Do asthma meds cause sleep problems?

[Wheezycat]

Since a few days back I am taking far more ventolin than usual. (I am now also on prednisolone. ) Do other people find that using ventolin up to four times daily can affect sleep? My sleep has been poor e last few days (not helped by waking up from a noisy chest yesterday 4am, or from coughing today at 6am), but by now I feel I am getting gradually sleep deprived. And I am not enjoying that as it makes me sluggish. Also my current condition does not help me go for walks which often helps with my sleep. So, could this be the ventolin?

[WheezyAnne]

More likely to be the Prednisolone. How much ventolin\salbutamol are you using? You do not mention what preventer medication you are on? May I suggest you read the leaflet enclosed with your Prednisolone, it will explain a lot. Hope you are feeling a little better.

[Wheezycat in reply to WheezyAnne]

I hear what you are saying, but my sleeplessness started two-three days ago, when I needed to take more ventolin, but I started the prednisolone only yesterday, which is why I am wondering about the ventolin. I am also on clenil, and, on advice, have increased that too, but only yesterday. These last few days I have taken ventolin 4 times daily, and needed it.

[Wheezycat in reply to Wheezycat]

I have now looked up ventolin, which can indeed cause sleep problems. And then the prednisolone probably does not help. May this pass quickly!

[RandaB]

I find that when my asthma symptoms are worse i am very much sleep deprived but the inhalers, once they kick in, manage to settle me down and i am able to get a few hours sleep. I wouldnt think Ventolin had an effect on your sleep, but probably because you are taking it more, you may need to have a review and be given something stronger for a while to help clear things up a bit

[Wheezycat]

I just looked up ventolin online, and one of the possible side effects is sleep issues. It fits with my experiences very well. I am also now on prednisolone and on increased clenil. I hope you are right as my energy levels aren't helped with this.

I haven't tried lettuce - yes, lettuce! Apparently it has something in it which can aid sleep. I could easily eat a little gem each night before bed. Worth considering.

[SilvanaRoza in reply to Wheezycat]

Hi.I'm new to asthma too . I know that ventolin increases heart rate, maybe your body thinks that you're at a walk already when your heart beats faster resulting in insomnia.I used to listen to meditation videos on Youtube.Will slow down your heart rate for sure, try typing "sleep meditation" or something similar, see if it works for you.Good luck!

[Wheezycat in reply to SilvanaRoza]

I will try that! Good idea!

[Wheezycat]

And, by the way, I am seeing my GP next week. For me there is a lot to adjust, but then I am a beginner at this.

[Torunn]

Hi I'm having same problem at moment caught a cold "at the GP's" turned to chest infection! On ventolin and clenil inhalers, but now prescribed predisalin steroid and clarythamycin anti biotic sleep is becoming a rare and precious thing it's been 2 wk now how are you coping?

[Wheezycat in reply to Torunn]

Hi Torunn! I am sorry to hear you are having problems! Since my questions two years ago (above is an old posting) things have indeed improved, as I have been on better medication for me since then. The post above must have been when I was really going downhill after several months of struggling, and a few days later I ended up in hospital for a few days with an asthma attack. The good thing that really came out of it was that I am now on Symbicort which is better for me. Since then I have been lucky, I have only needed prednisolone once, last year. Though my asthma can vary, mostly by far it does not get that bad. I also now know that the prednisolone stops me sleeping almost altogether, but once off prednisolone it gets better.

Hope you feel better soon - it can be miserable, can’t it!

[mariyn]

I found the Pred causes the insomnia

[Griffon]

Prednisolone definitely causes insomnia . In my case I have found that I respond to much smaller doses than those prescribed . I cut my dosage by 2/3 ( two tablets instead of six ) and found the medication still effective but sleep pattern much improved .

[Wheezycat in reply to Griffon]

But that can very. I ended up that time, two years ago, on nearly three weeks of full dose, as I responded so very slowly.