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I’m having worsening neuropathy while talking higher doses prednisone for pmr. I bought a glucose monitor. 3 hours after supper it was 172.

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
NC

I think this is too high. Is this the reason for my growing discomfort in my feet? Will this improve as I should go from 15 mg to 10 mg on Monday hopefully

July 24
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MyLupusTeam

A blood sugar reading of 172 mg/dL three hours after eating is indeed higher than the typical target of under 140 mg/dL post-meal. This is a valid concern worth discussing with a doctor right away.

Prednisone can raise blood sugar in several ways:

- Causing or worsening insulin resistance
- Increasing glucose production in Show Full Answer

A blood sugar reading of 172 mg/dL three hours after eating is indeed higher than the typical target of under 140 mg/dL post-meal. This is a valid concern worth discussing with a doctor right away.

Prednisone can raise blood sugar in several ways:

- Causing or worsening insulin resistance
- Increasing glucose production in the liver
- Changing how the pancreas works
- Increasing appetite, leading to weight gain

Elevated blood sugar can contribute to nerve discomfort, so it's quite possible this is playing a role in the foot symptoms being experienced. The good news is that reducing from 15 mg to 10 mg may help. Prednisone's side effects, including blood sugar spikes, are closely tied to dosage — lower doses generally mean fewer and less severe side effects.

In the meantime, some dietary steps that may help manage blood sugar while on prednisone include:

- Reducing added sugars and processed foods
- Choosing fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods
- Cutting back on sodium, which also helps with swelling

That said, a reading of 172 is something a doctor should know about before Monday's dose change — don't wait on that conversation!

July 24
A MyLupusTeam Member

Go to the ER if your discomfort worsens.

July 24
A MyLupusTeam Member

Hello Elisha. I have polymyalgia. They treat it with prednisone and I started with 20 mg. It is slowly reduced so the symptoms won’t come back. It can take 2 years or longer to completely be off of steroids. The hope is for it to go into remission and stay that way. But if it tapered too quickly the symptoms will come back.

July 25
A MyLupusTeam Member

Just curious, why do they have you on that dose? My daily dose is 5 mg, and my rheumatologist is adamant about not going any higher because of those said issues and future bone loss. I was frustrated at first until I did my own research, and with me being 47, I am going to have to remain on prednisone for however long, so I probably should do a long low-dose stint rather than a high dose, although I do feel amazing on the higher dose.🤗

July 25
A MyLupusTeam Member

I’m hoping the decrease in prednisone to 10 mg will take care of my problems. It has caused muscle myopathy already and I’ve been going to PT and doing those stretches and strengthening exercises at home and eating more protein and I’ve seen some improvement there. Prednisone is taking a toll on me.

July 25

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