High blood pressure and prednisone

[jensen0518]

Hello everybody

Brief history again

Was diagnosed in December 2018 with PMR and finally got to see a rheumatologist in February 2019 he started me out on 30 mg of prednisone and everything was great started tapering and everything was going great until I had a flare up at 9mg and back I went to 15 mg and to start tapering moving forward I am taking 11 mg and overall feel great. I am scheduled for my blood work and doctor appointment at the end of October. My concern is I tried to give blood and when checking my blood pressure it was 142/104 I also used the free blood pressure at CVS and that was high 149/90 my pulse was 68. My blood pressure used to be always around 110/68

I am a 58 male weight around 190.

Do you think prednisone or PMR is raising my blood pressure

Thank you

[Hidden]

Pred can cause fluid retention that can raise your BP. If its high frequently I would see Dr. Mine was higher when in double figures of pred but has lowered significantly but I do take meds too. Always best to get BP checked.

[jensen0518 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have a look at this.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

It’s the Pred - listed as side effect. But it usually reduces as you get lower on Pred. For some it’s just a change in lifestyle - but others need meds - so discuss with GP - but don’t get too stressed! Easily remedied.

[jensen0518 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably pred thought it is impossible to say. Vasculitis can also lead to raised BP as the inflammation can narrow the arteries.

[jensen0518 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[Devoid]

Pred or vasculitis has made a significant increase in my blood pressure, not sure which because it wasn’t checked until I had already started pred . I try to check it myself about every 3 days, just to get an idea as in hospital, doctor appointment it’s probably going to be up a bit more

[jensen0518 in reply to Devoid]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Was on b/ p meds before pmr. Had to increase dosage after starting prednisone. I expect I’ll be able to reduce again as prednisone mgs lowered. It is a side effect. You might need b/ p meds for awhile, but feeling good is well worth it, I think. My best to you.

[jensen0518]

Thank you

[SusanEleven]

My BP story for what it’s worth. Mine has been on the high side for a few years (140/90) and didn’t respond to different BP meds that were tried. It spiked late last year and got terribly, scary high even as I was down to only 3mg prednisone per day. I was started on another BP med which helped but not enough. My dose was raised and my BP didn’t get any lower. I figured it was the PMR or pred or both. But since my fatigue has been extreme my endocrinologist asked me some questions and then demanded that my primary care doc arrange a sleep test immediately. Results: I have sleep apnea! I've been faithfully using my CPAP machine every night for about three months now and my blood pressure is close to what it was 30 years ago.

[jensen0518 in reply to SusanEleven]

Thank you

[Orangelady]

It is the pred. Mine has gone high too and I have been on pred for almost 3 years. I’m down to 10mg per day now and blood pressure is still high. Please see your doctor.

[jensen0518 in reply to Orangelady]

Thank you

[aprilrain]

I was on the pred for a short time, gained to much weight, so , now I am taking black seed cumin seed oil, in pill form, omegas, plant based and vit d

[jensen0518 in reply to aprilrain]

Luckily I have not gained any weight