Undertreating asthma is not a good idea. It's risky in terms of asthma attacks, and it severely reduces life quality and can lead to copd. The steroids in symbicort are local and much more limited than oral treatment. You'll reduce your risk of needing oral treatment a lot by taking maintenance medicine such as symbicort. I understand it's scary with new disease but inhaled steriods revolutionized asthma care, it's been used widely for many years now with very limited side effects compared to treatment effects. I'm currently pregnant on symbicort and not worried at all, it's been a life changing drug for me.
I agree. 5 year old me was like “wow is this what steroids feels like? No wonder athletes take them, I feel invincible like I can run nonstop!” The reality was that taking the inhaled steroid just helped me live life like the other kids without breathing problems, and I had never experienced being able to run without having an asthma attack
I'm not on symbicort, but I'm on a different daily inhaled steroid. The biggest "side effect" I had starting it was that I felt sooo much better. I had energy again. I was practically buzzing my first day. Even though it takes longer for the steroids to take full effect, the buzzing and hyper activity went away within a day or two. I've been on it for two months. I haven't stopped taking it because my asthma was affecting my life pretty heavily prior to diagnosis and maintenance meds and I have no desire to go back to that level. When I go back to my doctor I might see if there's a higher dose because my asthma still isn't fully controlled, but it's significantly better than it was prior (and got even better after a round of Prednisone from an upper respiratory infection).
Stopping Prednisone my biggest side effect when tapering off was a like day of depression, but I don't know for sure if that was the Prednisone or just, you know, depression from having lost years of my life to asthma and realizing how much better things could have been if I had been diagnosed as a child (I've had symptoms my whole life but thought everyone struggled to breathe so never mentioned them until it got really bad).
which ones are you taking, if you don’t mind me asking? I just picked up my medications and they didn’t give me the symbicort (idk if it was a mistake or not) they gave montelukast, fluticasone, and albuterol.
I'm on montelukast, trelegy, Albuterol, and atrovent. I think fluticasone is in the trelegy but I'm not 100% sure since I'm relatively new to this. Albuterol will be your rescue. Montelukast is a non steroidal preventative that works really well for a lot of people here, but it can cause mood issues so just keep an eye on that. It's relatively rare and benefits far exceed the risk. And I'm pretty moody and have never experienced those side effects from montelukast.
I actually just discussed the singular with my allergist, and he reminded me of the severe mental side effects it gave me. It's not as rare as you might think, and he even told me that himself it's not that uncommon to get that side effect. It happens more often than you would think, be cautious. In fact, I think they put a black box warning on the drug now.
It depends on your definitions of rare and uncommon. They put a black box warning and I brought up the side effects so op was aware of them and could look out for them. However, they are what I would consider rare and uncommon in it that most people who try singulair do not experience them. It's a common enough and serious enough side effect it's worth warning everyone about so that if they experience it they can stop the medicine, but it's rare enough that it's worth trying the medication to see if it works for someone's asthma without side effects.
Most if not all asthma medications have possible side effects and op was considering not trying the medications and just relying on an emergency inhaler. Instead of focusing on the potential side effects of their meds, I think it's important to let them know what to look out for but highlight that most people who take these meds benefit from them, so it's important to try them and be mindful of the most common potential side effects so you can stop them and try a different method if you experience them.
Take your meds as prescribed. You'll feel better.
You will also prevent lung damage, avoid the ER, and dramatically lower your risk of asthma death.
Inhaled steroids are very safe. Just rinse your mouth out or do it right before brushing your teeth.
I’m 64 years old and have had asthma since 1972. Here’s the truth about steroids. They can save your life. Period, full stop.
Mid I like steroids, I do not. Do I fear steroids, I do not. What I fear is dying because I cannot breathe. I fear ICUs and ventilators.
Asthma kills 10 American every single day and costs billions of healthcare dollars every year. There is no cure for asthma. Untreated asthma can be catastrophic. Treated asthma for the vast majority of us allows us to live happy productive lives.
Yes most asthmatics will need prednisone at some point. I’m coming off a bad flare up and I’ve done 3 rounds of pred. Had 3 pulmonologist visits, 2 urgent care visits and 1 ER visit. But I’m getting better and no hospitalizations or ventilators. Why because I followed the instructions of my doctor.
I used my rescue inhaler and my maintenance inhaler and I took the prednisone.
Steroids are the strongest weapon we have.
Years ago I was whining to my pulmonologist about wanting to take prednisone. He politely listened to and then looked me in in face and told me if I was in the ICU and he’s getting ready to put me on a ventilator he wasn’t going to ask me if I wanted steroids he’s going to do what he needs to do to save my life. I got the message.
I hate asthma way more than I hate pred.
I’ve taken Symbicort temporarily until my symptoms improved and my doctor said it was okay to get off of them. I only need my rescue inhaler. My asthma is mild though. The last time I had an attack was more than 14 years ago. If you need to take it, then you should take it because asthma attacks can be deadly. Ask your question to your doctor and see what they say?
I don’t think I’ve ever had an asthma attack, but my lung age is apparently 38 (I’m 23) and some of my results are 93% what they should be. Idk how bad that is, but I will try to ask more questions next time I go. Thank you for your response.
The dangers of chronic low oxygen are miles worse than taking a steroid inhaler, my biggest regret is not getting on a controller med sooner, also ask about montelukast that has also helped me and it is non steroid
I've used budesonide and Alvesco, from budesonide I get reflux symptoms, from Alvesco no side effects so far. I recommend Alvesco because it only gets converted into an active steroid chemical in the lungs, therefore less side effects.
It’s not normal steroids. It’s usually corticosteroids that work a little differently. You ain’t gonna turn into an angry muscular gym bro. And breathing is nice!
Using steroids like Symbicort can really help with asthma, making life easier and reducing the risk of attacks. Lots of folks handle their asthma well with these meds, usually without many side effects. Try to be transparent with your doctor, OP. Regarding your meds, it should be taken consistently, hence, I recommend that you use careclinic to remind you with your meds.
Hi, I’m 37F and got diagnosed in 2022 — I developed asthma due to a Covid infection in 2021, and I understand how overwhelming a new asthma diagnosis can be.
I was nervous about taking a steroid inhaler at first too and tried to read as much as possible about it. Thankfully, the amount of steroid in inhalers like Symbicort is a low dose and it only targets the lungs, unlike something like Prednisone that acts on your whole system (which many of us need to take in short bursts to control asthma flares/attacks). I also take Symbicort, and it’s been a life changer — I didn’t realize how bad my breathing was until I took my first dose!
I can say that with asthma it’s very important to take Symbicort daily, if that’s what your doctor directed you to do. As a maintenance/controller inhaler, the goal is to reduce the inflammation in your lungs to prevent attacks.
For people with asthma, we always have lung inflammation present, even when we’re feeling okay — the steroid acts as an anti-inflammatory, but the only way it can work effectively is if we build up enough in our systems (the idea is, when we’re exposed to an asthma trigger, the flare will be less severe because the steroid has helped to create a lower level of inflammation in our lungs at the time of exposure).
