Good morning. Hope everyone is as well as they can be. I suffer from COPD and Asthma. Around 3 and a half months ago I had a flair up. Put on steroids 7 day, 40mg. No effect so repeated 40mg for 7 days then a reduction of 5 mg every 3 days. 2 days after this finished symptoms flared again,breathless wheezing etc. Ended up in hospital. More steroids this time reducing from 40mg every 5 days. Finished these 3 weeks ago and here I am again. Another flare up.
Community nurse gas advised me to take steroids again. I feel as if I will never be steroid free.
Has anyone else had this please.
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Hi, I'm sure a few members have had these symptoms so I hope they come along with their experiences soon.
I only know about the asthma side of things, when I've had flare ups it's usually because asthma has taken a downturn and so has become uncontrolled. I'm wondering if anyone has listened to your lungs with a stethoscope? Several noises can be heard through them ie wheezing = asthma, crackling = infection are just two sounds. It seems to me that your GP should be wondering why you're having the flare ups.
Hi Peege. I an under community nurses and was recently in hospital. I think they think it's my Asthma. Waiting on a consultant appointment but it will prob be a long wait. X
Have u had a ct scan? Have u put a specimen in gor testing?If u produce mucous,look at aluk website & YouTube for lung clearance techniques = active cycle of breathing.
Make time say x2 a day to work on getting it up and it should help reduce exacerbations
Sorry to read that you are having a tough time. Yes I have been there and have the t shirt too!
Asthma/COPD can be tricky at time to manage. A few years ago I went through the self same thing as you describe. Eventually saw the consultant who changed my inhalers which helped.It took quite a good long time to resolve, including getting off the steroids completely ( it took 6 months )
Ok, so do you have an agreed ( with Resp nurses ) self management plan ? Has anyone suggested you might use an antihistamine for the wheezing to help your recovery ?
Steroid withdrawal can be tricky, do you have a good plan for that ? I mistook withdrawal symptoms for ‘asthma symptoms ‘ at first. It isn’t easy to work out what is going on. I use more of reliever inhaler at those times. It can be difficult to get a real balance. Reducing steroids and managing symptoms is a difficult balance.
The specialist nurses on the Asthma LungUK helpline can be really helpful and supportive. Have you spoken to them ?
Keep in touch and let us know how you get on won’t you ?
Thankyou for your reply PaulineHM. Nurse phoning today so hopefully get some answers. I see what you are saying about withdrawal. All I really need is for someone to explain why thus is happening. Will prob give Asthma lung uk a ring. Watch this space xxx
Hi, if it possible that you might need antibiotics rather than steroids? Steroids reduce inflamation but if you have a bacterial infection then the symptoms will keep returning as soon as you stop the steriods.
I have high eosinophils counts so steriods work almost instantly for me but it sounds like you need further investigation as steroids shouldn't be taken long term unless it is absolutely necessary.
don't worry too much because at the end of the day it's the only option you have. For the first 5 months of this year I had 4 flare-upflare-ups one after the other and never seemed to be off the antibiotics and steriods. Let's be honest what alternative alternative do we have. Each one of these exacerbations resulted in me ending up in A&E
I know. This is the longest I have been on them with not much time in between had alot of courses over the years but like you say what's the alternative. Wish I knew !
How do you know you haven't got an infection? Have you had a sputum sample tested? Are you taking an antihistamine? I take them from February into October. Have you black mould in your home?
Yes had a sputum sample tested. Take an antihistamine. No mold . We live in a converted double garage on tge end of my daughters house. Only 5 years old. I am waiting to see a consultant which could be a while as a follow up from hospital. They classed I as a non infective exacerbation but think it's more to do with my asthma than copd
I had a similar thing happen to me. I have Asthma and Chronic Sinusitis. Had flare ups every month from May to December’23. Wss given Antibiotics and Steroids. An initial Xray which showed mucus not being cleared I was referred to respiratory physio who taught me how to use a clearance device and prescribed routine of breathing exercises and techniques to be performed twice a day. I was also referred back to the respiratory nurse for a review
My own research into my asthma symptoms also suggested my asthma inhaler could be changed. I mentioned this to the nurse and she suggested Trelegy.
I made a concerted effort at lung clearance an any type of exercise involving yoga, pilates and swimming. All help me with lung clearance which helps/stops the wheezing
After several CT scans from Jan to June ‘24 I have had 3 flare ups so far this year which required antibiotics AND steroids for 5 days. Getting on top the infection within the first 5 days.
Fingers crossed the flare ups for you too will lessen.
Hi , unfortunately I was the same as you the minute I came off steroids I’d have an infection. I ended up taking 40 mg like you and usually by day 2/3 I’d see some improvement but was told to continue with the 7 day course .
After 2 years of virtually taking 40mg for 3 weeks out of 4 I was put on a maintenance dose of 10mg per day which definitely helped .
But those little devil tablets can cause untold problems I’ve now got osteopenia ( brittle bones ) from the steroids, so be careful. I now only take steroids under doctors orders 🤦♂️❤️
Mines not infection They think it's asthma related. I have COPD and Asthma. Have had this for 22 years have had a lot of steroids but it's only the past 4 months I have been like this already have osteoporosis and had cataracts. Thanks for replying x
if your condition is becoming difficult to manage with normal asthma meds then you may have an allergic reaction to fungal spores. It’s called Allergic Brocho pulmonary Aspergillosis, it’s hard to diagnose and has the same symptoms as the asthma but needs different medication to manage it. More info on Aspergillosis.org the NHS website. You could also qualify for “bialogics” which have good results for asthma
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On going Steroids!!!
Steroids for COPD, how many a day
antiobiotics & steroids
confused
