Blooming steroids!

[Doraflora]

Prior to PMR diagnosis 18 months ago I was pretty healthy, But the steroids do seem to have trashed me a bit.

I had an eye test the other day & the optician diagnosed a slight membrane forming behind my eye. His abruptness & lack of reassurance really worried me until I googled the condition later and then felt more reassured. I obviously was stressing about it and when I had routine blood tests today my BP was sky high (164/97). I’ve got to monitor it for thr next 4 days, but I feel BP meds looming on the horizon. (Guess I’m lucky that I’m 69 and have not had to take them as yet).

Apart from the stress I’ve had I guess the Pred has something to do with high BP?

Sorry for sounding negative tonight but it’s just been an accumulation of worries this weekend and I know you lovely people will understand.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If your BP has been okay up until now, I would put it down to being raised by stress.

Pred can cause raised BP in some people, but if that were the case for you I would have expected it to happen much earlier in your treatment when you were at higher doses.

What did optician actually say about membrane?

As for “blooming steroids”….. in my case “blooming marvellous”…but I can understand you feeling as you do!

[Doraflora in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, Dorset lady. It was a negative day yesterday but this morning my BP was normal😁.

The optician said I had the start of a membrane forming behind my eye and it could possibly stay like that for ages or the bottom line would mean surgery! However, his attitude was very abrupt when I was asking loads of questions and he didn’t say a great deal to reassure me and thus I worried which probably whopped my BP right up.

I guess I was wrongly blaming the Pred yesterday.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Doraflora]

Good to hear about BP…and we all get negative days…with or without Pred 😉

[Sharitone in reply to Doraflora]

Do you think he perhaps just didn't want to admit that he didn't know the answers?

[Doraflora in reply to Sharitone]

Perhaps, Sharitone. 🙄

[Nextoneplease]

Sorry you feel so fed up Doraflora but honestly blood pressure meds (if it turns out you need them) are not a problem in my experience. In fact I was having nosebleeds for a year (most of 2020) and couldn’t raise any interest from my GP. So I bought a home monitor, did a set of readings, sent them to her - and hey presto, I’m on a low dose of BP meds. I honestly feel much better for them 😊

Hope you feel better soon x

[Doraflora in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thanks next one please. I was I was just feeling low yesterday over my eye situation and the thought of possibly having yet another medication to take. Your reassurance has meant a lot. Thank you😁

[Bcol]

Morning Doraflora, I'm not surprised your BP was high if you were worried about something to do with eyes, hopefully now you feel more comfortable with that diagnosis your BP may come down. If not and you do get BP tablets you shouldn't worry. I've been on Amlodipine, only 5mg, for years with no apparent side effects at all. As for steroids as DL says" steroids, bloomin marvellous" they gave me a life back.

[Doraflora in reply to Bcol]

Thanks Bcol for your reassurance

[Sophiestree]

I would seriously think of going to another optician. One that will bother to take the time to explain things to you in a more empathetic way.....

[Doraflora in reply to Sophiestree]

Yep, I agree, sophiestree.

And then the opticians sent an automated survey to me today. I’ve desisted from doing it🤣

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Doraflora]

Oh go on, be a devil….or maybe not now BP is okay 😂🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Doraflora]

Oh I wouldn't - drop them in it! If he can't relate to a scared patient, he's in the wrong job.

[Doraflora in reply to PMRpro]

Very true, PMR pro. I’ll do the survey later. Definitely!!

[Hidden]

I agree with DorsetLady, I think stress has raised your BP. I am 74 and lucky to say (at the mo) I too haven't needed BP, or Cholesterol meds. Pred hasn't caused my BP to rise, but stress certainly does from time to time with me. All I dread is Pred causing cataracts, people do get those who don't take Pred.

[Doraflora in reply to Hidden]

Every optician I’ve been to for about the last 7/8 years have all said I’ve got a very slight cataract forming but thankfully nothing has escalated.

I wouldn’t be too concerned about having a cataract removed. I know lots of people who have had laser treatment for that procedure.

If I have to have BP meds then so be it. What’s another packet of meds on the worktop🤣

[Hidden in reply to Doraflora]

How true that is Sue, Apart from the occasional couple of paracetamols (to help me sleep) I only take Pred, but several supplements that I'm sure help me. I panic as you know with only having the sight in one eye, so don't look forward to any surgery on eyes.

[Rugger]

I've been on pred for over 5 years and my BP remains low. Recently, I had a tooth abscess, which was the most painful thing I can recall and I lost hours and hours of sleep. I happened to check my BP for a telephone appointment with my Rheumatologist and it was sky high! She reassured me it would be the stress of the pain and lack of sleep. It's now back to normal.

I echo those who say that steroids are marvellous. Where would we be without them?

[Doraflora in reply to Rugger]

You’re right, rugger. We’d all be in a lot of pain without them. It was just a bad day yesterday and I’m so grateful to you all for your reassurances.