I stopped using my Breo inhaler, fluticasone furoate 200 mcg and vilanterol 25 mcg inhalation powder. Some people try to tell me it's not possible to be in withdrawl. But I am, and it's been 7 days, and I still have withdrawal symptoms. They come and go and are worse at night. My question is can your adrenal glands work, even though you are in withdrawl. My breath is short, but am hoping it will improve as I get back better. But I am afraid from what I've read, if my adrenal glands aren't working. I do not want to take prednisone, as I almost died after taking, and weaning off of it a yeawo r ago. I also had a problem after using some topical lotion on my scalp. I went through withdrawl stopping that. I would never had used any of these drugs, if I had known, what I know now.
Steroid withdrawal: I stopped using my Breo inhaler... - PMRGCAuk
Steroid withdrawal
Hi invention,welcome to the site. Have you been diagnosed with pmr or gca? What other meds are you taking at the moment?
You need to talk to your doctor. Your situation sounds complex. On here we know a bit about Prednisalone because it is the only drug for our condition I.e. PMR and or GCA. Cortisoid treatments do suppress the function of your own Adrenal Glands. There is a test called a Synacthen Test that measures the function of your own Adrenal Glands. Advice is given if the results show an Adrenal Insufficiency. You sound as if you are feeling very anxious, you need to share your worries with a qualified doctor. Good luck!
I can only stress what Sheffieldjane has said as you need expert help before stopping inhalers. If you have pmr/gca we need a little more information to enable us to help you.c
Hi invention. Do you have polymyalgia rheumatica or giant cell arteritis? This forum is for hide conditions.
It looks like you have COPD. We take prednisolone but in a very different way. My father had COPD and used various drugs in his nebulisers that were steroid based. And did short courses of pred dose the 7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0. However we only take pred in doses for up to 2 years tapering down to 15 or 25 in pmr, and 40-60 for GCA.
If you take 7.5mg for more than 3 weeks then stop it can create problems with adrenal glands. I would be tempted to go to COPD/lung forum as their experiences might be closer to yours. If you have pmr/GCA which is usually included 50 years upwards then tell us aBout that and the pred dose.
I can't understand your dosing.
Thank you so much. I will try the COPD forum, as you mentioned, as that is what I have, along with asthma.
Yes to all of the above .
Are you also suffering from GCA/ PMR?
And if not please go to a GP to discuss withdrawal symptoms , you seem to have withdrawn from alot in one go and didn't mention reducing or tapering the drugs.
Even people with working adrenals can suffer withdrawal symptoms including more severe things like breathlessness if a number of drugs are taken from their system in one go.
It is best to come off medication no matter what you have with planning and GP discussion and monitoring to prevent these side effects.
Please get to the GP
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/9...
Thanks for the link soraya, interesting as OH on loads of inhalers because the pain killers he takes have caused asthma.
When I was reading re adrenal ‘resurrection’ much depended on dose, length of time, etc. But inhaled, topical and one off steroid injections can all impact on the HPA.
I’m thinking that sudden cessation might cause some rebound, much like PPIs for instance, therefore wean off if necessary. If you’ve been reliant on inhalers, then you’re going to notice a sudden absence surely, (even if adrenals are in full swing).
Which pain killers?
Morphine, naproxen, gabapentin, plus another two I cant remember the names of plus 3 types of inhaler, citalopram and omeprazole are his twice daily cocktail!! Hes always been greedy!!
Ooh that’s a cocktail!
Is he allergic to one of them?
Apparently one or two of the drugs, can cause asthma if on them long term and I thing gabapentin is one of them but as there is not a lot of other combinations available to.deal with the pain it's a case of dealing with the side effects. Hes been on this cocktail for nearly 10 years and the only change has been to increase the gabapentin and slightly reduce the morphine!!
Bit of a tightrope walk!
Totally!! When we collect his prescription we look like the local junkies!!
Hello Intervention
Welcome to the PMRGCAUK Forum where we all suffer from PMR &/or GCA
We all take oral steroids, have you been on long term inhaled steroids as they can also cause withdrawal issues.
If it’s mainly your Chest/Breathing Difficulties they will be worse at night, have you stopped suddenly or are you reducing slowly?
Many be a discussion with your Primary Doctor may be helpful to you at this time.
Kind Regards
MrsN
There is beginning to be a thought that many drugs should be tapered off if possible. Not just the obvious stuff like steroids, PPIs and antidepressants. Too many GPs are a bit cavalier with stopping medication after long term use.
Most likely a rebound effect, which happens with lots of drugs when stopped abruptly. I learned this the hard way when I suddenly stopped my blood pressure medication years ago and within 3 days my BP was at stroke level. See your physician before stopping any drug, are at least give the doctors nurse a call.
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