And it was going so well.........

[Bucketlist]

Hi there, hope everyone is well and breathing easy. I am now 4 weeks into my diagnosis of Asthma and seemed to be well apart from the most awful cramps in my legs and toes, usually in the middle of the night, I also had terrible pain in my leg, seeming to come from my bones! Anyway after googling the problem it seems that it might be the Ventolin? That wasn't a problem, I stopped taking Ventolin as I was ok without it and the pain in the bones has gone and the cramps are fewer, ( still taking the Fostair though) however yesterday and now today I am very breathless and coughing all the time, so I guess it's back on the Ventolin again. So my question is, should I tell my GP about the cramps etc? Or is it something that I will have to live with? There are only so many bananas I can eat in any one day and to be honest the pain in my leg bone was causing me more problems than the cramps, at least the cramps went away for a while. Any theories?

Jos

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it 😕.

It's definitely worth mentioning to your GP - it could be that a different 'brand' of ventolin doesn't have the same reaction - for me ventolin works fine but airsalb (same drug different brand) always makes me cough and I'm always more 'receptive' to dry powder inhalers (DPIs) rather than the normal metered dose inhalers (MDIs). Conversely my mum reacts badly to prednisolone but all they can do is give another drug to help with the side effects she gets as there is no alternative that she doesn't react too...

If in doubt or you're having difficulties ring the asthma uk helpline... they are really helpful and they've probably had people with similar issues ring in in the past so have the best advice!

Hope that helps

Emma

[Hidden]

Hi Bucketlist

Sorry to hear your having problems. If you think it's a side effect from medication then it's important to go back to the GP so they can review your medication and make sure your asthma is being well-managed.

As iterated on the thread, if you would like more advice and support then please feel free to give our nurses team a ring on 0300 222 5800 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Bucketlist in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I think I might have to, I've had to use the Ventolin quite a lot today.

Jos

[QuietChest]

Agree GP should know. Have you tried tonic water? The quinine helps my leg cramps?

[Bucketlist in reply to QuietChest]

Maybe I'm diluting the Tonic with too much Gin......🤔

Jos

[Hidden]

Hi

You shouldnt be taking the ventolin regularly, it is a reliever. When you do need it you should take a maximum of 2 puffs and this should give you relief for approximately 3-4 hours.

[Bucketlist in reply to Hidden]

I am due to see the nurse soon, she told me to use it regularly for the first 6 weeks, but after seeing this forum, I have stopped using it, especially as the cramps and bone pains were so bad, but yesterday was a bad morning for me and I had to use it first thing, I was ok after that though, I am trying not to use it at least until after I see the nurse again.thanks for the advice though.

Jos

[Khuliso]

Sorry you feel pain frm something thats suppose to help u, I can take 6 to 10 puffs in a matter of minutes of the ventolin, all i get is the shakes and a headache but i dnt get cramps. I get cramps frm the Symbicord.

[Bucketlist in reply to Khuliso]

I think that part of my problem was that I was diagnosed with Asthma, sent off with Fostair, Ventolin and a spacer and I was out of the surgery before I had time to ask any questions. All she said was Fostair morning and night and Ventolin 3 times a day , 2 puffs each time of each one, and see her again in 6 weeks, since reading the advice on this site, I have cut out the Ventolin unless I am having a bad time coughing and breathing, since then the bone pain has gone and cramps are fewer. I have to see her again in 2 weeks so we can go through it properly then. But like you I get the shakes and a head ache with Ventolin too. Hey ho, it's a learning curve. And to round things off, I've been called for Jury Service! Things can only get better......

Jos

[dinadina]

I would see your doctor again. Pernicious anemia can cause leg cramps and toe cramps and shortness of breath, too.

[Bucketlist]

I went back yesterday, told them that I haven't used Ventolin for 2 weeks and the cramps and leg pains have stopped. They said, Good.

So let's hope I don't have to use Ventolin again then!

Thanks for the advice