Steroid inhaler affecting voice

[Bear26]

Ive been diagnosed with mild asthma after waking up one morning with a tight chest (im a fit and otherwise healthy non smoking 40 year old). I currently have 2 doses of 100mg Clenil Modulite twice a day and have been doing so for over a year. I also sing in a band and in the last 2-3 months ive noticed that part of my voice is almost non-existence (i cant even shout to my son playing football at times). I use a spacer and rinse after inhaling. Is there anything else i should be doing or an alternative treatment? Ive read lots about dysphonia??? Could the steroid cause this??

Thought id ask on here first before the trauma of trying to get through to my gp (saying that - last time i spoke to them about it - they didnt have a clue).

Thanks in advance

Brad

[Burghy]

I had the same make sure that you rinse out your mouth with water and gargle after using it

[Itswonderful]

Watching

[watergazer]

Maybe take some manuka honey as well as gargling and rinsing Use salt water for gargling I also found some stretching exercises such as pretend yawn and exaggerated chewing helped me x

[Bear26 in reply to watergazer]

Thanks for replying. Ill add this to my list of things to try!! Much appreciated, Brad

[Poobah]

For me, gargling with Listerine works quite well. Dentists recommend NOT gargling directly after brushing as it dilutes the affects of the toothpaste - if you have the luxury of time, wait a while between brushing and gargling. Some folk prefer salt water for gargling - trial & error will find your preference. Also brush your tongue in the event that a fungal infection is to blame. Or it could just be that the steroids are relaxing the vocal muscles.

Dysphonia is a blooming nuisance and horrible if your job or hobby are dependent on a voice in tip top condition. I've taken inhalers for 55 years and it was only in the last 3 years that I suffered from Dysphonia, so I knew it was my LAMA inhaler (Spiriva then Eklira Genuair). I've always rinsed (before brushing) after inhaler use, and gargled after brushing and that was always sufficient to maintain my vocal health. However, my voice became really weak and I couldn't hold a note while I was taking the LAMA inhaler. Now I'm no longer taking that particular medication my voice has slowly returned to its normal condition.

If the gargling & tongue brushing doesn't help and your asthma is well controlled, you could see your asthma nurse or doctor in order to discuss whether you can reduce your maintenance dose of your inhaler. Only reduce meds under medical supervision. Alternatively, a different preventer inhaler may be the answer.

[Bear26 in reply to Poobah]

We dont appear to have an available asthma nurse and the GPs seem a little clueless however ill def give some of the suggestions a go!! Thankyou!

[risabel59]

Not that I am a singer, but some steroids have less bioavailability than others. I have found that the only one that cuts the mustard in terms of voice is Ciclesonide (Alvesco). You can take this one once a day, ( for some people) and it also comes in low doses. You might try asking your doctor if you can try it. It isn't first choice medicine, as it is more expensive, but is available on the NHS. I take this at a maxed out dose, and with other things as well and I haven't had any throat problems. Cheers R

[Bear26 in reply to risabel59]

Really useful thankyou! At least i have a name of something to suggest to the doc. I genuinelly think i have more idea about the side effects than the docs!! Thanks again for your reply. Much appreciated, Brad

[LittleMissFaffALot in reply to risabel59]

I have a history of voice problems - collapsed vocal cords requiring surgery to fix them (I'm not trying to scare anyone, I'm sure I'm just an odd case!). I was put under the care of an asthma consultant and he had high hopes for ciclesonide with me. Unfortunately I reacted badly to it - puffy face and it felt like sunburn that had started from inside rather than externally.

I obviously stopped taking it and went back to my seretide that I still had some left and it took about 3 days of antihistamines for the effects to fully go We went back to the drawing board and I was put on symbicort. I don't know if it has any negative effects on the voice cos mine's just awkward anyway but it's (mostly) controlling my asthma

[Frued]

Hiya, my mates a singer and was on the same inhaler and had the same problem irregardless of what he tried, but the change in preventer sorted the problem for him , good look