Side effects

[RD23]

Just wondering if anyone can help me?

Two weeks ago I had a bad spell with my asthma; two A&E visits, 9 nebs and pred 8 for five days, in total. It really knocked me about and I had very little energy and really bad aches/cramps in my calves.

Since Wednesday I’ve had diarrhoea and still have the really bad cramps in my legs. Apart from that I don’t feel ill and my partner is fine so I don’t think it’s a bug. Wondering if it’s as a result of all the meds/withdrawal from the pred or wondered if it’s due to a change in my electrolyte levels as a result of the medication. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Sorry to hear this 😞

The leg cramps could be caused by low potassium levels which can be brought on by both a lot of salbutamol and by prednisolone. My consultant advised fresh orange juice (not from conc) as there’s more potassium in it than in bananas and it’s also easier to increase levels drinking than eating lots of leafy greens 😅

Not sure about the diarrhoea as it’s come on after the fact so to say, as I’m assuming it came on after the pred stopped and a while after the hosp trips. If it doesn’t calm down you could try speaking to your pharmacist/GP 🤷‍♀️. Tho as you say it may be something to do with your electrolyte levels

Hope it all calms down for you soon and that you start to feel better quickly!

[RD23 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you, feeling better today. I’ve had a big day at work which I was worrying about and now it’s over I feel a lot better so I’m wondering if it was nerves.

Got my appointment with my consultant Thursday (snow permitting) so will ask about my electrolyte levels.

Thanks for the tips!

[WheezleSneezle]

Some meds can change electrolyte levels. I take slow release potassium pills because the amount of Ventolin I take in the nebuliser bottoms out my potassium level. I don't know about other electrolytes. I know nothing about diarrhoea in this context either. I never experienced this when going off pred even after a relatively long time but maybe I'm just lucky. If you're concerned about side effects and in particular electrolyte imbalances please ask your GP for a blood test because the consequences of messed up electrolytes (either high or low) can be really bad.

[RD23 in reply to WheezleSneezle]

Thank you, I will have a chat to my consultant on Thursday. Feeling better today so hopefully I’ll be ok now.

[emmasue]

I get leg and foot cramps. It can be potassium levels. I was advised to drink banana tea. Take a banana, skin on, cut off the ends and put into a pan with water. Boil for about 5 minutes. Take the banana out and drink the water. It doesn't taste of much, but I think it does help. I sometimes eat the banana out of the skin after it's been boiled. It tastes nice!

[RD23 in reply to emmasue]

I will try that, thank you!

[Hidden]

Talk to your doctor. The men’s can screw with your body chemistry and so can the diarrhea.

[RD23 in reply to Hidden]

Will do, got an appointment with my specialist on Thursday. Thanks for the advice.