Medication Side Effects
li...@gis.net
months ago I was put on Pulmicort and Serevent along with my Albuteral
as needed. I began having strange symtpoms a couple of weeks after
begining these medications (i.e. dizziness, headache, muscle cramps,
muscle fatgie etc). I had many tests done with a neurologist, a
chiropractor etc. Everything I had done came back normal. I went to see
a pulminologist who told me that all my symptoms could be due to the
medications I was on. Anyway, the symptoms pretty much lessened over
time, except the random cramping and muscle twitches, especially in my
feet. But now they have began again in more frequency. I currently am
getting over bronchitis, and even though I haven't increased my meds, I
am wondering if the body just magnifies these side effects during
illness. Has anyone else experienced these type of side effects with
these medications? And if you have, what did you do about it? I tried
Singular to no avail. It did not help me, so I was put back on the
Serevent. I have been on Pulmicort also since the begining. Thanks
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Vivian
I had terrible problems with leg and foot cramps when on relatively high
doses of Flovent and Serevent, after a bad bout of asthma a couple of
years ago. I even experinced these cramps while on lower doses, though
less frequently. Interestingly, my husband was diagnosed with asthma last
year and he, too, experienced leg and foot cramps after he was put on
similar meds. The specialists were clueless about why and kept saying that
since the doses were inhaled, we should not experience these cramps. They
only happen with the oral doses. After much investigation, I learned that
potassium depletion can occur as a result of these meds. I started taking
a potassium supplement (1 per day) with my GP's approval, and I get no
muscle cramps, unless I forget to take my potassium.
li...@gis.net
twitchs and diziness. Maybe if it is muscle related, i.e. tight
muscles. THis is a simple and safe idea. thank you!
In article <vg11-19079...@128.253.84.40>,
RMJon23
> I have been diagnosed with asthma for almost a year now. About 7
> months ago I was put on Pulmicort and Serevent along with my Albuteral
> as needed. I began having strange symtpoms a couple of weeks after
> begining these medications (i.e. dizziness, headache, muscle cramps,
> muscle fatgie etc). I had many tests done with a neurologist, a
> chiropractor etc. Everything I had done came back normal. I went to see
> a pulminologist who told me that all my symptoms could be due to the
> medications I was on. Anyway, the symptoms pretty much lessened over
> time, except the random cramping and muscle twitches, especially in my
> feet. But now they have began again in more frequency. I currently am
> getting over bronchitis, and even though I haven't increased my meds, I
> am wondering if the body just magnifies these side effects during
> illness. Has anyone else experienced these type of side effects with
> these medications? And if you have, what did you do about it? I tried
> Singular to no avail. It did not help me, so I was put back on the
> Serevent. I have been on Pulmicort also since the begining. Thanks
>
Vivian said:
>I had terrible problems with leg and foot cramps when on relatively high
>doses of Flovent and Serevent, after a bad bout of asthma a couple of
>years ago. I even experinced these cramps while on lower doses, though
>less frequently. Interestingly, my husband was diagnosed with asthma last
>year and he, too, experienced leg and foot cramps after he was put on
>similar meds. The specialists were clueless about why and kept saying that
>since the doses were inhaled, we should not experience these cramps. They
>only happen with the oral doses. After much investigation, I learned that
>potassium depletion can occur as a result of these meds. I started taking
>a potassium supplement (1 per day) with my GP's approval, and I get no
>muscle cramps, unless I forget to take my potassium.
I've been on inhaled corticosteroids for about 7 years now. I'm dependent. But
I hardly ever have to use Ventolin, whereas I had to use 2-6 times per day 8
years ago. I can do vigorous aerobic exercise with virtually zero asthmatic
symptoms. I do not take this for granted.
