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I had to go to the ER last night with chest pain, pressure and shortness of breath. No heart attack (yea)! But some crazy finds.
A chest CT shows pulmonary hypertension. This was not there 5 months ago when I had a routine low dose CT - 3 months before starting prednisone.
I’m severely anemic. I literally gave blood a week ago and I was just above the line to give blood. Low, but not too low to give a pint.
My kidneys are not functioning correctly either. Classified it as Stage 3B kidney disease. What the heck???
My bloodwork in December was basically fine. I started 20 mg prednisone in January 22nd, and 7 weeks later my bloodwork is crazy.
I’m sure they are all temporary readings and I shouldn’t worry, but can prednisone cause crazy side effects like this?
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I started on 60 mg. of prednisone in late July 2024. By late August I was having shortness of breath and pressure on my chest. My heart was racing. My voice even changed. When I was talking to someone, I'd get winded and short of breath. It got to the point where it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I had an EKG and echocardiogram. Nothing. I had a lump the size of a golf ball appear at the top of my sternum and the base of my neck. Doc thought it could be thyroid issue. Nothing. Prednisone created a slew of weird side effects that were unexplainable.
I had dizziness at one point at about 10mg of prednisone. I gave up caffeine and things have been better. that was about 4 months ago. I was only drinking one cup of coffee per day. Everyone is different.
I started on 15 mg, dose increased to 40 mg and I held steady at that for a few months, currently at 30 mg. My biggest side effects have been crazy blood work (anemia that was never an issue before, also a blood donor before getting sick) frequent high white blood cells and low CK enzyme. I can’t taste salt or sweet, which is annoying. Back of my neck and shoulders are puffy and I have generally gained wait. No cardiac symptoms at all thank goodness.
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I never had symptoms like you have described the two times I was on prednisone for my PMR episodes but I think it was good that you went to the ER last night. I think chest pain and shortness of breath may be one of the serious side effects for some people.
-- Prednisone and Your Heart: Palpitations, Slow Rate, and More
https://www.verywellhealth.com/prednisone-heart-rate-5113682
I used to give blood on a regular basis but found out it was causing my anemia and I had to have iron infusions for a few weeks. I had to stop giving blood awhile back after having a blot clot and going on blood thinners. Were you giving blood on a regular basis?