GP Visit

[stellafmdm]

Recently I’ve been very breathless and today I saw my GP about it only to learn that I’ve got a heart problem. On top of PMR! What ever will it be next? So lots of blood tests and other investigations to come. No wonder I’ve been breathless! I hope it will not limit me too much! However he is lovely about the Pred and when I said I get stuck at 8mg he said I may have to stay there permanently. What do you lovely folks think? Should I accept that or should I still try to get past 8 and reduce further? Currently I’m on 9mg and planning to stay there till the end of the month. I’d appreciate your advice please. Thanks in anticipation.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Just get the heart stuff sorted first. I've been at 15mg to manage my atrial fibrillation add-ons as the cardiologist could offer anything else - had a pacemaker fitted 2 months ago and have been able to reduce my dose a lot since. It does all get mixed up together.

What does the GP think it might be?

[stellafmdm in reply to PMRpro]

He’s waiting for test results before making any pronouncements I think, PMRpro. A bit of a shock for me though!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You may not be able to get below 8mg at the moment, it doesn’t mean you won’t at some time.

But in your own time, as and when you feel it’s appropriate - good not to be pressurised though.

Take care.

[stellafmdm in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL that’s very helpful

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings Stella

Although I am not a medic, I tend to agree with your GP and the other respondents here: probably best to stay at your current level of Pred until you have the results of the investigations into your cardiac problem.

Fingers crossed that it's a relatively minor issue , please keep us posted.

MB

[stellafmdm in reply to markbenjamin57]

Thanks Mark, I'll take the good advice and wait for the test results. Might be a while though as The Hospital appointments are slow unless in an emergency!!

[Pristina]

Hi, i had the same today, breathless all weekend and went to gp today and bluelighted to a&e with really high blood pressure. Put on amlodipine tonight and more tests to come. Im on 10mg pred at moment, will have to compare stories! Its all rather scary isnt it.

[stellafmdm in reply to Pristina]

sure is Pristina! all the best with your BP problem I hope it ends well for you!!

[YuliK]

FYI

One of the side effects of Prednisone ,is that taking high regular doses, can cause heart problems usually irregular heart beat.

arthritis.org/living-with-a...

☝️

I found this link, which is very informative.

YuliK

9/7/2019

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to YuliK]

But so can the autoimmune part of PMR/GCA - it isn't entirely fair to blame pred alone. Mine was very much there right from the start of PMR symptoms and I had to use higher dose pred to help manage it latterly.

[YuliK in reply to PMRpro]

Oh course not PMRpro, you are correct there .

It certainly doesn't mean that everyone who is medicated with Prednisone will suffer cardiovascular problems.

I think my cardio problems started just before I was diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosis. Also autoimmune... but who knows. 😩

As of yet, we have no scientific papers as to where these debilitating diseases derive from. 😱

Anyway PMRpro, nothing is holding you back, and you really are a shining example to us all of how to pick yourself up and start over again. Plodding on 👏

Your strength shines through your helpful advice and the constant patience shown to all posters. Bless. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

YuliK.

[whitefishbay in reply to YuliK]

Thanks for the interesting article. Off to the cardiologist tomorrow for my sometime erratic heartbeat (ectopic palpitations). I love the NHS but what was erratic was trying to get them to give me the results of the tests (which were in 3 places over 1.5 months). I bet the diagnosis is wait and see.

Have a good day.

[Polymialgia]

Bit unsure how the doctor diagnosed heart disease in the surgery ! I have had severe breathlessness for over a year and have had scans x rays and all sorts of other things done , bottom line no evidence of copd or heart disease, now my prednisone is down to 2mg breathing much improved so I am totally convinced it’s pred induced

[Pristina in reply to Polymialgia]

Hi, did you have high BP too?

[Polymialgia in reply to Pristina]

Not particularly, but one of strange things about the breathlessness is the way my bp jumps up and down,high when walking etc then plummets when I stop, then after 10 mins or so it returns to normal

[stellafmdm in reply to Polymialgia]

Well at least he is getting tests done to confirm his diagnosis, (or not as the case may be) I do have COPD as well though.

[Polymialgia in reply to stellafmdm]

True

[Perkey]

They found nothing with my breathless attacks so I went privately to a cardiologist who sent me for a angiogram and it was found I had angina. I think they call it stable angina I now have a spray to put under my tongue if I get breathless, not what I wanted to hear but there you go at least I am aware now.

[YuliK in reply to Perkey]

Perkey

If the pain happens during certain activities and goes away with rest, it's called stable angina. However, if the chest pain becomes more severe or frequent, lasts longer, or occurs while resting it's called unstable angina. ... Your doctor may describe your chest pain as "unstable" or "stable" angina.

Mine is unstable angina. 😩

YuliK. 🌺