Prednisolone palpitations?

[krillemy]

I am experiencing palpitations (racing heart?) shortly after I wake up in the morning. It tickers anxiety. Is that maybe a side effect of prednisolone? I am on 13,75 mg since 2 months now.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This is often discussed - see recent post - and plenty of related posts -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

It would be sensible to get it checked out..just to make sure it’s nothing more serious.

[krillemy in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks - I have been checked out last year. I was on steroids then. It does seem to have come back now. I am under a lot of stress do to a family situation, along with a flu (almost over lasted 10 days!), so I was thinking if my body needed extra pred. ?I read through some of the posts, but they are mostly saying to have it checked, not IF pred is causing it?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to krillemy]

It is listed as a side effect in the patient information leaflet (PIL) …

But added stress may well make them worse.

[krillemy in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes I see. But it is only in the morning, before taking Pred. I think I was unclear, could it be because I am not taking enough - lack of pred in the early hours?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to krillemy]

It COULD be like me, the inflammation due to the daily shedding of the inflammatory substances is enough to trigger an episode. Mine is definitely worse if I flare.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to krillemy]

Could be…,as you say you are stressed any other symptoms? Might be worth upping a little to previous dose -or try splitting dose -1/3rd bedtime, 2/3rd morning. But don’t do both at once -one of the other…

[krillemy in reply to DorsetLady]

I will try 1/3 at bedtime. Trial and error. It would mean the world to me to not have this in the morning. As PMRpro says - could be a flair - inflammatory substances do go up in the early morning hours.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to krillemy]

Okay try that initially and see if it makes a difference - obviously if after a couple of weeks it doesn’t, then you may need to up dose -but fingers crossed you don’t.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It can be an effect of pred - but it can also be something in its own right or part of PMR (as it is for me, the autoimmune part of PMR having damaged the electical cells governing heart rate) so it should be checked out if possible. The likelihood of developing an arrythmia also increases with age:

"The prevalence of AF increased from 0.4% at 50 years old, to 1.9% by 60 years old, to 4.6% by 70 years old, to 12.5% by 80 years old, and to 15.7% by 90 years old. The lifetime risk of developing AF was 22.5%."

[SheffieldJane]

The other possibility could be a Thyroid disorder. My palpitations were so bad that the bed would shake. It turned out to be Graves Disease causing Thyrotoxicosis. Easily remedied once diagnosed. Have it checked along with everything else. Does the symptom coincide with Prednisalone hitting your system? I seem to remember that as an early response to the drug 6 years ago ( PMR only then).

[krillemy in reply to SheffieldJane]

thanks - they are keeping an eye on that. The numbers are a bit messy, all low but just in normal rage.

[piglette]

My rheumatologist said that one of the main side effects of pred was palpitations and seemed quite disappointed that I did not get them!

[Pr0jection]

I don't get palpitations but I do get a feeling of muscle pain across my chest from about 4.30 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. each morning when lying in bed. I will have a check-up soon, but I tend to think it's to do with either exercising over zealously with light weights, or my adrenal glands trying to wake up. Once I'm up and about it vanishes.

[Poshdog]

I have ignored this symptom so glad you brought it up. OH learning to live with failed heart operation after 4 months in hosp, so plenty of stress here. Palpitations happen irregularly, not asked gp as think present situation explains most. On 4 mgs, down from 15mgs, 5 and a half years ago. Been on 4mgs for last year. Before I moved home gp said 'don't you dare try to reduce at the moment' present gp of same opinion! Good when they sing from same hymn sheet!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poshdog]

The situation DOES account for it - but if there is something that will improve the palpitations then you should get them checked out. At the very least, if they are fairly frequent you may need to take an anticoagulant medication.

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you - always such sound advice. Will definitely follow up if they get any worse 🍷

[Broseley]

When I was on a high dose of pred I had palpitations. I'm prone to them anyway, but hadn't had them for a few years. Once I got down to 20mg they stopped.

[Hidden]

Dear krillemy. Yes, please do have yogurt first thing and swallow that Pred somewhere during.

One day, when I was in my third month of Pred, I suddenly felt I was having a heart attack. I couldn’t breathe; my chest muscles were pressing hard and my esophagus was spamming. I was truly frightened. That’s the beginning of my enlightenment about Prednisone. My advice: see your doctor soon. The Pred kept my blood pressure high and caused esophageal spasms. I’m now completely off Pred and have normal BP, however I do check it regularly. Good luck.

[LozzaSandstrom]

Me too but I get them in the night - I think its worse when you have laid down for a while - I had an ecg and a blood pressure test and all was ok so I am taking it as a side effect. Not very nice but once I am up and about it stops,

[Karenjaninaz]

I’ve had palpitations on occasion over the last years few years; certain drugs trigger them: prednisone, anti-histamines, and possibly my asthma inhalers. I upped my intake of magnesium (magnesium glycinate) and find I rarely have them anymore. Certain drugs decrease our absorption of magnesium from foods that’s creating a deficit. Prednisone is one of those. I forgot to mention mention acid blockers as well. You might consider increasing your intake of magnesium in foods or supplements. I did check with my cardiologist who checked me out. But the research on the magnesium was mine. Of course I shared it with the cardiologist who indeed agreed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Here if you have an episode while in hospital a nurse appears very quickly with a dose of liquid oral magnesium and it is also recommended to use at home. I do - if I catch the early stages of an episode it often just disappears. Mine often starts with short bursts of tachycardia, just a few seconds each, which after a short while become more sustained.

[krillemy in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Thanks, that makes sense, since I am om asthma medication more than normal due to a flu, and I have also been taking anti-histamine for for birch allergy. I will look into the magnesium supplements

[Pusph]

I am getting palpitations up to 7 times a day! My doctor says it is due to the Prednisone, I suffer with palpitations anyway due to SVT, but this is now so much worse and I've asked to be referred back to the cardiologist as I'm now scared to go out anywhere or do anything really. They seem to come on within about half hour of taking the Prednisone and also after I've eaten something. I'm now getting to the end of my tether really as I live on my own and it's very scary!