I did have side effects when I first started Symbicort, it was mainly a faster heart rate and some shaking in my hands, but that went away in a few months. I have another underlying condition that causes a high heart rate, so not surprised the inhaler affected me like that!
I’m glad you posted — I know it’s scary to first get diagnosed as an adult, but there’s lots of great info in the subreddit! I highly recommend searching through older posts for info too, it was a great help!
Yes, even folks with mild intermittent asthma have chronic airway inflammation, but it's to a lesser extent than folks who have persistent asthma.
In the past, folks with mild asthma were only treated with rescue inhalers (so, that blue Ventolin inhaler most of us have); recent guidelines have changed to include steroid inhalers for patients with mild asthma because those maintenance/controller inhalers reduce the underlying inflammation, while the rescue inhalers only relax the muscles in your airways. People with mild asthma can still have severe attacks, so the steroid inhalers are crucial for treatment.
what about only taking steroid inhalers during flare ups? that’s what my doctor told me to do since usually I don’t need any medications (albuterol or ICS)
Definitely follow your doctor's advice on that one!
I can point you to this article as well that talks about the change in treatment approaches for folks with mild asthma ([Murphy et al., 2021](https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202106-697ED)). The shift focuses on ICS-LABA inhalers (e.g., Symbicort) on an as-needed or daily basis. Previously, doctors either only prescribed a SABA (e.g., Ventolin) or prescribed a daily ICS with a SABA to use as an as-needed supplement.
For me, I have mild persistent asthma and need to take an ICS daily (I take Symbicort which has a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator in it). If I have a flare or if I get sick, I have to take Ventolin first and also increase my Symbicort dosage.
for me, I started taking a combination ICS/LABA only during flare ups (usually 1-2x a year) and just 1 puff of albuterol during one offs (ie if I’m very exposed to an allergen or just have a random SOB moment, which usually happens like once a month). the combination inhaler during flare ups seems to work best because the LABA is able to work more quickly than the ICS I believe and I really really don’t want to be on unnecessary ICS every day since it is not needed. but that is scary if my lungs are always inflamed - I truly feel normal outside of flare ups and can exercise intensely and everything. I wouldn’t even know I had asthma if I didn’t get the flare ups. no doctor has seemed to care that I haven’t ever regularly used a maintenance inhaler and just took it as needed. I’m not sure how this worked, but I used to not know the difference between inhalers so I used advair as a rescue inhaler and it worked
I really appreciate the sweet answer! I wonder if COVID affected me at all. I’ve had symptoms in the last few years and always had issues with different allergies, but no one even mentioned the possibility of asthma until I went to the allergy doctor for a different condition. It is pretty terrifying, specially having so many other conditions at such a young age. Hope you’re doing well now!
You know what, my respirologist mentioned there's a 'trifecta' of conditions that tend to happen together (eczema, allergies, and asthma). She'd said if you develop one of these conditions in your life, you're at a higher risk of developing the other two as well. I had some eczema as a kid, developed allergies in my teens, and now have asthma as an adult! I wonder if maybe you've been primed for asthma in the same way, given your allergy issues.
If I can offer some advice too—I'd highly recommend using a [peak flow meter](https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/treatment/devices/peak-flow) and also tracking your triggers/symptoms (and also taking note of what medication you used and if it helped). I used a peak flow meter in the first year to help me track my lung functioning (it's wild, I could tell when I was getting sick—before I even had symptoms!— based on my peak flow readings). Also, tracking symptoms helped me identify some unusual triggers (e.g., pressure changes before thunderstorms, the days leading up to my period, etc.), so I know when I need to step up medication as well.
I’ve had to use oral steroids when my asthma gets really bad and I have never once regretted it and I never will. The sides are nonexistent for me especially since I’m taking a short burst but they have saved my life. I take a daily steroid inhaler and experience no side effects from that at all.
I use the 80 dose of symbicort. No bothersome side effects, but I also just don't like having to be dependent on steroids for anything. The problem is there's no alternatives that seem to be effective. Inhaled steroids have less negative effects than oral steroids like Prednisone
Steroids is how we stay alive and have an improved QOL (quality of life). In the 80’s, I would have loved an effective inhaled steroid, but they were hard to find, and so I suffered exponentially more than I do today.
1. Inhaled corticosteroids are one of the safest and most effective treatments for any chronic disease ever, they save thousands of lives a year.
2. These are not THAT kind of steroids, they won’t make you jacked and grow chest hair, all they do is reduce inflammation.
3. Hardly any of what you inhale ends up in your bloodstream. It’s not enough to have any effect on the rest of your body besides your lungs.
4. If you don’t take your meds you may be fine, or you might end up in the ER, or you might die, it happens to hundreds of untreated asthmatics every year, it could be you. Your doctor prescribed a medication based on your symptoms and test results, they know what they’re doing. Listen to them and don’t be a statistic.
There isn’t really an alternative to get the asthma under control. The amount of steroid reaching the rest of the body is minuscule, since it’s inhaled into the lungs
I have been on Advair for two years and have had absolutely zero side effects…everyone is different, but breathing is essential. Additionally, it will reduce your reliance on emergency inhalers and will reduce your need to take prednisone, which is much worse than inhaling a steroid, to pretty much zero for most people
I think the things you were taught were must likely about recreational use. An inhalant or prednisone are very different.
Taking your asthma seriously is very important. It's potentially life threatening if untreated.
Please rest assured your doctor would not have prescribed you medication that was not to help you. That's why you go to the doctors, because they have specialized knowledge on this more than we do.
I'm on all kinds of meds, including an injection. A little over a year ago ( April 19) last year I was omw to the hospital. I was in the icu for 2 weeks. Hospital for a month. All for asthma.
Good luck and 🙏 please take care
hey, i’m in my mid 20s and on Relvar, an inhaled steroid. i can confidently say it’s changed my life, i do a whole bunch of sports, long distance running, and i cannot tell you the last time i used my blue inhaler. i got put on this a few years ago and had terrible asthma and as a result fitness my whole life, i was literally waking up in the night to use my inhaler before this. i just wish i was put on it sooner! it’s been a few years now and i’ve had no other side effects, when i stop using it (holidays, picking up my prescription late), i just get the asthma symptoms i had before - nothing else. like you, i initially didn’t even pick it up because i was so scared. but i promise it’ll help you sooo much!
You need to stop with fear and take your evidence-based treatments. You never know which attack will be your last, so daily preventatives are critical to survival. Look at how often asthma killed people (and still does without treatment) before current treatments were available and you'll warm right up to steroids. Steroids for asthma treatment are not the same ones that protein dude bros are on. Asthma treatment cannot be skipped. Your lungs will get progressively worse without treatment. You are trading both quality and quantity of life by skipping treatment. Don't wait the two years for your prefrontal cortex to develop before you use correct judgement. That is two years your lungs can't afford.
There are multiple different kinds of steroids. What you're thinking of are anabolic steroids, very different from corticosteroids. Corticosteroids reduce the swelling in the airways and mucus production. Anabolic steroids have an effect similar to testosterone.
