I am a 70 year old male. I developed GCA in early November 2013. In May of 2014 I had a relapse with vision loss.
In May of this year, my ophthalmologist recommended that I have an A1C test because my retina had a shadow on it. I had the test last week and the result was 5.8 which means that I am a border line diabetic. My Mean Blood Glucose was 118mg/dl and I had not had anything to eat for 10 hours. The A1C test measures your average blood sugar over a 2 or 3 month period.
My questions to you are:
1. Have you had an A1C test?
2. Have you had an ophthalmologist examine your eyes.
Using excel I routinely chart the following values, the figures below are monthly averages. I believed they were good for a person my age and gender.
MNT SYS DIA BPM WGT. CRP PRED BMI
Apr 122 75 70 188.0 4.6. 9
May 118 72 72 188.0 3.8. 8
June 116 73 73 186.4. 4.6 7
July 116. 73 73 186.4. 1.9. 6. 23 measured
I have returned to a strict low carb way of eating. As for pred reduction, I droped .5mg every two weeks during the 4 months listed above. Unlike people with PMR I start suffering aches in the eyes and temples areas when the pred dose is not enough. I spent most of June in England, Wales and Scotland and had to increace the dose by 2mg for the first two days. The weather was the same as Colorado Springs and Atlanta. Cloudy and Overcast.
Best Regards
I believe the AIC test is an average of the last 3 months blood sugar and that 5.8 is within the good range. I may be wrong but that is what my Dr told me. Most of the problems you are experiencing are probably caused by too quick a reduction in Pred as your GCA is still active
I have an hbA1c test done routinely twice a year. I am T2 diabetic and currently on 5mg and have been for some years now as I am steroid-dependent. My glucose levels have been within the normal range for about 3 years now.
Steroids do affect my glucose levels quite dramatically on high doses, but this is now documented of course and I would be called in to my GP's surgery for a follow-up should it be necessary. I do have an annual check in any case.
Hi. Yes have been to opticians yesterday, no major things showing up, going back next week for drops to dilate I am seeing doctor again tomorrow and will ask for blood test to check for diabeties, I am guessing that is what you mean by A1C.
Thank you for your reply, much appreciated.
Denise,
Thank you, I took the following comment from my pred providers documentation. I always have a CRP test before starting my next taper.
The withdrawal symptoms may simulate a clinical relapse of the disease for which the patient is undergoing treatment. Withdrawal of prednisone should always be gradual, the rate depending upon the individual patients response, the dose and duration of therapy.