So frustrated

[Beruska3]

I have just spoken to asthma nurse uk as I am quite new to asthma and needed advice on experiencing difficulty breathing, yawning sighing and burping after preventer inhaler. I tried budesonide, beclometasone and even oral steroid and they all make my breathing so difficult that I need to stop. When stopping it clears.

Has anyone ever experienced this?

I want my milder but chronic asthma get better so I'm very upset by this terrible reaction.

Asthma nurse suggested calling my GP and book lung function test and tell them all that happened.

I don't see any light at the moment, quite depressed too 😔

Thank you for any advice.

[twinkly29]

Your symptoms at the moment sound very like breathing pattern disorder, which can feel like asthma but isn't asthma and asthma medications don't help.

People often think that all breathing symptoms are asthma but very often they are not.

This post explains some of the differences between asthma and breathing pattern disorders:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

It talks about anxiety too because that's something else that can feel like asthma but isn't asthma, but that bit may not apply to you.

Simple breathing exercises when you have these symptoms can relieve them.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

[Beruska3 in reply to twinkly29]

I thought about that too but why does it only last when taking steroid inhaler and clears when discontinued. I do have mild asthma and it actually gets better when using the steroid inhaler but those unexplained breathing issues start at the same time...😑 last time I tried breathing exercises when the breathing difficulties started and it didn't help much. But thank you kindly for your ideas. I'm grateful.

[twinkly29 in reply to Beruska3]

It could be the way you're taking the inhaler, like the breathing in is causing you to have the symptoms. Do you use a spacer with it?

[Beruska3 in reply to twinkly29]

Yes I used spacer for the first time with the beclometasone inhaler. I just wish I knew what is causing it but I even got it with oral steroid which you don't breath in. Thank you.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Linking on from twinkly could there be an element of reflux going on? That can be a common trigger and/or mimic for asthma. Might be something worth looking in to as an ‘easy’ solution

[Beruska3 in reply to EmmaF91]

I have no idea. But it only is there when taking inhaler and gone when discontinued.Thank you anyway for kind advice. I appreciate any help.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Beruska3]

Steroids/steroid inhalers can worsen reflux and reflux symptoms (I’m on reflux meds because of this)

[Beruska3 in reply to EmmaF91]

Oh wow I had no idea, something to suggest to my gp. Thanks!

[Glty]

Have you always had metered dose inhalers (the little canister type)? I think some people can struggle with the propellent - it might be worth asking to try a dry powder version instead?

[Beruska3 in reply to Glty]

I tried powdered, same results. Thank you

[Poobah]

Do you have a peak flow at home? Ideally you need to take your peak flow before you take your inhalers then wait 20 minutes and take your PF again. That will show if the inhalers are affecting your respiratory system negatively. Some asthmatics have AERD which means that they can have a bad reaction to aerosol inhaler propellants, but they do well on dry powder inhalers. You can read more about AERD here samterssociety.org/Your asthma nurse can carry out the peak flows if you don't have one at home. nhs.uk/conditions/peak-flow...

On the other hand you may have a sensitivity to steroids. If there's any chance you think this is the problem then definitely discuss with your doctor.

[Beruska3 in reply to Poobah]

Thank you, I tried powdered and same reaction and it got worse with oral.

[twinkly29]

I think the only person who can help is your GP. We can't really know what's causing it so it's best to let them investigate.