Has anyone experienced dizziness with medication for PMR?

There must be a funny reply to this somewhere! But I know what you mean, I get dizzy often. Not sure if it's steroid or not drinking enough water or what. Dr. told me to squeeze my butt and thigh leg muscles 3 times before I stand up to get the blood flowing.

Thank you for posting about dizziness. I have been experiencing the same thing. Sometimes I walk like a drunk, and have to pay close attention to how I’m walking. I do have a history of vertigo, but this dizziness seems different. I have tapered down from 15 mg prednisone twice. At 11 mg now, but last time I got down to 9 mg, all symptoms came back. Frustrating to say the least!

This dizziness is definitely very very frustrating because there’s no easy answer as each person is so so different and we act so differently to each medication!!! I am an example of someone who reacts badly to every single medication that I have taken so far for PMR dizziness was the worst and ended me in the ER! most people that take these medication‘s do not have any side effects it is kind of like hit or miss when you go to the rheumatologist. my very very best wishes to you!!!

I am experiencing dizziness which presents more like Vertigo because positional changes bring it on - particularly getting up in the AM. I’ve been on Pred for 14 months for sudden onset of PMR a few days after taking the Shingrix vaccine. I think I tolerate Pred well but Dr wants me to get off it so added Leflunomide which is somewhat slow to work.i refused Metho because I lost hair from Covid. Leflunomide can also cause hair loss but seems to not be. I’m down to 5mg of Pred & 20 mg of Leflu( (Arava). I’m embarking on physical activity( yoga, weights & pilates as I’m determined to not live feeling feeble. The vertigo is fairly recent. Will let you know how I do w my gym regimen. It’ll be a balanced approach but trying to work out daily. Next is giving up sugar. I refuse to think I’ll have to be on meds forever.

Higher doses of prednisone caused a dramatic increase in my blood pressure. I didn't have any prior cardiac history and I developed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) along with cardiac arrhythmias. I suddenly needed 3 blood pressure medications. Later on ... a cholesterol lowering medication and "warfarin for life" were started after a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism.

When I was on a lower dose of prednisone, I had dizziness and full on black out spells when I needed to sit down or fall down. Eventually it was discovered that I didn't need so many cardiac medication. I convinced my primary care doctor that I didn't need my blood pressure medications. After I tapered off prednisone ... one by one all my blood pressure medications were stopped because my blood pressure was getting too low.

My cholesterol level was also getting too low so atorvastatin was stopped too. Finally, warfarin for life was also discontinued but my doctor was going to switch me to Eliquis (apixaban) instead. I had to make a case for not needing any blood thinner. Eventually, my doctor agreed and said I was probably more at risk of having a hemorrhage.

Some of my overall clinical picture was complicated by a low cortisol level which can also cause dizziness and cardiac problems.

According to artificial intelligence:

"Dizziness and cardiovascular issues:
Low cortisol levels can lead to several cardiovascular issues, including dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up due to low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), rapid heart rate, fainting, and cold hands and feet due to poor circulation."

I can certainly report all of those things. All my symptoms mostly disappeared after I discontinued prednisone and after my cortisol level improved.

My very very best wishes to you going forward!!! All all we can do is take one day at a time and make decisions as we move along from day today. good luck to you and your new medication’s!!!

I was looking over my comments about dizziness with PMR. My dizziness is not as bad as it was. You mention that the only medication you’re taking for your PMR is over-the-counter pain medication. What medications works the best for you to relieve your pain from PMR ? I figured out that my body cannot handle many medication‘s since I was young! I would very much appreciate any information that you can give me! Thank you very much for your response!!! my very very best wishes to you!!!

I would appreciate it very much if you could tell me which over-the-counter pain medication you were taking for your PMR as absolutely none of the medication‘s that I have taken his work for me and his only made me feel worse as I look back I always have problems with medication‘s. Thank you very very much my best wishes to you!!!

I will usually take Aleve or ibuprofen only when necessary to manage the PMR pain at this point in time.

Thank you so very much for your response!!! I thought my dizziness was improving but all of a sudden it came back. This dizziness is really a mystery to me. I don’t think the doctors have any idea what’s going on either and why I have dizziness. I really think it’s taking methotrexate. I realize that I had side effects since I was younger too many many medication‘s. Right now I am not taking anything sfor my PMR. I am hoping one of these days the dizziness is going to go away even though it’s better than it has been. it’s still there which makes me nervous!!!