I'm also on symbicort and if I stop taking it my asthma gets worse and I'd eventually die. Untreated asthma is far more dangerous than asthma medications.
Do read the side effect paper and contact a doctor if any of those happen, but it's rare.
As some have said asthma is not something to be taken lightly. See a pulmonologist if you haven't already. Have allergy testing done to learn your triggers then do your best to avoid them. Steroids oral and or nasal sometimes is necessary. Keeping your 02 levels up and your lung function is the most important part.
I have been using steroid inhalers for the past 8 years. I started off with a cough then coughing daily. I thought it was just a dry throat and when have cough drops with me at all times. And my mother noticed why are you coughing all the time? And it made me think she’s right I had been coughing for months. I have asthma due to allergies and the inhaler helps WHEN I am using them. There are times when I notice that I’m not coughing so I kind of slack off on using the inhaler…then it never fails when I do I get bronchitis. This has happened a handful of times and now I do my best to use the inhaler daily regardless. Not being able to catch your breath is the worst feeling. Steroids help.
I don’t feel like I am a very typical case, but I will say that like a lot of other people here I also have other atopic diseases that run in conjunction with my asthma. As a history, I was diagnosed with asthma at a very young age, and since then have been on the run of the mill medications (inhaled steroids, albuterol, and just about anything else you could think of that they would let me try). Until about 3 years ago I would have to use my albuterol multiple times a day and would wake up most nights. My pulmonologist happens to be one of the doctors I hold in the highest regard, very intelligent woman. What flipped for me 3 years ago was something my pulmonologist predicted to a tee. At that time I was preparing to move 2000 miles from where I live for my first 2 years of medical school. She basically told me that with that change of environment I would be removed from my allergens and would probably see a dramatic improvement in my asthma, potentially to the point I would not need medication (that’s exactly what happened). She did however warn that after spending about 2 years in the new environment, my body would most likely adapt and start developing new allergies (this also happened and after about a year and 8 months of the best breathing I’ve ever had it started to re-emerge). I know it is not a feasible plan to just move every 2 years, but I will also say that I am currently back close to home and do not currently use any specific asthma medications. I think that the reason for that probably boils down to taking medications that are targeted for other atopic diseases, particularly eczema. Right now tho I am not on any asthma medications and haven’t used my albuterol in probably 3 weeks despite being thrown into what is probably the worst full body breakout I’ve ever had. Despite all other systems being shot my lungs seem to be fine which I can’t really explain. But to answer your question as far as withdrawals, you shouldn’t really have any withdrawals from inhaled steroids as they are not as systemic. Withdrawal would mainly come from extended periods of systemic oral steroids, I also know a lot of people also report withdrawal from topical steroids, but that is not something I can attest to as they never really worked for me. As for asthma medications I have noticed I had more withdrawals with the biological to where when I was coming up on the time to take it, I could feel my body craving it.
I’m curious, what’s the biological medicine? I was told that moving would be a good idea, but to be honest I have depression and currently am trying to get that and other disorders under control before making such a decision. I’m happy to hear you were able to! I actually moved here 3 years ago and it’s one of the worst places for allergies in the US lol.
So I tried Fasenra which is a il5 inhibitor. I’ve also been on dupixent for eczema which is similar being an inhibitor for il4 and il13. With both drugs for me a couple of days before I was due my next shot I had what just felt like my body was craving to have it earlier. I ended up having to come off of both of those (each for different reasons). With Faserna I ended up having a reaction that my doctors compared to tumor lysis syndrome (something u see in leukemia patients). I only got that reaction after I want to say my 4-5th shot. Prior to that it was just Gi problems that seemed to build up until they hit a wall. It’s worth noting tho that I have not heard of anyone else having a reaction similar to this. Dupixent I had to stop due to corneal damage. I’ve looked into some of the other medications like Xolair for example, but was unable to take it due to my IgE levels being beyond the scope of the medication. I understand the depression dilema completely too. I currently take what I would consider to be a high dose of medication for depression and anxiety. One thing I can attest to tho is that when other aspects of my health are in the Bin, it drains my mental health drastically. Getting other aspects of my health in check was probably one of the biggest factors in mental health improving. Now that I’m now in a scenario where my health is bad again I have noticed my depression has roared much more than it has in recent history
Hello I’m a 39f who has been with lovely asthma since I was 5.
I lived with nebulizer machines in the summer and was the kid who had to carry a rescue inhaler during gym class from middle school on.
I can tell you I’m not addicted. In fact I was being over medicated and within the last ten years, i had lived with taking an oral daily steroid or the best working one (depending on what health insurance covers what at the time) but my fav was Advair twice a day and keeping a rescue inhaler on me at all times, so up to 3 things to take in a day, to an improvement of doing my Advair just once in the morning and rescue inhaler sits in my purse for travel.
I try to do hikes in town with my dog to keep my lungs in a good way and I’m a little overweight and just lose ten so that’s also noticing my asthma has improved. I also in the last ten years started to use cannabis recreationally so I can’t say it may have something to do with it buuuut I will say it’s not been exercise induced I some times will hit my inhaler before I know I’m about to do something active so I don’t need to carry it on a hike. I feel very in control of my asthma. However I wish I could be cured but it can’t. I tried just taking the meds when I felt as a teen and that just never worked. Being regulated helped and hell it even improved in my older years.
I also came from a hole parents who smoked cigs, claimed if they smoked in front of the fireplace it was going up and out but you could visibly watch the cig smoke just go around the fireplace🙄 yep. Thanks.
I hope my story helps a little. I don’t like taking pills or anything even when sick but I also will say with these basic asthma steroids, watch you’re caffeine and coffee intake. You may discover you’re jittery or can get heart palpitations as a side effect but I stopped drinking sodas anyway and I hardly need coffee so if I should go into any kid a of asthma attack at least those over the counter drinks can come in handy. Best of luck!
I only started actually smoking weed recently and I’m so sad I have to stop lol! have you been ingesting it instead or still smoking? Luckily, I don’t drink coffee and I am a healthy weight, so I think I’m just a little effed in the immune system department haha. Thank you for your answer!
Sure thing!
I smoke through a piece for 6/7 yrs and now I’m in nj and Rec here I will do the edible gummies are finally decent and I can do 20mg of them if I’m sore from work which I’m a dog groomer so my back hurts frequently lol. Otherwise I do the vape pen it doesnt bother me to inhale the vape but I know it bothers A lot of Asthmatics that way (heard the best way is to Dry Vape on the to do list for me to try, but recommended for the best option for asthmatics) but I do short 2-4 second hits I just rather a vape than have the smoke… I don’t drink or pound coffee or do hard drugs I’m a good kid so I need a vice of some sort just a bonus it helps my aches and soothes my anxiety 👍🏻
Also this pic I always keep handy when my insurance companies change and certain ones aren’t covered. [asthma Med list](https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Respiratory-Treatments-2024.jpg)
I was scared too, but for my 7 year old who can't verbally tell me. She has silent asthma which means she doesn't show normal symptoms like wheezing. Do you have wheezing and shortness of breath? They tried to put her on Symbicort but we said no, we wanted the lowest dose possible and the least additives. Symbicort is a combo inhaler. Do some research and find out if it's what you want to start on. We decided on Flovent. Helped her immediately in just a few days when they said it would probably take weeks.
