Methylprednisolone and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2020

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "If I could give this drug negative stars, I would. I had the worst insomnia and loss of appetite for 2 weeks. I slept maybe 1-3 hours a night. I could not eat, I had to force myself. The heart palpitations and racing heart rate lasted MONTHS and were unbearable. I had burning sensations in my head, chest, and other parts of my body for months. I was red for months. I became paranoid. I had never felt this way before in my life. This is truly a terrible drug for me. Doctors dismissed it as being due to the pandemic we are currently going through, but I knew that wasn't it. I diagnosed myself through research and found many others who have gone through the same thing as I did. I feel doctors need to be more educated about the terrible side effects of this drug, and they need to make patients aware. This drug ruined my life for a long time."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "I am on day 2, the only side effect so far is a slight increased heart rate/hard time falling asleep. I have cervical disk degeneration and 2 bulging discs in my lower back, which flare up once a month. Recently, I tripped on a curb, woke up the next day, and could barely walk, I was in so much pain. Once I could walk a few days later, I went to my back doctor, and he prescribed the 6-day pack. I have some other inflammatory issues that cause me pain in my body (acute pain), and after 1 dose, my body feels amazing, I would say 90%. I can't wait to see how my body feels a few weeks afterwards, hoping it will keep all the pains away!"

• Jan...
• December 7, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was 5 days into antibiotics for sinus infections. I had no relief from the headache that was right behind my eyes, temples, and forehead, as well as barely any drainage. I was given a methylprednisolone pack, and on my first dose, my headache and pain were gone, and my sinuses started to drain. Yes, I sweated more, and my heart rate increased, however, I did not take my dose before bed. I spread my doses early enough throughout the day to avoid sleeplessness. Take with food."

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2018

Methylprednisolone for Allergic Rhinitis "I took this for one day only and experienced far worse symptoms. My heart was racing the entire night; I felt like I was having a heart attack. I had severe anxiety; I was sweaty, yet had the chills. I slept maybe 1 hour the entire night and tossed and turned hundreds of times. I felt sick to my stomach with overbearing nausea. I experienced abdominal pain the next day. I am discontinuing taking this. I would not recommend it to anyone."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "I am on the methylprednisolone 21-pill dose pack, and on day 1 it cured my sinus infection that would not go away after 2 long weeks. The side effects will hit you. I have experienced sleepless nights, racing heartbeat, and nausea, but tbh I’ll take that over the unrelenting sinus pressure and headaches I was experiencing. The aftertaste is not fun either, but again I can function now, so I’ll take it."

• Amp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2023

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "This medication causes me to be jittery, I can't sleep, have mood changes, have not been able to lose weight, be angry, fast heart rate, have blurry vision, can't think straight, and have high blood sugar. I have zero health conditions, only an injured knee. This stuff is poison."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2018

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "Before prescribing this medicine, my doctor checked my heartbeat and said it was healthy and regular. She prescribed the 21 tablet, 6-day dose, which I started the next day. The following morning (today) at 5:30 a.m., I woke up with a pounding, fast, irregular heartbeat. After doing some qigong and praying, an hour later, my heart has calmed down but is still irregular."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2018

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "Before prescribing this medicine, my doctor checked my heartbeat and said it was healthy and regular. She prescribed the 21 tablet, 6-day dose, which I started the next day. The following morning (today) at 5:30 a.m., I woke up with a pounding, fast, irregular heartbeat. After doing some qigong and praying, an hour later, my heart has calmed down but is still irregular."

• DrM...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 24, 2024

"This review is written by a pharmacist. Steroids are great, especially low-dose steroids like Medrol Dose Pack, that can be taken short-term, avoiding long-term side effects such as osteoporosis, glaucoma, and moon face. Yes, it elevates your heart rate, blood pressure, and makes you anxious. These are short-term side effects that usually go away when you finish the medication. But you ask what good is this medication? If you have an allergic skin rash, it helps. If you have musculoskeletal pain, it helps. If you have COPD (lung disease), it's given when you have flare-ups if you cannot handle the typical prednisone 40 mg for 5 days. It’s really a powerhouse medication with subtle side effects. As opposed to taking large doses of ibuprofen (800 mg or more, which is anti-inflammatory), but has many GI side effects that most patients cannot tolerate. So, yes, Medrol Dose Pack is great for those who have never taken steroids and need a little help to alleviate most inflammatory issues in the body."

