salbutamol and hands

[Bolt21]

hi everyone, I use Fostair and salbutamol, alongside tiotropium. My hands have been so shaky and sore since flare up which was in November. This makes my hands hard to use and very painful. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions on how to support the pain and shakiness? Doctors just dismiss

[janet65]

Hi, I've been using fostair for several years but about 3 years ago started to get shaky hands after use, particularly in the morning. My GP sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed Essential Tremor. He agreed it was linked to the inhaler. I don't use sulbutamol anymore but had a similar thing with that too. I haven't had any soreness of the hands. Sorry the doctor was dismissive, can you see another one in the surgery? Good luck.

[Sparkimoore]

Hi!

I’ve got TERRIBLE SHAKINESS, didn’t know the cause but I think you have just told me cos I’m on the same drugs as you. I find it upsetting just trying to feed myself & have to resort to a bib & can’t eat out it’s so bad, & therefore so Embarassing. I’ve been told it’s only an essential tremor too but it doesn’t make it any easier to live with.

Be strong & be thankful it’s not Parkinsons.

Rose..

Cant even do loads stuff on my phone cos it picks up the tremor at times, & as for paying in a cheque online, impossible cos the phone picks up the tremor on the photo.. Things need to be done to help us cope with technology we can’t use successfully cos of these shakes we can’t control..

[Patk1 in reply to Sparkimoore]

U should b referred to a neurologist.i have essential tremor too and am on medication for it.it helps but still have tremors though not as bad.choice of treatments too x

[Sparkimoore in reply to Patk1]

I have seen a nurologist, & it was put down to medication but because I was on several heavy meds permanently they thought it best not to add to the list & poss cause even more drug interactions..

[Offcut]

I have had a Salbutamol for many years and have had all sorts of issues with it when I was first diagnosed, I was told to use as and when needed and before anything strenuous. However, I did find over use did make me very shaky and it gave me leg and arm, twitches at night in bed so bad I was kicking the wife in bed. It also bought on my AF which made my breathing worse and the cycle continued! I learned to control my breathing before ever thinking of using Salbutamol. I know it is not as easy as it seems when you are short of breath but with practice it can work in your favour.

Be Well

[Poobah]

Unfortunately, low potassium (hypokalemia) can be caused by all 3 inhalers that you're currently taking. Low potassium affects muscle function & symptoms can be shaking, palpitations and in extreme cases, heart arrhythmias or hypertension.

Increasing potassium in one's diet should address minor issues but if supplements are required, your doctor should check the blood serum levels, per the advice in the patient leaflet that accompanies the inhalers. Over the counter supplementary potassium is very low strength, and taking too much potassium is equally bad, so knowing the deficiency levels is necessary for correct supplementation, monitored by the doctor.

It doesn't happen to everyone, but I'm definitely sensitive to this particular side effect and have to watch my potassium levels.