I just keep seeking advice from you all. I am having issues with BP elevation on 15 mg prednisone. AT 12.5 mg had slight elevation into the 140's and 150's, but was given ativan (to act as a smooth muscle relaxant) and it kept BP into a more normal range. I have phoned my doctor and left a message and believe it or not, he called me back and said he would order a low dose of metropolol to take twice a day to lower BP. Mind you, I do not have BP problems as a rule, so I know it is the prednisone. Has anyone else had this issue? I seem to have side effects from just about any medication, so my doctor always starts me on the lowerst dose or I may even have to split some pills. I have no idea why my system reacts like that. Anyway, I feel like a pest already, asking everyone so many questions, but you all have been very gracious about it and have always helped.
a, believe it or not
Hi and welcome on board that's why everybody has joined to help one another. I am a newbie I only got diagnosed in November so am still learning and so far my bp is ok. Someone will be along soon I hope that can help you. Hang on in there.
I too have PMR for three years now, my BP too went up at 15 but has I reduced my doses it came down without medication. I also went on a really healthy diet, watching sodium and othe triggers for high BP. That seemed to work for me and now within normal ranges.
Hi padada, it is a side effect of preds for some patients to experience higher Bp readings.
Prior to having symptoms of PMR my bp was normal they when I began experiencing a the symtoms of PMR they shot ip to about 150 over 90/100 and I was told that it probably was due to the pain. Now I have no pain as it's being controlled with preds and my bp is just as high. Now I'm told it's due to the preds. I'm waiting for an all day monitor and following those results may be put on bp tablets. But my GP has told me that as the preds reduce so should my bp and so I may also come off of any Bp tablets too. Regards christina
Thank you for sharing your experience Joan. I didn't want to start a med, but 170l110 is too much for me. It was good that you were able to avoid the BP medicine. Who wants another medication.....you have reassured me that I am not alone. Again, thanks.
How confusing for you to hear those two different reasons for your elevated BP. Sometimes I think the doctors are just guessing at our symptoms. Hope you do well and get on the correct BP tab if that is what is indicated. I wonder why your docor wants a monitor before BP prescription? That is not usually ordered around here. They just hand out BP meds like candy. But , it can't hurt and can give you a lot more information that will be valuable regarding your health. Best of luck and keep in touch. Thanks again for sharing. . Everyone is so nice here...I am blessed to be able to communicate with so many nice people from thousands of miles away.
I noticed an increased BP while taking more than 15 mg of prednisone. I upped my Magnesium intake which took care of it. 128 somtimes 133 seems to be the normal range. It was in the 140's which was too high.
This is a very interesting discussion as my BP has been through the roof lately. First when they did the cardioversion (a big electric shock to get my heart beat back to normal) it went wild- systolic of 90 and then 10 minutes later a systolic of 200! Now that I have pneumonia or whatever it is (acute bronchitis?) (I had a 2nd pneumonia shot earlier this year), my systolic BP is 160. You wouldn't think my paltry 7.5mg pred could cause all these problems, so the discussion is relevant.
WHere do you live? In the UK the gold standard of diagnosis of high blood pressure relies on 24 hour ambulatory monitoring before considering medication. By the way Ativan sounds like a really bad idea- it's a benzo and highly addictive
I have raised BP, whether it is due to the pred or not I don't really know. I gained a lot of weight so it could have been that in itself and I also have atrial fibrillation, almost certainly due to the underlying autoimmune disorder that causes the PMR. I'm on medication and it is fine. It has also fallen since I have lost 17kg (37+lbs) in weight.
It is quite common, it just needs monitoring and medicating if it is too high. It's hypertension - often happens at our age! And being in pain and worrying doesn't help!
170/110 is concerningly high for anyone, just not you! PMR itself can do it - but I get the impression few doctors think of that. As I say - control it with medication and monitor it. If the first meds don't suit you - ask for something else. I am on Losartan (an angiotensin 2 inhibitor) and bisoprolol (a beta-blocker) and have no side effects at all I can identify except it was working too effectively after weight loss (100/60 is a bit low!) so I have reduced the Losartan to 1/2 and it's better.
Before I used steroids my BP was good,as now it can be up and down last reading 151 over 91 pulse can be high too .Lt is always higher when l go to hospital..as normal the more pain you are in the more your BP goes up .l still have the same pain as 3 years ago .starting new mediction today try and help to get off steroids .the last two made me very I'll .good luck
It's called white coat syndrome! Documented evidence...
I live in Arizona, USA. Blood pressure meds are prescribed when anyone has elevated blood pressure simply measured by a blood pressure cuff. Yes, the ativan is mostly prescribed for anxiety, but my doctor wanted to try it as it has a secondary use for being a smooth muscle relaxer (so he says). I am one who is opposed to taking any medications as a rule. But, this issue with pmr and now elevated BP has made me desperate for pain relief and so I will take the prednisone treatment and just hope it works. Thank you for answering my post. I have said it before, but this forum has so much good advice and so many caring contributors.
My pressure has gone up into the 160's from 15 mg of prednisone. I have never had BP issues before. I do take magnesium citrate every night and find it helps me relax and also, well, keeps me regular. Thank you for sharing with me.
Diazepam (valium) is also used as a muscle relaxant, iv in severe cases of muscle spasm. A listed as rare and nasty side effect for iv diazepam is tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. I don't know about rare - but it is certainly INTERESTING! I won't be going ther again ;-)
So glad you got sorted. It helps ease the mind. This forum is brilliant, would be lost without it. So much support and information as well. Good luck with your journey may it be pain free.
Oh noni, I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering with pneumonia or bronchitis. Have they given you antibiotics? I remember that my mother got bronchitis every winter and was put on erythromycin and that knocked it out of her and it did not return until the next winter season. A friend of mine just had a cariac ablation to stop a ventricular tachycardia, and she has to take BP meds too. Although she did have a little high BP prior to the ablation, but now it seems it is even higher. May we all find the answers to our issues and get better.
If your systolic is as high as 160+ you should check with your GP. More important is the diastolic reading, the lower one, but systolic160 is definitely too high and it doesn't matter what the cause is - HBP is bad for your body.
I does seem like pmr causes other issues in the body. Oh my. I have not asked anyone but I wonder if taking some of the natural anti inflammatories have been helpful in reducing inflammation of PMR - such as curcumin (tumeric), boswellia, quercetin, etc?
I have noticed a strange thing since I recently started on the 15 mg. One morning I will wake up and feel very little pain and stiffness , but the next morning I will wake up and feel like I just got hit by a truck. This is suspicious to me but I have taken note that you have mentioned that sometimes it takes a week or two before the level of pain relief is constant. Good grief this is a frustrating disease to have . Lovely to hear from you Eileen and hope you never get tired of us out here who need your input.