Has anyone experienced dizziness with medication for PMR?

I have been off methotrexate since June 1 because of severe dizziness which ended me in the ER. Anyone that still has dizziness after going off methotrexate I would love to know how long it took for you to start feeling a little better? Thank you so much for your response!!!

I am off my methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine since June 1. There were times when my dizziness is not as bad as other times and I get so happy until it comes back again and then I’m very sad!!! Is there any rhyme or reason when you finally get off your medication‘s that were giving you dizziness? My rheumatologist said it takes about two months to get off the methotrexate. I’m just wondering when I’m going to get rid of this dizziness I’m getting impatient. Any information that you can give me would be very much appreciated thank you very much!!! My very best wishes to you!!!

I have been trying to get off of the last mg for a long time. Every time I try I get very dizzy.

Diagnosed with giant cell arthritis and PMR in November 2023. I had eight months of prednisone therapy. I was believing that my equilibrium problems were caused by the prednisone. I tapered down to zero prednisone in June 2024. I still experience equilibrium problems on and off. I’ve mentioned it to the rheumatologist but he does not seem concerned nor does he seem to have an answer as to why this is happening. Overtime, I have come to believe that the equilibrium issues are just a part of inflammatory PMR. On bad pain days I usually will take an Aleve or ibuprofen…. nothing else. Would love to hear what others think about dizziness, and equilibrium in relation to PMR.

Actually unfortunately there is no answer that’s going to be for everybody as
each. one of us is unique and different. My body has problems with every medication that I took for PMR where other people have no problems at all. If I remember correctly when I was on prednisone that did not agree with me either in the amount over 8 mg I felt very very lightheaded and didn’t even realize why I felt so lightheaded now I realize it. My very best wishes to you going forward!!!

Prednisone and methotrexate can cause dizziness as side eeffects. It often improves with the dose of pred getting lower over time. And PMR/GCA can cause issues if it's impacting on the blood supply to the ears and sinuses. As witgh everything PMR trying to tease out what is exactly causing the issues is complicated; side effects and PMR symptoms seem to overlap.

I have been off methotrexate since June 1 because of very severe dizzinessThank you very much for any information that you could give me which no doctors can figure out what the causes are. I still have the dizziness even though it’s a teensy bit better than it was. Any information you can give me would be very very appreciated as the doctors are completely clueless and I have been to many many doctors!!! thank you!!!

Hello @lindaadele,

I combined your discussions on dizziness from methotrexate into your first discussion on the topic:

"Has anyone experienced dizziness with medication for PMR?"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-experienced-dizziness-with-medication-for-pmr/

I did this so the members who have commented and shared their experiences in this discussion as well as a few others of yours could all see your newest updates and have a chance to respond. By returning to an already started discussion, members who you had a chance to meet and share with can see your updates and comment on your newest experiences or treatment plans.

You mentioned your doctors are not sure of the cause of your dizziness, have they offered any potential solutions to help combat the effects of your dizzy feelings?

So far I have been off my methotrexate since June 1 when I had pretty bad dizziness!!! My rheumatologist said it could take two months to wash out the methotrexate from your body. I did a lot of investigation on my own and the methotrexate can stay in your body for 4 to 6 months or whatever each one of us is so different and I have a very bad reaction to any medication that I have taken for PMR that’s for all the medication‘s have only done one thing made me feel worse. Right now I am not in any medication’s I do have pain but I’m taking one day at a time. My rheumatologist was all set to put me on another medication for the PMR and I told her that right now I’m not gonna take anything. Right now I’m just gonna take one day at a time and see what happens. Thank you very much for your concern!

Hi Justin thank you so much for trying to get more responses to the comment on dizziness from medication’s for PMR. I really think the bottom line is not many people get dizzy from their medication‘s for PMR. I am unusual because none of the medication‘s that I’ve taken for PMR worked for me. My very best wishes to you!!!