Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
I am 67 years old, have diabetes, and recently, I went to my primary physician because I was coughing four to five hours just at night. He gave me cough syrup along with antibiotics. However, it became worse so I went back. He took x-rays and said my lungs were clean. He also said I had painted myself in a circle because I have diabetes, and he would do nothing to help me except more cough syrup.I went to a pulmonary specialist who listened to my chest and back. Instantly, she gave me two huge shots one in each shoulder (RuCort and decadron) and also gave me prednisone pills. I have always controlled my diabetes with 65 units of NPH, but my glucose shot up to 400 mg/dL [22.2 mmol/L] so she told me to stop the prednisone. Now I cannot control my diabetes glucose readings. I have to breathe Asmanex twice per day, and Spiriva once per day. Previously, I was being treated for COPD with Xopenex several times per day.
Can I reverse this treatment and get back to normal again? Can I get off the steroids and get my life back to like it was? I believe I didn't even need the shots. My primary physician said lungs were clean. The pulmonologist didn't take x-rays. She just listened and pumped me full of prednisone. Please help me.
Answer
Sometimes, steroids are needed to treat other disorders. Any diabetes team is able to advise and assist you in coping with the hyperglycemia associated with their use.You didn't mention it, but if you are taking any medication in the class called ACE inhibitors, please note that they can cause cough. Hopefully your doctors quizzed you about using them!
It sounds like you need to find yourself a diabetes team, which includes a diabetes physician, diabetes nurse educator, and others.
