Today I had an appointment and for the 1st time I had such acute lightheadedness when getting out of the car I had to brace myself against the nearest wall as I thought I was going to faint! I've had the same experience before when getting up to fast, but it always passed very quickly. Today it lasted a good 60-70sec. which seemed like an eternity! It was pretty frightening. Now, I've been home for 45m. and am still feeling shakey and a bit lightheaded still, not like before, but still!
Has anyone else experienced such extreme lightheadedness? I emphasize that as it's not dizziness! Thx.
I know exactly how you feel! I have had several experiences where I thought I was going to pass out! It’s really frightening and doesn’t give much notice!
I put it down to the steroids but I’m not sure!
It can take a good ten minutes to feel ok again. I must say I feel like I’m on a boat or in an aeroplane most of the time! I asked the doctor to check my ears but they were fine!
Thx Anne for responding to my post. It's now several hours later and I'm still feeling kinda "weird". Since I hadn't eaten much today, (I had blood work done in late afternoon), I thought maybe that was the culprit. I've now had a light meal and am still not feeling quite right.
I probably should have also said that my legs felt like noodles, like they could barely hold me up! Not sure what's going on. Since I seem to be having soooo many side effects from pred. I guess for the time being, I'll just chalk it up to that!....lol..only thing other than that would be I've been too involved with USA political scene today..VERY Stressful!!
It could be something called postural hypotension, since you say it happens when you stand up from sitting. You doctor will check your BP when sitting and then immediately after standing. The obvious answer if that is what it is will be to stand up much more slowly - and that is what most doctors say!
If it happens at other times it could be due to an arrythmia, your heart beating irregularly. Often it will beat very fast for a while and then slow down a lot - and if the gap between beats is too long you may have a similar feeling. I have atrial fibrillation and occasionally have such episodes. Most doctors tend to blame pred - but it isn't always. My a/f is due to the autoimmune part of PMR, I had had episodes of palpitations before, "your age" said the doctor, so it wasn't pred but I didn't recognise it then until after a/f was diagnosed and treated.
"USA political scene today..VERY Stressful"...
What the matter Lynda, don't you like comedy? Apparently the whole world loved stand-up comedy in UN 
. Or is it something else that is bothering you?
A GIGANTIC yes to that something else!! Ughhh, so difficult to watch the news now-a-days! And Soooo embarrassing! That being said....I probably should zip it right now!
Thx Eileen, that was good info. I normally do have a rather fast heart rate (100-120) but thus far that's never seemed to be a problem. I have noticed lately tho that my heart's been doing a funny thing, hard to explain but, it every hour or so seems to almost skip a beat or two and then sorta lands with a thud. I know that sounds strange, but like I said, it's hard to explain. It's not painful, just kinda annoying and slightly worrisome.
Anyway, again, thanks for the info.
Possibly what most people cause palpitations and much what I feel at times. That's a high heart rate anyway - so maybe you need a monitor at some point to be more sure what is causing it.
Hi lynda62707
I had the same thing. The pred can raise your blood pressure it certainly did with me. My doctor put me on ramipiril to lower my blood pressure. Having said that i still got dizzy spells from time to time when i got stressed and anxious .....I used to put my feet in some warm to hot water and have a cuppa which helped me to relax.....kind thoughts lynda.. hope this dizzy phase passes soon the pred journey is one phase after another...
Lynda,
are you taking any supplements or herbs? Other prescribed medications/ alcohol? Everything we put into our bodies can turn on us.
If you live in the US you can check with a pharmacist. I find they are more up to date than some physicians. Not every disturbance is pred but other drugs can interact with it.
Pred interferes with the absorption of Vit D. I am taking higher doses for reactive airway disease. Our blood level target is 70-80ng/ml( ~200nm/l); after taking D3 for several months around 9,000iu my blood level was only 50ng/ml. I was taking 9-10 mg pred.
I frequently feel lightheaded and woozy—not to the extent you describe but very often. A search of posts on this forum showed that it has been mentioned many times which gave me some consolation. I blame mine on the pred. My heart rate and bp are fine.
Hang on—it’s a bumpy ride! But it will get better!
I would guess that it has to do with limited lung functionality due to diaphragm muscle/nerve damage, if I remember from other posts from Lynda. If not enough oxygen then HR goes up.
Yes, I assumed that too - but whatever the cause, it still contributes to these sort of problems - OH has only one lung and had a high heart rate, pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation, All common in people with a single lung. And some form of management is a good thing to reduce the risk of long term heart failure.
I awoke a few minutes ago and much to my delight, I had responses from 2 people whom most frequently put a smile on my face....you and Mary! First let me say I'm "blown away" by the fact that you remember about my paralyzed diaphragm/lung situation!! I truly thought info like that got lost in the shuffle of pmr. Thank you.
This all gets so complicated when you have other issues unrelated to pmr. Complicated, worrisome, and just a Royal pain in the tusch!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to get REALLY stressed out as I switch on my tv and watch the kavanaugh/supreme ct. hearing! Ughhh...Good times! 
Good mornin' mary! Once again, thank you for your reply. I'm probably gonna need your advice on stress relievers today as I'm gearing up to immerse myself in tv right now and observe our wonderful current administration at it's finest
Please refer to my post to nick a few minutes ago. As I stated to him, you two always put a smile on my face!
I'll let you know in awhile about the results from my blood work and bone density test.
Thanks for the smiles!
Lynda, can I suggest that you do not watch the news if it has an adverse effects on you!! Why put yourself through all that stress?! 'He' is hardly worth watching and you definitely don't need it!! I don't lobe on yior country Abby i can't even read anything about him and he boils nut blood!! The funny thing that happens with your heart sounds like an etopic beat, it's not a missed beat but usually two beats very close together and that gives this thunk, which can be a bit shocking! I'd say don't worry about it, it could be a thing of nothing but obviously if it keeps happening then get it investigated. Also you might have got such a fright from the lightheadedness that you could have had a rush of adrenalin, which can at times keep coursing around your body some time and result in you feeling funny after an episode, hopefully by now its all calmed down as I hope you have after watching the Supreme court hearing lol😉
Corrections: I don't live in your country and I can't even read anything about him and he boils my blood!!🤪
Agree with all Stay off the news- I am selecting baseball for my stress today...hoping all feel better tomorrow!
What people don't realize is that there is really not much difference between two parties. They are both owned by different segment of oligarchy. As republicans moved further to the right, dems moved in the empty space to the right of the center. Trump is testing the system to the braking point and I would be surprised if he finishes his term.
In a mean time it was fun to watch him step out of his usual bubble and talk to the rest of the world in UN and get appropriate reaction. Just consider this as one of reality shows on TV with reality star in charge. Entertainment is on while embezzlement is going on in the background.
Lol...
Yes indeedy, I DID watch the hearing today.....ALL 9 1/2hrs!! Even rescheduled an appointment in order to due so! It is almost 4hrs after viewing this 'circus', and I'm still on anger overload! Arggg...Did however acquire a new hero today, Dr. Christine B. Ford! Remember that name, so brave!
And yes I know I've got to take a break for a few days from the political scene....it's just I Still can't believe this guy's our 'leader' for AT LEAST 2+yrs longer! 😭😭😭
I can't really judge my health today, I'm too exhausted!
Thx 4 the information re my irregular heartbeat. Gonna keep an eye on it over the next few days as it's still continues to be acting up.