Tightness in chest with a dry cough

[Reader7]

I was diagnosed with PMR in early June, currently on 15mg of prednisone, down from 40mg, with one flare-up in July. I'm doing well with no pain, but have developed a tightness in my chest with an occasional dry cough. Is this a side effect of prednisone or does it have anything to do with PMR? Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It can be a symptom of GCA, or, perhaps more accurately, large vessel vasculitis which affects arteries in the chest. Though it could of course just be a chest infection - which tend to appear less severe because the pred suppresses the inflammation.

[SheffieldJane]

I have had this symptom intermittently, since I have had the PMR diagnosis and have wondered if there is a link. The same with UTI symptoms but no detectable infection. GP would only treat in isolation though, not interested in joining up any dots at my practice.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Did the "surges" coincide with flares?

[Telian]

Think I/we'd like to know that answer too. I developed those symptoms when first diagnosed with GCA and PMR in March 2014 and on 50mg pred. Dry cough with chest infection, which as a non smoker I was miffed about - was so ill and coughed like a heavy smoker might. Have had them each year since with less severity as the pred reduced, was told it was because I had no immune system initially and improved as the illness starting improved, so not sure if pred was a blame or a help. In my case wouldn't have thought so as it helped the symptoms that might have been worse. Always had three lots of antis for each infection and has left me with crackles on the chest. No doctor seems to have a definitive answer to your question - in the meantime we just suffer the symptoms with differing variations of infection - as we/you'll read about on here - and doctors can only continue with their research for a cure as a result.