Started on Fostair 100/6 yesterday, took 4 puffs altogether two last night two this morning. My legs keep cramping and I’ve got like a heavy feeling under my boobs (sorry for TMI) I’ve not long finished a course of prednisone. I took last tablet yesterday they gave me terrible heartburn so I’m not sure if it’s the fall out of that?!
Anyone else get this feeling? It passes eventually just wondering if it was normal.
I had this when I started Fostair 100/6 too, I had also just finished a course of pred and doxy for an infection, so I put it down to the infection still being shifted and muscle aches from the chest infection, it only lasted about a week from what I can recall, the heartburn is a nightmare with pred, I still get heartburn, so don’t rule heartburn out chick, you may still get it, I don’t get it as much as when I’m on the pred tho if I’m honest.
The steroids reduce the efficiency of the sphincter to close so it may not be exactly that they are giving you heartburn but that the issue is your spinchter isn't doing its job properly - it all amounts to the same thing though. many people seem to suffer cramps on theses meds but I think an unlucky few can really struggle and can even find their lungs exasperated so watch your symptoms carefully and report back to go tomorrow for further advice.
I was on Fostair all last year, it was recommended by Respiratory Consultant on my asthma diagnosis, helped the asthma great but caused severe muscle cramps, spasms and muscular pain so eventually GP changed it to Seretide, it also helped my asthma but unfortunately the cramps etc all came back so went back to see the Respiratory Consultant two weeks ago and he told me never to use a Duo inhaler again as it obviously doesn’t agree with me...he has me on Montelukast, Clenil 200 & my blue inhaler again....cramps have practically all gone away now....The Consultant told me in his 10 yrs of practising he has only ever had two or three cases like mine so it is rare but it does happen! Hope this information helps you....good luck
It’s funny that you should mention leg cramps...since I started doubling up on my Seretide inhaler, I get legs cramps regularly. I keep meaning to mention it during appointments but whilst we’re trying to get my asthma under control, it’s not really a priority and slips my mind. It drives me insane!
Hi, I’m on Fostair 100/6 and did go through a spell of leg cramp but not straight away after starting to use it, but they have now stopped, very odd. I was never really sure of the cause or why they stopped!!
Fostair depletes Potassium (see Patient Information Leaflet). Low Potassium can be one reason for cramps.
Maybe try increasing your dietary Potassium, but avoid Potassium in Supplement Form as it’s risky, especially at doses greater than 100mg.
If you have any existing heart health issues, for example only, irregular or racing heart beat, don’t increase Potassium without first consulting a doctor.
I was switched to Fostair 100/6 from Seretide and then switched back due to awful leg cramps. I still get cramps on Seretide, mostly in my legs and mostly overnight but the frequency is much reduced compared to cramps on Fostair!
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