Does anyone else get palpitations?

[USAGCA]

And if so, is it from a prednisone taper? I’m only on 3 mg, down from 50 They also added methotrexate. Could methotrexate cause palpitations?

[winfong]

I believe there was just a discussion of this a week or two ago. Try searching on it and see what you can find.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Several possible answers - I have atrial fibrillation which is notably worse when I start to flare and the inflammation is worse. Is you dose still enough for that?

It can also be an effect of poor adrenal function - at that dose it is quite possible that your body hasn't caught up.

Pred can also cause palpitations - unlikely if it didn't happen at higher doses but methotrexate increases the side effects of pred, both good and bad. And MTX can also cause palpitations on its own though whether it does at the low doses used in rheumatology I don't know.

When did you first notice them? How long do they last? Any idea what your pulse goes up to?

[USAGCA in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reply. They are frequent. I’m not sure of my pulse when they occur. I’m calling three of my doctors (primary, rheumatologist, cardiologist) today because I’m concerned.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to USAGCA]

I found a simple pulse oximeter was a help for gaining some context - at least you know how fast it's going! Up to 125/130 doesn't concern me even though I feel grotty and try to just sit and not do anything, It is worse when I am tired and cutting alcohol (I only drink wine anyway and not a lot) seems to help a bit but not a lot - not enough to make me give up my only pleasure!

[nallufl24]

I’m on 4 mg prednisone and monthly of Actemra. I started to get a dull chest pain and could tell my heart wasn’t beating correctly. Went to doctor and he said my heartbeat was irregular. Took an EKG and again heartbeat was irregular. Chest X-ray was normal so now he wants me to wear a monitor for a week. I have no idea what suddenly caused this but it definitely can be frightening

[Darkchocolate1]

I never had palpitations on just prednisone but when I added Methotrexate, 10 - 12 ml. I did have them. I had to quit taking it.

[artfingers]

Curiously, I get them off and on but didn't get any during Lent when I gave up all alcohol (I'm a two glasses of wine/alcohol drinker normally). That was interesting to me. I hope you find answers.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to artfingers]

Alcohol is a well-known and acknoweldged trigger for a/fib. I definitely get less when I stop alcohol but not enough less to give up the 110ml glass of rose with dinner that is my pleasure (a bottle lasts 6 niths and I have a mini of prosecco on Sundays).

I DID reluctantly have to admit that a daily G&T during lockdown was NOT a good idea in the context of a/fib!!

[PMRCanada]

I didn’t have them while on pred alone, but when I added MTX I noticed them (on and off). Just feels like I can feel my pulse is outside of my chest, more pronounced heartbeats which feel closer to the surface of my chest skin. Not necessarily a fast heartbeat, but rather a “loud” thumping that is more pronounced and felt.

I rarely drink alcohol, but felt the palpitations were more noticeable while recently on antibiotics. I haven’t felt them for over a week since finishing the antibiotics.

More annoying/distracting than anything.

[USAGCA in reply to PMRCanada]

That’s a great description. My heart feels like it’s beating near my skin.

[USAGCA in reply to PMRCanada]

Like you, I did not have them before methotrexate