I have been taking symbicort for 8 ... - Lung Conditions C...

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I have been taking symbicort for 8 month. I also take tudorza pressair .recently I've notice my vision getting worse.

Batbara profile image
26 Replies

It this happening to anyone else out there? Also, how bad can your eyesight become with these meds?

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Batbara
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26 Replies
Suzy6 profile image
Suzy6

I use Symbicort too and my eyesight has deteriorated but not sure if that is age related or the use of Symbicort. Found this link but not read it fully yet. May help you.

rxlist.com/symbicort-side-e...

sidebottom1 profile image
sidebottom1 in reply to Suzy6

I used inhaled steroids over a period of 20 years and eventually I had to have both cateracts done as a result.

wraygirl79 profile image
wraygirl79 in reply to Suzy6

has any dr. said these meds interfere with your eye sight before i call my dr monday ive been on 2 inhalers for 2months the sybicort and tudorza . the tudorza doesnt seem to help!

sidebottom1 profile image
sidebottom1

I was almost blind after continuous use of inhaled steroids (Symbicort) and cateract operation for both eyes solved the problem

Colours23 profile image
Colours23

Omg. I agree with everyone here ,I'm symbicort,but I think they all must do that,and oxygen be careful of,my eyes have deteriorated ,like a blur in front of them. I've just booked up on acupuncture every wk, first to relax me ,energy going round,I feel better after one session, carry on with the study so we know how to survive with the least invasive meds.

Nige420 profile image
Nige420

I'm the same it's my 51st birthday today and my eyes have deteriorated a lot in the past couple of years. I have been using symbicort for about 3 -5 years now along with salbutamol and spiriva. I was putting this down to wear n tear by ageing now I'm not so sure

LittleFreckle profile image
LittleFreckle

I think they have to cover themselves a lot with the 'side effects' part of the info leaflet with any medication. Steroids cause a lot of bad things to happen if taken long enough, but there is not enough in an inhaler to do that. I have taken inhalers all my life and massive doses of steroids which I am now intolerant too and my eye sight and hearing seem to be the only things that actually work. however I have just been diagnosed with Fibro... Most of the side effects advise they cause adverse pain so maybe they caused it. Its irritating that no one can say it is one specific cause and also if Doctors don't believe in something they will dismiss it instantly with no investigation. Have you been for repeat eye tests over the years? Are you suppose to go every 2, I think?

in reply to LittleFreckle

Every 2 years unless you have a history of eye problems. My mother was diagnosed with possible glaucoma so I am supposed to go every year and eye tests are free. x

I read the link and it does say glaucoma or cataracts are a very rare side effect of symbicort. That is comforting :) x

tudorza.com/STRIDE-Program.... x

nanci profile image
nanci

I took Tudorza for a year, worked fine, then my breathing got worse and by accident I forgot to take it one night and I felt so much better the next day, so I stopped taking it all together. Felt so much better without it. I don't understand some of these drugs that we take. Some work, some don't, some make it worse. Just have to do what is good for you and keep doc informed.

swordfishpro86 profile image
swordfishpro86 in reply to nanci

Absolutely. Keep informed about any medication being given to you. It's your body, make sure you know whats going in it, and why. If a medication is making a condition worse, and not doing what the doctor has given it to you for; then don't keep taking it, but make sure you get back to you GP ASAP.

Batbara profile image
Batbara

Thanks to everyone that responded. It's very helpful having this support group to converse with.i'm grateful ! Barbara

helingmic profile image
helingmic

I was in hospital in March with pneumonia and pseudomonas. The consultatn prescrbied IV Amoxycillin. I did tell you that Amoxycillin didn't do anything, but he still went ahead with this without telling me. I was fairly angry when the nurse told me it was Amoxycillin. then suddenly, my sight went completely blurred. I mentioned it and, thank God, my own consultant appeared and stopped this to give me Ceftazadine IV. I was much better with that.

another IV that affects hearing, it's written in the BNF (British National Formula) that this drug can be ototoxic, the loss of hearing comes only after 4 days of IV. I had this too. The drug was stopped and I was sent to an audiologist consultant. Taking tests, I was told "Mm, if your hearing loss was due to the drug, your test line would be flat, so it must be old age!" I hadn't waited for me not to hear anything at all!. I asked the consultant to do something while I still could hear something!!! Fortunately, my hearing came back after a fortnight of stopping the IV. funny, old age disappeared just like that!!!

