OUT OF BREATH

[calicojoy41]

I am on Actemra which has helped me to get down to 5mg of pred a day!! But I have a problem with losing my breath, do other people have this problem?

[SnazzyD]

Hello, can you be more specific about what makes it worse and how it feels? Is it new or something that has developed over a longer period? Are you visibly out of breath or feeling out of puff? Did it come on suddenly?

[calicojoy41 in reply to SnazzyD]

It has been with me for awhile, just really bothering more now. My heart checked out great, my doctor is pleased with all my tests and my body is happy with the actemra. I have had PMR for several years, I guess I just want everything to just go away, I am so tired of having to think of my every move..PMR HAS WORN ME OUT!! Thanks for being there and your caring.

[SnazzyD in reply to calicojoy41]

What level of activity makes it happen?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Do you have any pain? And have you spoken to your doctor?

[scottygirl73]

I am on Actemra,no i have never had this problem except when i have chest infection.Would get Dr to chdck you out.xxx

[winfong]

Trouble breathing is listed as one of the "more common" side effects (among 40 others though). Just anecdotally, I never had it. There's lots of things it could be related to though. Did it predate your taking Actemra?

[Grammy80 in reply to winfong]

You've got courage....I've never even read all the side effects~!💞

[Grammy80]

A little late but....I've been on it since 2019, and I am short of breath sometimes but I, Dr. Grammy, don't attribute it to the Actemra. When my first rheumy hesitated to use it because of previous medical issues but felt it necessary since even on 125 mg of pred from August to early October 2019, my blood levels had not dropped. I was so concerned about stomach and lower intestinal issues, I never read the 'book' of side effects winfong refers to, and haven't to this day.

When I slack off of movement and some exercise, I get out of breath easily. Now I deep breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth slowly and this seems to increase my lung capacity. I have to push myself to 'workout' , and sometimes it is only marching at the kitchen counter!💞

A good piece of advice a PT gave me recently was to set my cell alarm timer for 60 minutes and make sure I walked at least five minutes each hour, building up to 8-9. It has helped.

[calicojoy41]

This sounds like me. THANK YOU Grammy 80😇