Symbicort increased my anxiety

[iim19]

I just started using symbicort 1 times a day. It improved my shortness of breath greatly but my anxiety increased. Hand feels shaking. Words got shakey when talking. Is this normal or should i stop? Will the side effects go away?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Difficult question there... tremors and anxiety are common side effects with symbicort, and for some the calm down, for others they don’t.

As you’ve said it’s helping with your SoB, it may be worth seeing if the side effects start to calm down by themselves over the next couple of weeks. If the side effects are too bad/get progressively worse over time, go back to the GP to discuss changing/stopping the symbicort.

Good luck and I hope things work out for you

[iim19 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks for response. Appreciate it. I'm going try and continue take it and see if it calms down. Even by typing this message on my phone my fingers cant stay put.

[Tealcheese]

Symbicort gives me palpitations. They didn't calm down even with taking the inhaler for several years. Fostair, my most recent trial of inhaler, gives me shakes that lasts for hours. I am not taking this one now and doctor has agreed a short course of steroid tablets and use cleni. And we'll see how I go.

Using ventolin also gives me shakes but these last for an hr rather than 2-3 hrs or more depending on the dose of the combination inhaler.

To me these side effects feel similar to anxiety but I have learnt to recognise that it is the inhalers mimicking the physical symptoms of anxiety and I have an absence of mental symptoms.

But it isn't pleasant and I'm sorry you're getting anxiety effects from your inhaler.

As Emma said they may subside on their own but it is woeth worth mentioning to the gp anyway.

[iim19 in reply to Tealcheese]

it takes 6-7hr after symbicort to calm down my anxiety. Actually i did go to my doctor and report to him that i experienced anxiety but he tend not to believe it and like all typical doctors say 'maybe i think too much'. He said just try and stay strong for 1-2 weeks and maybe the side effects will go away.

This is actually my 2nd trial. Its my 4th day using it. I dont think i can go on with this anxiety. So disturbing and feel messed up.

[Jjude1003]

Just started Symbicort 8 weeks ago and initially experienced mild shaking, a jittery feeling and hoarse voice. It seems to have subsided somewhat at about 6 weeks.

[iim19 in reply to Jjude1003]

wow 6 weeks is a looong period of time. dont know if i can hold up to 6 weeks. how u doing right now with symbicort? no more side effects?

[Jjude1003 in reply to iim19]

Yes the side effects have mostly subsided at this point. Being diligent about rinsing after using it helps cut down the hoarseness.

[Hidden]

Ask your doctor. It gives me horrible muscle cramps that make me scream out loud they hurt so much, and my allergist says that won’t go away. But other side effects can fade over time.