If you are told "It's old age, ask for a second opinion!"

swordfishpro86 profile image
swordfishpro86 in reply to helingmic

Always ask for a second opinion no matter what. If something doesn't seem right, do it.

Christine18 profile image
Christine18

I have glaucoma & was prescribed Symbicort by a pulmonary nurse. At my 6 monthly check up my eye pressures had gone sky high. As it had taken my consultant 7 YEARS to get my pressures to an acceptable level understandably I was very upset. He advised me to stop using it & within 4 weeks my pressures had dropped.

wraygirl79 profile image
wraygirl79

hello been along time since ive been here! but yes i take both also i thought it was the computer!

2malinka profile image
2malinka

I have been taking symbicort since February this year. I can't say that I have noticed any eyesight deterioration yet. I am 64 & long sighted. Wear glasses for walking (when I can) & driving.

Regards

swordfishpro86 profile image
swordfishpro86

Do you have any history of eye problems? Also, has there been any correlation between any SOB and your deterioration in eye sight? And has this resulted in you taking your meds incorrectly?

I read some of the links put up by people on this thread. Tudoza is said to be an ongoing medication that you take twice daily. "TUDORZA is not a rescue medication and does not relieve sudden breathing problems." Not saying this is what you are doing, but it is a common problem that I come across with people. For e.g. someone on antibiotics not finishing the course because they are feeling better. It is very important that any medications prescribed are taken exactly as prescribed and for the purpose they are prescribed for.

Batbara profile image
Batbara in reply to swordfishpro86

Hi swordfish, I'm just wondering why you think not taking meds as prescribe might be causing eyesight to diminish. I would think the more meds, the more side effects. I do only take tudorza once a day ( instead of twice). My doctor said that it was okay to do that. I also only take symbicort in the morning , not at night. Let me know your reason for believing that taking less meds might cause eye problems. Thank you, barbara

swordfishpro86 profile image
swordfishpro86 in reply to Batbara

It's not so much that your medication is directly causing the problem. My rationale was that if you weren't taking your meds correctly your symptoms could be worse with your COPD. COPD not under control maybe could affect your eye sight in the long term? Because it is a condition where you have constant issues with airway constriction - lower than normal oxygen sat levels etc.. Just an opinion, not the word of God.

Batbara profile image
Batbara in reply to swordfishpro86

Thanks swordfish, you make a good point about sat levels. I' ll talk to doc about that. That's what I love about this group...your always learning something new. By the way, how well do you like todorza after 8 months? I've read some people don't like it after a period of time. For me after 2 months it seems pretty good, with no noticeable side effects. have a great day! Barbara

Batbara profile image
Batbara in reply to swordfishpro86

Thanks swordfish, you make a good point about sat levels. I' ll talk to doc about that. That's what I love about this group...your always learning something new. By the way, how well do you like todorza after 8 months? I've read some people don't like it after a period of time. For me after 2 months it seems pretty good, with no noticeable side effects. have a great day! Barbara

mealy172 profile image
mealy172

I havr copd I had my eyes tested nov and they have altered

mealy172 profile image
mealy172

I havr copd I had my eyes tested nov and they have altered

sueysue profile image
sueysue

I have just had cataract surgery and when I went for my first consultation the specialist (without knowing mt history) asked if I took steroids have been on symbicort for years plus oral steroids when I have an infection so I do think steroids caused my cataracts

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