question: I am 61 years old, diagnosed with atrial fibrillation which has been under control. I am also taking synthroid. I take Lisinopril, diltiazem and Xarelto. I also supplement these with Magnesium (250mg) which seems to help reduce my blood pressure a little more. My last blood test showed that my potassium and calcium levels were normal. I recently pinched a muscle in my back and was taking steroids, methylpred dosepak. The first day on this my blood pressure jumped to over 170 so I discontinued using them. A few days later, although my blood pressure was not unusually high, my blood pressure monitor showed that my pulse had jumped to 104. The next reading it was 109. Both readings showed an irregular heartbeat. After that it went back under 100 but the irregular heartbeat continued. I checked it at work where they have a medical center and my blood pressure was 134/78 and heart rate was 85. She didn t have the equipment to check the irregular heartbeat but said through my pulse she could detect it and said it was regularly irregular . However, later readings at home showed my blood pressure dropping under 100 with the lowest being 94/64. Pulse rate stayed under 100 but the irregular heartbeat continued. When I was finally able to reach my cardiologist, he thought that it was more likely a PIV because of the regularly irregular pulse and advised me to keep track and if my readings were over 100 consistently for 3-4 readings, let him know. After talking to him, the irregular heartbeat seemed to have gone away. Last night and today however, while my blood pressure seems to stay within range my pulse has been up and down. Sometimes over 100 and sometimes below. My normal rates are about 134/76 with a pulse of 76. This has been pretty sudden and it s so erratic that it is making me worry. It is Sunday, I am in Kansas while my doctor is in Ohio and I am working here on assignment until the end of May. Also, my lease is up and I am scheduled to move out on Wednesday to a new place and then fly home to Ohio for the weekend.