Anybody on inhaled corticosteroids long term (year or more) having joint pain/probs?

[t_panic411]

Hi, are any of you who've been on inhaled steroids for a long time having trouble, pain or problems with your joints?
I've been on azmacort for about a year now & it does GREAT for my asthma. But, I read that a long term effect of inhaled steroids is joint pain of the larger joints. I've been having terrible pain in knees, ankle & spine for about a month now off and on. The knee pain seems to be here to stay now.. ugg.... Could this be from inhaled steroids? I never had pain or problems with bone or joint pain before this except mild stiffness when in one position for too long.
Thanks

[Titchou]

I've been on Flovent for about 15 years and have no problems.

[ILiveForMyKIDS]

Inhaled steriods are prescribed at a much smaller dosage than sytemic steriods. For the obvious reason that the medication is administered directly to the problem area. Inhaled steriods can cause problems but as far as I've read it's mostly the system, prednisone, that will really cause problems. Have you changed medications recently? Lowered a dose of something? More or less exercise? Stress. I had a bout of Fibromylasia, which was THE worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life. I was lying there all day, went to the emergency rooms, and doctors non-stop it was out of control. After some research many moons later come to find out it was a lowering of an antidepressant LEXAPRO that caused this temporary Fibromylasia. It took a few weeks for the pain to come, so it was hard at that time to relate the two. Just some information - the body is a complex machine. Sry to hear about your pain. It sux. Hot baths help a lot!

J

[t_panic411]

Hi, thank you all for the replies. My knee pain has gone away for the most part only coming when I am in one position for a long time. It was horrible there for a short while though. I have no idea what it could have been from. The only thing I came up with frommy meds was I read something about long term use of inhaled steroids can cause joint paint in the larger joints which I was having so I figured that was it.

The only thing different I had going on around this time was I had recently been pre-medicated for a procedure tat involved a dye I'm allergic to so to prevent the reaction they pumped me full of steroid pills like a LOT over a day, then a huge injection of steroid (all along with my inhaler too). Well about 2 days later the weird joint pains came. I had it pretty bad in lower spine too but severe in my knees. I thought I'd broken something for a day or so... It was that bad. Can steroid withdrawl cause pains like that?
If so... I dread if I ever have to come off this stuff. I guess that's why they say to do it very very slowly. I just find it hard to believe that I could have withdrawl from what was around 48 hrs of steroids pumped into me. It was very high doses. Oh well... What ever it was I hope it nevvvver comes back. That pain was terrible. I feel so bad for those of you who have to go through pain all the time.
Wishing you all well!
Thanks!

[idahogirl46]

Hello,

I have been doing some research on inhaled corticosteroids. I have been on Advair for 2 1/2 years. I didnt think that Adviar and my symtoms were related but after checking it out I found at most poeple have side affects, including ear pain and itching. Sinus problems, trouble sleeping, weight gain, pain in there joints. Horrible cramping in the toes and calves. I can't believe how Drs just prescribe these meds then when you have side affects they put you on drugs to deal with the side affects.....UUGG If your on Advair....please check it out..Im weaning my self off today~!!!

Best of luck Idaho girl