inhaled vs. oral steriods

anonymous

New member
What does your physician recommend? Pulmocort, Advair, Singular, Flovent, or prednisone? If anyone has been taking an inhaled of any of the above mentioned could you please share info about your long term effects either postive or negative. Thanks!!!!
 

anonymous

New member
I've taken advair 500/50 for about a year and a half now. I think it helps me feel less shortness of breath. I take it twice a day (morning and night). At one time, I was getting thrush quite often from it (one of the side effects, so you MUST rinse your mouth out very very well after each use), so I switched to 250/50 dose, and that didn't seem to work for me at all. As far as the thrush side effect, I still get it once and awhile regardless of how well I rinse my mouth, but it usually only lasts a couple days.
Sonia
 

Emily65Roses

New member
I just started taking Advair on Tuesday. I'm on the 100/50 dose, and so far don't notice anything different. But I've only been on it for 5 days, so it hasn't been enough time to tell you anything valid. That was of no help, I'm sorry. Heh.
 

anonymous

New member
I started on Azmacort at 12, moved onto Flovent at 13 and stayed on that until switching to pulmicort at 18. I had slightly mroe side effects from Flovent than Pulmicort. I have NO side effects from pulmicort actually.

I was also on Prednisone for over a year and still use it in bursts and my docs have contributed that to why my lung function is still great. Of course the side effects from long term prednisone are bad and I don't reccomend it unless you are like me and have no choice
 

BaylorCrew07

New member
Im on advair and singulair. I'm glad someone mentioned the thrush because I get that ALL the time!! I think that's the only negative side effect that I have experienced. As far as their effectiveness, I can't really tell that they've done a whole lot, but I have been on them for years so I don't really remember what it was like when I wasn't on them.

Debra
 

anonymous

New member
Depends on exactly why you need the steriod. For strictly lung function, inhaled corticosteriods are prefered, if they do the job. You might have to try a high dose (like the Advair Diskus 500/50 or high-dose Flovent) if lower doses don't work for you. Also, Singulair is a nice alternative that works for asthma and seasonal allergies and doesn't come with the steriod side effects, like thrush (throat infection - rinse your mouth after using your inhaled steriod). However, Singulair is not a steriod and may not work for you - again, it depends on exactly what is causing the problem (CF vs asthma vs other allergens).

I would recommended trying an oral steriod LAST, if nothing else works. Long-term side effects of oral steriod therapy are terrible. Sometimes, however, that is all that will help and you have to manage some of the side effects (like lots of calcium and vitamin D for your bones, eye exams, etc). However, oral steriods tend to be pretty effective...

By the way, often times with inhaled steriods you won't notice a difference until a few months into therapy. They are not really a quick fix, but people tend to notice it makes them feel better after they've been on them for a while.

~Larissa~
 

Emily65Roses

New member
"Long-term side effects of oral steriod therapy are terrible."

Care to elaborate? I read the little packet that came with my Advair, but didn't read anything that was "terrible." Is there something I don't know? Please share. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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