Steriods

[L1974]

Hello everyone I’m on my second course of steroids in the last 8 weeks due to asthma flare ups, lost my dad 12 weeks ago and just had a really bad cold which has affected my chest. I’m on day 4 of a course of 5 prednisolone. Taken theses many times over the last 10 years or so. Usually the odd side affect like low mood but this time got awful racing heart and palpitations. Anyone else experienced this? I’m 47 and no underlying health conditions, recently had an ECG due to worry about my heat as dad died after a heart attack. Am wondering whether to not take the last days dose tomorrow 😐

[twinkly29]

Steroids can increase heart rate so it's quite likely that - maybe mixed with stress anxiety etc as losing your dad must be really hard. I'd just take the last day as prescribed and, if in a few days it's not settled as won't go out of your system instantly, contact your GP.

[L1974 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for responding so quickly. My heart rate is fast anyhow and I do suffer from anxiety going back to my early 20’s when I lost my mam. It has been a tough time accepting dad has gone so suddenly. Hopefully the palpitations will stop once the steroids finish?

[Poochy1 in reply to L1974]

Hey have you tried antidepressants or anything which should help anxiety xx

[L1974 in reply to Poochy1]

Yeah a few times been ok for a couple of years then dad died so obviously feeling low now. These palpitations or flutters have come out of nowhere today!

[twinkly29 in reply to L1974]

If caused by the steroids, yes, although it might take a couple of days. If it's caused by something else (eg stress, anxiety) then it will likely continue. It's really hard when there are factors like anxiety because of course the symptoms cause that (understandably!) which then becomes a self perpetuating cycle. And there's no way a loss such as you're going through wouldn't be stressful or anxiety inducing.

Hopefully the steroids are the main culprit though and things will settle noticeably once you're off them, which might then help any anxiety about it to settle too.

[L1974 in reply to twinkly29]

I do hope so, thank you ☺️

[Starstream]

If you only have one more day I would take them. I had palpitations recently and thought it was my Fostair however I am on 10mg per day prednisolone.Spoke to doc and he suggested cutting out caffeine and alcohol which I have and they have now gone away.

They did a 24hr tape to check and that was ok.

I now have decaf tea and coffee and the occasional glass of wine 😀

[Chip_y2kuk]

Steroids cause all kinds of weird and wonderful side effects .... thats why there called the devils tic tacs

I on more than one occasion have dragged my fiance round the house to find what was burning..... until she looked at me like I was mad and we called it quits.... has happened twice to me on prednisolone

I've had the heart racing normally when I feel quite unwell anyway and the prednisolone has given me insomnia ... I always assumed the two together was a recipe for a racing heart and its always gone away once I'm better

I would also like to add that I've had more ecg's,echocardiograms and at least 2 chest CT scans ... ive even been on an exercise bike having a cario pulmonary test (hooked up to all kinds) ...... so I was already 95% sure it wasn't my heart

[djbctla]

Hi L1974Listen to the good advice given. It’s probably a combination of naturally the sudden loss of your Dad, and your illness that has caused your palpitations and some anxiety, which from my experience could be sadness of loosing you Dad, who is now looking after you with your Mum. In time u will remember both of them thinking of the love they had for you, and remembering happy times as well. The advice they give u, the wise things they said. Keep your heart up. It will get better, keep them in your heart, that’s what I do. Take care xxx

Bernardine