Lung cilia Q

[goat-lady]

Having a bit of stress about meds-- esp inhaled steroids. Does anyone out there know if inhaled steroids stop the lung cilia working and if so, is the effect reversible when the steroid is stopped? To me the cilia seem crucial in staying infection free so adversely affecting them would seem to be a bad thing. Tho of course it is all about that balancing act of postives and negative effects of meds! Ta.

[2greys]

I take inhaled steroids and my cillia appear to be working fine and bring up the normal amount of mucus and had just one infection in 18 months so far.

[goat-lady in reply to 2greys]

Thanks, I've hit my pre-consultant visit "worry patch"!

[2greys in reply to goat-lady]

One cigarette paralyses the cillia for one hour though, not that I think you smoke, just a fact about cillia and probably why smokers usually have a cough.

[goat-lady in reply to 2greys]

No never smoked- thank goodness!

[wheezybronch]

I wonder where you got the idea that cilia are affected by steroids ? I have never heard of it. I have had big doses of steroids for long periods, in fact I have been affected by adrenal insufficiency and have been steroid dependent for several years, at no point have I been made aware of my cilia ceasing to work. If you have been prescribed steroids by a respiratory specialist then I would take them, just take a note of any side effects. What other meds are you worried about ?

[goat-lady in reply to wheezybronch]

Hello and thanks for the reply. I have had mega doses of predisolone on and off for about 2yrs now and react v badly to them so the Consultant is trying alternative strategies for my hypersensitivity pneumonitis - except for flare-ups when there is no alternative. I have been trying inhaled steroids and doing ok but worry about their long term use. Uncharacteristically I had masses of respiratory infections last year and was wondering if it was linked to the inhaled steroids but I suspect now that it wasn't. I have started to get eye problems and muscle problems- the specialist are both thinking these issues are inhaler and steroid linked. I had near liver failure to when I tried an immunosuppressant. I seems I'm just one of those folk that react to just about ever thing!

[wheezybronch in reply to goat-lady]

I am also on inhaled and nasal steroids and have been for nearly 15 years. I wonder if your doctors have looked into Sarcoidosis as a diagnosis, it can affect virtually any organ(s) in your body. Repeated infections can be due to many things; one, you may have bronchiectasis and need a new treatment regime, two, your doctors are giving you the wrong antibiotic or too low a dose and/or for too short a course so that the first infection is not cleared up and simply reasserts itself. Another though is that ABX are not working as well or not at all, I found that the addition of long term Azithromycin 250 mg three times a week helped my ABX work again. I also nebulise, amongst other things, Gentamicin to prevent flare ups, after many years of purgatory I have now experienced (so far) 5 years infection free. I wish you the same luck !

[goat-lady in reply to wheezybronch]

Thanks very much for all that. I was a carer for my husband for years and was good at getting him to appointment etc etc. Being chronically ill myself is a whole new ball game! As I don't know anyone with lung problems I spend most of my time feeling very much in the dark. What I learnt from folk like yourself is there are many options and not to give up- oh and that lung problems can require a real mix of meds/ treatments! Will note down what you have written. Ta v much, M

[wheezybronch in reply to goat-lady]

No problem, you seem to have had your fill of challenges, I hope that you find a way to get on top of them now.

Regards

[goat-lady in reply to wheezybronch]

Thanks. Just found a relevant scientific article about cilia- LABA are good for cilia action, antimuscarinics- jury is out. Still not tracked down an article about inhaled steroids but will keep looking- and ask the Consultant at the August appt. Ta.

[AnnaMT in reply to goat-lady]

I have been taking steroid based inhalers for decades. Without them I would not be working or have had my children.

[goat-lady in reply to AnnaMT]

Ah I am so glad they have enabled you to have a family. It's helping me put things in perspective. It's just been a big adjustment - from no meds and looking after people and animals to being the ailing one! Am slowly getting there. Thanks.

[Aingeful]

My friend had been on inhaled steroids most of her life. She is 73 now. She swims and does Pilates every week and walks miles. The only effect that she has noticed is that her skin is very thin and she bruises/cuts easily. However,the steroids are keeping her alive!!

[goat-lady]

Small price to pay for a good quality of life. Thanks for the encouragement. M