First of all I apologize for any misspellings and grammatical errors that will come from my dictating this to my phone. Today is Saturday and I've been in the hospital since last Tuesday. For about a week I was experiencing shortness of breath intermittent exhaustion. What's so much going on in our bodies it's hard to pin things down. But it got so that I just had difficulty breathing Monday and Tuesday it was an all-day thing. It is my heart although a nuclear stress test did not show an exam that consider an emergency just a irregular heartbeat and my blood pressure is either very low are high...go figure. I'm sure BMR Pro has already got a lot of this figured out and I wish I had her right here with me. They put me on a Statin another medication to increase the blood flow to the heart and another one too prevent or suppress angina. I've been on oxygen since I got here and today I sent they might try letting me walk without the oxygen.
I know they can't keep me here forever and I may or may not see the cardiologist today because it is the weekend. My kidney numbers are not where they are celebration either. I had wondered before I came in if many people had experienced heart issues after being on steroids for a long time? Well my best to all of you I am thankful for you.
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Grammy80
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Grammy I so sorry to read of your sad predicament...it’s certainly not the time to be in hospital ...no time is. 🙀
I have unstable angina pectoris and my cardiologist recommended a nitroglycerin spray for those shortness of breath days. ( which fortunately are not too often)
I keep it with me at all times.
My cardio problems started many years before I started taking prednisone. So I can’t blame it on PMR
If you have cardiology problems I’m sure that the cardiologist will see you before you’re discharged.
Get well soon and let us know how you are fairing ...
Yes I have! But whether it was cos of PMR or pred I don’t know. Last October I suddenly suffered from angina stable then became unstable Had angiogram and two stents and now fine. I wish you the very best. You feel very vulnerable in hospital and I do hope you get home soon.
Sorry to hear that - but you are in a good place for them to sort it out! Get well soon.
My heart problems are due to the autoimmune bit of PMR - it damaged the electrical cells that govern heart rate and I get intermittent arrythmias. Your BP is often closely linked to the heart rate but with GCA it may mess it up as the blood vessels don't dilate when the heart rate goes up as they should do and so the BP goes up. After I'd had a period of fast pulse, it would suddenly slow to have a rest - and my BP plummeted, especially when it got really slow. A pacemaker has sorted that out But my arrythmia is closely associated with the inflammation - and a higher dose of pred helps control the heart rate too!
Marilyn, I'm so sorry to hear this news. You have been through so much already. Since being diagnosed with GCA, I now have a cardiologist (same one I took my mom to and she lived to be 95!). I had blood pressure and high cholesterol issues before GCA so I can't blame the medications. Know that we are all here thinking of you and hoping you return home soon. Hugs and prayers being sent your way. Jean
Really saddened to hear you're going through such a difficult time and facing yet more challenges. Hospital is the right place to be at the moment and when they've sorted all the 'issues' out, you'll be able to return home again, rest & recuperate and return to some kind of normal.
Try and think positive if you can..... there is always a resolution to every problem and hopefully you'll soon be feeling much better and these health issues will either be resolved or better managed.
Oh Grammy I am sorry that you’ve hit another rocky patch. I know what you mean about having PMRPro on speed dial. You must have been frightened by the breathlessness, I think it’s the worst feeling! I haven’t got the knowledge you need about Pred and cardiac issues. I know that my Large Vessel Vasculitis can affect the Aortic/Abdominal Artery, I have had one scan for that so far and the function was normal.
Thinking of you Grammy, all good wishes for a speedy recovery from this problem. May you be home soon feeling more like your old self. Love and virtual healing hugs,🙏😘❤️
Hi Grammy sorry to hear you are struggling, I do hope you are getting excellent treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take very good care of yourself 💐.
Do hope you get everything sorted out and can get home soon. Take care.
I developed an arrhythmia (SVT) after more than ten years on pred. It's now pretty well controlled by Bisoprolol but my blood pressure does fluctuate especially when, as recently, I have any other health problems.
Joining the rest of the wonderful people of this forum in wishing you a speedy recovery....also Bisoprolol has been quite effective in controlling my arrhythmia for a number of years (pre GCA). Good luck.
I had heart problems before diagnosed with PMR so do not know if that or the prednisone affects my heart. December of last year I an aorta valve replacement process done with no incision, it is done through the large arteries in the groin. The cardiologist advised it, not for longevity, but for quality of life as it increases the blood flow through the valve.
Hello Grammy, I don't know your health situation well as I am fairly new to the site but I just want to wish you a speedy recovery. It's not nice being in hospital but as people have said it's the best place for you in the circumstances. Whenever I've been in I've always felt safer than I would have done at home with all the medics being on hand. No doubt you'll see the cardiologist tomorrow and then you'll know better what the next step is going to be. I hope it helps you to know so many people are thinking of you. Take care and get home soon.
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But my arrythmia is closely associated with the inflammation - and a higher dose of pred helps control the heart rate too!
My Rheumy Retrospective 
Now Able to Take My Advice!!!
Is it still in my system?
Six years into PMR. What should my GP be testing me for?
