Haert racing after day 1 of 1g Methylprednisolone

Everyday living
1

Hey guys,

Is it normal for my heart to be racing after my first dose of IV steroids? I timed my pulse for 30secs- it was 65 beats so about 130 a minute and am sat resting on my sofa with my laptop. Is this normal? Am a bit worried cos had to have ECG today cos my obs (pulse and BP) were high. Am only 26 so dont have hypertension or anything I don’t think. Am never gonna sleep if my heart doesnt slow down! Any tips to settle it? Thanks xx

2

Hi, when I had IV steroids I was originally booked in as an out-patient, to attend 3 days in a row. Like youself, during the infusion my heartrate and BP were high and after the infusion finished I was told that I couldn’t go home until they had settled. I ended up being admitted as an in-patient for the duration of the 3 day infusions. Was not ideal as I had made no arrangements for this but it ended up being the best thing for me.

Hope you are feeling a better today… Cx

3

My heart was racing by the third day of 500mg methylprednisolone, it would come and go, usualy when I was nodding off in the evenings and would wake me up feeling rather startled and breathing faster.

It is a side effect of a very powerful steroid, intended to brute force your nervous system into working and re-pathing any broken nerve routes.

My course only lasted 5 days and I only suffered with this maybe 4 times in those five days, I haven’t experienced it since.

I was warned I may have trouble sleeping while I was on the course, didn’t seem to happen though, I was less tired but I still slept soundly, possibly due to me staying up until I started feeling tired though.

4

Thanks guys, I had day 2 of 1g IV today and heart was fast but had ECG yesterday which was normal so I was fine to have it as outpatient. Didnt sleep a wink last night though so very tired! xx

5

Take care of yourself, be good to yourself and hope school goes well IF you go!

Jay xx

6

Hey, well had my last lot of IV steroids yesterday and I currently feel like I’m about to drop down on the floor. I have only had about 8 hrs sleep over the last 4 nights, i’m dizzy, cant concentrate on anything and am trying to battle through my first week back at school (i teach science).

After this episode, don’t think i will ever do IV steroids again, i cant cope with what it has done to my body x

7

Some of what you are feeling (so exhausted etc.) could be because you are having a relapse so wait until you see how you feel in a few days. As a fellow teacher, I really think you should give yourself a couple of days to recover as your body has been through a lot.

Do take care,

Jay xxx

8

Thanks Jay,

Well I got through the week at work but my sleeping hasnt improved. How long do after effects of steroids last? Not sure how much longer my body can function with such a lack of sleep :frowning:

xx