Side effects from my off steroids and antibiotics

[Edmillkirk]

I was diagnosed as having athsma last year at 59 years old. It's been a nightmare. Can't seem to get it under control. I have just finished yet another 3 day course of steroids and 5 days of antibiotics. I'm feeling jittery and breathless. Does anyone else suffer this?

[M-D-F]

Why have you only taken steroids for such a short length of time, and am quite surprised by the shortness on the antibiotics side.

[Edmillkirk in reply to M-D-F]

That is what the doc prescribed. I don't know anyone with athsma and I feel I'm in no man's land. Getting different advice from the medics.

[Hidden]

Hi Edmillkirk maybe you should of been on antibiotics and steroids a bit longer at least 6 days hope your feeling better soon go back doctors if u don't feel any better good luck 👌

[Edmillkirk in reply to Hidden]

Is it normal to take a lot of chest infections?

[Hidden in reply to Edmillkirk]

Hi all people of different I mainly get mine in the bad weather maybe once a year I think u might just need another course then hopefully u be better

[ChicChantal]

I'm a bit similar. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago. I caught a virus and got lung damage. Since then it has gradually increased, but was not severe until six weeks ago, which I had my first bad attack. Then 3 weeks ago, it hit me like a train. Just finishing 3rd course of antibiotics, second lot of oral steroids, heaven knows what inhalers etc.

It has calmed down for now, and I really hope it's under control.

[risabel59]

Hello,

Welcome to the Forum. Sorry to hear that you are unwell. You will find a lot of support here. If you have recently been diagnosed with asthma, tracking what is going on can be helpful, particularly to optimize your GP appointments. Late onset asthma is pretty common but it can be difficult to get to the cause. My suggestions would include keeping an asthma & peak flow diary, you can get a peak flow meter on prescription or just buy one at the chemist. Measure your peak flow twice a day, before you take medications. Also keep a note of your symptoms, cough wheeze etc, night waking, and how much reliever inhaler you are using. Try to work out what makes things worse and what makes them better

Your doctor should have given you a written Asthma plan, explaining what to do when, if they have not you should ask for one.

Sometimes it takes quite a lot of tweaking to get meds right.

As regards to your question, people with asthma are much more susceptible to chest infections as mucus can get stuck and infected. I sometimes get infections and don't realize it till I see the doctor. I definitely can feel very odd after antibiotics and Prednisolone, but unfortunately they are a part of my life if I want to stay out of A&E. If you have finished the course of Prednisolone and antibiotics and are still not better you must go back to the doctor.

Hope you feel better soon

R

[Edmillkirk in reply to risabel59]

Thanks for all the advice. It's good to be able to talk to people who understand. I've bought turmeric tablets to see if they will help. I just want to get on top of this.

[Offcut]

Sometimes the jitters can be from the inhalers? I had a twitches for some time and it was over use of the inhaler. It might be worth using a spacer for the inhaler and using it less?

See your asthma nurse and explain it all to him/her they are usually less stern than GP and have a little bit more time.

Be Well

[Edmillkirk in reply to Offcut]

Yes I think your right. Dr doesn't seem very interested to be honest. I suffer from anxiety so that doesn't help either.

[Offcut in reply to Edmillkirk]

Gp's only seem to want to deal with one issue per appointment!

[Slb306]

Hi - was diagnosed at 50 with severe asthma too. Its taken a few years to really get it under control. Just had the best winter for years! As others have suggested you do need to keep a really close on eye on your symptoms, start to understand what your triggers are - they will be very individual to you so try not to fit others symptoms to you.....

My respiratory consultant ( a professor so pretty smart!) says 5 days for an exacerbation along with 7 days of antibiotics if signs of an infection.

I have also worked hard on breathing exercises which have helped no end. It was also found that I was massively vit D deficient so am an mega supplements and a high vit D diet. I personally believe that is what has made the difference this winter.

This is a great forum for support so keep in contact, always a listening ear and a kind word when you are feeling down

[Little_kick_chick]

Hope you feel better soon!

I noticed you said you'd seen different medics. Ask your doctors surgery to see the doctor with the specialist interest in asthma and also the asthma nurse too.

It's scary but there's lots of medications and everyone is different and responds differently. Keep positive and let us know how you get on x

[Edmillkirk in reply to Little_kick_chick]

Thanks for the advice. I don't know what it's like where you live but I have to wait 4 weeks to see my doctor. It's a nightmare. I'm on my 3rd lot of antibiotics for

a chest infection and have seen 1 doctor (not mine) and 2 nurses. I managed to get a phone appointment with my own doctor this morning but would have preferred to see him. Not really good enough.