I have been on prednisone between 5 and 20 mg for much of the last year and have had several medrol packs. My blood pressure has gone up from 112/76 to 144/97 in the last six months. My primary doc thinks it is not from the prednisone as I have gained only 10 lbs in the last 2 years. I have vasculitis which could be causing it, but I'm curious if anyone else had bp rise on prednisone. My other doc is considering increasing the pred so I am wondering about this. I seem to be in a no-win situation lately. Also starting 6 months of antibiotics for the UTIs and if that doesn't work I have to go to urologist
Laker
Wow when it rains pours! So sorry to hear all of this. Yes, the vasculitis could be part of the cause but pred can also contribute to the rise in blood pressure. I have high blood pressure to begin with and I have to monitor it when on a high dose of pred. Internist and RD said to monitor my BP since I'm on Pred. I have high blood pressure from a very bad complication from taking Vioxx. I almost died due to Vioxx. It took about a month to get my BP under control. So yes, I monitor my BP. I think we all should monitor our BPs if we're on hypertensive meds. We all take so many meds that I feel it's best to err on the side of safety. I too have been on Pred and have elevated BP. However, the RD feels thatPrednisone, causes you to retain fluids, so I'm wondering if this added to your weight gain is causing the high blood pressure. I take a lasix once a day because of a heart condition, that reduces the water in my body....just wondering ...sarah
Also, caffeine can cause elevated blood pressure.
One more down side to this horrible med. Now you will be on another