Monday, May 12, 2008
Asthma treatment is all about control. Control is the main goal of asthma treatment, as outlined in both the U.S. asthma management guidelines as well as the GINA World Asthma guidelines.
Most people are able to achieve asthma control by taking 1 or 2 puffs of a controller medicine containin...
This is a problem. I have diabetes, couldnt figure out why my sugar was staying up until someone told me Advair had steriods. I quit and now it is back down to 128 this morning which is a little high but better. It was 90 before I started advair. What is the answer. I have an inhaler I carry with me, but does it have steriods also? Do I breathe, or do I die from complications of diabetes? I have a breathing machine to use albuteral but does it have steroids?
Hi Karen, Many asthma inhalers contain steroids, as inhaled steroids are the treatment of choice for asthma. They are the most effective asthma medication for most people. As you note, steroids can raise blood sugar and even induce diabetes in some people. But that's generally only something that occurs when steroids are taken in pill form or through an injection.
I couldn't find much evidence that taking an inhaled steroid would have the same effect. That's not to say you're wrong about what's happening in your body; after all, you know your own body best.
But what concerns me is that you just stopped taking your Advair. When you asthma, it's important that it be treated consistently. If asthma gets out of control, there can be serious long-term consequences to your health.
Please take the time to call your doctor and discuss what's going on. There may be other things that you can do to help control your blood sugars while still getting the most effective medicine for your asthma. Perhaps exercising more or increasing your diabetes meds will help keep things in balance. But don't make these decisions in isolation. Consult with your medical team, OK?
Take care,
Kathi