I Have A Question ?? Help I Am So Upset!

[DWR8297439]

Originally Posted by SnowyLynne63

I was born with asthma,but over the years it has progressed to Emphysema.I use an inhaler but not steroids.They should't be used IMO when other meds.will work.There may be a time when they will be needed.When I have a bad episode my Dr.will give me a shot of Styeroids only when I really need them.Same for Antibiotics......

HI SNOWYLYNNE63, the inhaler you use for your asthma and emphysema should have steroids in it. I found some information for you on *****.com. I hope it is useful. Treatments Include Bronchodilator medicines: This class of medication works by relaxing the muscles around the airways. They are typically indicated for the relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airways disease. More commonly used to treat asthma, they may be prescribed for emphysema patients if there is a tendency toward airway constriction or tightening. Some of the more common bronchodilator medicines include: albuterol, terbutaline, ipratropium bromide, and theophylline. Inhaled medicines, which go directly into the lungs and have less exposure to other parts of the body, are often tried first because they usually begin working in less than five minutes with a lower incidence of side effects.

"Valuable additions to bronchodilator therapy are blood tests used to monitor pharmacological agents such as theophylline," adds Steven Gutman, M.D., director of the division of clinical laboratory devices in the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Although tests for measuring theophylline have been available for decades," he says, "there continue to be refinements in this testing which make them more accurate and accessible. "

Anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids): Since emphysema may be associated with inflammation, doctors may prescribe a corticosteroid to soothe and ultimately heal the delicate lining layer of the air passageways, making them more resistant to obstruction. Inhaled steroids do not carry an FDA-approved indication for COPD but are used off-label by many clinicians. The type of steroid contained in these preparations is not the type that builds muscles. Long-term use of oral corticosteroids is commonly associated with a variety of dose-dependent side effects, such as osteoporosis (in both men and women), weight gain and fat redistribution, hypertension, loss of lean body mass, and high blood sugar. Commonly used corticosteroids include the oral preparation prednisone and several inhaled corticosteroids.

sincerely,
Debra

[lucky charms]

Originally Posted by LYNNE B

I WILL TRY AND GIVE YOU THE RUN DOWN..
I WAS SICK OVER THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE FLU AND BRONCHITIS. NEVER REALLY FULLY RECOVERED AND WAS ON ANTIBIOTICS ON AND OFF SINCE JAN. I WENT TO THE DR AND HE PRESCRIBED MORE ANTIBIOTICS. AFTER THE 1ST WEEK ON THE ANTIBIOTIC..
I WAS HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING.GETTING A GOOD BREATHE OF AIR IN. THE DR TOLD ME I HAD ASTHMATIC BRONCHITIS. HE GAVE ME AN ORAL STEROID WHICH TOOK DOWN THE SWELLING IN MY BRONCHIAL TUBES AND HELPED ME TO BREATHE BETTER.
AFTER THE 1 WEEK DOSE OF ORAL STEROIDS THE DR. PUT ME ON AN INHALED STEROIOD (PULMICORT). MY QUESTION IS...
I AM SOO DIZZY AND TIRED. I HAVE BEEN SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT. AT LEAST 7 HRS. I ASKED THE DR WHY I DON'T HAVE ANY ENERGY AND HE SAID ITS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGHT OFF BEING SICK. I WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU THINK IT COULD BE THE STEROIDS TOO.. I AM SOOO SPACEY AT TIMES AND I DON'T FEEL MYSELF.
I HAVE ALSO BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ACID REFLUX AND HE HAS PUT ME ON NEXIUM.
I JUST WANT TO FEEL BETTER AGAIN..AND GET BACK TO MY NORMAL SELF.. ANY SUGGESTIONS?...

THANKS FOR READING... LYNNE

Do you think maybe you were taken off predinizone (sp?) to fast? Maybe you are going though withdrawls.

[lucky charms]

Originally Posted by Chrisgj

SAS can be caused by abrubtly stopping an oral steroid, but it is rare for it to become severe. I could always be wrong, but in her case I believe it was the switch from the oral to inhaled that is doing it to her. If you look at the warnings on the sheet that comes in the box with the inhaler, it warns of this, but most doctors don't take it seriously since they never see a problem. Like I said it is very rare.

Chris

Oh I know I agree with you 100%.I have read the information sheet that goes along with inhaled steroids.If Im not mistaken.You are more at risk developing SAS if you were on oral steroids for some time then switched to inhaled steroids...My Dr tried to pull that one on me.I was on prednizone then he wanted me to go straight on pulmicort and I was like no way....I gave myself a good 3 weeks or longer before I even attepted the pulmicort b/c I was afraid I would end up with SAS..I was just thinking though maybe by some chance the lady that started this thread was going through withdrawls b/c I know if you come off prednizone too fast without the weaning part..It can cause the daze feeling in your brain or a sugar drop.. Take care : )

[jp3892]

Originally Posted by Chrisgj

I just explained that in very rare cases that it can if you have an adrenal problem. An endo I saw told me he sees 30 cases of SAS a year. This person had the same symptoms I did to start. I know what I am talking about here. Don't make light of her problem. I know all about this and I say she could be in grave danger. My beginning symptoms were the same as what she is haveing. Two months later the gates of hell opened on me. 1 in 30 people who go through this, die! Believe me, she doesn't want me to be right!
Chris

What on earth makes u think I am making light of her problem? Are u sure u know all aboput this? What dosage of steroids were u on then when u were diagnosed?