Over the past few weeks I have noticed I have felt a little dizzy/light headed at times. Happens most days but not for long periods of time. I have a blood pressure machine here so decided to take my BP. It’s around 109/67 on average when feeling light headed.
This is a new symptom to me. Currently on 8mg pred and hydroxychloroquine.
Anyone experiencing similar and should I be speaking to my doctor?
Thanks
Low blood pressure is more unusual with Pred, it normally has the opposite effect. Can't comment on hydroxychloroquine - but I think it's best to get anything that not normal for you checked.
Yes definitely! Let us know what’s going on. Mine is always raised since Pred.
Will do if I ever get to speak to anyone about it! GP still not seeing anyone and not so easy to get a telephone appointment with my GP as he’s so popular.
Hope you’re doing ok. You’ve been having a tough time - I hope things are settling down for you.
Thanks Lochy. I am a bit all over the place but I’ve been spared the real high dose GCA nightmare for which I am thankful.
Most doctors these days would tell you that is a superb BP reading!!! What is it when you AREN'T feeling dizzy?
It is possible that your adrenal function isn't keeping up with your reduction.
I’ve always had pretty good BP. When I first started pred in March 2016 it went up a bit but over the years since it has been around 120/78. It’s the lower reading that seems to have dropped the most. Don’t know if that’s good or bad.
My pulse has been in high 80s since starting steroids but is now down around 76 on average. I rarely have my BP taken at my GPs but always done at rheumatology appointments.
Having never got to a very low dose of pred I hadn’t given a moments thought to my adrenals!
I’m speaking to rheumatology nurse on Monday so I’ll see what she says.
Hi Locky its the bottom reading for you BP thats the more important one. I would not worry , this is a fairly normal reading. Mine is sky hi and that was even before i took Pred. My Bp pills dont control it . Your pulse is also fine. Hope this helps , dont let your BP worry you . Best wishes Viv x
I fainted a couple of times in the last year and had deathly fatigue. I put it down to my adrenal glands. My lowest BP was 89/54, but it seems to have improved.
You are on a par with my OH!!!
In competition eh? I think I may be prone to low blood pressure. Also I went into a shop this week and they took my temperature which was 35. My brother reckons I am on the wrong planet.
So when you develop Covid and your temp has shot up to 36.8 they won't turn a hair ...
If your brother knows of a better planet maybe we could all naff off there?
Ha ha, good idea! 🤣 🤣
Forgot to remind you - my GP in Germany told me to have a mini-bottle of Sekt/prosecco in the afternoon. Said it was better than any pills he could offer for low BP!!
Mine suggested good quality cognac. Perhaps it was my suggestion and he agreed!
Any excuse! No doctor here has suggested such a thing.
Wrong doctors - Georg Pelka was quite special. 
My first thought was adrenal gland problems, you are on 8 Pred and it usually happens at lower doses but CAN happen anywhere between 10 and 2. Blood pressure falling when I stood up was one of the things that happened to me when I had adrenal problems. Mention it to your doctor as it could be other things too, I know some people have side effects from taking hydroxy.
Thanks and I will do.
Lochy, I have the same thing happen quite often. My BP drops (to about the same level as yours) and then I feel dizzy/unstable. Evidently it isn't anything to worry about but it isn't pleasant when it happens.
Thanks. I don’t feel unwell just wobbly for a short time. Didn’t appear to correlate with having eaten or not. Always just wonder if it’s the drugs but it could just be me!
I have just seen my gp as I have been having a few flares and have been getting lightheaded mostly when I stand up. This has happened to me on and off throughout my life but got pretty bad a little while ago and is now getting better. My BP is low and he has suggested compression stockings. Perhaps that might help you.
My BP has always been low and still is. Can sometimes even go down to the 80/57. My average is 97/60. In the surgery it shoots up to 140/?.
Think they call that 'white coat syndrome'! 🤣
109/67 would be seen as optimal and desirable pressure rather than low average is 120/80. My normal blood pressure is 110/60 and has been for the last 40 years when I was pregnant it went down to below 100 and then was diagnosed with low blood pressure. There could be another reason for feeling dizzy
I agree with others here. Your blood pressure is good. I experienced dizzy spells many years ago whilst pregnant. I was referred to the National Hospital in London and after investigations, they put it down to my low blood pressure. The bottom figure of your blood pressure is the most important. Blood pressure fluctuates. Maybe low blood pressure is making you feel dizzy. Keep us updated.
Thanks everyone for all your comments. I always prefer to ask questions here first before I speak to my doctors. Will let you know how I get on.
Hi
I have GCA and PMR. I have had similar feelings. I might feel lightheaded, dizzy and a little nauseous too. My blood pressure has always been a little lower than normal as well. A friend suggested that those feelings may be associated with a dip in my blood sugar. The next time it happened, I ate an apple; it worked. The feeling passed and I felt okay. Now, when it happens, I reach for my apple. I always carry one in my purse- just in case.
Lochy, I would suggest you take and record your blood pressure regularly 5 times per day for 3 days and let your GP have a copy of it - it's a pain to do, but you might as well do it yourself rather than wait for someone to tell you to do it. Rheumatology nurse too. Might well be a reaction to something you're taking or a combination of what you're taking. If you are have the wobbly legs and/or sweaty forehead at times, you might be at risk of a faint or fall, so this needs to be checked out and understood.
That’s an idea. I’ve been taking my BP intermittently but not as regularly as you suggest.
If you were put on a Holter monitor it would be done every half hour in the day, hourly at night. It just so happened it caught the plunge in BP that happened with my dizzy moments - eventually turned out to be bradycardia, slow heart rate with big gaps between beats. But no monitor will identify cause until it was measuring when it happened.
I’m having similar problems. I’ve always had low BP - sometimes very low but no issues. Now I am feeling it has gone too low. Then it makes me panic!
It will be interesting to see what your doc says. I am on 1mg pred (after coming off a short high dose course for another issue)
My B/P has increased considerably...now on med for control...My ? is around the hydroxychhloroquine? What was the reason for taking this med? I am very interested in asking my Rum. for an opinion to at least try this med? any thoughts... GeorgeDog
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