Asthma Support Group

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

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MSM24 07/04/2009

First, I will give you a brief history. I was diagnosed with asthma a couple of months ago. I was originally put on advair and given proair to use as needed. After 2 wks, I wasnt feeling any better so I went back and then switched my advair for symbocort and also put me on accolate. On the new meds I started feeling better with in days and was starting to begin to feel normal again. Then after about three weeks I developed severe muscle pain all the time. So after a couple days my primary care sent me to ER and they couldnt find anything wrong, so they gave me muscle relaxers. After a week of pain, I went to my lung doctor and he said it was probably one of my meds so he would take me off them one at a time to see if it got better. So he put me back on the advair and took me off the symbocort.

Good news is I have been off the symbocort for only a few days and the muscle cramps are much much better. (Im not even having to take the muscle relaxors any more). The problem is my asthma. It is no longer under control. Im feeling the chest pressure again as bad as ever and I am wondering if they will ever get this all sorted out. I feel like I am back to square one (starting over on trying to control this).

Has anyone ever went through this and did they finally get it all sorted out? Any advise or support would be greatly appreciated.

Ohana 07/04/2009

I use 1 puff of Symbicort 160/4.5 at 6am and 6pm. I have fewer muscle cramps with this Symbicort dosage than I did doing 2 puffs every 12 hours of the lower dose. I have found that I can control the foot and leg cramps by adding a vitamin+mineral supplement to my diet. I tend to get cramps on days I do not drink enough water but half of a 4 oz Gatorade seems to stop the cramps for sleeping. My Asthma is considered brittle and severe....Symbicort is my only hope before moving to an invasive technique for control. I also use Combivent as my relief inhaler as opposed to ProAir. This combination works for me. Symbicort & Combivent inhalers are extremely expensive but affordable if ordered online through Canada.
Do you have a prescription to control allergies ? I became over sensitive to many things for months and months following a severe attack.
Wishing you luck with your situation, and remember .... keep your confidence.

deleted_user 07/05/2009

I suffer from leg pain and cramps too and NEVER equated it to Advair. Wow. You've given me something to think about. Ohana, wondering what vitamin and mineral supplement you take? I'm also intrigued by the Gatorade before bed. I will try this because now I've had an outbreak of plantar fasciitis and although they are 2 different conditions, I cannot get the thought out of my mind that they are related. Thinking specifically that my leg cramps and foot cramps cause repeated injury to the plantar fascia. Hmm. Well, my theory only. Meanwhile, I'm not doing well with exercise due to the pain and that further complicates both my asthma, my sleep and the whole 9 yards. Thanks for listening!

MSM24 07/05/2009

Yeah the advair doesn't affect me that way it was the Symbicort that did it. I was taking two puffs of the Symbocort 160/4.5.

I take Alavert over the counter. This controls my allergies. Thanks for your responses. Wish I would have came on here and gotten these suggestions before the doctor changed my meds.

do your ribs sometimes hurt after a really bad attack?

deleted_user 07/05/2009

Yes, my ribs hurt when I cough hard and repeatedly. I take Zyrec for my allergies and its over the counter, too. Also take Singulair (this has a new warning that it may cause psych problems but don't think I can blame my moodiness on it!!!).

Hang in there. Glad you found us now. It really helps to talk to others, doesn't it?

deleted_user 07/05/2009

I found the way to keep control of the asthma while minimizing the muscle cramps is to take 1500mg calcium, 2000 mg vit. D, and Potassium. I also make sure I get enough iron. I don't know why it works, but it does. Advair is a cortisone drug, so it is going to affect you with side effects similar to any cortisone drug - although usually less is absorbed directly from the inhalers than if you take an oral pill.

MSM24 07/05/2009

Thank you for the suggestions I am going to try vitamins. The weird thing is that the doctor didnt have any of these suggestions.

deleted_user 07/06/2009

MSM24,

Thanks for introducing muscle cramping. I attributed the muscle cramping to my workouts.
They have increased since I was diagnosed w/ Asthma, almost 2 yrs ago. I take Symbicort, 160/4.5 twice a day and never attributed it to the meds.

Hope you stabelize soon. As I've been learning, it is a complete trial and error path. Also I think those w/ Asthma will have more ideas, suggestions of what supplemental practices/tools will be helpful along the way. My triggers are ever changing and evolving so I've picked up a bigger tool box!

Positive vibes your way,
Luv2bike

Ohana 07/06/2009

I use the RiteAid brand central-Vite because it has lots of minerals too. Vit D3 is needed for our bodies to use calcium properly. I read a warning about too much Vit D causing vascular problems, so keep things balanced and in moderation.

deleted_user 04/20/2010

Most doctors won't tell you about all of these side effects. They're the wonderful things you discover after taking asthma drugs for a while. As for me, I take the only daily multivitamin made specifically for us. It contains all of the things you guys have mentioned in terms of Vitamins and more. I talked to my doctor about it and he said the dosages are all within safe levels and that he was impressed by the formulation. So far, I've felt my energy levels go up, I don't have cramping anymore, and I just feel HEALTHY. I know it's weird to say this with asthma, but I actually feel 100% healthy now. I still take all of my asthma medications - I don't believe that a supplement can cure my asthma, but BreatheFree Multivitamin has done wonders for my health. You guys might consider giving it a try.

deleted_user 05/09/2010

Hi -

I take Symbicort (250) X 2 puffs per day and I too began to experience leg and muscle cramps but only about 3 weeks ago after taking it for about 2.5 months. My doctor didn't attribute the cramps to the Symbicort. However, I am going to show her this thread. Thank you so much for the info. I also notice that I have less zest for things, not to th epoint of concerning but just less Zest.

You many also like to read this info.

I got much better after taking the right antibiotics-the right one is the key words. According to a well known doctor you can have a lung infection without fever, or yellow or green phlegm. The only symptoms can be increased cough and asthma.

Please read this information to further inform yourself. It may be right for you or may not be but at least you may be further informed.

http://www.asthmastory.com/

deleted_user 05/09/2010

Hello, I was diagnosed when I was 3 or 4 years old and have lived with it my entire life. It was chronic when I was diagnosed but is under much better control now. I take one 10mg Singular everyday and have an albuterol inhaler for when I have attacks. The singular is the key for me, if I go one day without it I get the constant chest pressure and problems breathing. I hope this helps and you get it under control! -HUGS-

deleted_user 05/10/2010

The Breathe Free vitamins, does it contain vitamin K. Just had a pulmonary embolism and am on coumadin, but have really bad cramps in my hands and feet. tried to cut the Advair, but I wound up with pneumonia, so Im back on the advair Take xopenex for rescue and maintenence as needed. Has been a rough year. Diagnosed with Asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia in January, bsack in the hospital with the same in March and back in for pulmonary embolism in April. Still home recuperating--Thinking retirement--Im a nurse.

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