Adult-onset asthma and Cushing

[Moorose]

Hi all! Firstly I'm Asian and not from UK, but we don't have forums like these in my country. Just would like some advice on current situation.

I had adult onset asthma since start of 2019 and it became so bad I would wake up at 3am breathless and vomiting. I was placed on Seretide 25/50, 2 in morning, 2 in night. Everything was OK. Until today 2020, I gained 20KG with acne all over body, hirsutism, purple marks, emergency lower back strains (couldn't walk at all- diagnosed as muscle issue) muscle weakness etc.

Anyway, most concerned with weight gain. I am seeing an Endo now, she tested for Cushing with overnight dexamethasone 1mg. I tested and it is normal (12 nmol/l). Normal is less than 50. The thing is, I took Seretide (total 4 pumps from 11pm-8am) and today I just realised Seretide is a steroid drug. I haven't told the Endo yet, I'm seeing her next Monday. Does taking the inhaler while on ODST affect the results?

Should I continue seeing the Endo or should I actually be seeing an Asthma expert right now instead? It's hard for me to take leaves at my job and I am abit confused of which specialist I should be going to.

I am sorry if this is the wrong place for me to post, since I'm not from UK. Thank you in advance for any kind advice!

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi Moorose

I’m sorry that you are having these problems...

If I understand correctly you think that you have adrenal insufficiency from steroids??

I don’t know a huge amount about this ( others on here know much more..) but your dose of steroid doesn’t seem to me to be high enough or long term enough to cause AI? Also I think AI causes weight loss not gain? ( others please correct if I’m wrong!)

That said you probably should talk to both an endo specialist and an asthma one.. they should work together to help you. You should also let your endo know about the inhaled steroid in case it has affected your results? They may do it again?

It might cause you some work problems in the short term to see two specialists but it is important to look after yourself and stay healthy.

I’m sorry I’m not much help but just wanted to send a bit of support.

I hope you are able to find some answers soon..

Take care 😊👍

[Moorose in reply to Pipsqueak77]

Hi Pipsqueak77!

I actually haven't checked up on Adrenal Insufficiency but I did some reading and I think I don't have any of those symptoms though!

Yes, maybe it's still best to see both at the same time, but I just thought it might have been unnecessary to see the Endo since my guess that the inhaler is the issue. But after rechecking and reading the other comments, maybe I should check my thyroid with the endo as well

Thank you for the reply and support, I really appreciate it! You take care too 😊😊

[Wheezycat]

See both! And get them to talk to each other! Also tell both/all specialists of all medications you are taking. Some medications can have impact on others. It is an important factor to be aware of.

[Moorose in reply to Wheezycat]

Hi Wheezycat! Yes, I think I might continue seeing both instead of jumping to conclusions. I was just afraid of getting retrenched in this pandemic period. But I guess health does comes first!

[Poobah]

It would be quite unusual for you to have all those symptoms from Seretide, but not impossible if they are listed as known side effects. However, to me it does sound like a hormone issue so your endo should be able to test for various imbalances. Weight gain and muscle weakness happened to me and it turned out to be a thyroid problem. It took ages to diagnose as doctors kept thinking it was somehow related to my asthma.

A simple blood test that looks at the levels of thyroid hormones (there are several and it only takes one of them to be out of kilter to cause a patient to feel poorly) can identify any imbalance.

And hopefully the two doctors will liaise with each other to ensure nothing is missed. Your asthma doctor could prescribe a different inhaler that has different steroids and bronchidilator, in case some of your symptoms are related to Seretide.

The patient leaflet that accompanies the inhaler lists all possible side effects - unfortunately it doesn't say at what point you can expect to experience these, but most would be noticed quite quickly after first taking a new medication.

I hope you find a resolution soon.

[Moorose in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah! Actually thank you so much for this. I just read up about thyroid and I will test it soon because all my symptoms actually does match! The Endo thought it was Cushing cause of the purple stretch marks for a year and a fats all around my front neck area (i don't have a buffalo hump but I do have supraclavicular fat pads). Since the test came back negative I will check on thyroid instead. I just really want to go back to being smaller sized. All the weight gain has definitely destroyed my self esteem.

[peege]

just want to say welcome and good luck with getting this sorted out Moorose 🙏

[Moorose in reply to peege]

Hi Peege! Thank u for the warm wishes, appreciate it! 😊

[MrClay]

Hey moorose

My advice would be to visit both health professionals 😊 Two heads better than one 😊 sorry to hear you have been suffering..

hope all goes well for you 😊x

[Moorose in reply to MrClay]

Hi MrClay! Yes I will do that. Thank you for taking your time to read my post and wish you the best of health always! 😁😊

[MrClay]

Your very welcome 😊x