Decreasing steroids, increasing asthma.

dreamdaisy

I started asthma at the age of seven, the first inhalers became available when I was about eleven, I have been inhaling steroids in varying amounts ever since. The past two summers (09 and 10) were easy breathing-wise, a fact I was putting down to the double immuno-suppressant combo of meth and humira: I only occasionally needed a quick blast of the blue reliever to gain relief from a slightly-tight chest. This summer ain't going so smoothly. I am now on the blue three times a day, and the brown (preventer) twice. The meth and humira have not altered but the oral steroid dose has. I am down to 4.5 and the breathing has slowly deteriorated in the past few months as I have reduced. It has noticeably worsened since I hit the 4.5 level at what would be the worst time of the year for me asthma-wise. Am I right in thinking there could be a link?

I have also had a dry, tickly cough for a while now - months according to Mr DD, weeks according to me. Is that worth mentioning to anyone? Right, it's time to play Antiques Roadshow Kerching! It's a good game, I am quite good at it! DD

stickywicket

They diagnosed my dry, tickly cough as asthma's return after a gap of about 40 years. As the brown inhaler is steroids I guess it makes sense that lessening the other steroids has an impact but I hope someone will tell you otherwise - and how to cure it all. I get away with just the brown once morning and evening except when I've a cold.

suzygirl

Hi DD, I had a similar problem when decreasing the steroids. Mine did settle down, although I was vigilant with the inhalers for a while. I also find my asthma is worse when I flare, I assume its down to inflammation.

I would mention it to the doc if it is troublesome, you can have a stronger preventer to combat the problem.

Take care

stickywicket

Another thought - my asthma returned when I, briefly, took ibuprofen (but never left when I came off it). If you've started any new meds or upped any old ones in the time it's got worse that might be a contributing factor.

tj66

I am chronic asthmatic and have recently been given a burgandy preventative called Clenil to replace the brown steriod inhaler. My GP explained it was the next step up from Beclomephisone. I had a chest infection over christmas and was given Predisolone for 14 days. I have now been given a course to keep at home for if I have a bad attack.

I don't want to jinx myself here so fingers crossed-Since I've been taking Amitriptilyne-very wierd-my asthma is so much better!

Quite an ignorant response as I'm not familiar with the other medication you take. I found that the OA has taken over and I had neglected the asthma side of things. Sorry re spelling. Hope you get the help you need. Do you have an Asthma clinic?

Tracey

constable

DD

I Know I cant help you but I just wanted to let you know that I will be thinking of you and sending you hugs. Hope you get this new problem resolved quickly.

Karen xx

mig

morning DD,dont have asthma and know next to nothing about it,you really have a lot going on,thinking of you and sending hugs .Mig

dreamdaisy

Morning all, gormless one here. Of course the cough could be linked to the return of the wheezes. :roll: It's amazing what one forgets when one isn't troubled by stuff for a while. I will just have to get back into the groove of doing two inhalers whereas for a number of years it has been occasionally one. Simples. I'm gonna get me a bigger drugs box. :x

jillyb1

Never had the misery of asthma thank goodness so really don't know what's involved . Just adding my two pennarth to let you know , will be thinking of you and hope you're feeling as well as possible . Jillyb

tillytop

Hey DD

Just to add my ha'porth...

As far as I understand it NSAIDs can be bad for asthma and I know you have been stopping/starting the Naproxen periodically. Could it be that, because you are on a lower dose of pred, the Naproxen is exacerbating the asthma? Also cough and breathing problems can be associated with the meth - I know that cos when I took meth first time round the practice nurse noticed I was coughing and I was sent off for various "breathing tests" at the hospital to check the meth wasn't affecting my lungs (it wasn't). I do think it would be worth mentioning to the rheumatology nurse for advice.

Tilly xxx

dreamdaisy

Now that's a thought, tilly. I am taking nap at the moment to try to help the OA pain (it hasn't so shall be stopping again when this load run out). I don't think I need to raise it with anyone tho - I am a relatively sensible girl when I choose to be and of course if things do worsen then I shall be on the blower to the helpline. Promise. DD

madwestie

DD i have had asthma for 28 years now and over the years it has gone up and down but the one thing that always immediately helps is pred.
The dry cough does sound like an asthmatic cough (that was the only way they could diagnose mine years ago).

The nap my be adding to it as my the weird weather we are having.

My asthma has been acting up lately and i have a dreaded appointment with the nurse on Wednesday to review the meds i have just had a short course of pred and the difference to my asthma was instant (sadly not a long enough dose to help the ra.

If the inhalers don't work and the nap withdrawel doesn't help then you may like me have no choice but to do something.

Hope the tendons are feeling better.

Tracey

dreamdaisy

The asthma isn't acting up as such, it's just more noticeable than it has been for years. It nearly killed me on three occasions when I was a child and I am nowhere near that level of distress with it. I am happy with the Pulvinal inhalers, I think it is to do with the pred reduction, I will just have to get back into the swing of doing the two. It's no biggie, just irksome. I needed a puff at 4am this morning, so I should go and do the pair of them now. In fact I will! DD

julie47

DD I know nothing about asthma so I can not begin to advise you.

Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you.

juliepf x