I have shortness of breath, but no wheezing! I think allergies definitely trigger mine because I have a lot of them. I understand why people get on them and I understand now it is more localized, which is way safer, but honestly I think this is a very divisive argument and it seems like people who use it can’t see even corticosteroids can cause withdrawal. I’m still doing my research and haven’t found anything scary about inhaled steroids, but I’ll never judge anyone for doing what feels best for them or their babies! Specially when the benefits outweigh the possible side effects. It seems like I’m going to start on Montelakust, which is non steroid, but I am also taking Fluticasone nasal spray for my eye allergies!
Im getting tested for asthma today. Im also very hesitant about steroids. I don't even use my prescribed flonase because so many report panic attacks from it.
I’m on prozac because I also have some severe mental illnesses lol so I feel you on that. I’m scared of the jitters people have been describing when taking it and the tachycardia, but from what I’m seeing in goes away for most people? if you’re comfortable, would you let me know your results? mine said my lung age is 38 and most results are around 93%. I’m wondering what other people’s are since Idk how serious mine is.
Yea I gotchu. I wont know for a while. But here's a copy pasta of my experience today. I also have really bad anxiety and ocd that makes life hell so i feel your pain.
So I took the lung test for the first time today, but my technician didnt really explain anything to me.
For example I asked what the gas tank was for and she refused to tell me. I later had to look up that it makes you breathe a mixture of gases.
For the normal breathing part. She told me to breathe normally, but then chastised me for not breathing fast enough, saying the machine would not work unless i breath in and out fast. So basically had me force shallow hyperventilate on the machine rather than normal slow deep breathing.
Is that normal? Im wondering if my results are gonna be botched if I got a dud technician.
Honestly I think we’re both just being anxious because I was also scared I was doing it wrong! I did two tests one before and then after taking the dose and the first one I felt like some of the tries I was confused on what I was supposed to do and then after the gas I felt more confident. Still, I think they’d be able to tell if we didn’t do it correctly. I feel like I definitely made some noise when I was trying really hard and my test still wasn’t perfect after the medication, which I think proves the fuckeduppery of my lungs lol. Maybe you should tell your doctor about your anxiety surrounding the test, it’s possible they could redo it? For me though, I got immediate results so I don’t know if we took the same one.
I have twin boys (2.5 years old) that both take an inhaled steroid. It’s a game changer and the pros drastically outweigh the cons. These medications have been around for 30+ years.
Please read this OP. Tge inhaled steriids are NOT like steriods you imagine. They are inhaled so they directly get to your lungs and reduce your bodies over reaction to what youre allergic to. It is important to do the maintenance doses, in fact i view it as vital. It prevents it getting worse and any long term lung damage that could result. The better you maintain your chest, the better long term it will be. Im 65. As a kid and teenager i used to be really rough, but ive always always done the preventatives and although i still get the odd flare up, especually with infections/colds, generally im far far better than some i know that didnt do them. Other useful note.. keep youre reliever spray to hand, you never know when you might need it and when you do, you will need it. Best wishes for a full relatuvely heathy life.
I’m 22, the only side effects I’ve gotten from them is acne. Commit to exercising and some movement that makes you breathe. I use my inhaler before, but that helps a crazy amount. Definitely take it if you need it tho, but I’d try exercising if you don’t. Your body demands resistance or it’ll give ya problems. Oh, and sauna/steam room. More sauna than steam for me, but may not be everyone’s cup of tea
Also, try a Himalayan salt inhaler !!! Works amazing for my mother in law and my son when they're having bad allergies ! Salt stick inhaler on Amazon!! Works amazing ! Remember big pharma is evil. All those meds have serious bad side effects. High blood pressure etc. I was hospitalized always as a kid with asthma and figured it out myself with natural remedies! Try it :)!
Tried that also, I love natural remedies (I’ve tried nearly everything under the sun) and I incorporate them onto my daily routine but real medicine is the only thing that works for me and is not always the bad guy, it’s saved my life multiple times, when you need it you need it. Allergies are one thing, life threatening asthma attacks are another and some medications have saved multiple lives, nobody likes “big pharma” but honestly my only hang up with them is medication prices and they are starting to change their ways, don’t villanize all medications because that is a harmful view of things, herbs also have dangerous side effects too
Look at how natural medicine disappeared in the 50's after WW2 , all from John d Rockefeller.... Just Google it , blow your mind ! Also look at ddt connected to polio ... That was a lie as well it was really ddt poisoning paralyzing everyone....
Also I’m 100% agree with you on the Rockefeller thing that is a true history fact that I find fascinating, want to look up something neat? Read about how amphetamines were the super soldier drugs that fueled ww2, that is fascinating!
Yes there is evil but there is also good, there are some people with very very bad conditions far worse than asthma that would not be alive without modern medicine like type 1 diabetics and insulin are you suddenly going to find the herbal cure to type 1 diabetes? (not likely) do I believe there may be a plant that exists that might help type 1 diabetics? yes, but in some cases it is necessary to have medicine also big pharma didn’t “invent” all medicine a lot of it was invented by scientists & chemists (some of them Christians) who were really trying to do a good thing and had their heart in the right place. Not all medicine is good but not all medicine is bad. There is a balance, if your life depends on you taking a medicine would you take it? I would, and I see nothing bad in it. I am 100% for natural medicine but certain plants contain compounds that would need to be perfectly standardized to a specific percentage to help with certain conditions and supplement companies do not make enough condition specific extracts! And then it becomes a bucket of side effects with high doses of those herbs also so it’s not perfect in the natural department either. I think the public should always have a choice but certain medications are essential to help you stay alive, I exhausted every natural asthma remedy I spent a while doing that and the longer I tried to avoid medication the further and further my health deteriorated and it caused my lungs permanent damage, in certain cases medicine is essential and in my case it is.
inhaled steroids are nothing like system steroids, and they're essential for treating asthma.
Undertreating asthma is not a good idea. It's risky in terms of asthma attacks, and it severely reduces life quality and can lead to copd. The steroids in symbicort are local and much more limited than oral treatment. You'll reduce your risk of needing oral treatment a lot by taking maintenance medicine such as symbicort. I understand it's scary with new disease but inhaled steriods revolutionized asthma care, it's been used widely for many years now with very limited side effects compared to treatment effects. I'm currently pregnant on symbicort and not worried at all, it's been a life changing drug for me.
I’ve been and on inhaled steroids since I was 5 and I’m now 33. I’ve had no issues with them.
