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Suggest Ways To Lower Blood Sugar Levels After Cortisone Shots In Abdomen

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Posted on Sat, 4 Jul 2015
Question: I have been given two cortisone shots in my abdomen for a pinched nerve in my abdominal wall. I am now battling with candida as my blood sugar has risen. Is there a way i can flush these drugs out of my system so i can fight my infection? How long do they typically stay in my system? Any advise on candida treatment? Will i now always be susceptible to candida? Does exercise raise cortisol levels? I have to workout everyday.
I am really miserable !
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Get your HbA1C levels done

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic. I am Dr Anshul Varshney, I have read your query. I understand your concern.
You said you received Two cortisone shots which raised your Blood sugar level.
Now there are two possibilities:
1) First , you already have Diabetes Mellitus and steroid injections raised your Blood sugar levels.
If so, such raised sugar levels usually return to normal within few days of stopping the offending agents.
Most likely you must have received Hydrocortisone injection. It has Biological half life of 8-12 hours. It is excreted mainly by kidney and a small amount in feces. So it often gets excreted out of body within 2-3 days.
2) Second possibility is that you have normal Blood sugar levels and steroid shots transiently raised your sugar levels.

In both scenario, I would advise you to get your HbA1C (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) levels done. It signifies average blood sugar levels in past 3 months.
If it is found abnormal then you should see to your physician for management of Diabetes Mellitus.

Regarding your treatment for candida, you have already taken a course of Fluconazole tablet.
Along with it i usually advise my patients to apply Miconazole/clotrimazole cream over affected area.

Diabetics are usually prone for opportunistic infections mostly Candida infection.
Exercise raises cortisone levels but it does not contribute to the blood sugar levels. These cortisols are different are responsible for increased sympathetic activity.
In fact as a doctor, we advise our patients to do regular exercise as it keeps the body fit and healthy.
You should keep it up.
You should not panic so much.

I hope I am able to solve your query.
Stay healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 hour later)
Thank you for your input.
I should have stated that i think my blood sugar went up because of the steroid shot , it was never tested. This is a self-diagnosis after doing some research. The only other variable at play in my system is Xanax (.25-1.0 mg per day). I started taking this in April due to the physical and emotional stress i have been through this past year because of the abdominal nerve. I have a history of panic attacks as well. I tried 10 mg of prozac for 5 weeks but it just made me sick.

Could these have any hand in this candida?

I am otherwise a healthy, athletic woman who eats well. I have never had candida before and am just trying to figure out the cause? My GI doctor and my general doctor just want to through more diflucan at it, which scares me because of thee potency of this drug on the body.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Take proper complete treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Usually two shots if cortisone won't increase your blood sugar. Even Xanac and prodep are also not going to cause this.
In such scenario it is advisable as discussed to get HbA1c which will give an average value of blood sugars for 3 months and you will come to know that this is Steroid induced Hyperglycemia or you are a Diabetic.
Fungal infections are easy to treat. So you don't worry. Just make sure you complete the treatment and should not leave it in between to prevent relapse.
I hope it helps.
Stay Healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (5 hours later)
I will get the blood test done. You mentioned fungal infections are easy to treat. I did 2 weeks worth of diflucan 100 mg per day and the infection came back 6 days later. Should I have been taking higher doses and / or a longer duration? Do you think the Candida diet (absolutely no sugar in the diet or simple carbohydrates and natural antifungals along with probiotics will take care of it?

The infection was from my "privates" through my esophagus which was horribly painful. Would you have treated the infection differently?

Thank you so much for your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get complete treatment

Detailed Answer:
Dose and duration to be decided based on the severity of the infection.
So, you should be in regular touch with your doctor. He will decide that how much dose and duration would be required for the treatment in your case.
Since you yourself noticed that your infection improved on treatment and it re appeared after leaving the treatment this means that the therapy was not complete.
So, a perfect blood sugar control with appropriate duration of treatment would be required.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Lower Blood Sugar Levels After Cortisone Shots In Abdomen

Brief Answer: Get your HbA1C levels done Detailed Answer: Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic. I am Dr Anshul Varshney, I have read your query. I understand your concern. You said you received Two cortisone shots which raised your Blood sugar level. Now there are two possibilities: 1) First , you already have Diabetes Mellitus and steroid injections raised your Blood sugar levels. If so, such raised sugar levels usually return to normal within few days of stopping the offending agents. Most likely you must have received Hydrocortisone injection. It has Biological half life of 8-12 hours. It is excreted mainly by kidney and a small amount in feces. So it often gets excreted out of body within 2-3 days. 2) Second possibility is that you have normal Blood sugar levels and steroid shots transiently raised your sugar levels. In both scenario, I would advise you to get your HbA1C (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) levels done. It signifies average blood sugar levels in past 3 months. If it is found abnormal then you should see to your physician for management of Diabetes Mellitus. Regarding your treatment for candida, you have already taken a course of Fluconazole tablet. Along with it i usually advise my patients to apply Miconazole/clotrimazole cream over affected area. Diabetics are usually prone for opportunistic infections mostly Candida infection. Exercise raises cortisone levels but it does not contribute to the blood sugar levels. These cortisols are different are responsible for increased sympathetic activity. In fact as a doctor, we advise our patients to do regular exercise as it keeps the body fit and healthy. You should keep it up. You should not panic so much. I hope I am able to solve your query. Stay healthy.