Hi I have several issues. Type 2, PRM since feb 2017 and in recent months my BP is rising, this morning 175/103.
My doctor has been changing my meds, I see him May 13th but last time he said he could do no more. Ive only had blood tests is there anything other tests they can do to see what is causing my high BP!.
Im asking him to also refer me for my PMR , had to raise my PRED a month ago from 4 to -10mg. Col
Raised blood pressure is a side effect of Pred. I have it too. I take 50 mgs of Atenolol for it. Similarly type 2 diabetes. Is an unwanted effect of Pred for some people.
As this forum deals with PMR / GCA it might be helpful if you give us more information about your PMR journey and why you had to increase your dose from 4 mgs to 10 mgs?
You sound a bit abandoned by your doctor.
I started on PRED in Feb 2017 on 15mg. Felt much better, trued to reduce over the last 2 years, got down to 4 mg begining of this year, it flared up in March so went back up to 10 mg
My BP went through the roof when I started on pred so now a pill for that too. I felt I had been hit by a bus! I monitor it with my own BP machine which helps my peace of mind and keep the results for the GPs too. Not unusually my BP is terrible at the surgery so without monitoring in peace at home I would be on even more meds.
Do you mind me asking which bp drug? I had amlopidine (?sp) and i thought i must be seriously ill. Like you say a feeling of being hit by a bus. Dr (& me) took them away within 2 weeks.
No don't mind at all - I would have put it in the post if I had been beside my pharmacy! Doxazosin 2mg. I didn't quite know which bus had hit me - with IBS symptoms made worse (awaiting colonoscopy next week). Sleep deprivation, hunger, low blood sugar etc etc. They say I still need it as BP is around 132/87. Having dropped to 30 Pred I feel a lot more human but every spec of dust that gets on my spectacles causes alarm - how to keep safe without being paranoid?
I havent heard of that one but there are lots of bp meds so i would ask to try another. I dont think its a preferred choice looking at history it seems to work less effective than a diuretic. It is hard knowing whats effecting what. I am sure bp will drop as pred and inflammation reduce. Mine has and is 130/65. Given that it was 202/101 one day i am happy with that. Shifted from diuretics to linisopril.
Every headache or blurred vision has me in a mild panic. I currently have jaw pain. I know i have tmd but it doesnt stop the concern. Then it all eases and you breath a sigh of relief.
Thank you - I am doing OK I think - as you say difficult to know what is causing what but I would rather let things settle than for a bit and go from there. As you say every little eyelash out of place too! When I fell off the bike they discovered an inoperable meningioma on the spinal cord. They "thought" it had probably been there for years - but it felt like the Sword of Damocles for quite a while!
Uncertainty is a scary place.
Hi im on 3 lots. 2.5 mg Folpik, I was on 10mg for some time but they reduced in feb as my ankles were sweliing up, 10mg Ramipril & the last 6 weeks Doxazosin starting on 1 mg and now on 4mg.
As well as the 10mg pred for my PMR IM on Glicazide 3x 80mg and metformin 2x 500mg for my type 2.
I rattle when i walk, but generally up and down how i feel several times in a day. This morning stiff shoulders, arms and felt like i had a head cold. Just did a 16 min work out on my exc bike, feel better now :-)). Colin.
I hear you Colin. I have t2d too, as well as other issues. I rattle, definitely. I keep trying to dump pills then end up with yet another to add to the pile. I have been on a statins since 2001. I decided to dump it 3 weeks or so ago and my sinuses feel clear almost for the first time since 2001, and my head clearer. Not sure if pain reduced yet (statins implicated in pmr). Glad you feel better after your exercise. 👍
Hi Colin, i was wondering what your blood glucose was on a morning. The reason i mention it is <5 or 8> that can make you feel rubbish. I get neck and shoulder pain and a thick head. Its probably more likely pmr but its worth checking. Gliclazide is known for being a hard one to get right. I used to have a lot of hypos and variation in blood sugar across the day. It doesn't make you feel good.
In morning before breakfast average 6, after meds and light breakfast 10 -15.
I too had high blood pressure issues caused by high dose Pred. It took around 3 different Medications to stabilise my BP but it’s now on the near side of normal.....
Years ago a reading would have been accepted, now they keep lowering it....so confusing....I remember it was a 100 plus your age for the top reading....that would be high now!...
Im on 3 lots of BP at the moment 
BP Meds are notorious for finding the right combination, l’m on two different ones & they work a treat, with no side effects so it’s always worth persevering until they find the correct combination.
Ok thanks for your input. My BP is worse in a morning, you think resting in bed it would be at its lowest.
Do you look at your monitor when you’re taking your BP?
Or just relax & look away?
Just relax
You can give yourself white coat syndrome checking bp yourself if you start to stress about it And start to over test. I do mine once a week. Sometimes both arms.
I often find the readings differ by 20 on one side!!
Sometimes if your arm isn't relaxed or you cough or whatever it can be different in a short space if time. I do both as it can indicate a problem if there is a 10% difference. I think it was sheffieldjane had discussed it a couple of times a while back. Thats why i do both now 😂
Bear that in mind x
I have GCA. And high B P. I have tried natural methods. Hibiscus tea 3 times a day. CoQ10 and magnesium. I see a naturopath once a month re vitamins and minerals to help control the side effects of prednisone My BP is Good now.
Have you had your thyroid checked?
No.
Think about it. There's a thyroid forum on health unlocked. Like on here you learn a lot.
Where does thyroid come into this. Thx Colin.
I did read up, some of my issues could come under thyriod probs. I suffer from fatigue, im getting palpertations on upper chest with slight wheezing. Im falling apart lol.
Sorry I was really busy yesterday so no time for the forum. I had a raised bp - well raised for me had thyroid checked, raised TSH, now treated and back to normal.
Ok. I have meeting with my doctor on mon 13th May, I will table this along with the fact i think its time that after sufferring PMR since Feb 2017 that I was refferred. To be honest really dont feel in a good pkace at the moment with all my health issues. :-((
I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. Doctors today seem to treat just one thing at a time in isolation and fail to make the connections! Good luck and go with a list of questions in a notebook and write down the answers - that's what I do!
Thanks. Im going to write things down in the form of a letter, hand it to him and ask him to read all.
Might I suggest that instead of a letter you write bullet points. They are easier for the doc to read in th limited time available, I wrote mine a letter when I had a little flare and upped my pred. I thought I'd better let him know that I'd upped my dose! He was away on holiday at the time! He asked very firmly for no more letters - they a lot of time and storage space. That's what he said! By the way I now have a really good relationship with him re the PMR - he calls me every couple of months to ask how I'm doing on the diminishing dose which he lets me lead on, with the proviso that I contact him if there are any changes. I am assuming that you are in the UK where docs appointments are very short!
Ok. Thanks for advice. Yes UK.
Not GCA but could be fibromyalgia!?!
REFFERAL TO RHEUMATOLOGIST
My Rheumy appointment
Report from my visit to the rheumatologist 
Second update Nearly there