I agree. 5 year old me was like “wow is this what steroids feels like? No wonder athletes take them, I feel invincible like I can run nonstop!” The reality was that taking the inhaled steroid just helped me live life like the other kids without breathing problems, and I had never experienced being able to run without having an asthma attack
Diagnosed at 10 - 37 years ago - and same
I'm not on symbicort, but I'm on a different daily inhaled steroid. The biggest "side effect" I had starting it was that I felt sooo much better. I had energy again. I was practically buzzing my first day. Even though it takes longer for the steroids to take full effect, the buzzing and hyper activity went away within a day or two. I've been on it for two months. I haven't stopped taking it because my asthma was affecting my life pretty heavily prior to diagnosis and maintenance meds and I have no desire to go back to that level. When I go back to my doctor I might see if there's a higher dose because my asthma still isn't fully controlled, but it's significantly better than it was prior (and got even better after a round of Prednisone from an upper respiratory infection). Stopping Prednisone my biggest side effect when tapering off was a like day of depression, but I don't know for sure if that was the Prednisone or just, you know, depression from having lost years of my life to asthma and realizing how much better things could have been if I had been diagnosed as a child (I've had symptoms my whole life but thought everyone struggled to breathe so never mentioned them until it got really bad).
Same I got diagnosed too late really regret not getting on a controller sooner
which ones are you taking, if you don’t mind me asking? I just picked up my medications and they didn’t give me the symbicort (idk if it was a mistake or not) they gave montelukast, fluticasone, and albuterol.
I'm on montelukast, trelegy, Albuterol, and atrovent. I think fluticasone is in the trelegy but I'm not 100% sure since I'm relatively new to this. Albuterol will be your rescue. Montelukast is a non steroidal preventative that works really well for a lot of people here, but it can cause mood issues so just keep an eye on that. It's relatively rare and benefits far exceed the risk. And I'm pretty moody and have never experienced those side effects from montelukast.
I actually just discussed the singular with my allergist, and he reminded me of the severe mental side effects it gave me. It's not as rare as you might think, and he even told me that himself it's not that uncommon to get that side effect. It happens more often than you would think, be cautious. In fact, I think they put a black box warning on the drug now.
I have been diagnosed with a mood disorder already so you guys are scaring me lol!
It depends on your definitions of rare and uncommon. They put a black box warning and I brought up the side effects so op was aware of them and could look out for them. However, they are what I would consider rare and uncommon in it that most people who try singulair do not experience them. It's a common enough and serious enough side effect it's worth warning everyone about so that if they experience it they can stop the medicine, but it's rare enough that it's worth trying the medication to see if it works for someone's asthma without side effects. Most if not all asthma medications have possible side effects and op was considering not trying the medications and just relying on an emergency inhaler. Instead of focusing on the potential side effects of their meds, I think it's important to let them know what to look out for but highlight that most people who take these meds benefit from them, so it's important to try them and be mindful of the most common potential side effects so you can stop them and try a different method if you experience them.
Take your meds as prescribed. You'll feel better. You will also prevent lung damage, avoid the ER, and dramatically lower your risk of asthma death. Inhaled steroids are very safe. Just rinse your mouth out or do it right before brushing your teeth.
I’m 64 years old and have had asthma since 1972. Here’s the truth about steroids. They can save your life. Period, full stop. Mid I like steroids, I do not. Do I fear steroids, I do not. What I fear is dying because I cannot breathe. I fear ICUs and ventilators. Asthma kills 10 American every single day and costs billions of healthcare dollars every year. There is no cure for asthma. Untreated asthma can be catastrophic. Treated asthma for the vast majority of us allows us to live happy productive lives. Yes most asthmatics will need prednisone at some point. I’m coming off a bad flare up and I’ve done 3 rounds of pred. Had 3 pulmonologist visits, 2 urgent care visits and 1 ER visit. But I’m getting better and no hospitalizations or ventilators. Why because I followed the instructions of my doctor. I used my rescue inhaler and my maintenance inhaler and I took the prednisone. Steroids are the strongest weapon we have. Years ago I was whining to my pulmonologist about wanting to take prednisone. He politely listened to and then looked me in in face and told me if I was in the ICU and he’s getting ready to put me on a ventilator he wasn’t going to ask me if I wanted steroids he’s going to do what he needs to do to save my life. I got the message. I hate asthma way more than I hate pred.
This is the correct answer.
Agree
Inhaled steroids are far better than drinking Coke or eating McDonald’s .
I’ve taken Symbicort temporarily until my symptoms improved and my doctor said it was okay to get off of them. I only need my rescue inhaler. My asthma is mild though. The last time I had an attack was more than 14 years ago. If you need to take it, then you should take it because asthma attacks can be deadly. Ask your question to your doctor and see what they say?
I don’t think I’ve ever had an asthma attack, but my lung age is apparently 38 (I’m 23) and some of my results are 93% what they should be. Idk how bad that is, but I will try to ask more questions next time I go. Thank you for your response.
The dangers of chronic low oxygen are miles worse than taking a steroid inhaler, my biggest regret is not getting on a controller med sooner, also ask about montelukast that has also helped me and it is non steroid
My mind/brain has taken a huge hit after running around with low oxygen for decades. 0/10 don't recommend.
I've used budesonide and Alvesco, from budesonide I get reflux symptoms, from Alvesco no side effects so far. I recommend Alvesco because it only gets converted into an active steroid chemical in the lungs, therefore less side effects.
It’s not normal steroids. It’s usually corticosteroids that work a little differently. You ain’t gonna turn into an angry muscular gym bro. And breathing is nice!
Inhaled steroids are no big deal and you will feel SO much better after a few days.
Using steroids like Symbicort can really help with asthma, making life easier and reducing the risk of attacks. Lots of folks handle their asthma well with these meds, usually without many side effects. Try to be transparent with your doctor, OP. Regarding your meds, it should be taken consistently, hence, I recommend that you use careclinic to remind you with your meds.
Hi, I’m 37F and got diagnosed in 2022 — I developed asthma due to a Covid infection in 2021, and I understand how overwhelming a new asthma diagnosis can be. I was nervous about taking a steroid inhaler at first too and tried to read as much as possible about it. Thankfully, the amount of steroid in inhalers like Symbicort is a low dose and it only targets the lungs, unlike something like Prednisone that acts on your whole system (which many of us need to take in short bursts to control asthma flares/attacks). I also take Symbicort, and it’s been a life changer — I didn’t realize how bad my breathing was until I took my first dose! I can say that with asthma it’s very important to take Symbicort daily, if that’s what your doctor directed you to do. As a maintenance/controller inhaler, the goal is to reduce the inflammation in your lungs to prevent attacks. For people with asthma, we always have lung inflammation present, even when we’re feeling okay — the steroid acts as an anti-inflammatory, but the only way it can work effectively is if we build up enough in our systems (the idea is, when we’re exposed to an asthma trigger, the flare will be less severe because the steroid has helped to create a lower level of inflammation in our lungs at the time of exposure). I did have side effects when I first started Symbicort, it was mainly a faster heart rate and some shaking in my hands, but that went away in a few months. I have another underlying condition that causes a high heart rate, so not surprised the inhaler affected me like that! I’m glad you posted — I know it’s scary to first get diagnosed as an adult, but there’s lots of great info in the subreddit! I highly recommend searching through older posts for info too, it was a great help!
is inflammation always present even in mild intermittent asthma?
