Slow Pred taper for PMR and GCA

[Darcy2000]

Recently on top of everything else I was put on an array of heart meds for Cardiomyopathy. Plavix, Bisopropolol and temisartan for BP. I am also on Actemra . I am doing a slow taper of Pred 1 mg every 6 weeks and currently at 8 mgs and I have 2 months left on Actemra. I am always light headed and it is not pleasant. Could it be the taper or the heart meds or a combination .

Any thoughts not that there is much I could do about it but would just like to know if it will get better as I come down on the Pred. Unfortunately the heart meds can’t be eliminated.

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Could be the fact that you are entering into dose when your adrenals need to start working again...but I would more inclined to think it may be the heart tablets... perhaps they are keeping your BP a lot lower and that’s the issue.

Do you have a BP monitor? If so, do a few readings and see if there’s a pattern.....is it all time, or sometimes worse than others?

Or could be a combination of all meds....brace yourself and have a look through the patients information leaflet (PIL) ...I’m sure when my late hubby was on some you mention lightheadedness was a side effect.

I know the heart meds can’t be eliminated, but you may be able adjust either the doses, the timings or change for a different brand.

I think you probably need to touch base with GP or preferably cardiology team..

[Darcy2000 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks so much... good advice

[Darcy2000 in reply to Darcy2000]

My BP has been fine so don’t think it is that ...it seemed to get worse at 8 mgs so not sure ..maybe I should

Hold off And see if I adjust to lowered prednisone dose ..for a week or so before Calling cardiologist

[mgrogers99 in reply to Darcy2000]

Lightheadedness is one of the symptoms of cardiomyopathy (RN with 40 years of experience). Check with your cardiologist.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Has the light-headedness started since the cardiac meds were started?

Dizziness and nausea are primary side effects of bisprolol and temesartan. As DL suggests, check your BP to see if they are maybe taking your BP down too low - although it may not need to be very low if it was very high before as it takes a while for your body to get used to a change in BP if it too much too soon. I assume they have put you on low doses of 2 to reduce the risk of side effects - it worked well for me, never had any problems. But probably worth speaking to the GP to see if they can adjust the doses in the meantime.

[Darcy2000 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks very much... I am hoping it is the heart meds and hoping it isn’t the adrenals trying to catch up..It is a slow taper as I mentioned in my post so hopefully ok . Will check with cardiologist and see what she says

[Kendrew]

Hi Darcy2000Like DL and PMRPro I suspect it could be heart meds. I took Bisoprolol for a different heart issue and wasn't on a particularly high dose, but nevertheless they made me feel lightheaded and a little disorientated. I eventually changed to another beta blocker (propanolol) and have been fine on these after an initial couple of weeks to settle down on them. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[Darcy2000]

Wow.. your journey is very interesting

BP has not been a problem for me prior to Prednisone . Will check with Cardiologist but I sense one of my meds is causing the problem It’s figuring out which one !