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Suggest Treatment For Nerve Pain After Surgery
Question: I have type 2 diabetes. I am taking methylpred following back surgery. My doctor warned I could get high blood sugar, but I wasn't getting much relief of the nerve pain after surgery, so I thought it was worth trying. I started it yesterday & today, I have a racing heart & a Bsl of 262
Brief Answer:
Need frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your question.
Noted your concern.
It is usual for steroids to increase blood sugar levels with predominant effect on post-prandial blood sugar levels.
This rise in blood sugar level is usually for the period of steroid use only which eventually come back to normal few days after stopping steroids.
In the presence of diabetes blood sugar may rise to serious high levels with use of methyl-prednisolone.
Close monitoring of blood sugar levels before and 2 hours after each meal (rather than single reading of 262) may help in deciding the line of action for better blood sugar level.
Usually metformin is effective in controlling the steroid induced high blood sugar levels but depending upon blood sugar level use of short acting insulin prion to each meal may be suggested.
I may not suggest avoiding steroids only in view of high blood sugar in clinically indicated cases.
Use of insulin made it easy to control blood sugar level.
Fast heart beats may or may not be related to steroid use but detailed physical examination will help in deciding appropriate management.
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Dr. Abhay Mali.
Diabetologsit.
Need frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your question.
Noted your concern.
It is usual for steroids to increase blood sugar levels with predominant effect on post-prandial blood sugar levels.
This rise in blood sugar level is usually for the period of steroid use only which eventually come back to normal few days after stopping steroids.
In the presence of diabetes blood sugar may rise to serious high levels with use of methyl-prednisolone.
Close monitoring of blood sugar levels before and 2 hours after each meal (rather than single reading of 262) may help in deciding the line of action for better blood sugar level.
Usually metformin is effective in controlling the steroid induced high blood sugar levels but depending upon blood sugar level use of short acting insulin prion to each meal may be suggested.
I may not suggest avoiding steroids only in view of high blood sugar in clinically indicated cases.
Use of insulin made it easy to control blood sugar level.
Fast heart beats may or may not be related to steroid use but detailed physical examination will help in deciding appropriate management.
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Dr. Abhay Mali.
Diabetologsit.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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