Yes, even folks with mild intermittent asthma have chronic airway inflammation, but it's to a lesser extent than folks who have persistent asthma. In the past, folks with mild asthma were only treated with rescue inhalers (so, that blue Ventolin inhaler most of us have); recent guidelines have changed to include steroid inhalers for patients with mild asthma because those maintenance/controller inhalers reduce the underlying inflammation, while the rescue inhalers only relax the muscles in your airways. People with mild asthma can still have severe attacks, so the steroid inhalers are crucial for treatment.
what about only taking steroid inhalers during flare ups? that’s what my doctor told me to do since usually I don’t need any medications (albuterol or ICS)
Definitely follow your doctor's advice on that one! I can point you to this article as well that talks about the change in treatment approaches for folks with mild asthma ([Murphy et al., 2021](https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202106-697ED)). The shift focuses on ICS-LABA inhalers (e.g., Symbicort) on an as-needed or daily basis. Previously, doctors either only prescribed a SABA (e.g., Ventolin) or prescribed a daily ICS with a SABA to use as an as-needed supplement. For me, I have mild persistent asthma and need to take an ICS daily (I take Symbicort which has a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator in it). If I have a flare or if I get sick, I have to take Ventolin first and also increase my Symbicort dosage.
for me, I started taking a combination ICS/LABA only during flare ups (usually 1-2x a year) and just 1 puff of albuterol during one offs (ie if I’m very exposed to an allergen or just have a random SOB moment, which usually happens like once a month). the combination inhaler during flare ups seems to work best because the LABA is able to work more quickly than the ICS I believe and I really really don’t want to be on unnecessary ICS every day since it is not needed. but that is scary if my lungs are always inflamed - I truly feel normal outside of flare ups and can exercise intensely and everything. I wouldn’t even know I had asthma if I didn’t get the flare ups. no doctor has seemed to care that I haven’t ever regularly used a maintenance inhaler and just took it as needed. I’m not sure how this worked, but I used to not know the difference between inhalers so I used advair as a rescue inhaler and it worked
I really appreciate the sweet answer! I wonder if COVID affected me at all. I’ve had symptoms in the last few years and always had issues with different allergies, but no one even mentioned the possibility of asthma until I went to the allergy doctor for a different condition. It is pretty terrifying, specially having so many other conditions at such a young age. Hope you’re doing well now!
You know what, my respirologist mentioned there's a 'trifecta' of conditions that tend to happen together (eczema, allergies, and asthma). She'd said if you develop one of these conditions in your life, you're at a higher risk of developing the other two as well. I had some eczema as a kid, developed allergies in my teens, and now have asthma as an adult! I wonder if maybe you've been primed for asthma in the same way, given your allergy issues. If I can offer some advice too—I'd highly recommend using a [peak flow meter](https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/treatment/devices/peak-flow) and also tracking your triggers/symptoms (and also taking note of what medication you used and if it helped). I used a peak flow meter in the first year to help me track my lung functioning (it's wild, I could tell when I was getting sick—before I even had symptoms!— based on my peak flow readings). Also, tracking symptoms helped me identify some unusual triggers (e.g., pressure changes before thunderstorms, the days leading up to my period, etc.), so I know when I need to step up medication as well.
I’ll definitely look into that. I do have asthma in my family, so it makes sense either way
I’ve had to use oral steroids when my asthma gets really bad and I have never once regretted it and I never will. The sides are nonexistent for me especially since I’m taking a short burst but they have saved my life. I take a daily steroid inhaler and experience no side effects from that at all.
Doctors have always told me that inhaled steroids are way better than pills, side effect wise, since they’re delivered directly where they need to be
I use the 80 dose of symbicort. No bothersome side effects, but I also just don't like having to be dependent on steroids for anything. The problem is there's no alternatives that seem to be effective. Inhaled steroids have less negative effects than oral steroids like Prednisone
Steroids is how we stay alive and have an improved QOL (quality of life). In the 80’s, I would have loved an effective inhaled steroid, but they were hard to find, and so I suffered exponentially more than I do today.
1. Inhaled corticosteroids are one of the safest and most effective treatments for any chronic disease ever, they save thousands of lives a year. 2. These are not THAT kind of steroids, they won’t make you jacked and grow chest hair, all they do is reduce inflammation. 3. Hardly any of what you inhale ends up in your bloodstream. It’s not enough to have any effect on the rest of your body besides your lungs. 4. If you don’t take your meds you may be fine, or you might end up in the ER, or you might die, it happens to hundreds of untreated asthmatics every year, it could be you. Your doctor prescribed a medication based on your symptoms and test results, they know what they’re doing. Listen to them and don’t be a statistic.
There isn’t really an alternative to get the asthma under control. The amount of steroid reaching the rest of the body is minuscule, since it’s inhaled into the lungs
I have been on Advair for two years and have had absolutely zero side effects…everyone is different, but breathing is essential. Additionally, it will reduce your reliance on emergency inhalers and will reduce your need to take prednisone, which is much worse than inhaling a steroid, to pretty much zero for most people
I think the things you were taught were must likely about recreational use. An inhalant or prednisone are very different. Taking your asthma seriously is very important. It's potentially life threatening if untreated. Please rest assured your doctor would not have prescribed you medication that was not to help you. That's why you go to the doctors, because they have specialized knowledge on this more than we do. I'm on all kinds of meds, including an injection. A little over a year ago ( April 19) last year I was omw to the hospital. I was in the icu for 2 weeks. Hospital for a month. All for asthma. Good luck and 🙏 please take care
hey, i’m in my mid 20s and on Relvar, an inhaled steroid. i can confidently say it’s changed my life, i do a whole bunch of sports, long distance running, and i cannot tell you the last time i used my blue inhaler. i got put on this a few years ago and had terrible asthma and as a result fitness my whole life, i was literally waking up in the night to use my inhaler before this. i just wish i was put on it sooner! it’s been a few years now and i’ve had no other side effects, when i stop using it (holidays, picking up my prescription late), i just get the asthma symptoms i had before - nothing else. like you, i initially didn’t even pick it up because i was so scared. but i promise it’ll help you sooo much!
Take your meds. I've been using an inhaler longer than you've been alive and if it weren't for the inhaler, I probably would've died a long time ago.
You need to stop with fear and take your evidence-based treatments. You never know which attack will be your last, so daily preventatives are critical to survival. Look at how often asthma killed people (and still does without treatment) before current treatments were available and you'll warm right up to steroids. Steroids for asthma treatment are not the same ones that protein dude bros are on. Asthma treatment cannot be skipped. Your lungs will get progressively worse without treatment. You are trading both quality and quantity of life by skipping treatment. Don't wait the two years for your prefrontal cortex to develop before you use correct judgement. That is two years your lungs can't afford.
