Hi,
I just posted about this about a week ago, looking for others that experienced the same problem, so yes, you are not alone! I totally sympathize, its NOT fun!
I agree you should talk to your doc about this, and, depending, they might refer you to a cardiologist to have a workup.....
I dont know to what extent/degree you are experiencing it, but here is my story, fyi in case its helpful....
I first experienced the racing heartbeat when I was at about 40 mg of prednisone. It was my first episode of SVT, super-ventricular-tacchycardia, which basically means that my heart beat was so fast for so long (it got up to about 210 for 2 hours--I thought I could sleep it off!!), I had to go to the E.R.
In my case, they started an IV and told me that my electrolytes were completely off, especially my potassium, which was at 2.7 (normal is 4.0). Prednisone, as I understand it, makes you retain sodium and excrete potassium. (Another member also said we dont absorb potassium well when we are flaring, so this might also contribute to low levels). They seemed to think this was a factor, in addition to the fact that Prednisone has a stimulating response on the body.
SOOOO, you might want to get your labs tested. It could be your potassium as it was in my case. I had to start taking supplements---(enteric coated slow release ones, because others can actually cause more tummy problems and diahrrea!!) It could also be your blood sugar as someone else mentioned. Or a series/combination of factors.
I had many episodes while tapering off the prednisone, and then a few when I got off it, and then they started again even when I briefly went on hydrocort enemas, so I know the steroids have this effect on me.
Anxiety is also a factor, in my case. It helped to understand exactly what was going on. It was explained to me that SVT is GENERALLY a benign condition. Of course, if it continues for more than 15-20 minutes and Im unable to control it, I am to go to the hospital.
SO HOW DO YOU STOP IT?? Well, if its SVT, there are a few tricks. Hopefully they work. If all else fails you can go to the hospital and they give you a drug to stop it. In the long term, if it happens on a frequent basis, you can take a med for it, or get whats called an ablation, where they destroy the patch of tissue that is sending the signals for your heart to beat irregularly. You can find more info from the American Heart Assoc.
I have had pretty good luck stopping it myself, so thats what Ill keep doing unless things worsen. I havent had any episodes for a couple of months now.
You can:
1) try the Valsalva maneuver--dont quote me but I think it triggers the vagal nerve to slow your heart beat. Do this by lying down, taking a deep breath and holding it, and then bear down as if you are having a bowel movement (we all should be good at that, right??).
This works for me, though sometimes I have to do it a few times before it actually "sticks".
2) there are also massages you can do on your carotid artery, and I read a few other tricks somewhere on another site, but I cant seem to find them right now.
well..... i hope that wasnt too much information1!!!!!
best of luck,
jayne