Tolerating Steroids
I'm so exhausted I couldn't function this weekend. I have been really sleeping badly for a long time, and am on CPAP but just can't get a decent sleep with the darn thing. I still wake up suddenly even with the mask.
I had a three day weekend for the holiday and really needed to clean out my bedroom prepatory for new carpet and painting, so mom can move in.
I was almost completely worthless. Zero energy. So, last night I dug out my last unopened Symbicort inhaler and used it. I had stopped because of the side effects, but damn it, I was able to draw a full breath, finally. I wanted to cry with relief. No gasping wake-ups!
It really sux being asthmatic but unable to tolerate steroids. Maybe I will just have to put up with more intense hot flashes and a voice like a bullfrog.
Does anyone else have issues with inhaled steroids? My doctor seems to think I'm a bit of a special snowflake (kindly).
Hi again, Nighfala, and thanks for your post about inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and the issues that accompany them for some folks who use them. We all understand just how you felt when you could finally take that unencumbered deep breath!
I am hopeful others in the community will see your inquiry and respond by sharing their own personal experiences using ICS.
In the meantime, I thought you might gain some additional insight from any of these articles which focus on asthma and ICS: https://asthma.net/search?s=inhaled%20corticosteroids. The material is published right here on our asthma.net community website. I do hope you find the information is helpful for you to read.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
hello! Ugh - this sounds very unpleasant. I'm sorry you are going through this. Personally, I have not had this experience with inhaled steroids, but with oral steroids.
You mention that your Symbicort inhaler was helpful. When the NHBLI asthma guidelines were updated, the recommendations for Symbicort changed. Instead of taking this inhaler daily, you can take it only when you have sudden symptoms, instead of using albuterol. This recommendation is also in the GINA guidelines and has been proven to be a superior treatment over daily use for moderate asthma. It's called SMART - Single Maintenance And Reliever Therapy. Maybe you can talk with your doctor about this option?
~ Lorene, moderator
Hey there. I can't help you about the inhaled steroids, they're a necessary evil in my book but saw you were also on a CPAP machine. Took me a long time to finally get it right so that I can use it to sleep. I'm a late bloomer, I guess. What finally did it for me was getting the settings and the mask right and controlling allergies so that my nose didn't get stuffed up.I hope you can see your sleep doctor or sleep techs and let them help you. It really helps to sleep well at night. My sleep techs didn't give up on me, even when I wanted to give up on CPAP. Now it's one less thing. Best wishes. Hi iZero, and thanks for joining in the conversation here. We appreciate you sharing the success you're (finally) enjoying using CPAP therapy. It's gratifying for me to hear the sleep technicians persevered with you until the CPAP device was set-up properly for you. It's not surprising as therapists are trained to focus on the two most important aspects of CPAP therapy for a patient - namely, CPAP settings that are uniquely adjusted for the individual patient and, the proper selection and fitment of the device to be used (nasal mask, nasal prongs, face mask, etc.). I have found that patients are most comfortable and most likely to use the therapy, when these two elements are properly provided for. I am glad to hear this all worked out for you, too!
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
Thank you 😀
Hi again, iZero - you are most welcome. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here!
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
