Prednisolone/palpitations

[Lilyrosemarie]

I'm currently taking 30mg a day of Pred for a chest infection. The palpitations started yesterday after my first dose.Has anyone experienced palpitations with this dosage? Not sure whether to skip tomorrow's dose and try to speak to a doctor on Monday.

Thanks for reading.

[Patk1]

I've not had palpitations from steroids, but have with chest infection x

[Wheezebag13 in reply to Patk1]

Hi I've had palpitations with pred before but on a much higher dose, Don't skip a dose as this can be detrimental to your recovery and speak with your GP or asthma nurse

[Lilyrosemarie in reply to Wheezebag13]

Thanks for replying, I'll speak to a GP tomorrow hopefully

[peege]

Yes, always had palpitations with pred until I set my alarm for 5am to take pred with a glass of water and a couple of oatcakes (which swell up nicely in the gut). 5am may sound extreme but it helped me recover and eliminated the palpitations (which if they happened a few hours earlier ididnt notice). Good luck. P

[ReedB]

Yes, I have palpitations with pred. Strangely it's usually when I start tapering the dose. Palpitations are worse after 20 minutes of taking them and get better through the day.

[Kellycatty]

Contact telephone number for respiratory Hairmyres Hospital East Kilbride is 01355 585123 they maybe able to point you in the right direction. I have a yearly check up with them. Good luck.

[ewusia28]

Yes. I always have a fast heartbeat when I need steroid pills, and sometimes they make me shake all over.

[Lilyrosemarie in reply to ewusia28]

Yes, they are making me feel shaky too. Only 2 more days to go and hopefully the symptoms will go.

[Poobah]

I note that you're on blood pressure treatment. Me too, and taking Prednisolone makes me feel like I'm having a stroke. I can only tolerate 25mcg a day. Pred increases blood pressure, so it's a balancing act, in taking enough to treat asthma but not too much to exacerbate your BP. I wa prescribed 40mcg pd but after the first dose, dropped it to 25mcg and spoke to my doctor as soon as they were available. Depending on your phenotype, you may be able to get alternative treatment but will need to see a consultant.

NB ramipril isn't great for asthmatics. My consultant recommended Losartan Potassium as it works differently and there are no side effects where asthma is concerned.

[Lilyrosemarie in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Funnily enough I was on Candesartan many years ago quite happily. Blood pressure improved and was told I didn't need them any more.

Then a couple of years ago blood pressure went high and I was prescribed ramipril. I asked the GP for Candesartan and she said they are not good for women of my age?? No idea why (I was about 60 then so not ancient lol)

[Doglover67]

Hi I have finished a course of PN for Bronchitis and they made me feel horrendous. I had tachycardia/fast heart rate before I went onto them and put it down to the salbutamol inhaler (ventolin) as it would coincide with me taking this. Medical professionals have acknowledged this is a side effect of this type of inhaler. Are you taking this? PN can cause all sorts of nasty symptoms currently mine is vertigo. My heart rate has slowed down now I’ve stopped taking the ventolin. I have been given a different type of inhaler which does not cause fast heart rate and palpatations called Symbicort. I hope this helps and wish you all the best x

[Lilyrosemarie in reply to Doglover67]

Ah, I was taking quite a lot of ventolin last week with my chest infection so it could have been that (but not had any this weekend).

I am also a dog lover and just haven't felt able to walk my boy very far the last few days as I'm feeling so breathless.

[Doglover67 in reply to Lilyrosemarie]

Hi Bless ya - at least you are still able to walk your doggi. He/she will appreciate any walk - even a shorter one. It’s awful being breathless so I hope you find a solution to help you. Take care and reach out if you are struggling. Xx

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

As others have said don't skip it! I don't take pred these days as it doesn't seem to help my asthma, so can't remember whether it had this effect.

What I definitely know does make my heart have to work faster and harder is asthma, especially in attacks. I think this gets forgotten even by medical professionals sometimes when it comes to palpitations/fast heartbeat, in terms of treatments that can cause it. Yes they can, but so can untreated asthma.

I would definitely give your GP a call tomorrow though to check. You could also ring the asthma nurses on the helpline in addition to see if they have any suggestions to bring up with your GP: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp on 07999 377 775 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm

[Lilyrosemarie in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply to me.

I did take people's advice and took today's dose. I have a telephone appointment booked with a clinician tomorrow morning.

I do appreciate all the responses to my message. I live alone and tend to worry a lot (which probably doesn't help with the palpitations!)

Thanks again.

[Lilyrosemarie]

Hi, I actually managed to see a doctor face to face today, my lungs are still not 100% clear so I've been given another course of antibiotics (and told to keep taking the Pred!!).

Thanks for all your support at the weekend.