Dizziness

[BabiBach]

This is my first post on this forum I was diagnosed with PMR in January and was initially taking 30 mg of pred ,I have been reducing it gradually since then ,though I have had to increase the dose a few times Since yesterday I am down to 8.5 mg daily ,I have good days and bad days but I seem to manage ok,the problem that seems to be getting worse is that I feel faint and dizzy when I get up quickly from sitting down , and I am getting hot flushes , my face is like a beetroot 🤔 Any thoughts on this please ?? P.S I am a 67 year old male in generally good health 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Being practical - don't get up quickly!!!! It is probably orthostatic hypotension:

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con....

To have reduced from 30 to 8.5mg since January is very fast. I do wonder if maybe you are a bit lower than you really need to be as hot flushes are a sure sign to me I have gone too low on pred.

You have been on pred long enough for your adrenal function to be a bit wobbly and maybe it is just not returning to normal as fast as it might. That can also cause dizziness because of low BP.

[piglette]

A lot of things can make you feel faint and dizzy when standing up including low blood pressure. There is something called Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) where you get dizzy getting out of bed or lifting your head quickly this tends to go away after a few minutes though. There is an easy cure for it.

[SheffieldJane]

These are newish symptoms. How is your blood pressure? Blood sugar? Adrenal Function might be beginning to show strain. I had hot red cheeks during one phase of the illness. I wonder if lockdown has had more of a negative impact on your general fitness and stamina than you suspect. It has on mine. I am hoping to rectify both diet and exercise, now that I can go out a bit. Have a check up to see what your dealing with first. What is a bad day like? Are you taking sufficient Pred. Is the inevitable stress getting to you. PMR just eats it.

[yorkieme in reply to SheffieldJane]

Is the inevitable stress getting to you. PMR just eats it. ............ love that little sentence,it must have had a 12 course taster menu with me.lol.

[Marijo1951]

My first thought is low blood pressure as I suffered for years from 'head rushes' if I stood up or lifted my head too quickly. My blood pressure is now usually within the normal range and I haven't had a head rush for a long time.

[tangocharlie]

Sounds like possible adrenal problems. See my recent post on everything to do with adrenals it lists symptoms and what to do

[ChinaWuntoo]

I am 80. Diagnosed in January and put on 15mg. Now on 10mg. This may suggest you have been tapered far too fast.

I have quite bad dizziness every day sometimes for a lot of the day - mostly when I move about (not necessarily when rising from a seat). I also get heat around the eyes/temple and have headaches, side and top. Blood Pressure is fine.

I am reluctanctly putting up with it all, whilst watching things very carefully.

I am gathering my bullets (gathered from friends here and an exhaustive search of journal articles) to fire at the Consultant as I fear GCA.

I suspect the suggestions about lockdown and stress are wise.

[kulina]

I was getting dizzy the first time I reduced from 5 mg to 4 mg. Due to a new doctor I had to increase to 5 mg again. The second time around reducing to 4 mg I didn't get dizzy. I think it was an adrenal issue. I don't think you have an adrenal issue at 8 mg, that usually happens bellow 6 mg. Check blood pressure but also check with your doctor just to be safe.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kulina]

It can start sooner - it all depends on how much of an oral dose you absorb.

[kulina in reply to PMRpro]

Wow, that's interesting!