Last month I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension, cause by Mild Sleep Apnea. I'm 49 year old female with asthma under control, shortness of breath, blood oxygen of 88-93 when walking, 90-94 when resting. Echo found 3 floppy valves in the heart. Since I've just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I've been put on 20 mg of Prednisone this week. It seems that I have an increased shortness of breath, increased tightness in chest, a new dry cough, increased water retention and overall feeling of greater fatique. I will be taking 15 mg of Prednisone next week, 10 mg the next and finally 5 mg the last week. Are these symptoms of Prednisone that will likely decrease next week? I love what it's doing for the pain.