Breathlessness

[Johndorwalker]

Has anyone found that they get very breathless Last year I was able to enter my dog in agility shows but this year I can hardly walk far before I am puffing and panting I have PMR and am struggling to get below 9mg

[Hidden]

Yes I have. I can't walk very far anymore,without stopping and starting, forget about carrying anything at the same time! mentioned this to the Dr and now am waiting for a treadmill test as she is concerned its my heart. I don't think it is as its coincided with taking pred, incidentaly I was down to 5 mg but she has increased it to 20. Hasn't made the breathlessness better just increased all the other horrible side effects. So back to square one.

[Johndorwalker in reply to Hidden]

I have been for a ECG and tomorrow going for a heart XRay

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Your doctor may find this paper from 2011 of interest:

njmonline.nl/getpdf.php?t=a...

As you can see, they mention they were aware of breathlessness being mentioned as a side effect of pred.

It is something that should be considered.

[Johndorwalker in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks I have printed it off and will take it when I next see my doctor

[Golf-1 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, I have just tried to open the link in your post but it says that is not available, I see you posted it long ago, is it still relevant and is it still available please as breathlessness is a big issue for me, thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Golf-1]

I honestly don't know. Does this work? I googled the paper and it came up:

njmonline.nl/getpdf.php?id=...

[Hidden]

Thanks I will print it off and show to my Dr.

[Jane1175]

I started on 60mg pred October now on 25mg and very breathless, even getting in and out of bed, I do have asthma but my asthma is fine ,the doctor said my lungs are ok, they said it's the steroids made my diaphragm weaker, I get very upset as I can't walk far and anything I do makes me so out of breath.

[MyDebbie]

Good Morning Johndorwalker: It' is unusual that you mention this as it has happened to me since I began my journey in PMR last year. I was told I had a fussy heart and otherwise no problem! But, I never experienced this before, this having to get a deep breath when I try to walk fast...a breathlessness feeling. Whether this has to do with PMR, I don't know but it has let up since I started a few other pills that cover Adrenal Fatigue which I also have. Many women and a few men do have this but that's whole new article. At first, I thought I did have a heart problem but had the Echo Cardiogram, etc. etc. and I'm fine. Started Iodine pills and feel that's one I notice the difference in other areas of my health, even the breathing. Will start sulpher tomorrow which is another pill most of us need more of. There is soo much a person has to do for themselves to check on what they should and...should not take and how much. If you have a wholistic person to help you, all the better. Doc's were never taught supplements in medical school but they might be now. I'm NOT talking about anything from PHARMACEUTICAL companies, they run the world with their pills. Yes, many are helped but if you only knew...another story...sorry.

Getting back to that breathing problem of yours, I could be PMR but I would certainly get a cardiologist to check you over for sure. Don't mess around with what you imagine....esp. if you are on Prednisone...I am NOT. I am struggeling to live with out it using many modalities on my own and with my wholistic persons help. Get thee to a heart doc asap in this ladies estimation.Stress test, Echo Cardiogram, Treadmill Test, etc....but light a fire under your doc, this could be very serious, even more than the PMR. God bless you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MyDebbie]

What on earth is a "fussy heart"? I'm very intrigued!

[MyDebbie in reply to PMRpro]

That's the way my cardiologist put it after years of SVT==superventricular tachacardia. Sorry for the spelling but my spell check is broke . This is when your heart goes 200 + beats per minute and you need to get it down by pushing like your having a bowel movement and I mean REAL HARD and+++ coughing. It stopped it for me about 25% of the time. If not you go to the ER and they give you a shot to bring your heartbeat down to normal. Works every time!! Why does this happen and/or still does occasionally.??????..STRESS...STRESS...STRESS. Daughter with cancer, Mom with Alzheimers and cancer + my six kids.

SVT isn't really dangerous but you MUST get that beat DOWN as it's hard on your heart...for sure. Pretty tired after too!!. It hits you like an aura couple seconds before it happens & away your heart goes. First time scared the hell out of me. Just another thing to live with & offer up to the dear Lord for my families health.

I guess there are a lot of things we "live with" and probably you too... don't even mention it very often whether it's pain, sadness, worry, you just do what you have to do. Just don't waste it, <<<God takes all you give and gives back 1,000 fold.

So, there you have it. Not very exciting and I do take Metoprolol 25mg twice a day but a mild drug to keep your heart at a lower beat. Not a big deal drug. It's the only pill I take besides my supplements.

My cardio guy says I have a strong heart beat so I feel very blessed. Now if I can only find more ways to live with PMR ....without...taking Presnisone.::)) Have a blessed dayPMRpro.

[Marybach]

Hiya Johndorwalker. I have been on Prednisone since last Oct. 60mg for GCA, until Dec but now reduced to 15mg. I get very breathless too on very little exertion. I'm putting it down to the weight gain due to the steroids. I see a rheumatologist and he doesn't seem concerned about it. I will be reducing again at the end of April to 10mg so well see how it goes. Really Hope you can carry on reducing. Good luck. X

[Tweetiepie]

Hello Johndorwalker I am the same as Marybach put it down to weight gain seems quite a few have the same problem. Hope it soon goes away . Best wishes X

[csy50]

I was very breathless with large vessel vasculitis - the atypical variation of GCA. It all improved once it was under control with 40mg prednisolone. My reductions have been very slow - four years later and still on 10mg.