- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Messages
- 50
I have noticed that I was experiencing tachycardia since the end of October right after tapering below 10mg prednisone. According to my vitals in medical records I have been experiencing it since January 2015. Lately, I have also been experiencing a desaturating SpO2 on the pulse oximeter when standing / walking short distances. Typically it drops from 98/97 to 93/94, the lowest it has dropped is 92. I can tell when this is happening because I am typically short of breath / weak, cramping in calves, and racing heart. So, I have been tested like a lab rat and still no answers.
-I am tapering steroids and have been on them at 20mg for 12+ months (2.5mg currently). Could adrenal insufficiency cause these symptoms?
-I started Remicade in June and it is helping could it be the cause?
-I have had chest x-rays to rule out Pneumocystis Pneumonia, CT scan to rule out Pulmonary Embolism (elevated D-Dimer), Lab work to rule out obvious infection, and full cardio work-up to rule out heart issues. I was given a Beta Blocker to slow down my heart, but still unknown cause.
-Drs want me to have a pulmonary function test as next step. Taper Prednisone completely and see if I improve. After that, taper Nortriptyline and see if condition improves. Any other ideas from your experiences of what might be happening?
Thanks for your help!
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Dx Crohn's
Rx Remicade (1x - 8 weeks), Prednisone (2.5mg taper), Nortriptyline (40mg, Off-label), Lomotil, and Bisoprolol (2.5mg - beta blocker)
-I am tapering steroids and have been on them at 20mg for 12+ months (2.5mg currently). Could adrenal insufficiency cause these symptoms?
-I started Remicade in June and it is helping could it be the cause?
-I have had chest x-rays to rule out Pneumocystis Pneumonia, CT scan to rule out Pulmonary Embolism (elevated D-Dimer), Lab work to rule out obvious infection, and full cardio work-up to rule out heart issues. I was given a Beta Blocker to slow down my heart, but still unknown cause.
-Drs want me to have a pulmonary function test as next step. Taper Prednisone completely and see if I improve. After that, taper Nortriptyline and see if condition improves. Any other ideas from your experiences of what might be happening?
Thanks for your help!
--------------
Dx Crohn's
Rx Remicade (1x - 8 weeks), Prednisone (2.5mg taper), Nortriptyline (40mg, Off-label), Lomotil, and Bisoprolol (2.5mg - beta blocker)