• Ada...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "Prescribed for a back injury. Only took the 6 pills from the pack on the first evening and felt very strange within 2 hours. I got a migraine, felt my muscles tighten, I got very anxious, then depressed, all the while my heart raced. I’m just glad I found this site where I see that I’m not alone in experiencing side effects. Oh, I guess my pain is somewhat alleviated for now. We’ll see in the morning."

• Mat...
• April 27, 2017

Methylprednisolone for Allergic Rhinitis "Pros: Day one, I was able to breathe again, and the drainage/stuffiness went away. An added bonus is some recurring acne on the back of my head went away. Cons: severe abdominal pain, sweating, and racing heart. I slept maybe 30 minutes that night."

• Kel...
• September 8, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "I am 29 years old. Went to the doc for an ear infection and sinus pressure that I think turned into a bad sinus infection. Was given the 21-pill PAC 4 mg. Felt fine day 1, day 2 woke up feeling great but slowly felt numbness in my fingers, nose, and cheeks throughout the morning. By lunchtime, I thought I was having a panic attack from the constant heart racing and shortness of breath. At one point, there was a stream of heat shooting down the back of my neck. Thought I was having an allergic reaction, but after reading other reviews (because it was a Friday after 5 and couldn't reach my doc), it appears these are side effects. I will be going back to the doc Monday, this is why I hate taking meds. Feel like this drug is doing more harm than good."

• Amm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "I’ve taken the Medrol dose pack, which is taken over several days a few times when my back has gone out. I’m talking about being bedridden for like a month with my back being out. Within a few days of throwing it out, I can tell such a big difference. And then the effects last for a good month for me at least. Sometimes even longer. There are a few side effects, like sometimes I’ll have an elevated heart rate and get cranky or can’t fall asleep, but it’s worth it for me to get over the back pain quicker and better. With Covid, make sure you talk to your doctor though to see if it’s safe for you, because I do believe-and don’t quote me-that it can compromise your immune system, so just be careful while you are on it and after you stop taking it for a little while. Also, you can only do the Medrol dose pack a few times a year, so pick and choose wisely when you want to take it if it is for back pain."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2015

For Immunosuppression "Currently taking 16 mg of Medrol once a day as part of undergoing IVF, although I've taken it in the past at smaller doses to help with my chronic, moderately severe asthma, which worsens in winter. While I love prednisone for what it does in helping me breathe (and hopefully in successfully helping me achieve motherhood), I hate its side effects. For me, the biggest problem is the anxiety (though weight gain isn't fun). I already have an underlying anxiety disorder, but taking this, especially in higher doses, makes me feel truly 'crazy.' Panic at unbearable levels, insomnia, sweaty, clammy hands and feet, racing heart, irrational/inconsolable...the whole nine yards. I use it strictly as a last (or only) resort and not without caution."

• KaS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2023

"I suffer from fibromyalgia, disc degeneration, and sinusitis. I'm on day 4 of my methylprednisolone pack, and I feel so good. I'm pooping a lot, but I deal with constipation otherwise. I am almost 100% pain-free. All I feel is pressure or ghost pain. If that makes sense, it can make my heart feel racy and increase my delusional thoughts. However, I haven't felt this good in about 5 years, and I have severe chronic body pain all over. If you are interested in taking it, definitely stay in regular contact with your doctor, especially if you have mental health problems, and it's just good for support and reassurance that you are okay. I would recommend this medication. I'm happier and have more energy because I'm not as fatigued or rundown by pain. Good luck."

• Dan...
• October 15, 2020

For Neuralgia "This drug is terrible! I finally got some courage to take it this morning. Well, after taking only 1 four mg pill, just 1, I started to feel lightheaded, somewhat dizzy, and my blood pressure, which is always low and normal, was 161/98 and a pulse of 112. This was not from me being worried, I calmed down and took it like an hour later, and it was that high! I can't take this medication! If I took 6 pills at once, I probably would have passed out. I also felt twitching in my kidneys, probably my adrenals! I started to shiver and felt cold, and when people say jittery, they mean it. I tried to sit and had to get up, which made me feel lightheaded. I drank 3 bottles of water and started to feel better, and my blood pressure decreased as the hours went on. I will deal with nerve pain until EMG to find out what is going on, and if possible, do injections so that it doesn't go systemic. I still feel tired and a bit cloudy-headed, couldn't concentrate at all."

• jmw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

Methylprednisolone for Asthma "This Medrol Dosepak always does the trick in helping with my allergy-induced asthma. The downside is I take Diltiazem, a heart med, to regulate my heart rate, and the steroid makes my heart race."