I have become very breathless when walking, could it be the steroids?
Posted , 3 users are following.
I have been diagnosed with PMR and have been on 15mg Prednisolone for almost 4 weeks. This last week I have been very breathless when out walking, particularly bad on even a slight incline. This was not a problem before, could it be the steroids?
Thank you
Sheila
0 likes, 12 replies
EileenH Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
Sheilamac_Fife EileenH
Posted
You have found me here as well. Thank you so much! I will look it up. Thought it had to be because it was so sudden.
Yes indeed, a nuisance...
Sheils
EileenH Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
And I'm a member of all three UK forums - so you don't escape that way either.
Sheilamac_Fife EileenH
Posted
Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
Research done and it seems that this is the problem, but nowhere does it say what to do about it. I shall have to ring my GP I think. I don't know whether to push myself or if that would do harm. Not even sure that I can push myself much...
Annoying because of course I have only just got moving in the last 3 weeks!! Also I have been very keen to walk as a means of maintaining bone density and of course to strengthen muscles that haven't had sufficient use for about 8 months!
I will be cutting down to 12.5mg from Wednesday but I can't imagine that will make an enormous difference to my breathing.
And what are assuming? Is this fluid gathering? It isn't gathering anywhere else.
Ach! Literally 1 step forward and 2 back....
Sheila
EileenH Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
MrsO-UK_Surrey Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
As for "slight inclines", I couldn't manage those during the years I was on steroids - my breathing just wouldn't allow it not to mention the discomfort/weakness in my legs. Walking is excellent, but only on the flat!
So don't worry about those muscles too much at this early stage - they will soon recover as you [/B]gradually[B] increase your walking. More important to take things easy at the moment and allow the steroids to do their job of controlling the inflammation and keeping it there.
Sheilamac_Fife MrsO-UK_Surrey
Posted
So am I gathering fluid?
Sheila
EileenH Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
Walk yes - but on the level and not too fast. Sit and rest if you need to and then walk a bit more. Take the lift up and walk down - that will maintain bone density and is still using muscles usefully.
What doyou do about it? Work within the limits. Stop the pred and you won't be able to do anything for the PMR - and there isn't any option besides pred yet. Or at least, the stuff that seems to work also has nasty side effects.
I would also suggest reducing 1mg at a time, not 2.5mg. Never more than 10% is a common mantra. 10% of 15 is 1.5mg. Enough said. You haven't won anything if you initiate a flare and have to go back up for a week or two. The most common cause of a flare? Reducing too fast. We suggest spreading that reduction over a week or two. I have a reduction scheme published all over the place here - if you can't find it I'll put it up again.
EileenH Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
Sheilamac_Fife EileenH
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I was just do excited to be moving painfree! Impatient I guess.
Sheila
EileenH Sheilamac_Fife
Posted
We've all been there, I don't imagine for a moment you will believe these miserable old curmudgeons about what a sod PMR can be ;-) But ignore us at your peril!!!!