Update on dizziness/shortness of breath ...

Posted , 8 users are following.

Having had some "episodes" of nearly fainting with rapid heartbeat/dizziness/odd balance/blurred vision etc...had many blood tests....ECG this morning......nurse was very direct, nothing wrong (but will see doc in 2 weeks) bloods were ok, not aneamic, or diabetic, ceoliac, or other things......when I asked if vit D was tested....wait for it....no, that`s too expensive.....oh I came out of there feeling quite worthless, but before I left, she lectured me on my high cholesterol...6.8 (didn`t starve for the test) went through everything especially diet, and came to the conclusion it`s steroids that are raising it, and then said...you will have to go on statins. if you stay on pred....to which I replied, I won`t have to do anything if I don`t want to! 

?Do many of you have raised cholesterol?

?Had MRI for lower back pelvis hip pain...came back ankolysing(spelling?) deteriation....what ever that means??...and so it goes on....

?Am seeing a rheumatologist in 2 weeks so hopefully he can make some suggestions....but fear it will be DMARDS to help lower pred (10.5mg)

?Thanks for any suggestions....

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  • Posted

    Hi Linda , Yes I have high cholesterol, but mine was high before PMR and GCA

    Like you I didn't want to go on statins, but after being on Preds for 6 months and the side effects etc, plus I had some other health issues come up. I agreed to go on the statin ( rosuvastatin 10mg ) The reason I had put on a LOT of weight over the 6 months, and she explained the benifits of lowering my cholesterol while on Preds. eg:: heart, stroke etc.

    I have been on them for about 2 months and my cholesterol has lowered. I will stay on them for a short time while on the high Preds, then taper off them when I have my diet under control again. I'm like a hoover at the moment with my eating lol smile   

    Good Luck  

  • Posted

    I had some of these episodes as well and they were scrary.  I take care of my 6 month-old grandaughter and was afraid to hold her, so I had to call a neighbor to help out.  The episodes didn't last long 30 - 60 minutes, but they were unpredictable and I was always worried about when I'd have the next one.  They lasted for about 10 days and then I think my body adaped to the prednisone.  I haven't had any bad ones for a couple of weeks now.  Hope yours pass.  I haven't had my cholesterol checked lately, but I think I'll ask to have it done at my next appointment. 

  • Posted

    My husband, newly diagnosed, had terrible episodes of dizziness and rapid heartbeat and was switched to another steroid.

    So far, so good. He said he also had a sensation like bees were in his body, a sort of buzzing or electrical shock sensation that would move from place to place. 

    He has high cholesterol but was taken off the statins because of the steroids. 

    • Posted

      I wonder why he was taken off statins because of the steroids....I `m sure they are going to try and push them on me .....I said try!

      ​What steroid did your husband go from and to.if you don`t mind me asking...I am on prenisilone....I do split the dose as well.....

      ​Hope things settle for him, and he can reduce the steroids ok....

    • Posted

      I wondered that too Linda - do tell us Jae if you know...

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