Asthmatics - Seretide inhaler

I've been on serotide for a couple of years, and not had any weight gain. Perhaps the dose is too high? I go on a very low dose when I'm not in my asthma "season" (I only seem to suffer when I catch a winter bug - from April to October I'm absolutely unaffected), and then it's increased when there are more bugs doing the rounds.

Not me, but my son's been on it for the last couple of weeks. I haven't noticed a weight gain in him (although he never stays still!), and he's not eating noticeably more than usual. I'd keep an eye on it for the next couple of weeks, maybe keep a food and exercise diary, and then go back to the asthma nurse if it's not shifting. 10lb seems a LOT to put on in a couple of weeks, I can only usually manage that on a fortnight's holiday!

Hope you get it sorted.

Oh no, I'm just a fatty!! I've even given up alcohol so god knows what else I can stop eating ?

My inhaler says Seretide 125 and I take one puff a day. They suggested two but I am doing well on one and I'm never keen to take more drugs than I need.

I've been the same weight (or lighter) for about 2 years. I have never gone above a certain weight and now I've broken that record!! There's a lot of foods I can't eat certain wheats and diary being prime contenders so it's not like I have an overly fatty diet (so today I have had Bran Flakes and chicken noodle soup - homemade). That's why it was weird that it shot up so dramatically in 2 weeks.

I'm starting BMF next week so I think if I do that for a month and nothing happens I'll go back.

Thanks ?

ETA - I know Branflakes are wheat but for some reason I can eat them without issue. Bread and Pasta on the other hand are a killer!

Right I've just checked mine, and I'm on 50. I go up to 125 when I'm at my worst. And for both I take 2 puffs twice a day through one of those pacer thingamies. Maybe your dose is too high (thus, high dose steroids, thus weight gain?). When I'm on 125, I'm often on oral steroids too to shake off whatever infection I've got, but I get so manic when I'm on steroids, that I tend not to put on proper weight, although I eat like a crazed animal.

I'm not taking that one but another steroid inhaler. TBH I've been on them for years and only put on weight when I was pg and not exercising ?

I've been on the highest dose of Seretide for over a year and was on a lower dose for a year before that and my weight hasn't changed at all, if you think there's a link maybe call the docs surgery for a phone appt?

Ah right, I assume they took the dose from the Serevent I was on before. Do you know what level you are? I'm what they call a level 3 asthmatic (there are 5 in total). I'm not sure it would be controlled on a lower dose as I am still prone to using my blue inhaler when I have triggers (pollen etc). I may speak to them and see what they think. Possibly taking 50 twice a day would work.

R's is the Seretide 50 inhaler as well (he's only six though, so don't read too much into that!). He's also on 2 puffs twice a day through a spacer.

I'm sure they did. I've got no idea what level I'd be classified as, unfortunately. I suspect a proper chat would help. Although I do see the asthma nurse, my GP is also an asthma expert (not least because his whole family suffer badly), and he prefers I see him than the nurse - he's the one that suggested the lower dose for my "downtimes", to ensure I'm on minimal steroids (because of associated bone thinning associated with long term steroid use). If your GP is particularly hot on asthma, I'd see them, but if they're not specialists, I'd stick with the nurse TBH

Oh right so he's actually be taking a higher dose than me then? As I'm on one puff of 125.

It must be something else but I cannot for the life of me think what have done that totally different and would cause such a hike!

he's on a higher dose at the moment because he had quite a bad attack about a month ago and was hospitalised. We're trying to get it back under control, and then I think they want to look at reducing his dose.

Are you sure your scales are accurate? Can't think what else to suggest, it sounds like you're doing everything "right", so go back and ask for advice.

I take a huge dose of this, when i am bad and double up it shows up in blood tests. it is seratide 250 and i take two puffs twice a day.

works wonders but i havent noticed any rapid weight gain but then i was big to begin with. i am also slimming down to help my asthma but the high dose of this has stopped me needing oral steroids all year.

jennie

Sorry popped out.

My scales are correct, the weight H as having lost 6lbs so if anything they'd be the other way. That's the weird thing we've both being making a real effort with food. We don't have "bad" food in the house and I make sure my portions are half of H's. Plus my clothes don't fit me, I can't even do my jeans up.

It must just be pure coincidence. I'm destined to be fat forever! I'm going to give it a month with diary logged eating and exercise and then if nothing changes I'll go to the GP armed with data.

Thanks everyone!

Try drinking more water to flush out any retained fluid. Can you think of any other reason you may be expanding?

What about trying AquaBan tablets? I used to use them and they've worked for me in the past. I know your diet is healthy - come on - you even gave away all that lovely cake you had for your birthday! ?

Be interesting to see what effect the BMF has for you - are you going to report back on how you get on? ?

I do drink a lot of water. I am prone to cystitis so I have to make sure I drink at least 2L a day or I notice it. I love water so happy to drink it plain and I tend to drink blackcurrant at night, maybe 2 glasses. I don't really have caffeine other than one cup of tea, I drink de-caff coffee. I don't drink alcohol now and haven't for 2 months. It's weird!!

I'm chubby anyway so I was trying to be better. H is macrobiotic so I eat a lot of the same foods as him which is very good for you. I'm no saint or I wouldn't be fat but I certainly haven't changed enough to put on 10lbs in 2 weeks. I'm not with child ?

I am on seretide 125 (2 puffs twice a day) and going up to 2 x 2 of 250 in autumn when my asthma gets worse again. I am a 'big girl' and struggle with weight loss but had never linked it to the inhalers but I wonder if there might be something in it as I know I always put on extra weight in autumn (but maybe it is cause and effect in reverse).

magenta

I know this isn't necessarily what you want to hear but I'd be really very surprised if it's anything to do with the inhalers. The dose of inhaled steroids that gets absorbed into the blood stream is so tiny as to be negligible, and if you were already on a steroid inhaler then even that tony amount shouldn't have changed.

It does sound a lot of weight to put on despite a healthy diet so I don't think it's a bad idea at all to go to the GP anyway.