Restrictive Lung Function - Steroid inhaled dependent??

[Minolta]

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’s what I take it for.
If flovent considered an inhaled steroid or similiar?


I know for a fact that over the counter medicated nasal inhalers work that way
In the beginning they work for nasal stuffyness but as time goes on within a week of usauge they actually:
1. Make you become more dependent on them (They should put a warning on the label)
2. Make your symptoms (stuffy nose) becomes worse & more frequent
3. & the medication stops working as good.

I am also aware that some people can become oral steroid dependent.
But what about inhaled steroid dependent?

[National Jewish]

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® Inhalation Aerosol (fluticasone propionate) is an inhaled steroid.

Inhaled steroids are totally different than over the counter medicines.  Over the counter nasal decongestant sprays can cause rebound nasal congestion, so it is recommended that they not be used more that 3 to 5 days.

Some people become dependent on oral steroids.  However this dependence is due to adrenal suppression and not from an increasing inflammatory process, as you have suggested.

[muckypup]

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?

[Jabber]

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.

[Minolta]

Thank you both for your responses.
MY SYMPTOMS(SYMPTOMS – 24 Hours A Day/Since June “05”)ARE:

1. ACHINESS/SORENESS/BRUISED FEELING IN CHEST & RIBCAGE AREA (ESPECIALLY BELOW BRA STRAP)

2. CONSTANT TIGHTNESS/PRESSURE/HEAVINESS IN THE CHEST, STERNUM, RIBCAGE AREA.
FEELS WORSE AFTER I EAT, WHEN I AM LAYING DOWN, OR WHEN I AM SEDITARY(SITTING FOR TOO LONG), OR IN BAD WEATHER,DURING STRESS.

3. NEED TO SLEEP PROPPED UP/SITTING UP/OR UP & FORWARD
TO SOMEWHAT LESSON THE TIGHTNESS & EASE BREATHING EVERY NIGHT
SINCE 6/05.

4. CONSTANT BREATHLESSNESS/SHALLOW BREATHING/CANT TAKE FULL BREATHS IN OR OUT.

5. CONSTANT FEELING LIKE I AM NOT GETTING ENOUGH OXYGEN
6. STOP BREATHING @ TIMES DURING SLEEP. WAKE UP STARTLED.
BECAUSE OF TIGHTNESS & RESTRICTION. LUNGS FEEL TIGHT LAXY, CANT MOVE THEM GOOD.
.
7. FEELING OF HEART RACING/PALPITATIONS @ TIMES
8. OCCASIONAL FEELING OF FLUID LIKE SENSATIONS AROUND HEART/LEFT CHEST AREA.
9. Occasional Wheezing

11. SHARP SHOOTING CRAMP LIKE PAINS IN CHEST/HEART AREA
TOOK NAPROCEN(ANTI-INFLAMMATORY)& IT WENT AWAY.
IT REALLY SCARED ME AT THE TIME AS IT LASTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK & 1/2 OR SO. BUT THE NAPROCEN MADE IT GO AWAY.

12. CHRONIC DRY STUFFY NOSE (CANT BREATH THROUGH NOSE)
XOLAIR IS HELPING THIS & MY HAND DERMATISIS(HAND ALLERGIC TO SHAMPOO).
YEA!!!!! AT LEAST SOMETHING IS WORKING FOR THIS AT LEAST.

I HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT HAS CAUSED MY ABOVE LUNG SYMPTOMS WHICH WERE OCCASIONAL (1 TO 2 EPISODES A YEAR)
TO BECOMING A LIFE TIME CHRONIC CONDITION (24 HRS DAY 2 YRS)
THAT IS NOT RESPONDING TO TREATMENT XOLAIR, SINGULAIR,BENEDRYL(REDUCES ALLERGY INFLAMATION (inflammation)), ANTI INFLAMATORY INHALERS, BRONCHODIALATORS). I FEEL LIKE MY LUNGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED/DAMAGED PERMANTLY.
FEEL LIKE THEIR IS SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED.

I NEVER SMOKED OR LIVED W/ONE
I DONT HAVE ANY HERIDITARY FACTORS.
UNLESS YOU COUNT JUST ONE CASE OF EMPHASEMIA IN MY FAMILY (GRANDFATHER) BUT HE SMOKED HEAVILY SO THATS WHY

MY ONLY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS ARE:
LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO CAT
BEING TREATED FOR IT WITH ABOVE MEDICATIONS.

I HAVE HAD EXPOSURE TO MOLD.
SOURCE OF IT WAS AIRCONDITIONER WHICH I CLEANED.
ALSO A LEAK IN BATHROOM. LANDLORD NEGLECTED TO FIX IT.
I FIXED THE LEAK. ALSO CLEANED/DISINFECTED WHAT I COULD WITH BLEACH. THAN PATCHED UP WITH CONCRETE, PLASTER, SPACKLE.

ALL 6 OF MY PULMONARY TESTS SAY I HAVE RESTRICTIVE LUNG FUNCTION WHICH, COULD BE AN INDICATION OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE/RESTRICTIVE LUNG DISEASE WITH THE CAUSE UNKOWN AT THIS TIME.


IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR OR SO & I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RELIEF.
I HAVE NOT FELT BACK TO THE WAY I WAS SINCE THIS ALL STARTED 6/05 WHEN IT BECAME CHRONIC.

[Jabber]

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.

[muckypup]

Sounds like you need an x-ray or CT scan of your chest.

[SUTRAQUIO]

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.