Just wondering if anyone suffers with muscle weakness or spasms?
Over the last 6 months or so, I have noticed that my muscles spasm a lot (sometimes painfully, sometimes I just feel it). I've also noticed that if I doing something strenuous, for example lifting something heavy, my arms and hands will quickly weaken then stop working altogether and I'll drop whatever it is.
Is this related to the medications we take? I'm a brittle, so on maintenance pred along with all the rest!
Muscle weakness is one of the most common side effects of steroids, and some people (like myself) even experience it with inhaled steroids.
I am afraid there's not much you can do about it, except exercise.
Hi I have been diagnosed with spinal damage and I do get muscle weakness and spasms aswell I also get like you mentioned in the arms and drop stuff a few times I've dropped a whole basket of shopping but I always put it down to the spinal damage which I was actually told is half of the fault of my epilepsy as I always fall backwards and hurt my back I have been told I'm still very lucky but never thought to connect with my asthma when I do drop stuff I try my best to pick it up and I inform the staff that I have this problem and thay help me out but now because of the lockdown I get local delivery and found that helps because I can take my time . I also wear a cardy or jumper ( suitable for the time of year and weather) year long as I have found cold don't help even a lovely summer breeze can set me off so if I keep some type of cardy/ hoodie/jumper ect my back is always warm and protected and so is my chest but I'm not too hot or cold and it reduces spasms rest of the stuff unfortunately you have to learn your limits
I'm the same as Wintersbite. When my back and chest get cold my muscles can spasm. I have to watch it because sometimes I'm hot but my chest is cold. Which i know sounds weird. I have sports compression t shirts I sometimes wear and they really help.
When I had muscle weakness, as a result of over active thyroid, my GP gave me a raft of strengthening exercises in order to protect my bones & joints that were suffering. Couldn't believe how quickly they worked. Have a chat with your GP and they can email or text you the recommended exercises. NB that the exercises were gentle resistance so my asthma wasn't affected.
All the best.
Hi,
I have very painful spasms when I am prescribed Prednisalone. I also have constant reduced muscle weakness and drop things occasionally, but at present have no underlying diagnoses to explain why this is so. (although am currently under investigation) As a therapist and gymnastics coach, I have always kept fit and was always fairly strong until my asthma slowly required more medication to manage it...Maybe the muscle weakness could also be related to my steroid inhaler?.......Because of my severe muscle spasms when taking Pred, and as , thankfully, I only need a few courses a year, my GP prescribes Quinine Sulphate or Quinine Bisulphate at the same time. However, I believe this is not a solution for prolonged use, due to adverse reactions in long term use.
However it has reduced the spasms so that I am confident driving, as felt unsafe otherwise, so could continue working.
Maybe a good research project for someone...? 😀
Hi
Muscle weakness and spasming can be a pred side effect. My suggestion is to talk to your team or GP (or both 😅) about it, and double check there’s nothing else going on, and that there isn’t an ‘easy’ solution (ie pred can lower potassium, which can cause muscle weakness/spasming, so a high potassium diet/potassium supplements might help etc etc)
Good luck and hope you find out the issue soon
Yes me by coincidence just posted about it but went all round the houses trying to explain it.it is def related to meds we take.when I was on seretide I had cramps.now my joints are locking and stiff am now on fostair.dont know what to do.vitamin d3 is recommended for strong bones.wishing you well.helen.
As per others above, I take both oral & inhaled steroids & have significant issues with bone & muscle weakness. You probably should be taking Adcal (a calcium tablet) if the weakness is a major problem. Have a chat with your doctor & see what they think.
I had similar issues and put it down to steroids. However I was found to be seriously vit D deficient and after addressing that I have been much better. May be a good idea to have a test.
Thanks to everyone who replied! I wonder if it is connected to a low potassium level. I have not had this checked recently, but am prone to it and have been admitted for IV potassium due to it being critically low. Interestingly, I didn’t notice any of these muscle symptoms then, I had gone to the GP with shortness of breath which wouldn’t ease even when relaxing.
Once this covid situation starts to ease off, I will take a trip to the GP and get a test.
Thanks again all!
Hi Chukkin, It’s likely the prednisone making muscles weak (at least that’s what my Pulmonary said.) When I have a rare bout of feeling good, I do some exercise like light weights and leg lifts.
Snoring 
Muscle cramps!
Inhaler slightly makes breathing worse. I think....
6 Months+ of Asthma Issues
Does the body get used to ventolin ? 
