Prednisone and Heart Palpitations

You've got great info here! My 2 cents is prednisone SUCKS! I was on it over a year and yes all thise were side effects. Even though the side effects are HORRIBLE, please DO NOT stop taking the meds, you HAVE to taper off as the doctor instructs. Even after you taper you may have some of the side effects for a week or so, because I was on it so long I had them for quite a while and while coming off of it lots of joint pain. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

A.,

I've been on predisone numerous times in the past 15 years for pneumonia and the swelling caused by pulmonary embolisms. I too experienced the heart palpitations and EXTREME mood swings. The side effects have always gone away after finishing the meds.

I'm not sure if you were warned about this but you should not get any vaccinations (including flu or pneumonia) while taking this medication because the meds seriously compromises your immune system.

Also be aware that corticosteroids are known to cause personality changes like insomnia, mood swings, severe depression, even psychotic episodes. These are serious drugs with serious side effects, especially if you already have existing issues.

I would call your DR to make him/her aware of what you are experiencing. They may have an alternative medication you could try.

Peace and Blessings,
T. B

Okay, there's plenty of evidence here that these steroid drugs are problematic.

I've gotten off them after years of treatment for chronic bronchitis and other respiratory issues. I manage my colds (which always turn into bronchitis) by supporting my immune system - I simply don't get sick anymore, and it's a wonderful way to live!

I also have a congenital heart issue and a thyroid issue, but I know that, with proper nutritional supplementation, I can continue to go to the gym 6 days a week (3 days cardio, 3 days weights/strength) and do great!

If you take the right steps to give yourself the right foundation, you can do a lot more than you think!

I took small dose of this once and did fair but when I was put on a large dose it made me feel VERY bad and I'm not bothered by anxiety but it made me feel 'weird'. I called the pharmacist and they told me to never take it again as that is a bad side effect of Prednisone. If you are feeling 'not yourself' don't take it. As soon as I stopped it I was fine again. I'll never take it again. Call your pharmacist and ask them about the anxiety end of it.

I know when I had pneumonia, I had very bothersome heart palpitations. I don't have an issue with anxiety, but having that side effect really was terrifying and did make me very anxious. If this is a common side effect, than it should taper off when you go off the prednisone like the Dr. said. Just keep your Dr notified if you have any changes, do some deep breathing to calm down, it helps.

Yes, Prednisone is sort of like taking speed to me. The last time I had breathing issues I took it and I nearly had a psychotic break due to not sleeping for 4 days. Hubby would lay in the floor by the couch and hold my hand while I would try and do relaxation techniques to get to sleep. Of course it didn't work and I would be up ranting and raging in a few minutes. I was breathing much better but seriously messed up. I finally told him to take me to the ER again to see what was wrong with me.

The doc looked at the prescription and they had put take it in the evenings or every 12 hours...something where I was taking a pill after 5 pm. It peaks at nearly the same time but 12 hours later so I was peaking steroid wise around 4 or 5 am. That's why I wasn't sleeping. He gave me a months worth of Valium to reset my body's biorhythm and it worked. Within that month I was back to sleeping normal hours and calm and collected most of the time.

Steroids are an awesome drug, taken the right time of day of course...lol.

They reduce inflammation and make the lungs work so much better. They do have side effects but I think with the proper knowledge of when to seek medical treatment and such they can be very very effective in treating any injury to the body.

Absolutely! Prednisone is a corticoidsteroid.
I was given a steroid for my eczema last year and I thought I was crazy. It made me anxious, I couldn't think right, my heart palpatated....it was awful. Regardless of how you take it, your system reacts the same.....It is really scary what they can do to you.

Give a read:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/steroids/HQ01431

I've never had a bad reaction to prednisone but then it's not often I've been on it and when I was it was just for a short time.
I've heard some inhaler bronchial dilators can cause the heart palpitations.
Since you are anxious to begin with are you sure you are not hyperthyroid (heart palpitations and anxiety are symptoms)?

The last time I took it the pharmacist told me to take it in the morning. She said it could make you very jittery and have trouble sleeping. I didn't have those side effects, but it did make my blood sugar higher, and my mother thinks it triggered the start of her diabetes.

My experience with inhalers is that they dramatically raise the heart rate...... they make me real jittery and shaky the few times I've used them.

When my grandson has had to use albuterol type inhalers or nebulizer treatments for asthma, his heart rate really goes up..... the last time he was in the ER for that, it was really kind of frightening how much it elevates it... and it makes him shaky, also.

I've not had problems with prednisone, but everyone reacts differently to the medications. I can't take sudafed anymore because it raises my blood pressure and makes me extremely shaky.... the last time I took it, I tried to take a nap, and it was almost like I could feel the bed shaking!

I never got palpitations from Prednisone - which I've taken a few times to help with breathing problems - but I have gotten anxiety and palpitations from Benedryl sinus medication. I cut out the Benedryl and the anxiety and palpitations went away. Yours should go away too as you finish the Prednisone. Good luck!

I had a bad reaction to prednisone (extreme anxiety and weird feelings) and will not take it again barring a life-threatening situation with no other options.

Since you've already taken it there's not much you can do about any potential "permanent damage" so why worry about it? I would just try to get myself as healthy and well as possible so that I could get off it. I would take care to consult a doctor and pharmacist about the best way to taper down.

Good luck.

I bet it won't be perminent but I don't do well on it. It can cause "mental changes" Ha! About 4 days into it I am haveing great difficulty concentrating. That's about all I can take of it.