Has anyone any experience of stopping symbicort? I have been told I can stop and I have been doing so, nice and slow as told to.

[ptliverpool]

I am still having the awfull side effects as well as some new ones.

Has anyone else had any problems?

[didii]

What are your side effects? Why do you want to stop symbicort ? I'm thinking of cutting out Advair for a variety of reasons.

Hope to hear from you.

[ptliverpool in reply to didii]

My side effects were terrible muscle cramps (4 or 5 each night lasting up to 30 mins) trembling, heart palpitations,and voice disturbance. I also had a spirometry test witch was a lot better than the first one which the doctor thought may be explained by the clearing of some infection or that I have asthma and not COPD as first thought. That is why he suggested that I stop the symbicort. I don't know if I have come off them too quickly or not but I don't feel very good at the moment, (hence the question) The side effects have not gone away and I seem to be getting a cough,which I haven't had since I started treatment. I also have pain in chest and back and feel as if my breathing isn't as good as it was when I was on the symbicort. I think it may be withdrawal symptoms, but I don't know.It is early days yet.(only 10 days since last use)

[didii in reply to ptliverpool]

Thanks...please keep me posted on how you are doing. Isn't asthma under the copd umbrella? Does your Dr. now thinks you have asthma not copd? I have copd>emphysema...Take care! P.S. How did you ween yourself off of Symbacort?

[ptliverpool in reply to didii]

They really can't decide what I have Asthma or mild COPD or if it was an infection caused by the Bronchiectasis that they do know I have. They diagnose this by the CT scan so at least that is in black and white (?). I stopped the symbicort by 1st halving it (on the wrong advice of a locum it seems) then I rang the help line and they said it should be slower than that.

They said try stopping one inhalation at a time and leaving at least 1 week in between to see how you go.You know the rest. Good luck if you try to stop your Advair. I do feel ok in the mornings so am hoping that the evenings will also improve with time.(Just hope no more infections!)

[didii in reply to ptliverpool]

Thanks for the reply. I hope you have a good evening....and no more infections.

[Hidden]

I have found that I have to use my rescue inhaler at least once a day I feel healthier generally but the amount of inhaler I am using frightens me

[ptliverpool]

Sorry, all that was 2 years ago(Thank goodness) I am now on Spiriva and feel great,hardly ever need Salbutamol except 1 puff just before my daily Spirivia (helps it get where it is supposed to they say)

I go to the gym 3 times a week and eat healthily. Doctors are really pleased with me and say my mild COPD and Bronciectasis have stayed the same and my breathing has improved.

I do think that sometimes the treatment is worse than the problem but when you find the right one for you it is great.

Good luck with your search for the right one for you.