heart rate and bp increased AFTER discontinuing prednisone

[jbeckett92679]

Hi all-
I am a 32 year old male who has recently been experiencing some MS symptoms: shakiness, vision issues, muscle spasming, weakness/tingling/numbness in left arm from shoulder down).  I was put on a 12 day prednisone regimen and have been off of the drug for 6 days. While on the pred, I experienced insomnia, and slightly increased blood pressure, but my heart rate was around 60 and didn't change.  since the 2nd day after weaning off of prednisone, my symptoms have returned (ms), but my heart rate has gone from 60 bpm to 80 bpm, and my BP has gone from 116/60 to 130/80.  I am otherwise healthy other than benign PVC's and PAC's, and I take a 25 mg atenolol daily for those voluntarily.  With that being said, has anyone else had this happen?  I have not had any real medical issues other than the symptoms just described, and I have recently (within a month) had EKG, routine bloodwork, ultrasound on my heart, and a stress test about a year ago and all came back with no remarkable results.  Any advice?  Has this happened to anyone else?  I would like to think that it is a side-effect of the prednisone wearing off and getting out of my system, since the atenolol I am on usually has me at 60 bpm or below.  Please comment as I could use all the help I can get at this point. Thanks!


JB

[jbeckett92679]

Thanks very much.  I have an appointment with my PCP on Wednesday.  I will let him know to see what to do about it.  thanks.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, a short course of prednisone is unlikely to cause withdrawal effects. Corticosteroid use causes a rise in blood pressure and increases fluid retention. But this is usually for long term usage. So, the changes noticed may not be related to this therapy. Regards.