Flixotide causing anxiety?

[Applethorpe]

I’ ve recently been posting on the thyroid forum.

I ve had recent symptoms of an exaggerated response to normal stress, which has made me very ill. I have ME and basically this was very bad along with a racing heart.

Over the last 18 months I’ve had circadian rhythm problems along with high blood pressure and pre diabetes .

It’s hard to know if this may be thyroid related but I came across the suggestion that Flixotide may cause adrenal problems.

I’ve been taking Flixotide since 2018 , 250 x four puffs daily, along with Braltus. Bricanyl is my blue inhaler which I hardly ever use.

I have tried other treatments which were a no go, eg montelukast gave me a rash, LABAs like serevent which made my heart thump, and anything propelled with alcohol is ruled out.

My asthma is well controlled which is the good news.

How would a doctor test whether the Flixotide is causing a problem ? What could they replace it with ? I am fortunate that I can go straight to a private consultant and cut out the GP but would this be the best route ?

[fraid]

I was changed onto Flixotide as other inhalers were actually giving me asthma! Presumed allergic. I have no problems with it, I have M.E too but I don't do anxiety etc. just deal with whatever comes along- and there's lots of it. I would def. ask your consultant though. Don't think anxiety is listed as side effect. Hope you can at least get help with your anxiety. Good luck. 🤞

[Applethorpe in reply to fraid]

Very many thanks for your reply.

I called the asthma uk helpline and they seemed to think that in any event it’s best practice to try reducing steroid inhalers slowly once your asthma is stable. I never use my blue inhaler so this seems like a sensible approach. I will see a consultant when the pollen season is over and ask him.

[Emaych61]

Just a thought, looking at your profile I note that you’re in your mid forties. Is there any chance you might be peri menopausal?

I was on Flixotide for years and was absolutely fine on it until I became peri menopausal. We still don’t know (and probably never will do now) what part the Flixotide played but suddenly I started to get oesophageal thrush after years of no issues in that area at all - not even oral thrush. Not anxiety I know, but a possible indication of the impact that transition can have (and not enough doctors seem to know about it or understand it). Eventually I did switch inhalers (to Alvesco (Ciclesonide)) which has worked for me, though I had to go through to a consultant to get it.

[Applethorpe in reply to Emaych61]

The menopause only complicates things, doesn’t it ? Even if symptoms are unrelated , it's hard to rule it out as a cause.

I’ve not had any of the stereotypical hot flushes etc. I had some extra periods which were clearly tied in with some other obvious symptoms ( not asthma, maybe thyroid ). My GP asked if I was menopausal. I was frustrated because I felt she wasn’t considering my symptoms as a whole.

Another GP wanted to refer me to a Wellness Centre ie counselling for the anxiety. I tried to explain that it was a physical thing and making me very ill. You wonder how many women who should be being put on HRT are being sent off for counselling .

I’ve got so many medical issues that it’s hard to know what factors may be at play. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Flixotide, or the menopause, or both, might be the straw that is breaking the camel’s back.

[Emaych61 in reply to Applethorpe]

It’s a complete pain if you’ve got more than one medical condition and so are already considered “complex”. Those of us who are really could do without the complicating factor of menopause to add to the list.

[Applethorpe in reply to Emaych61]

And it would help if we were able to see the same GP consistently, too.

[Emaych61 in reply to Applethorpe]

Gone are the days when that was possible - sadly.

For a number of years I made sure that got to know every GP in our local practice, so that whoever I got (particularly in the case of an urgent appointment) was familiar with my history. I can’t even do that there now. They change on such a regular basis and are so often locums that …🤷🏼‍♀️.