pms and sarcoidosis

have been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis for 10 years and have required prednisone treatment for 2 seaprate flares 1 year of treatment and 2 years respectivly. I have now been off prednisone for 1 1/2 years and genrally feel well.  I do have increased shortness of breath and mucus production the 1-2 days before my menstrual cycle.  I feel it all in my throat and into the bronchials but my lungs stay clear.  is this possibly related to sarcoid or I have heard of premenstrual asthma. My docs have always questioned the possibility of Asthma too but have been unsure because of the sarcoid. is there any thing i can do to help get through these days? it just really knocks me for a loop and I feel i can do anything these days.... thank you for any insight you may give.

[caregiver222]

You have my sympathies. Try to get your physician to prescribe an electrical albuterol inhaler to bring home for use in emergencies. You will never get entirely rid of the problem, but the generaly theory is to hit these attacks hard with prednisone for VERY short periods when they start, and then follow up with several days of albuterol sulfate from an electrical inhaler, and ipratropium bromide. Also, make sure you use an expectorant to break up the mucus before it hardens.  If you get an inhaler do not permit the drug store to give you the "drug store fact sheet". Insist on them giving you the ENTIRE drug information infor from the packet, which they genrally remove. Use the medications exactly precisely as the manufacturer prescribes. Keep off the prednisone, if possible, but if you need it, you should have some on hand for an emergency Plus inhalers.  Albuterol and ipratropium bromide.  At least five days worth at 60 mg a day. Three 20 mg tabs, taken at once in the morning.  Don't use this UNLESS you call your physician (DO ask his opinion and advice), but there is always the possibility of a natural disaster and the fact these medications will become completelyt unavailable for an extended period. If you use high doses of prednisone for a week or so you may develop pneumonia secondary to a bacterian infection. This should be treated by immediate antibiotics (Cipro being my choice) and off the prednisone, changing to an electrical albuterol inhaler. This, of course, is generally a situation for hospitalization.

[willpower64]

i had sarcoidosis for ten years and taking predinisone for the pass 5 years on 10 mg when i get of i get weak and cant breathe, i hate that med because i gained about 60 pounds and always swollen and taking water pills , what should i do to lose the weight and walk better because i am week in the legs and swollen?