Epidural Steroid Injection

I had this procedure done today and it was pretty much what I expected. I was not asleep as the nurse told me yesterday but I was definitely loopy. It wasn't painful, just a little uncomfortable. My only problem is that my blood sugar is very high now at 260. This morning before the procedure it was 73. I'm just wondering if this is out of line for steroid injections or should I expect it to be this way for more than a day or two. Marilyn, if you are out there, maybe you can help. I don't have any insulin in the house as I'm on oral meds but I'm wondering if I should get some for temporary use. I used to be on it so I know how to dose myself. Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated. Blessings, Karen

Hey Karen, I don't have a clue how this may or may not affect the body. Did the doctor or nurse say anything about it affecting your sugar? I hope this helps you, I know that you are in alot of pain. Keep us posted on how you are doing. We really enjoyed the mini dinner club can't wait until we can get together again.. Cheryl

Cheryl, There was something in the injection that numbed the area so the pain was gone for a while.It is back now as that has worn off but they told me this would happen. They said to give it a week to take full effect before I try to determine how much it helped. Theoretically, I should feel a bit better every day after the first day or so. I'm hopeful that this will help. I was told by several people on my diabetes group that steroids cause blood sugar to rise but not really how much or how long. When I realized it was high I tried to check with my pcp, but they close early on Fridays. Anyway, I will probably just have to wait it out. It was really good to meet you and Marilyn and your hubbys and I cant wait to get together again. I'm sure that next time hubby will be able to join us, though Bethany had a great time too.  Next time though she may be tied up with the baby.  Thanks for responding. Blessings, Karen

Hi Karen!   The injections will affect blood sugar.  I'm surprised they did not tell you this up front.  It will come back down in a few days.  just keep an eye on it.  Good Luck. Beth

Thanks, Beth. They did tell me it would go up but I didn't realize it would go so high. I haven't had a number like that in 10 years.I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I've been in good control for a long time. I will try to remind myself over the next few days that it could be worse. Blessings, Karen

My husband is a diabetic. He had a steriod shot for joint pain. He had very high blood sugars almost immediatly afterwards.    Not only that he had a very bad reaction to the steriod shot ..his muscles cramped endlessly. We visited the dr the next day after the shot for follow up, but there was nothing they could do for him. It took us three days to get him stableized after wards. I checked blood sugars every two hours...for three days!!.  We did use shots. Im not sure of the mechinisim causing the sugars to be so unstable...but we had a time of it. We are now marking him as allergic to steroids. Hope you do ok hun, I know how bad your body feels after something like this...prayers for you.  

Thanks so much, Janice. I'm sorry your husband had sucha rough time of it. I haven't had any undo pain or anything like that. Not much improvement in the pain that was already there but they told me not to expect it at first. My sugar is now up to 350. I guess I will just have to wait it out and see what happens. Blessings, Karen

Good moring Karen, I hope you are feeling better this morning. I was having some problems with my sugar last week because I was eating ww bread and my hubby did some reserch and read that cinnamnon would help lower your sugar. I didn't get a chance to try it because as soon as I figured out it was the home made bread doing it I quit eating it which was hard for me. I only put 1 tab of sugar for a batch of bread so I didn't believe it was causing the problem but the doc said anyt starch will do it. My sugar shot up to 305 and then dropped to 67 and that isn't good either and boy I sure felt it.  For some reason I can tell when my sugar is acting up. I hope you feelo better soon and be careful that you don't over do when the shots start making you feel better.   Birdy

Karen, All steroid injections will temporarily increase your blood sugar, but epidural ones shouldn't cause it to happen for too long, since it is really a local injection into the epidural space.  If your sugars are up tomorrow, (over 200) call the doc and get a temporary order for insulin and then call me.  Don't go buy any.  I am in the Sevier county phone book and I will PM you also.  The doctor may not want you to use insulin though since this is temporary.  In the ED, we often don't treat high blood sugars like this until they are over 300.  Sorry you are having problems with this.  Call if you need anything! Marilyn