Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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amberhere 08/20/2014

Hi all, another problem I've hit - now my blood pressure is too high. I know it is probably the prednisolone causing it. Anyone have any suggestions on how to try to lower it whilst on the steroids? I have been taking blood pressure lowering tablets for many years now and a diuretic. I find it really hard to keep on top of this.

autumm 08/20/2014

Hi Amber. I am sorry to hear this. I am sure you know all about, no salt, loose weight, exercise, no stress, less coffee, all the usual stuff. I expect its the prednisone. Soon as you are able to get rid of the steriods hopefully it will drop back. You are doing your best to get off your drugs, don't beat yourself up over it. You can't change it right now, you are struggling with your DM. It will all work out Amber. Best wishes. Autumm

lexisgirl 08/20/2014

My blood pressure got really high with the Prednisone. I tried several different medications before I found one that worked. For me, Mircardis is the right one. Check with your doctor until you get the right combination. Sadly, even after I got off the Prednisone, my blood pressure remained high. Probably because of the weight gain.

nanny1611 08/20/2014

So far my blood pressure has been okay, so I don't have anything to offer. But when I looked for foods to help blood pressure, I found this article that you might find interesting. Best wishes for getting your BP under control.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/22/foods-reduce-blood-pressure_n_3472556.html

trpt1 08/20/2014

Hi Amberhere, I would suggest calling the doctor immediately and get an appointment to determine the cause of the high BP. The doctor needs to make the judgment if the cause is Prednisolone or something else.

High BP is serious stuff.

Do not wait around and assume it is just the meds. Find out what is happening at the doctor and let him decide the course of action.

Keep us posted.

amberhere 09/03/2014

Hi all, just to let you know that I am now taking my blood pressure myself every week for 4 weeks until I see the doctor again. There is a blood pressure machine at the doctors which you operate yourself. When I first did the reading it was sky high, but now I have learnt to calm down and relax then the reading is a lot better. I think it is the panic factor with this DM - very sensitive to anything that may/could be wrong although things are probably OK.

trpt1 09/03/2014

Hi Amberhere, I check my BP several times a day since I will have low BP. I bought a cheap BP machine at the drug store that fits around my wrist. I can take my BP at any time with the little machine.

Do see the doctor about the high BP. I know you will feel a lot better when the BP gets under control. In my situation, there are no meds for the low BP. I get to rely on prayer and scriptures. Best Wishes.

amberhere 09/04/2014

Hi trpts, - I took my blood pressure today and it was OK - the doctor said to keep a record once a week of the readings and to see him in 4 weeks time. He is aware my pressure is high - I am on BP tablets but he doesn't seem too concerned by it.

autumm 09/04/2014

Hi Amber. Good your BP is ok today. Your doctor knows more about you than you do. He has all the information and the skills to interpret it all. Don't worry until he worries, this is the arrangement I have with my GP. I often think we research and try to evaluate which is good but without the training to put it all together its a stressful thing. Hope it stays in normal guidelines. Best wishes. autumn

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