Sure, the fact of dependency bothers me, but not as much as another aspect: to
a certain extent each of us on long-term inhaled corticosteroids is a guinea
pig. Let's face it. We all know about the potential risk of adrenal
suppression. But the thing that gets me is the strong assumption that because
the dosages are metered and "non-systemic" (i.e., not like Prednisone) that
side effects will probably be negligible. It's comforting to think that and
believe that - and most of the time I do think that (this may be called
"denial" borne of a need for psychological self-protection) - yet when
sometimes my most rational call-a-spade-a-spade mind realizes that this is a
case of long-term wait and see. I include a short article from JAMA from
earlier this year about this topic, below. We apparently need to be aware of
proximal myopathy...
michael
Source: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association, Jan 6, 1999
v281 i1 p37(1).
Title: Proximal Myopathy Associated With Inhaled Steroids.(Letter to the
Editor)
Author: Andrew G. Herzog
Subjects: Corticosteroids - Adverse and side effects
Muscle diseases - Causes of
Full Text COPYRIGHT 1999 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
To the Editor. A number of undesirable systemic effects have been reported
with the use of inhaled corticosteroids, including cataracts, suppression of
the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, osteoporosis, and possibly glaucoma
[(1)(2)].
Report of a Case. A 37-year-old woman who had a seizure disorder that was well
controlled with carbamazepine therapy began to use a beclomethasone nasal
inhaler, 42 [micro]g of drug per nasal pump unit, 1 to 2 sprays in each
nostril twice daily, for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Four
weeks later, the patient began to experience tightness in her thighs and
increased fatigability when she climbed stairs or walked distances that were
previously readily tolerated. Findings on a general medical examination were
normal. Neurologic evaluation revealed a mild to moderate reduction in
strength (4 1/2/5 range) in neck flexion and bilaterally in shoulder abduction
and hip flexion. Muscle weakness had not been noted in the past. Findings on
the remainder of the neurologic examination, including muscle strength
elsewhere, cranial nerve function, and deep tendon reflexes, were within
normal limits. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, thyroid function test results,
cortisol and serum creatine kinase levels, and an tinuclear antibody titer
were normal. Serum carbamazepine level was in the midtherapeutic range
Electromyography (EMG) showed normal resting activity, without fibrillations
or trains of myotonic potentials. Voluntary contraction of proximal muscles
showed an increased recruitment pattern and diminished average size of units,
consistent with myopathy. The possibility of steroid-induced myopathy was
considered, and the use of inhaled steroids was discontinued. At the time of
follow-up 1 month later, the patient was free of exercise-induced muscle
tightness and reported normal exercise tolerance and strength Examination
revealed full motor strength, and repeat EMG showed normal unit morphology and
recruitment. Without steroids, she has had no recurrence of weakness for 2
years.
Comment. Clinicians may need to consider proximal myopathy among the possible
undesirable systemic adverse effects that can occur with the use of inhaled
corticosteroids.
Andrew G Herzog, MD, MSc
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Mass
1. Garbe E, Suissa S, LeLorier J Association of inhaled corticosteroid use
with cataract extraction in elderly patients JAMA 1998,280 539-543.
2. Cunning RG, Mitchell P, Leeder SR Use of inhaled corticosteroids and the
risk of cataracts N Engl J Med 1997,337 8-14.
-- End --
li...@gis.net
interesting, and am quite sure the inhaled steroids could cause this.
I have never had this muscle stuff until going on inhaled steriods. The
few postings I have seen of people who had muscle cramps and think it
is related to serevent are usually on inhaled steriods also. I think
the headaches and diziness are from serevent, but mixed with the
inhaled steroids could cause the cramps perhaps. I am on two puffs
twice a day of Pulmicourt, is this a high dose?? I am new to asthma
and dont really know how to judge a high dose. I am going to try the
potassium though (got some at the drug store on the way home). I will
let you all know how it works out. Thanks!
