1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Diabetes and PMR

Posted by debjohn67 @debjohn67, Jun 28, 2023

I was diagnosed just a month ago. I was put on 12mgs per day of methylprednisolone. I also have diabetes and the prednisone is wreaking havoc on that. So I will be starting an infusion of Actemra on July 18. I guess the idea is to put me on that because it doesn't have that effect on diabetes. Just wondering if anyone else was put on an infusion so quickly after being diagnosed.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 28, 2023

Hi @debjohn67, You might find these discussions on Actemra helpful:
--- Actemra (Tocilizumab) to treat PMR??: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/actemra-tocilizumab-to-treat-pmr/
--- How hard is it to get on Actemra (Tocilizumab) with PMR?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-hard-is-it-to-get-on-actemra-tocilizumab-with-pmr/

REPLY
lanieg | @lanieg | Jun 29, 2023

I also have diabetes and PMR. My blood glucose is off the wall for me. Endocrinologist increased my insulin intake 3 fold and that has helped. However, neither endo nor rheumy have suggested Actemra.

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1 reply
debjohn67 | @debjohn67 | Jun 29, 2023

Are you taking prednisone? I am taking 12 mg a day which helps significantly with pain. I only take 1000mg of metformin for the diabetes but the prednisone increases my blood sugar so my endo added glimepiride twice a day which has helped. Supposed to start theActemra infusion in July 18. It will be monthly. Not too sure about that. Thanks for responding.

REPLY
1 reply
lanieg | @lanieg | Jun 30, 2023
In reply to @debjohn67 "Are you taking prednisone? I am taking 12 mg a day which helps significantly with pain...." + (show)
@debjohn67

Are you taking prednisone? I am taking 12 mg a day which helps significantly with pain. I only take 1000mg of metformin for the diabetes but the prednisone increases my blood sugar so my endo added glimepiride twice a day which has helped. Supposed to start theActemra infusion in July 18. It will be monthly. Not too sure about that. Thanks for responding.

Jump to this post

I am on prednisone 10mg per day split dose 5mg in am and 5mg in pm. Keeps the pain at bay but messes with bg as I said.

REPLY
1 reply
vandyms1974 | @vandyms1974 | Jul 4, 2023

Do you all think prednisone will CAUSE diabetes if you do not currently have it?

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 4, 2023
In reply to @vandyms1974 "Do you all think prednisone will CAUSE diabetes if you do not currently have it?" + (show)
@vandyms1974

Do you all think prednisone will CAUSE diabetes if you do not currently have it?

Jump to this post

I think so. Here's some information that explains the relationship between steroids and diabetes. It's something you may want to discuss with your doctor if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"Steroid-induced diabetes occurs when taking steroids for a health issue increases your blood glucose."
--- What to Know About Steroid-Induced Diabetes: https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/steroid-induced-diabetes

REPLY
1 reply
vandyms1974 | @vandyms1974 | Jul 4, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "I think so. Here's some information that explains the relationship between steroids and diabetes. It's something..." + (show)
@johnbishop

I think so. Here's some information that explains the relationship between steroids and diabetes. It's something you may want to discuss with your doctor if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"Steroid-induced diabetes occurs when taking steroids for a health issue increases your blood glucose."
--- What to Know About Steroid-Induced Diabetes: https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/steroid-induced-diabetes

Jump to this post

Thank you for this information.

REPLY
linda7 | @linda7 | Jul 4, 2023
In reply to @vandyms1974 "Do you all think prednisone will CAUSE diabetes if you do not currently have it?" + (show)
@vandyms1974

Do you all think prednisone will CAUSE diabetes if you do not currently have it?

Jump to this post

Just to show how variable the response to this disease is in different people my fasting blood glucose has actually gone down since I've been on prednisone the last 2 years. Anything over around 100 is considered pre-diabetes. Over the last 20 years it has run about 100, which is higher than ideal but it was so stable that I didn't worry about it. Now it has dropped 10 points to around 90 on the last 3 blood draws!

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bohobama | @bohobama | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @lanieg "I am on prednisone 10mg per day split dose 5mg in am and 5mg in pm...." + (show)
@lanieg

I am on prednisone 10mg per day split dose 5mg in am and 5mg in pm. Keeps the pain at bay but messes with bg as I said.

Jump to this post

Same here. Same split dosage, same bump in blood sugar.

REPLY
tricialynn | @tricialynn | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @lanieg "I also have diabetes and PMR. My blood glucose is off the wall for me. Endocrinologist..." + (show)
@lanieg

I also have diabetes and PMR. My blood glucose is off the wall for me. Endocrinologist increased my insulin intake 3 fold and that has helped. However, neither endo nor rheumy have suggested Actemra.

Jump to this post

When I was diagnosed with PMR in 2020 I was put on prednisone and my blood sugars increased. In 2021 my endocrinologist put me on insulin. All was good. Gradually I started tapering the prednisone and my blood sugar count came down as well. Early 2023 my endocrinologist took me off the insulin as I was on 3 mg of prednisone. I am no longer on prednisone but I have developed mobility issues.

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