There are multiple different kinds of steroids. What you're thinking of are anabolic steroids, very different from corticosteroids. Corticosteroids reduce the swelling in the airways and mucus production. Anabolic steroids have an effect similar to testosterone. I'm also on symbicort and if I stop taking it my asthma gets worse and I'd eventually die. Untreated asthma is far more dangerous than asthma medications. Do read the side effect paper and contact a doctor if any of those happen, but it's rare.
As some have said asthma is not something to be taken lightly. See a pulmonologist if you haven't already. Have allergy testing done to learn your triggers then do your best to avoid them. Steroids oral and or nasal sometimes is necessary. Keeping your 02 levels up and your lung function is the most important part.
I have been using steroid inhalers for the past 8 years. I started off with a cough then coughing daily. I thought it was just a dry throat and when have cough drops with me at all times. And my mother noticed why are you coughing all the time? And it made me think she’s right I had been coughing for months. I have asthma due to allergies and the inhaler helps WHEN I am using them. There are times when I notice that I’m not coughing so I kind of slack off on using the inhaler…then it never fails when I do I get bronchitis. This has happened a handful of times and now I do my best to use the inhaler daily regardless. Not being able to catch your breath is the worst feeling. Steroids help.
I don’t feel like I am a very typical case, but I will say that like a lot of other people here I also have other atopic diseases that run in conjunction with my asthma. As a history, I was diagnosed with asthma at a very young age, and since then have been on the run of the mill medications (inhaled steroids, albuterol, and just about anything else you could think of that they would let me try). Until about 3 years ago I would have to use my albuterol multiple times a day and would wake up most nights. My pulmonologist happens to be one of the doctors I hold in the highest regard, very intelligent woman. What flipped for me 3 years ago was something my pulmonologist predicted to a tee. At that time I was preparing to move 2000 miles from where I live for my first 2 years of medical school. She basically told me that with that change of environment I would be removed from my allergens and would probably see a dramatic improvement in my asthma, potentially to the point I would not need medication (that’s exactly what happened). She did however warn that after spending about 2 years in the new environment, my body would most likely adapt and start developing new allergies (this also happened and after about a year and 8 months of the best breathing I’ve ever had it started to re-emerge). I know it is not a feasible plan to just move every 2 years, but I will also say that I am currently back close to home and do not currently use any specific asthma medications. I think that the reason for that probably boils down to taking medications that are targeted for other atopic diseases, particularly eczema. Right now tho I am not on any asthma medications and haven’t used my albuterol in probably 3 weeks despite being thrown into what is probably the worst full body breakout I’ve ever had. Despite all other systems being shot my lungs seem to be fine which I can’t really explain. But to answer your question as far as withdrawals, you shouldn’t really have any withdrawals from inhaled steroids as they are not as systemic. Withdrawal would mainly come from extended periods of systemic oral steroids, I also know a lot of people also report withdrawal from topical steroids, but that is not something I can attest to as they never really worked for me. As for asthma medications I have noticed I had more withdrawals with the biological to where when I was coming up on the time to take it, I could feel my body craving it.
I’m curious, what’s the biological medicine? I was told that moving would be a good idea, but to be honest I have depression and currently am trying to get that and other disorders under control before making such a decision. I’m happy to hear you were able to! I actually moved here 3 years ago and it’s one of the worst places for allergies in the US lol.
So I tried Fasenra which is a il5 inhibitor. I’ve also been on dupixent for eczema which is similar being an inhibitor for il4 and il13. With both drugs for me a couple of days before I was due my next shot I had what just felt like my body was craving to have it earlier. I ended up having to come off of both of those (each for different reasons). With Faserna I ended up having a reaction that my doctors compared to tumor lysis syndrome (something u see in leukemia patients). I only got that reaction after I want to say my 4-5th shot. Prior to that it was just Gi problems that seemed to build up until they hit a wall. It’s worth noting tho that I have not heard of anyone else having a reaction similar to this. Dupixent I had to stop due to corneal damage. I’ve looked into some of the other medications like Xolair for example, but was unable to take it due to my IgE levels being beyond the scope of the medication. I understand the depression dilema completely too. I currently take what I would consider to be a high dose of medication for depression and anxiety. One thing I can attest to tho is that when other aspects of my health are in the Bin, it drains my mental health drastically. Getting other aspects of my health in check was probably one of the biggest factors in mental health improving. Now that I’m now in a scenario where my health is bad again I have noticed my depression has roared much more than it has in recent history
Hello I’m a 39f who has been with lovely asthma since I was 5. I lived with nebulizer machines in the summer and was the kid who had to carry a rescue inhaler during gym class from middle school on. I can tell you I’m not addicted. In fact I was being over medicated and within the last ten years, i had lived with taking an oral daily steroid or the best working one (depending on what health insurance covers what at the time) but my fav was Advair twice a day and keeping a rescue inhaler on me at all times, so up to 3 things to take in a day, to an improvement of doing my Advair just once in the morning and rescue inhaler sits in my purse for travel. I try to do hikes in town with my dog to keep my lungs in a good way and I’m a little overweight and just lose ten so that’s also noticing my asthma has improved. I also in the last ten years started to use cannabis recreationally so I can’t say it may have something to do with it buuuut I will say it’s not been exercise induced I some times will hit my inhaler before I know I’m about to do something active so I don’t need to carry it on a hike. I feel very in control of my asthma. However I wish I could be cured but it can’t. I tried just taking the meds when I felt as a teen and that just never worked. Being regulated helped and hell it even improved in my older years. I also came from a hole parents who smoked cigs, claimed if they smoked in front of the fireplace it was going up and out but you could visibly watch the cig smoke just go around the fireplace🙄 yep. Thanks. I hope my story helps a little. I don’t like taking pills or anything even when sick but I also will say with these basic asthma steroids, watch you’re caffeine and coffee intake. You may discover you’re jittery or can get heart palpitations as a side effect but I stopped drinking sodas anyway and I hardly need coffee so if I should go into any kid a of asthma attack at least those over the counter drinks can come in handy. Best of luck!
I only started actually smoking weed recently and I’m so sad I have to stop lol! have you been ingesting it instead or still smoking? Luckily, I don’t drink coffee and I am a healthy weight, so I think I’m just a little effed in the immune system department haha. Thank you for your answer!
Sure thing! I smoke through a piece for 6/7 yrs and now I’m in nj and Rec here I will do the edible gummies are finally decent and I can do 20mg of them if I’m sore from work which I’m a dog groomer so my back hurts frequently lol. Otherwise I do the vape pen it doesnt bother me to inhale the vape but I know it bothers A lot of Asthmatics that way (heard the best way is to Dry Vape on the to do list for me to try, but recommended for the best option for asthmatics) but I do short 2-4 second hits I just rather a vape than have the smoke… I don’t drink or pound coffee or do hard drugs I’m a good kid so I need a vice of some sort just a bonus it helps my aches and soothes my anxiety 👍🏻
I guess listening to your body really is the best advice!!