Niasha
have been experiencing severe calf and foot cramps. I had blood tests done
which revealed no abnormalities in my electrolytes(?) which I was told could
indicate potassium depletion. I have also used predisone twice during
that period so I have no idea which med is causing the problem. I started
taking potasssium, calcium and vitimen E (my vitimen bible recommends this
for cramps) and have had no further problems. Fingers crossed. It's
interesting that the "authorities" don't want to acknowledge that the meds
could/can have side affects that they haven't heard about. Niasha
Vivian wrote >> I have been diagnosed with asthma for almost a year now.
About 7
>> months ago I was put on Pulmicort and Serevent along with my Albuteral
>> as needed. I began having strange symtpoms a couple of weeks after
>> begining these medications (i.e. dizziness, headache, muscle cramps,
>> muscle fatgie etc). .
C.A. Owens
>I have been diagnosed with asthma for almost a year now. About 7
>months ago I was put on Pulmicort and Serevent along with my Albuteral
>as needed. I began having strange symtpoms a couple of weeks after
>begining these medications (i.e. dizziness, headache, muscle cramps,
>muscle fatgie etc). I had many tests done with a neurologist, a
>chiropractor etc. Everything I had done came back normal. I went to see
>a pulminologist who told me that all my symptoms could be due to the
>medications I was on. Anyway, the symptoms pretty much lessened over
>time, except the random cramping and muscle twitches, especially in my
>feet. But now they have began again in more frequency. I currently am
>getting over bronchitis, and even though I haven't increased my meds, I
>am wondering if the body just magnifies these side effects during
>illness. Has anyone else experienced these type of side effects with
>these medications? And if you have, what did you do about it? I tried
>Singular to no avail. It did not help me, so I was put back on the
>Serevent. I have been on Pulmicort also since the begining. Thanks
These are known side-effects of these meds. There are other
medications which may, or may not, have lesser effects. If they are
enough to bother you, I would have a chat with my doctor about trying
something else.
Chris Owens
Leona Sebastian
Hi I drink a glass of orange juice daily and it keeps the cramping away
and also drink it with the Calcium in it too.So when I miss a few days
like maybe 4 or 5 I get the cramping back so try the orange juice and
see how it works for you.Leona
LWyremba
blood. Also someone can react sensitive for Serevent but not for another. Try
and error.Ask your physician. Lothar
ISixpackU
the worst it has ever been in my feet. It was unbelievable. Besides my feet
my hands cramp and contort into weird shapes. My neck cramps and sometime the
cramp spreads from one side to the other. I've had blood tests done to find
out if I was getting enough minerals. Everything was fine except my creatine
level was high. I was told by my doctor that I shouldn't take Potassium
because then my level would be too high. I already take a multivitamin, a
calcium pill and an iron pill. I just wish I could get the cramps to stop.
C.A. Owens
Please go back to your doctor and get your creatine tested again. If
it is still high, ask him to investigate the possibility that you have
muscular dystrophy. Cramping such as you describe is a common symptom
of several of the adult-onset varieties.
Chris Owens
C.A. Owens
<myk...@greenville.infi.net> wrote:
>> These are known side-effects of these meds. There are other
>> medications which may, or may not, have lesser effects. If they are
>> enough to bother you, I would have a chat with my doctor about trying
>> something else.
>>
>Hi I drink a glass of orange juice daily and it keeps the cramping away
>and also drink it with the Calcium in it too.So when I miss a few days
>like maybe 4 or 5 I get the cramping back so try the orange juice and
>see how it works for you.Leona
For all of us who are allergic to oranges . . . the potassium in the
OJ is what is helping with the cramping. Any good source of potassium
should help.
Chris Owens
Sue milham
breakfast along with other fresh fruits of the season. A good way to get
potassium naturally.
Sue M.
pavane
For those unfamiliar with it, this website has an immense amount of info on food nutrients and compositions:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl
Hope it is of some use.
pavane
Sue milham <suem...@aol.com> wrote in message news:19990722120850...@ng-ch1.aol.com...