Possible adrenal wake up?

[Windy183]

Diagnosed Sept 22 with PMR, started at 15mg now just down to 7.5 mg. Noticing occasional short periods of what seems like quickened heart rate, almost ‘butterflies’. Could this be a symptom of adrenal function starting to return? Couldn’t see this mentioned in articles but may have missed it. Be grateful for any input.

[SnazzyD]

I got this kind of thing when my adrenal function was low. At 7.5mg the Pred level can be just below what your body needs to function normally, let alone with any stress on top. If your adrenal glands haven’t realised yet, you can feel the lack of cortisol. Personally, I had to get to nearer 5mg for my body to get the message so 7.5mg to 5mg was a rough ride. I knew when my adrenal glands were working simply by not feeling off rather than getting specific symptoms that suggested rumbling in the jungle.

However, if you are getting new cardiac symptoms it’s worth getting it checked out rather than blaming adrenals, not adrenals, Pred or not Pred. Much more convenient though!

[Windy183 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you! I think it best to get it checked out if I can just get to see my GP 😩

[SnazzyD in reply to Windy183]

I know! I called mine yesterday and the earliest is 28th April.

[Windy183 in reply to SnazzyD]

😩

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Maybe have a look this - from The FAQs section - but as SnazzyD says may need checking out - could be other issues..

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Windy183 in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks, I’ll now have a read.

[BiteyDelano in reply to DorsetLady]

DorsetLady - I just want to thank you for your post on Adrenal Glands - I learnt a lot!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to BiteyDelano]

👍😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably not so much that it is returning, more that it needs to return.

My palpitations were due to the autoimmune part of PMR having damaged the sinus node - definitely not pred as they happpened long before pred appeared on the scene. They are due to atrial fibrillation so that has been medically managed for 7+ years (medication), So that is also a possibilty and they should be checked out just in case.

[Windy183 in reply to PMRpro]

many thanks, seems getting checked out is the way to go. 👍🏻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Windy183]

Don't mess about with heart symptoms!!!! Of course they won't happen when you see the doctor! Have you got a pulse oximeter? I find mine very useful to get pulse rate and show if the pulse is irregular. And a smartwatxh or fit bit is even better.

[Windy183 in reply to PMRpro]

Great idea. I’ve got an Applewatch with all the fitness stuff on it, I’ll start regular checks for the x number of weeks before I see my GP

[ian16527 in reply to PMRpro]

HI, Ive just posted a question about AF. I Think my AF is caused by something auto imune going on. CAn you let me have any details pm if you want thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ian16527]

I've already replied there ...

[Zebedee44]

Hi Windy183, I have been getting momentary fluttering of my heart too but very infrequent. They have certainly been more frequent now that I am in the lower range of pred dose at 6.5mg and struggling.

My GP is running a load of blood tests on me and I will get the results tomorrow. She is the new young registrar so it is easier to book an appointment and I hope she will proceed to investigate some of the things I have been concerned about.

Six years in to PMR and I feel I have slipped through the net in terms of recognition of accumulated symptoms, now I’m hoping to see a way forward. I wonder if we all feel this way with the slippery nature of PMR and the shortcomings of the NHS. Without this forum I would feel very unsupported and isolated. It’s nice to know there are others in the same boat, best wishes, Chrissie

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Zebedee44]

I found, palpitations were helped by magnesium glycinate; pred interferes with the absorption of magnesium. There are other drugs which interfere: stomach acid blockers and antihistamines (for colds/allergies).

I’ve gone to the cardiologist at first for these and concurred with my use of magnesium.

[Windy183 in reply to Karenjaninaz]

that’s interesting as my rheumatologist gave me some Naproxen for a neck problem and I have to take antihistamines as I have an allergic reaction to Naproxen. These palpitations starting absolutely coincides with my taking the antihistamine. I am due to finish tomorrow so that would be a great test. Thank you!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karenjaninaz]

It is standard treatment here - a nurse appears with a 10ml sachet of liquid magnesium if an arrhythmia episode registers on ECG monitoring. Magnesium pidolate they use here. They recommend it for use at home - I have used a lot of sachets over the years!

[HeronNS]

At that level I had a sensation of unexplained panic, which now that I read your post could have been caused by a feeling in the heart area, as one gets when panicky! Completely separately and since long before PMR I've had butterflies in my chest, and long ago a stress test which showed nothing wrong. These went away for several years when I started to eat a healthier level of salt (I happened to be salt deficient) but have returned much stronger within the past few months. I had these feelings when I came in from a walk and sat down right away to take blood pressure with a machine which would also detect irregular heart. Heart normal, pulse a bit high (but mine always is) and blood pressure a bit low.

I'm hoping for your sake that it is nothing more than adrenals starting to stutter awake and the sensation goes away as mine did at that time within maybe three weeks or so.