Shortness of breath ..dyspenia..while on prednisone

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

The 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

@dadcue hello my blood pressure drops drastically when I stand up. Specialist couldn’t believe the big drop! I’m in withdrawals from being on prednisone and the weakness, pains, dizziness and feeling overall rubbish are normal he said…but I just cannot breathe so I’m under the urgent asthma clinic now. I’ve done so many breathing tests n all came back fine? So they’re thinking it’s more allergic asthma to grass pollen dust etc etc I’m there again tomorrow for another test. Xx

I have not experienced that but we are all different.

@dadcue I have suffered from this all my life and this is the first time I have ever heard an explanation. It is not a lot of pain but more like a plate across my lungs keeping me from filling them. Even being told to take a deep breath to relax triggers it. This is hard because that is the “go-to” recommendation for dealing with anxiety. It also helps to explain the cough I have had for years. My oxygen level is always good when it is checked.

@fibropositive14 Mine dropped too and I almost fainted after standing in line for a few minutes and then walking home. Those are NOT normal — they are symptoms of secondary adrenal insufficiency. Prednisone withdrawal can trigger the disorder if it is “too fast,” and believe me, too fast is relative. Those and other symptoms can signal an SAI crisis which can be life threatening and is treated by prednisone, sometimes intravenously. By specialist, do you mean rheumatologist? He/she should recognize the signs — mine did — but sadly the nurse on call to answer phones in the Duke rheumatology clinic did not, triggering general panic that I was having a heart attack. I knew it was related to withdrawal which is why I contacted the rheumatologist in the first place. I am managing hypotension by drinking more water and eating a bit of salty food if I start to feel lightheaded and stopping before I get tired (not always good at that last bit, though!) When I get upset, I can’t breathe and start gasping like a fish out of water. Yep, all connected. Good luck. You need a smarter specialist.