HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Can Prednisone Cause Shortness Of Breath And Left Sided Pain?

I had mitral valve repair in November and developed dressler syndrome 3 weeks post op. I have been on prednisone and Colcrys for the past 5 months, tapering Prednisone slowly. I finished prednisone last week and 5 days later I again have left sided lung pain and shortness of breath. I started back on prednisone 5mg 3 days ago, no relief yet. I am 55y female, long distance runner
Fri, 5 May 2017
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HealtcareMagic.
The short answer to your question is that it is not prednisone that is causing your shortness of breath and left sided pain.

From your description of the course of your illness it is my opinion that your condition of Dressler syndrome, which is pericarditis, has flared up after you stopped/completed the initial course of prednisone.
The dose of 5mg of prednisone which you re- started is too low to help you with this condition, this is why you have had no relief yet.

You should contact your doctors and get their advise as to what dose of prednisone they may want to treat you with at this time.
Sometimes Dressler syndrome is treated with aspirin, but I assume that this was already tried with you and did not work, since you were started on prednisone.
I hope you find my answer helpful.
Regards and best of health.

I find this answer helpful

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Cardiac surgery


Loading Online Doctors....
Can Prednisone Cause Shortness Of Breath And Left Sided Pain?

Hello and welcome to HealtcareMagic. The short answer to your question is that it is not prednisone that is causing your shortness of breath and left sided pain. From your description of the course of your illness it is my opinion that your condition of Dressler syndrome, which is pericarditis, has flared up after you stopped/completed the initial course of prednisone. The dose of 5mg of prednisone which you re- started is too low to help you with this condition, this is why you have had no relief yet. You should contact your doctors and get their advise as to what dose of prednisone they may want to treat you with at this time. Sometimes Dressler syndrome is treated with aspirin, but I assume that this was already tried with you and did not work, since you were started on prednisone. I hope you find my answer helpful. Regards and best of health.