Steriod tablets

[Blouise1504]

Hi

Does anyone know how long it takes for steriod tablets to do their thing?? Also is it normal to have a cough? Not sure if it's just cleaning my mucus out and that's why?

[twinkly29]

Se people say they work in a few hours. I've never found that and it usually takes a couple of days (some people find it takes longer) for them to kick in and then another few to be feeling better. Coughing is common in asthma anyway (or it is for me) so I would have that anyway as a symptom.

[Blouise1504 in reply to twinkly29]

Yeah I've been coughing for a while as well but it's seemed to change and become more of a chesty cough which is actually bringing up mucus easily rather than me trying to clear my throat every 10 minutes 😂 hoping they set in soon I have 6 every morning and I'm so impatient for it to work 🤦🏻‍♀️

[twinkly29 in reply to Blouise1504]

Unfortunately with anything asthma related patience is required! But I agree it's annoying!!

But hopefully you'll feel better soon!

[Flowergirl78]

Hi, everyone is different but probably after a couple of days on average. The last time I took them they didn't kick in until day 4 of a 5 day course. They may have been doing their thing behind the scenes but I didn't notice any easing until day 4. What do you mean by is a cough normal? If you mean a cough with asthma in general then yes, I am currently in a flare up (day 1 of pred) and my cough has returned. I call it the annoying asthma cough, where you keep clearing your throat and a cough. If you mean is a cough a side effect of steroids I'm not sure. Others may know more about that. If it's a new cough keep covid in mind but I thought that was a constant unproductive cough?

Hope you feel better soon.

[Blouise1504 in reply to Flowergirl78]

That makes me feel better medication for me seems to either make me flare up worse or not work at all so fingers crossed. I usually am just trying to clear my throat and cough etc but it's changed to a more chesty cough which is actually bringing up mucus more easily which is new for me tbh. I take covid tests weekly currently as they are working out my asthma and how severe it is and I have to take my mask off in the doctors to do the tests etc. Plus I don't leave my house due to being furloughed and recently getting asthma and having the attacks so the doctors are sure I'm all clear on covid wear my masks religiously to give myself a better chance!

Thank you, you too!!! I know it's hard 😔

[Flowergirl78 in reply to Blouise1504]

If your cough has turned into a really chesty one and your bringing up more mucous than normal it could be an infection? I would talk to your doctor if you can.

[Blouise1504 in reply to Flowergirl78]

They are a bit worried about that anyway, I'm currently waiting on an x-ray for my chest to check for infections. As I had an infection in my lung before being diagnosed with severe asthma and after having flu they don't want to give me antibiotics as I already had 2 lots in December🤦🏻‍♀️

[twinkly29 in reply to Blouise1504]

If you're coughing stuff up, ask if they'll do a sputum sample. That way they'll know if there's an infection and, if so, if it's viral or needs antibiotics. If it's viral things you keep getting then antibiotics won't help (so I can understand them not wanting to give them if that's the case). But if it is bacterial then they saying we don't want to give isn't helpful.

[Blouise1504 in reply to twinkly29]

I did have that test a couple of weeks ago when I was feeling the same after 2 asthma attacks it came back clear and Sorry I wrote that wrong they said "I don't think you want antibiotics again do you" and I agreed that no I don't unless they are sure it's an infection. I have noticed today my breathing is getting better, I'm just bringing up mucus but I also have really bad hayfever mixed with my bad asthma attack the other night so they've told me yesterday it may be that. They've completely rearranged my asthma treatment yesterday as I was on 6 different medications and they think it's a possibility one of the medications not helping and gave me a stronger inhaler again. Unfortunately I guess I have to wait for the new inhaler to kick in and see if the steriods help 🤦🏻‍♀️

[twinkly29 in reply to Blouise1504]

Ah I see! Ooh they sound sensible so that's good! Hopefully the steroids will help and then they can get extra/different preventer meds sorted. Have you been referred to secondary care? If not might be worth asking to be as they seem to be struggling to find the answers. Better to be in the system waiting for an appointment than not.

Also monitoring your peak flow regularly be at home would be useful (if you're not already doing that) - then you'll have a picture of how things have improved after the steroids or after other meds are tried.

This might help for (all sorts of!) background info: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Flowergirl78 in reply to Blouise1504]

Ahh that makes sense with the hayfever. That's why mines flared up and I feel like it's laying on my chest but not able to bring any thing up. I had to have steroids this time last year because of it. It can really mess with your asthma. I'm sorry that your going through this, hopefully it gets sorted soon 🙏

[Blouise1504 in reply to Flowergirl78]

Thank you, it's horrible isn't it🤦🏻‍♀️ hope yours is better soon also! 😊

[Blouise1504 in reply to twinkly29]

They also did listen to my lungs and did a flow test. Lungs sounded clear which the last time I had an infection it didn't but just waiting on x-ray to double check. On flow test I'm hitting 150 tho so they think my asthma medication just isn't working. It was working until I had two asthma attacks due to blood pressure pills annoyingly enough 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Dino40 in reply to Blouise1504]

You sound a bit like me, I'm going through a flare up and on my last hospital visit last month they added a few medications and they're now trying to work out which is the best course of action and reduce down my steriods.

You mentioned blood pressure pills as one of the triggers. I've just come off amlopdepine as it was making me feel breathless which wasn't helping at all so I was interested you saying you had side effects too?! 🤔

It maybe is worth sending in a sputum sample..

[Blouise1504 in reply to Dino40]

Yes unfortunately I had two different kids and they both flared me up terribly which is why I'm now struggling to find a treatment plan that works. I'm hoping these steriods sort me out!

[B_Asthma]

Steroids are long-acting and can take a few days before you feel the full effect. When I have taken steroids, I have had a cough and the cough sometimes last up to 3 weeks after your course of treatment. From my experience, I do find when I take steroids, I begin coughing up a lot of phlegm. I have now been given Carbocistine to help reduce my phlegm buildup

[Mariachristina76]

Well I have a cough 5 years it comes and goes

[Celie1]

Steroid tablets usually take me at least a week before I feel like I’m getting anywhere, but I usually need more and a tapering dose. I’m not sure that’s the norm though 😬, so not sure that was useful 😳. Hope you feel better soon 😊

[Keem59]

They normally kick in straight away. Is your cough a new cough or have you had it a while?

[Blouise1504 in reply to Keem59]

I've had it for a few weeks and I'm newly diagnosed with severe asthma now. It was controlled a month ago but then I had blood pressure bills which caused two flare ups and then was given a powdered fostair inhaler and I had an asthma attack and now I'm on steriods. Tbh my flow test is doing a lot better I was anything from 150-225 and now I'm hitting 350