Does insulin pump help with prednisone induced high sugars

• By uveitisguy
• Reply 3344866
• September 3, 2012 at 6:01 pm
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it sounds like you need more training, what brand of pump do you have? did you have a 'trainer' provided by the pump manufacturer to help you get your basl insulin adjusted properly for various times of the day (usually the day can be cut up into 4 periods with different amounts of insulin). then calculating the right amount of carbs per meal and then giving an appropriate bolus insulin.

I have a medtronic insulin pump and they have a 1 800 number to call for help. you need to contact your endocrinologist and adjust your basal insulin rates to get things controlled beter.
I have problems too but overall I feel better and use about 1/2 the insulin I did before.

if your fatigue is from a sarcoidosis flare up, it can be difficult to get your blood glucose controlled. i Have to test at least 5 times a day and give a bolus if needed to help keep my glucose below 140.

I also use a book called:
The CalorieKing
calorie fat and carbohydrate counter

it costs $8.99
I check for serving size and carbohydrates for any item. it has a fast food checker too for most fast food restaurants in the USA.
my pump does the math for me calculating how much insulin remains in my body from previous input so I can't screw up. my meter sends a message to the pump too so i can't accidentally put in the wrong number.

hope this helps,
Mike

• By brucelee
• Reply 3345339
• September 3, 2012 at 9:26 pm
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I think it's better for you to see a doctor ,let the doctor adjust the dosage of the insulin . and also you should also pay attention to the food you eat . the quantity should be stable and also every have your meals at the same time . do some light exercise after you eat . this can help your sugar stable ,and will be more easier to control .

• By wizlover
• Reply 3370723 · In reply to 3344866 by uveitisguy
• September 12, 2012 at 11:31 pm
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Mike, thanks. yes I did have a nurse educator helping me for a bit, but the prednisone sugars were never controlled. I finally cleared with my doctor that I could adjust the pump myself to get things better controlled. I did get the Calorie King book on my Kindle and love it. It helps a lot. I am doing better now, probably because I'm not eating related to my Cranial nerve problem, but I guess my learning curve took longer than I expected. Am doing better now. Sandy

• By wizlover
• Reply 3370730 · In reply to 3345339 by brucelee
• September 12, 2012 at 11:35 pm
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Thanks, I did speak with the doctor who helped with adjustments and gave me permission to adjust it myself for my needs. As for the exercise, I walk or ride my bike. Due to my pulmonary Sarcoid, its all I can manage. I walk or ride after breakfast and dinner, the amount depends on my fatigue level. I am hoping this will change with the switch to Biologics.

• By uveitisguy
• Reply 3371585
• September 13, 2012 at 10:26 am
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Glad you are doing better with the management of your diabetes. how are your kidneys and eyes doing? are you having lows of glucose? my vision is blurry whey it goes below 80. I lose 3 lines on the eye chart if low.
have you developed neuropathy or vascular problems?

take care,
mike

• By wizlover
• Reply 3371982
• September 13, 2012 at 12:16 pm
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Mike,
Eyes are more blurry and I did get new glasses. I do have double vision at times, but it doesn't last. Kidney's are great, I just had some tests done on them. I don't have a problem with neuropathies unless I have too much sugar. But I do have a problem with swelling in the ankles, particularly the left. As a nurse, I always noticed that people with heart issues had this problem. Since my Dad died of CHF, that always stays in the back of my mind. My cardiac workup turned out okay, except for the pulmonary hypertension. My cardiologist released me to the pulmonary doctor. They tell me its the Pulmonary Sarcoid causing this.

• By uveitisguy
• Reply 3372543
• September 13, 2012 at 3:43 pm
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double vision is often related to optic neuritis or neruological disease. if not treated it can cause the optic nerve to no longer function. cupping of the optic disc occrus and the disc has palor, not pink like it should be.
the optic nerve behind the eye can also become inflammed and demylinated. sarcoidosis can cause demylinating disease similar to MS both in the Brain, eyes and arms and legs. if demylination is present and you overheat, you can temporarily lose function of limbs and vision. they thought I had this as my vision would white out in both eyes, they finally did a contrast MRI (MRA) and it showed lesions on my brain but no demyliating disease. so, the white outs were caused by Transcient Ischemic attacks occuring in the back of my brain where vision is processed. I also lost my balance for a day at the same time. so TIA occured in that part of the brain as well.

having and vision disturbance not related to migrane with aura should be evaluated right away. if it is optic neuritis or demylinating disease it has to be treated right away with IV solumedrol.

take care,
Mike

just a heads up,
Mike