What are the side-effects in reality ... - Lung Conditions C...
What are the side-effects in reality of being on a steroid inhaler ( not tablets ). I'm sure l have asked this before but can't find replies
thanks for info stitch i was on seretide 500 2 puffs a day and had a few of them side affects you mentioned.. bad cramps.. hoarse voise joint pain but where breathing not that bad at the moment in my life
I spoke to gp and he put me on seretide 250 still 2 puffs a day morning and evening and still have the side affects but not half has bad..got a spirometry test april 1st should have had this in jan but went on holiday so have to wait till april
Thats useful information stitch thanks.
I am worried about being on Seretide as I have at least 6 of these side effects, and I dont really feel that I get any benefit from it.
I agree.i use sere tide 2puffs morning and 2 puffs night.seem to have a permanent sore throat and a lot of chest infections.so indeed what are benefits?
The benefits are it reduces the chances of an asthma attack
Kad u should really go to your doctor and they will change your meds it takes 7-14 days for you to see benefit from preventer inhalers
Silly question but what does anyone feel are the benefits of being on a steroid inhaler?
Do they help to keep chest infections away?
They help
Sohara, no it doesn't. but if you have a bad asthma attack , the pulmonary nurse told me that you can take up to 20 doses until you recover your breath. I had this sort of attack once or twice. I also used a paper bag. Scary, but with exercises, these attacks have subsided. If you have recurring infections, mention it to consultant. He is in charge of the meds and knows about side effects. You must tell him so he adapts to your needs. Listen to your body. When it reacts badly, ask for a change!
Thanks for your reply Helingmic...I dont have asthma,( broncg since a baby and severe COPD ) but since my last stay in hospital I have been prescribed Symbicort 200 one puff twice a day, I have osteopenia so dont really want any more bone thinning.....I am not exactly sure why they have me on Symbicort, I 'thought' it was to help my lungs stay healthier and fend off infections. I do still get infections, reading all the above side effects, not so sure if the benefits outweigh the minus's . Especially as I am not sure what the symbicort is supposed to help with
Love Sohara
Hi Sohara, a lowish dose like 200 twice daily is not excessive at all.
The benefit is to help keep your airways open.
I also have osteopenia, take Seretide 500 morning & night (I can reduce this gradually as I get more well over spring & summer). I don't like taking so much steroid but the alternative is restricted airways leading to trapped mucus and probable long term infection requiring antibiotics - which I don't particularly like taking either!
When I took Symicort I had a sore throat plus it didn't work so well for me as Seretide.
I've been told that the amount of steroid in inhalers is not enough to effect skin, bone loss or bruising easily but I have to say I just don't believe that.
Since doubling my dose to 500 morning & night At beginning of December I have put on half a stone!
What are some good breathing exercises for asthma
The benefits are that it reduces symptoms and attacks
Hi Stitch, diabetes also, and osteoporosis, that's very common I'm told by GP. Guess that's what they mean by loss of bone mineral density.
Nice day down here in Kent, hope its better up by you 
Seems a bit strange to use this inhaler for people with lung complaints to try to lessen the number of exacerbations when one of the common side effects is bronchitis. Does this not defeat the objective?
Make sure you rinse mouth with water after using or could lead to thrush.Bone thinning is the worst side effect of steroids,Alendronic acid helps combat this.
The replies here are very true Siestasue, Seretide in any dose has vast side effects but can be good if it suits you, but have to agree don't know why they use it in COPD cases as it seems as Toci says to defeat the issue and create other possible illness. Most steroids even inhalers with long term use can cause bone density reduction as does getting older, there's no simple answer you must decide what is best for you often by trial and error. Best wishes
Another cause of bones thinning is a short menstruation period (mine was 18 - 42 years of age) I wish to hell someone told me then that I should increase dairy/calcium from then ..... Grrrr
Agreed Peeg, no one told me that either twenty four years ago when I had my last period in my thirties. Benefit of the doubt maybe they didn't know then.
The side effects of steroid inhalers are feeling sick blocked nose head cold raised heart beat. Luckily I use a steroid inhaler preventer and don't get those effects but if you get any of those syptoms talk to your doctor or asthma nurse they will change ur meds
And horse voice
It always pays to read the information leaflet that comes with the meds and also bear in mind that not everyone will experience every listed side affect.
But any side affects you are having should be discussed with your doctor.
I'd just like to back up Stitch on this. I have seretide 250 2x morning and evening, and I don't think I'd last a week without it. So do speak to GP or consultant before stopping.
The side effects of steroid inhalers are headaches horse voice runny nose feeling sick raised heart rate
A steroid preventer is a inhaler asthmatics use to prevent symptoms and attacks but there are different types of inhalers but not always preventers
