Train Wreck

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1

Train Wreck

Yesterday I was a mess. Not my usual, oh rick is annoying mess, I mean a diabetic mess. I had my Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) treatment and the drug that is used is called Rituxan and it comes loaded with steroids. Well the treatment went fine, the usual dry heaves which called the inclusion of Phenergan, which put me to sleep for 5 hours at the facility. The sleep itself was pretty good, but I awoke to a diabetic mess from the steroids.

Steroids of course cause high blood sugar and so this was not an unexpected outcome. The trouble was of course first I was asleep, so my blood sugar climbed with little notice, and less treatment. So when I woke up I was out of control. I hate being out of control.

Once home I followed my drugs and immediately went to sleep. I gave myself a high dose of insulin, checked my blood sugar and it was up again. This time over 400 and I went to sleep. 4 hours later I woke up and my blood sugar was over 590 so the insulin press started. I know yesterday I put in about 300 units of insulin. I was not in a good place. At midnight I had it down to a little less than 250 and by 1 AM it was slightly over 200. That is when I sat down and went to sleep. I think for about 40 minutes when my wife woke me and at that time my blood sugar stay about the same, but I had pushed so much insulin I was afraid to try sleeping again.

Overnight the dry heaves returned in a nice fit, but the good news is that the blood sugar was normal. At nice normal 115 and all was well. I ate an apple and started the morning with a typical blood sugar. Order has been restored. Well except I am as sleepy as can be.

So, yes yesterday I was a train wreck. But, yesterday is over. Today is a new day, I have some things to do, but it will be a light basically nonproductive day. Days like yesterday are scary for me. This brings back my memories of June 1974 and Disney world, minus the insulin of course. Then I was a train wreck for a week before being diagnosed. I suppose most type 1’s, and maybe a little different, but many type 2’s have similar memories of their train wrecks. I know when I have train wrecks, it serves to keep me in check. A reminder really, as much as I hate this disease, I know what happens if I stop treating it. And if I did stop treating it I would be tough to live with oh and I would be drinking a lot and sleeping more. Not a good match.

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Rick

2

I used to have that same exact problem!! I was on Orencia. It's given by infusion and steriods are given as a precaution in case of a reaction. My blood sugar would go crazy even when they cut the steriod dose in half. I set a temperary basal of 150% now. That usually helps, but sometimes it's still a mess.

3

Shana, I used to Orecncia, how is it working out for you? I hope well, I did not get much out of it.

Rick

4

I've been on that same train, as you know Rick. Sorry that you have to deal with it. I've been on steroids for many years for RA but the dose of Medrol to go with the Rituxan is just another kick in the pants and more Insulin.

You have to admit Rick, that that is one of the best sleeps that you've had during the 5 hour infusion. Cup half full. :D I'm glad that you are back on solid ground and hopefully feeling better in the long run.

All I got out of the biologic drugs was a high ESR except for the Actemra. I'm off Rituxan for 2 months now and my ESR is back down to 4 thankfully(although the same pain exists).

Enjoy your week Rick!!

5

Terrie, you never cease to inform me. I have never heard of ESR, until I went and looked unit up. Thanks for the education, who knows I may have high ESR? Of course I may not as well. Lol

Rick

6

Oh you're always welcome Rick. Glad to help. That is just one of the many tests that is done on us RA/Diabetic Patients. I've been receiving a copy of my test results for many years, so I know what is going on with me. My Drs. and I discuss any test that may be out of the norm. You educated me and lifted my spirits lots of times during the years, as I'm sure you know. Thank YOU!!! :oD

7

Orencia started working well for me in the beginning, but now I don't see much of a difference.