Since being diagnosed with PMR in March 2017 due to overnight onset extreme pain in upper arms and shoulders and on prescribed 15mg Pred. The pain went the next day and I have been doing a slow taper to the start of this month (Feb) and now on 5mg. I thought I was managing this condition well until I started with UTI’s and chest infections along the way and have had no less than 7 occasions when prescribed Antibiotics. This latest bout was due to me self admitting to Hospital on the Saturday before Christmas and having to stay in overnight due to having Flu, another chest infection, my blood pressure being high and heart racing which they said was Atrial Fibrillation. Prescribed Amoxicillin (7 days) for the infection and Rivaroxaban (20mg) and Bisoprolol Fumerate (1.25mg) and as the previous results had come down overnight I was allowed home on the afternoon of Christmas Eve (Phew). Several days after finishing the 7 days Antibiotics the chest infection was no better and was put on a further 5 days Amoxicillin and although my chest sounded MUCH better after completing that course I am still, now, left with this chesty bronchial cough and needing to get rid of sputum that’s obviously still there. I am avoiding another visit to the Doctor as I just DON’T want any more Antibiotics.
I am wondering if the two new meds (Rivaroxaban and Bisoprolol Fumerate) have any bearing on this as when I have taken these I feel quite nauseus for a while.
Any suggestion from anyone please – I have been using steam, Paracetamol and Buttercup Syrup. I don’t complain much as there are others with much worse than what I am experiencing but this has been going on too long now and driving me mad.
I think it is doubtful the Rivaroxoban and bisoprolol have any bearing - I've also got atrial fibrillation (as a result of the autoimmune part of the PMR) and have been on bisoprolol for nearly 6 years and an anticoagulant as well, first a form of warfarin and more recently Pradaxa, another new generation anticoagulant. I get about one cold a year! My husband takes Rivaroxaban and he gets no more colds/chest infections than he ever did, in fact, I'd say fewer since he started it! Some coughs just take a LONG time to clear and what you are doing is right enough.
Have all your UTIs been confirmed as UTIs by urine cultures? And have you seen a rheumatologist about your PMR? Is your GP SURE it is "only" PMR?
Thank you as usual PMRPRO for your reply. No I have never seen a Rhuemy my Dx was made on results of high blood markers at the time which have since been normal except from the issues mentioned above. Also the UTi's (EColi) haven't been a problem since I stopped taking the Omerprazole and have live Yoghurt to line my stomach instead. If I can just sort out this chest infection I think I will be fine. Will see Doc next week if not. BY THE WAY how is the Robot cleaner doing are you still pleased with it? Any issues there? D
You poor thing Dot, what an absolute nightmare. I notice that beneath your post, various drugs, including your two are there. You might find it useful to click on them to access discussions of other people’s experiences.
Your experience of PMR seems to have been quite mild ( I am a whole year behind you in my taper). Then this!! It’s almost as if your immune system has packed in. In my ignorance it makes me wonder if Prednisalone was just too efficient in suppressing your immune system. I sincerely hope that your health picks up soon, sorry I’ve nothing practical to offer. I would be complaining loudly from the rooftops.
If these new symptoms have come on since starting the new meds I think you should tell your doctor. There are undoubtedly other medications which can be used which will not affect you the same way. Don't be concerned about "complaining". You are a sick person. The doctor's job is to do what can be done to help you get better. They need as much information as they can get, so your reporting bad reaction to new medication will help them help you. I do hope you are feeling better soon.
Thank you for your response as usual Heron.The Doc has got the in-house Pharmacist checking my medications so probably I am being a bit impatient and want to be my usual self too quickly. Will see what next week brings. D
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Update 
Update on my PMR journey
Pred 'the controlled drug' update
