Blood pressure

[Rottsuzi]

hi my blood pressure is on the high side all of a sudden does anyone know if this is caused with prednisolone but been on it now for a year half and the only new medicine is methotrexate that I’ve been on now for 14 weeks and doctors are saying it’s not a side affect of methotrexate.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Blood pressure can be raised by Prednisolone, but usually it happens quite quickly on higher doses, so strange it’s just occurring now. It doesn’t seem to be a side effect if MTX, but I suppose it could be a combination of the two.

Hopefully those on both will be along shortly to advise.

[Rottsuzi in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your reply , I’m monitoring it for a week . I’ve been at a much higher dose of prednisolone than I’m on now so it is very strange I’m down to 8mg now , see what the doctor has to say this week .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rottsuzi]

MTX CAN lead to an increase in PRED adverse effects - it did that for me. So it COULD result in increasing BP because of the pred effect

[Rottsuzi in reply to PMRpro]

Hi so what does that mean that it’s not a good mix together ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rottsuzi]

Impossible to say - just that taking MTX doesn't always reduce the pred effect - it can increase it. Depends on the person.

[LBM1953]

Hi. I normally have high blood pressure and take meds for it but since PMR and Pred it has improved and at present is normal........

[Rottsuzi in reply to LBM1953]

Really , I have never had high blood pressure so I’m not sure what is causing it .

[readingbooks in reply to Rottsuzi]

"on the high side " Can you be more specific and also tell us what it usually is ?

[Rottsuzi in reply to readingbooks]

This morning it was 144/90 and I’m taking it everyday twice a day for 7 days to hand in to the doctor this week . My blood pressure has always been normal range . I’ve been walking everyday , I’m normally thin built but have put on some weight with being on prednisolone and the only thing that’s different is methotrexate for 14 weeks now and been feeling fine on it .

[pball]

Usually normal blood pressure. High doses of pred made my blood pressure go up considerably. When I stated lowering the dose of pred it went back to normal. My Dr. said this is very common.

[Rottsuzi in reply to pball]

The doctor thinks it’s unusual after all this time being on prednisolone 2 years , I was up at 25 mg for suspected giant cell and now down to 8mg .

[Hidden]

Hi RottsuziYes the Prednisolone has increased my blood pressure a little. GP says it’s nothing to be concerned about at the moment but best to get regular checks.

Hope this helps

[MrsNails]

Hi Rottsuzi - l’ve been on MTX a long time & l’ve not read anywhere about it causing high blood pressure. What dose of Prednisolone are you on now?

Is the rise in BP very sudden? It could be totally unconnected to PMR or your Meds.

Let us know what your Doctor thinks…..

Remember to totally relax when taking your BP, don’t talk & don’t look at the monitor as you can force it up being stressed about it.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Rottsuzi in reply to MrsNails]

Hi I’m down yo 8mg I would find it strange if it would be prednisolone as I’ve been on it nearly two years and been at a much higher dose , yes I didn’t even know it was high I went to see the rheumatologist and she checked it and said it’s high so I’ve been monitoring it for a week . The doctor said it’s not the methotrexate so will see what doctor says this week . Thank you for you response x

[MrsNails in reply to Rottsuzi]

Let us know what the Doctor says - it could be raised when your visiting the Consultant (White Coat Syndrome) so monitoring it yourself is a good idea. It may have been raised for a long time & you were just unaware of it.

I have a very high pulse rate & they still get concerned about every time l go…