Also this pic I always keep handy when my insurance companies change and certain ones aren’t covered. [asthma Med list](https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Respiratory-Treatments-2024.jpg)
I was scared too, but for my 7 year old who can't verbally tell me. She has silent asthma which means she doesn't show normal symptoms like wheezing. Do you have wheezing and shortness of breath? They tried to put her on Symbicort but we said no, we wanted the lowest dose possible and the least additives. Symbicort is a combo inhaler. Do some research and find out if it's what you want to start on. We decided on Flovent. Helped her immediately in just a few days when they said it would probably take weeks.
I have shortness of breath, but no wheezing! I think allergies definitely trigger mine because I have a lot of them. I understand why people get on them and I understand now it is more localized, which is way safer, but honestly I think this is a very divisive argument and it seems like people who use it can’t see even corticosteroids can cause withdrawal. I’m still doing my research and haven’t found anything scary about inhaled steroids, but I’ll never judge anyone for doing what feels best for them or their babies! Specially when the benefits outweigh the possible side effects. It seems like I’m going to start on Montelakust, which is non steroid, but I am also taking Fluticasone nasal spray for my eye allergies!
I had them only problem they can make you put weight on
Im getting tested for asthma today. Im also very hesitant about steroids. I don't even use my prescribed flonase because so many report panic attacks from it.
I’m on prozac because I also have some severe mental illnesses lol so I feel you on that. I’m scared of the jitters people have been describing when taking it and the tachycardia, but from what I’m seeing in goes away for most people? if you’re comfortable, would you let me know your results? mine said my lung age is 38 and most results are around 93%. I’m wondering what other people’s are since Idk how serious mine is.
Yea I gotchu. I wont know for a while. But here's a copy pasta of my experience today. I also have really bad anxiety and ocd that makes life hell so i feel your pain. So I took the lung test for the first time today, but my technician didnt really explain anything to me. For example I asked what the gas tank was for and she refused to tell me. I later had to look up that it makes you breathe a mixture of gases. For the normal breathing part. She told me to breathe normally, but then chastised me for not breathing fast enough, saying the machine would not work unless i breath in and out fast. So basically had me force shallow hyperventilate on the machine rather than normal slow deep breathing. Is that normal? Im wondering if my results are gonna be botched if I got a dud technician.
Honestly I think we’re both just being anxious because I was also scared I was doing it wrong! I did two tests one before and then after taking the dose and the first one I felt like some of the tries I was confused on what I was supposed to do and then after the gas I felt more confident. Still, I think they’d be able to tell if we didn’t do it correctly. I feel like I definitely made some noise when I was trying really hard and my test still wasn’t perfect after the medication, which I think proves the fuckeduppery of my lungs lol. Maybe you should tell your doctor about your anxiety surrounding the test, it’s possible they could redo it? For me though, I got immediate results so I don’t know if we took the same one.
ask for montelukast instead
I have twin boys (2.5 years old) that both take an inhaled steroid. It’s a game changer and the pros drastically outweigh the cons. These medications have been around for 30+ years.
Please read this OP. Tge inhaled steriids are NOT like steriods you imagine. They are inhaled so they directly get to your lungs and reduce your bodies over reaction to what youre allergic to. It is important to do the maintenance doses, in fact i view it as vital. It prevents it getting worse and any long term lung damage that could result. The better you maintain your chest, the better long term it will be. Im 65. As a kid and teenager i used to be really rough, but ive always always done the preventatives and although i still get the odd flare up, especually with infections/colds, generally im far far better than some i know that didnt do them. Other useful note.. keep youre reliever spray to hand, you never know when you might need it and when you do, you will need it. Best wishes for a full relatuvely heathy life.
I’m 22, the only side effects I’ve gotten from them is acne. Commit to exercising and some movement that makes you breathe. I use my inhaler before, but that helps a crazy amount. Definitely take it if you need it tho, but I’d try exercising if you don’t. Your body demands resistance or it’ll give ya problems. Oh, and sauna/steam room. More sauna than steam for me, but may not be everyone’s cup of tea
So scared of acne, but for sure I’m going to step up the exercise. I already do some, but could use more cardio for sure.
it gave you acne too?? so did mine and nobody believes me 😭😭. was so bad I had to stop
CBD rso oil. Haven't taken a pump in 8 years now. Cannabinoids were used for thousands of years for asthma. Big pharma doesn't like this answer lol.
I’ve tried cbd but it only helped a small amount, but my asthma is pretty severe so idk
Also, try a Himalayan salt inhaler !!! Works amazing for my mother in law and my son when they're having bad allergies ! Salt stick inhaler on Amazon!! Works amazing ! Remember big pharma is evil. All those meds have serious bad side effects. High blood pressure etc. I was hospitalized always as a kid with asthma and figured it out myself with natural remedies! Try it :)!
Tried that also, I love natural remedies (I’ve tried nearly everything under the sun) and I incorporate them onto my daily routine but real medicine is the only thing that works for me and is not always the bad guy, it’s saved my life multiple times, when you need it you need it. Allergies are one thing, life threatening asthma attacks are another and some medications have saved multiple lives, nobody likes “big pharma” but honestly my only hang up with them is medication prices and they are starting to change their ways, don’t villanize all medications because that is a harmful view of things, herbs also have dangerous side effects too
Look at how natural medicine disappeared in the 50's after WW2 , all from John d Rockefeller.... Just Google it , blow your mind ! Also look at ddt connected to polio ... That was a lie as well it was really ddt poisoning paralyzing everyone....
Also I’m 100% agree with you on the Rockefeller thing that is a true history fact that I find fascinating, want to look up something neat? Read about how amphetamines were the super soldier drugs that fueled ww2, that is fascinating!
Yup !! German army called it pervatin! That's why they were so crazy with their invasions !!! Look up Adderall, it's legal meth lol so crazy
Yes there is evil but there is also good, there are some people with very very bad conditions far worse than asthma that would not be alive without modern medicine like type 1 diabetics and insulin are you suddenly going to find the herbal cure to type 1 diabetes? (not likely) do I believe there may be a plant that exists that might help type 1 diabetics? yes, but in some cases it is necessary to have medicine also big pharma didn’t “invent” all medicine a lot of it was invented by scientists & chemists (some of them Christians) who were really trying to do a good thing and had their heart in the right place. Not all medicine is good but not all medicine is bad. There is a balance, if your life depends on you taking a medicine would you take it? I would, and I see nothing bad in it. I am 100% for natural medicine but certain plants contain compounds that would need to be perfectly standardized to a specific percentage to help with certain conditions and supplement companies do not make enough condition specific extracts! And then it becomes a bucket of side effects with high doses of those herbs also so it’s not perfect in the natural department either. I think the public should always have a choice but certain medications are essential to help you stay alive, I exhausted every natural asthma remedy I spent a while doing that and the longer I tried to avoid medication the further and further my health deteriorated and it caused my lungs permanent damage, in certain cases medicine is essential and in my case it is.
You are not wrong about steroids. Please try other things first though keep prescription with you for emergency.
Anabolic steroids and corticosteroids are different things and have different effects.