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breathlessness and steroids

Posted , 11 users are following.

val26097
val26097

Started on 60mg 2 weeks ago is now reduce d to 50mg for another 2 week eels. I have suspected giant cell arteritis. My inflammation levels were off the scale ...the lab rang me at 23.25 telling me dangerously high.

I am now quite breathless on any exertion. Should I be concerned.

Many thanks

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • 3party
    3party val26097

    Posted

    Yes. IMHO you should get a second opinion. 60 mg seems crazy high to me. Is s/he a specialist or a GP?
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga 3party

      Posted

      Not high for suspected GCA, although the drop after 2 weeks is a bit soon.  I think patient usually stays on initial dose one month or until symptoms have resolved.  
    • EileenH
      EileenH 3party

      Posted

      No, 60mg is NOT crazy high for suspected GCA - in fact doses of 80mg and even 100mg/day are sometimes used if there is felt to be a risk of visual loss.
    • val26097
      val26097 Anhaga

      Posted

      I am confuse, did take 60mg for 4 weeks. Does anyone know anything about strokes /TIA in relationship to GCA?
    • EileenH
      EileenH val26097

      Posted

      GCA can lead to strokes/TIAs if untreated and there is an increased rate of stroke/TIA in the first year after a diagnosis of GCA. It is a very small increase in risk though. That is part of the reason they used to give low dose aspirin to GCA patients as it was thought to reduce the risk. 

      Why are you confused?

    • val26097
      val26097 EileenH

      Posted

      I initially said I was on 60mg for 2 weeks, it was 4 weeks. I am going to have ct as I am dribbling 😕from left side of mouth and a few weeks ago my mouth drooped same side. 2 people mentioned to me.

    • EileenH
      EileenH val26097

      Posted

      Ah right - they are wondering whether you had had a TIA? Transient ischaemic attack symptoms resolve within 24 hours but they need to know if that was what caused the drooping mouth etc. All the best.
  • Anhaga
    Anhaga val26097

    Posted

    I think any disconcerting side effects should be reported to your doctor.  Breathlessness is reported as a pred side effect, but I don't know if it's significant, requiring treatment, or a temporary inconvenience.  

  • EileenH
    EileenH val26097

    Posted

    Breathlessness CAN be side effect of steroids. But GCA is a very serious systemic illness and has an effect on the body like severe flu - would you be surprised at being out of puff if you tried to do anything when you had flu?

     

  • MariGrace
    MariGrace val26097

    Posted

    Please, do check with your doctor regarding breathlessness. I waited too long.

    Every symptom isn't always pred related. That is another of my personal, ongoing errors. It might be that I want it to be and I am not a fan of the other causes.

    My rheumatologist had me on 60mg pred for PMR. It isn't unusual. He is conservative, but a believer in using what it takes to reduce inflammation. Am holding at 10 after 16 months. My dr. said yesterday that this might be it for a good while. Am o.k. with that.

    Hoping this will resolve for you soon.

    Let us know how you are doing.

    MariGrace

    • val26097
      val26097 MariGrace

      Posted

      Good idea to see doc ..will ring Monday. I am also good at self diagnosis, went to my dentist and given antibiotics for gum infection. I thought that's it sorted but pain didn't get better. I left it too long before seeking help and then it took another 4 days to get some sort of diagnosis. Thnks

    • EileenH
      EileenH MariGrace

      Posted

      But the trouble is, if you use 60mg for PMR it may hide the real diagnosis. PMR is characteristic in responding to much lower doses of pred while other things would also respond to 60mg. And it really isn't necessary for PMR - in the long run it makes no difference, it does nothing to the underlying disorder, 

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz val26097

    Posted

    I have reactive airway disease from exposure to a chemical used to seal my mom's floor. This is different from asthma which is helped by steroids. My breathing got worse  on pred and it seems to be getting better as I taper and with high normal doses Vit D( based on a case report in which Vit D actually reversed my problem in the patient studied). I have been under the care of a pulmonologist the whole time, as well as my rheumy and gp who is also certified in rheumatology. They have heard of this breathlessness with steroid therapy. The only thing which really helps a little is albuterol inhaler and low dose Symbicort. I don't think the steroid in the Symbicort helps only the long acting bronchodilater. I am much better than last year though. 

    My heart has been checked out and I am not anemia- which can cause breathlessness.

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