Side effects

[Emzcat41]

Hello

Since I’ve upped my fostair to 4x a day I’ve been having cramp type muscle spasms in my feet/toes, hands and side.

I’m also on spiriva 2 puffs a day.

Has anyone else experienced this? Whenever I try to cut down my SOB increases but this side effect is driving me mad.

Could this be a side effect or totally separate?

Having a blood test today as consultant considering if I’m suitable for biologics.

Thank you

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

It’s often a potassium deficiency that’s causes muscle cramping and spasming. I was told by a consultant to drink a fresh (not from concentrate) glass of orange juice every day which usually works. It’s worth a try or change your diet slightly to eat more potassium rich foods ( healthline.com/nutrition/hi... )

Hope this helps and works for you

[Emzcat41 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you that’s very helpful - I’ll get on that! X

[Wheezycat in reply to EmmaF91]

I eat all of those except chard (would do if I met one) lots of veg and roots generally, and I still get cramps as I always have, since long before I started with inhalers. I find that keeping my feet warm also helps, and keeping moving and stretching. It doesn’t cure it, but it helps, in addition to your good advice.

[LeiLey]

Hi I’m on Fostair 100 4 puffs per day (2 am 2 pm and the last few months I’ve been having lots of cramping too, however I don’t know if it’s coincidence.

Every day my feet and back of my thigh goes into cramp if I try and stretch or even move in a certain way!

[Poobah]

Naturally dried apricots are very high in potassium and make sure to avoid the ones that contain sulphite preservatives (usually supermarket baking range). Holland & Barrett or similar outlets carry preservative free dried apricots. Supplements are all well and good but often don't contain a well absorbed type of mineral or vitamin.

[Oldandgray]

I liked how Forstair controlled my asthma but had to stop taking it as the muscle pain, spasms and cramps were intolerable.

[Channti]

When I got upped to Fostair 200/6 4 times a day, it's drove me crazy. I felt like I was on the cusp of an emergency all the time. It gave me agressive papulations, I kept having spasms in my arms and legs, made my legs bruise, my calf's felt strange, and I felt off balance, plus it made my face and lips tingle and gave me a face rash.

Stopped taking it and most of the side effects have stopped. Whenever anyone mentions Fostair it gives me anxiety now. Lol

Plus spasms/ muscles cramp is listed as a known side effect on the Fostair inhaler information sheet.

[Spikedog66]

I had horrific side effects from fostair. Hand shakes so bad was even unable to hold a cup, leg and feet cramps plus palpitations so I went back to seretide and issues gone. I take spiriva like you and wouldn't give that up for anything my life saver for over 10 years. Hope this helps and you get sorted soon. 😊

[peege]

My prescription is 2 puffs twice per day and to use less at 'good' times. I aim to take 8am & 8pm. In winter I do 2 puffs at night & 1 in the morning. April or May I can drop to 1 puff at night. At times of SOB I might need a puff during the day.

I find Fostair brilliant however, it doesn't suit everyone. P

[Gareth57]

I’ve found the side effects reduce over time, and thought the benefits of the Nexthaler outweighed the side effects, I’ve just moved up from 100/6 to 200/6 with no noticeable problem and have the odd banana to be safe.