I have had asthma all my life, and came off my inhaler 10 years ago. Yesterday, I saw the doctor for asthma, and he put me back on an inhaler (Albuterol, 2 puffs every 4 hours), as well as Prednisone 15mg/twice per day.
I am also taking Concerta 54mg, Lexapro 20mg, Claritin, Singulair 10mg, Flonase, and Meloxicam 15mg (though I did not take this yesterday). Last night, after 3 doses of the Albuterol and 1 Prednisone, I had an anxiety attack, which, while it does happen occasionally, I was feeling paranoid and anxious for several hours prior, which is unusual (the paranoia and anxiety typically take a maximum of 2 hours before triggering the attack; this was more like 6).
Question is, can these drugs cause this? I see depression and mood changes under prednisone, but I've been on it before (I think it was 10mg, though), without noticing this (though I was pretty sick at the time and in a fog). Should I go to the doctor again today to talk about it?
Anxiety attack as a result of starting Prednisone and Albuterol for my asthma?
Question posted by K08j20S on 22 Sep 2012
Last updated on 12 July 2015 by Anonymous
Update: I have the aforementioned symptoms under control now; I have noticed a swelling of glands, though; two days ago, it was the lymph nodes on my jaw, yesterday, lymph nodes on my leg; haven't noticed any aching and swollen glands today, but I have drank 3 times as much water as usual and have always wanted more. I've been on my way to the bathroom, chugging water along the way! I read on my medication info that I should talk to my doctor if I experience an increase in thirst, so I think I'll do that before heading to campus tomorrow.
Added 25 Sep 2012:Update to update: went back today; doctor seemed surprised at my "side-effect roulette" and said I could stop taking the prednesone, but I had to keep using the inhaler. I feel this is for the best, since, as the doctor said, "It seems like the treatment is worse than what it's treating!" Thanks for your help, everybody, I learned a lot.
4 Answers
I realize this is an old question, but I wanted to contribute because I feel there is one concern that wasn't addressed. The original poster said his current meds include Concerta. Concerta is like Ritalin. It's a stimulant used for disorders such as AD(H)D and falling asleep throughout the day. When you add Concerta to Albuterol plus Prednisone, you're going to feel jittery, on edge, and for someone predisposed to anxiety concerns, it could reasonably induce panic attacks. Your doctor decided the benefit was worth the short period of risk, and it's best to always follow their lead. And let them know when you don't feel comfortable continuing with a treatment, of course. Hope this helps.
Hello. The prednisone is a moderate dose. A high dose is forty or more. I have had doses as high as 80 so don't worry about this part.
Albuterol can make your heart race like crazy. Adding to that the prednisone and you will be very awake, racing heart, flushing and so forth. I have used the two together for my lung disease. We dropped the albuterol as i have a different disease. In your case, because this is asthma you need it.
Let your doctor know about your symptoms. There are temporary meds you can take that keeps your pulse lower while your body adjusts. The prednisone is to help reduce the inflammation that causes the asthma attacks as well as bronchitis and such. It makes sense you received it. What the doctor needs to know is how you are handling it.
Our body experiences a racing heart with the fight or flight response. It creates a lot of anxiety. That is what is happening with you and your mood changes. You will feel better staying away from anything that makes you anxious. Like video games, scary movies and such.
Very important: do not stop taking the prednisone under any circumstances. Do not wean yourself off of it. It can cause very bad reactions in you.
Let me know what your doctor says. Until then, know that there is nothing wrong with you. You can get through this change and you will be fine. I have been doing moderate to high doses of prednisone for over seven years. My guess is you are on this for a month or two, right? You will be fine. Karen. (endlessPrednisone)
I do have a history of anxiety, so that might be contributing to this. Going to see the doctor, will let you know how it goes. (I'm on the prednisone for 10 days, and as far as I'm aware, it's just to help my lungs get to a point where I only need the albuterol.)
Sounds like a good plan. I will wait until you see the doctor. If you have more questions let me know. Ten days is not bad and I know you will get through this just fine. Enjoy a funny movie an some popcorn. Time to be good to yourself. :-). Karen
Unfortunately, I didn't make it back there before they closed today, but I did figure out you have a point here, because this evening I started to feel some of the symptoms of last night (shaky hands, feeling kind of weird which I identified as unusual heartrate). Last night I thought it was because I was nervous or scared (because I did get into an argument), and I believe I psyched myself out into an anxiety attack. It was milder (and shorter) than usual, so this would make a lot of sense. I think if I just chill out when I notice I'm starting to get tense (apparently this is only around 10 PM that this starts? Earlier today I was fine), I should be able to prevent any further distress, and at such a short time period, I think I'll be fine waiting it out with the prescription I have. (I have been noticing a dramatic improvement after every dose of albuterol. Good stuff.)
Excellent connection. You know, it also depends when you do the meds. I too think you will be fine and are getting a very good idea how to handle this. I wish you well and that you have much better control of the asthma soon. Prednisone is a remarkable drug in short doses like this. have a good evening, or day as the case may be ( night time here). Karen
I must agree with kaismama, prednisone can cause panic attacks, and you are on a relatively high dose (in my experience) of it.
I had to take prednisone for a short time and it made me a crabby witch. I really feel for you.
Hope you can get a reduction of prednisone, as kaismama has suggested, and she really knows what she's talking about, she is a pro.
Good luck to you
Hi Mac. This is not a high dose. Thought you should know.
Karen, thank you for educating me re prednisone, and I know that if ANYONE knows anything about prednisone, it would be you!
I really thought it was a high dose, thanks for the correction.
What IS a high dose? Just curious and I need to know so I don't make this mistake again.
Thanks again Karen,
Mac
High dose starts around forty. It needs to be sustained in order to be more than a blip in treatment. As I said below, doses can get real high. When a person gets solumedrol to suppress a reaction for an infusion, let's say, this is not considered high dose because it is one shot and temporary and metabolizes quite swiftly as it is a different form of the steroid.
Whenever I see people saying get off the drug I know they are relating to their own experience. I just wish they said it was such. Sure don't like people being scared needlessly. Thanks for asking. Remember that millions of people have been treated with prednisone and it has proven life saving for them. A good doctor knows how to administer and taper effectively. always refer back to a doctor when symptoms seem too much. We want to be pain free and perfect. Things don't really work like that. One persons woes may be nothing to the next depending upon what they are dealing with. Karen
I just decided years ago just giving meds was boring, I had to learn about them.
Thank you Karen, for the response. I must agree, something that you may go through might just make me miserable, and vice versa, we are all so varied. I won't rip on prednisone any more, I know it has saved one of my family members many times from a horrible disease.
Thanks,
Mac
Thanks Mac. It literally has given me over seven years of life which I would not have had. If they hadn't administered it when I went unresponsive, I would not have survived. I have learned a huge amount about this drug because I have an excellent doctor who discusses it completely and allows me to make decisions. We are a team and know each other well. Knowledge is the key. In depth knowledge is the only way to know for sure.
Prednisone can trigger mental changes. The albuterol can raise your pulse, which can make you feel anxious. I have the feeling that the prednisone is the major culprit though. I would talk to my dr. Maybe a slight reduction in dose would help.
Please see my comment. The two together cause a problem. His dose is too low to cause major problems which occur many months into the med.
The two together can cause low potassium, they are given together alot.
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depression, asthma, bipolar disorder, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, albuterol, prednisone, anxiety and stress, doctor
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