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Restrictive Lung Function - Steroid inhaled dependent??

Can frequest use of  anti inflammatory (such as Flovent) inhalers cause you to become:
1. More dependent on them after a while.
2. Make your symptoms worse
3. Make you feel the need to use it more frequently to relieve symptoms (chest tightness)

as does with over the counter medicated nasal inhalers or oral steroids
Because I am started to feel this is the case
Does anyone else experience this?

Perhaps I have become dependent on Flovent inhaler
If so how do I reverse this?
The chest tightness and rib cage achiness is horrible but that
7 Responses
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Avatar universal
In response to minolta's post on 11/18/06,this is essentially a perfect picture of the problems that I have! I pray for you and wish that I could say something to help you.If I should be lucky enough to find a possible answer I will certainly post it.Sometimes it seems that whatever my doctor gives me will help for maybe a short time,then its right back to square one! May God protect and comfort you.
Helpful - 0
251132 tn?1198078822
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
People do not become more dependent on inhaled steroids.  However, increasing inflammation may make you feel the need to use an inhaled steroid more frequently to relieve your chest tightness.  This usually means your disease state is getting worse and not due to using an inhaled steroid.  The inhaled steroid would not make your symptoms worse unless you are allergic to an ingredient.  Dependence on inhaled steroids does not exist.  Flovent
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Avatar universal
Sounds like you need an x-ray or CT scan of your chest.
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Avatar universal
Wow, that is a lot.  EMPHASEMIA is also caused by a genetic defect in a gene which is inherited and is not caused by smoking although I do not think you have COPD.  It sounds like the medications you are on do not work.  I am a littlr concerned you mention heart issues or feeling like fluid is around your hears and perhaps sahould be investigated.  You need to ask your doctor about Serevent ansd Pulmicourt. Those 2 medications can really help with chest tightness.  Acid reflux could also be causing you not only the chest pain but does get worse when you lay down as well as after you eat.  Acid Reflux also causes breathing problems since stomach acid leaks into the lungs.  If you do have Asthma, Acid Reflux can make it feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest.  Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Thank you both for your responses.
MY SYMPTOMS(SYMPTOMS
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No, steroids in my opinion are not addictive in the inhaled form.  Your inhaler is a form of steroids.  You could have chest tightness if you are not taking your in-haler correctly.  What I mean by correctly is that many people do not take inhalers right and as a result they do not get the much needed medication into their lungs and as a result your lungs get tight or remain tight.  A steroid inhaler only works if you take it for 2 weeks or longer to get the full affect.  If you are only taking it once in awhile, this is the wrong way to be taking it since it will not do you much good unless for some reason your doctor has told you not to take it everyday.  It sounds like your condition is not being controled.  Perhaps it may be time to try a new inhaler and ask your doctor if you are inhaling it right and if you need to take it everyday in order for it to be effective. Many epole do not know these little facts.  I had to find out the had way sevral doctors later.  Ask about pulmicourt and serevent.  These worked great for me with chest tightness and I no longer have these issues.  I was on your inhaler and it did not work so well for me.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Minolta;

Look at:

http://www.drugs.com/flovent.html

I have used an inhaled steroid almost constantly for about 20 years. If anything I find them easy to forget to take. In my opinion Salbutamol (Ventolin) is more psychologically addictive.

What are your symptoms?
Helpful - 0

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