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Shortness of breath ..dyspenia..while on prednisone
I entered rheumology land when my c- reactive was off the charts. Pred at 15 mg brought it down to like 1! But on the taper down to 7.5..the c-reactive jumped up again. Was very discouraged. Titrated back up to 10.
Also has anyone suffered dyspenia and increased gerd while on prednisone?
For now my cardiologist has also said ok to stop diltiazem...a calcium blocker which pulmonolgy said was also adding to the gerd and dyspenia. Thank you
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Thanks once again for some very good information.
I guess my major complaint is the, take it or leave it response, rather then an explaination. I fine in todays world of medicene, that doctors are not able to interact with their patients, for many reasons. Some of which are out of thier control.
Again, you've been very helpful.
I began 60 mg. of Prednisone last July 2024 for GCA, which came with my PMR. My primary ordered Pantoprazole to help prevent any GI issue from the prednisone. Fortunately, I haven't had any GI issues. For 2 months (until I got down to 20 mg). , I had shortness of breath and pressure on my chest (in addition to a slew of other side effects). It felt like there was an elephant on my chest. I had a chest xray, an ultrasound of my thyroid because there was a visible golf ball sized lump at the base of my neck, cat scan, and an echocardiogram. All negative. I told my primary and rheumatologist that it was the Prednisone. Once those symptoms 'disappeared' at 20 mg. of Prednisone, I know it was the Prednisone.
Still suffering this dyspenia/ deep breath issue with the dry coughing jags.
The more I can't get the yawn..the more anxious I get.
I do not know if it is exacerbated by the pmr diag or the pred or both.
Currently on the 10mg back up from the 7 5.
My rheum PA said had not seen dyspenia aa a side effect. I do not trust that at this point!?
Not being able to take a deep breath without pain is different from dyspnea. It is called costochondritis. It tends to worsen when taking a deep breath, coughing, sneezing or with any chest wall movement.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/costochondritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371175
This condition makes you think you are short of breath because it hurts to breathe. When you don't take a deep breath that causes anxiety. Shallow breathing also causes atelectasis of the lungs when tiny air sacs within the lung, called alveoli, lose air. When this happens you will develop a dry cough except coughing makes your rib cage hurt.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atelectasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369684
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Is costochondritis (rib cage pain) the problem? I had it several times. My rheumatologist said it is common with inflammatory diseases and there wasn't much she could do about it. She said it should improve on its own and it did.
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You might want to get something called a pulse oximeter. That will tell you if your oxygen level is low.
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/pulse-oximetry
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2 ReactionsThe bigger the health system like Mayo the less interactions you’ll have. Kinda like their way or the highway. They have specific protocols or treatment protocols that they rarely modify by patient. Unfortunately I however like to discuss options w my doctors and possibly side effects percentages of success etc. I’ve been down the protocol route too many times and if a physician is “ my way or the way” I’m gone on to one who works with me
Thank u very much.
The pre-anxiety to taking the yawn or breath does exacerbate the coughing and refers to the whole ches..even to the upper back.
I do have an oximeter.
Thank you again