Oral steroids and asthma

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

This is for me. Asthma has been mostly stable for so long I like to think I am cured, obv not really, but I just take the stuff and get on, no attacks for about 10 years. Touching all wooden things.

But I know it is deteriorating

Last review was with a GP, and she was saying I am now maxed out on preventers, - flixotide and serevent, the next step will be to go onto oral steroids, but that she was loathed to do that. I know, I should have asked but she sort of said it in passing and only after did I think

Why was she loathed? Are we talking side effects?

Looking for the voice of experience, actually looking for someone to say tis all a load of bollocks and no probs with them at all!

have you ever taken oral steroids? im currently on prednisolone. if you google it it will come up with a list of possible side effects. I think the longer your on them the worst the side effects can be (brittle bones for example), but the pros must outweigh the cons. My dad has COPD and he is maxed out with inhalers and tabs. The next stage for him is a oxygen mask but were hoping it wont be for a while.

Is there anything you can think of that is triggering your increased asthma symptoms? Are you inhalers delivering the medication properly to your lungs ( sounds stupid but a common problem if suddenly not working as well) . Do you use a spacer device to optimise treatment ( volumatic/ aerochamber)

Asthma is normally treated on a step up step down approach. Oral steroids do have lots of side effects , some of which can be long lasting and serious.

Is there an asthma nurse in your surgery you could see. They usually have very good knowledge and experience of asthma. I think its really important to try and understand why your asthma is getting worse before jumping onto oral steroids. HTH.

I wrote a long reply and lost it!!

Thank you so much, really, really helpful, pirate, sorry your dad is so poorly.

I have taken oral steroids only as short term things after bronchitis, but I've been so well for so long, that not for a very long time.

I don't use a spacer, I know I should. My serevent is one of those flying saucer shaped ones iykwim? But the flixotide I should.I'll go back to using that.

This time of year is always rather dodgy, I don't get hay fever in terms of eyes and nose but my lungs get more congested. It is particularly bad at the mo unsurprisingly.

I thought that over time, drugs lost their effectiveness, hence the deterioration?

We have an asthma nurse, but sadly she has never proved very helpful tbh.

I am very grateful, things to think about, and I shall go and dig out the spacer

Short courses of oral steroids can be used to knock asthma exacerbations on the head, so this may have been what the GP was talking about. It can help get things back on an even keel again, by reducing the underlying inflammation in the airways.
Good idea to ensure you are using your inhaled steroid as effectively as possible. If that doesn't down regulate you enough - go back to the GP. If all else fails ask for referral to an asthma or respiratory specialist.

As an aside make sure you are not even mildly vitamin D or magnesium deficient. I am only speaking from personal experience (and lots of reading up and help from a nutritionalist) rather than any expertise . My asthma (which got worse after many years of almost grown out of it status) got much less brittle after adding these 2 supplements. A nice long Epsom salt bath helps top up magnesium levels a couple of times a week if you don't like supplements. Vit D can be got from safe sunning but if you (like me - it upsets my breathing) struggle in hot humid weather a vit D specific supplement is ideal. I use a tongue spray each day. Best to read up or get expert help with this rather than guess. The GP can check vit D blood levels.
Hope you are soon much better.

You can also talk to one of the trained specialist asthma nurses at Asthma UK number here . The helpline is available mon-fri 9-5, calls free from a BT landline. I've recommended them to several friends and had very good reports.

Had them for a couple of weeks after a bout of flu years ago. Developed a raging appetite which didn't go away for months and put on 2 stone!!

If you can be strict about using your current meds as they are intended then this has worked for me since - was v rubbish before steroids and not keen to go down that route again!

Good idea to talk to Asthma UK if your nurse is not giving you good advice about usage.

Thank you so much, I'm very happy in the sun it must be said! The magnesium thing is interesting.

I am going to read up, then phone Asthma UK, many thanks for that.

I also think maybe I need to be stricter about my inhalers, maybe have got a bit casual. I'd really rather avoid oral steroids if at all possible.

Thank you so much, this info was just what I was hoping for, really helpful.