I need to get off symbicort, I'm losing hair,bruised skin and thin skin to the point I bleed at the tiniest scape. I look like I've gone though a war zone, my left hand is so bruised I don't think it's ever going away. I hate to go out any more, people ask me are you on blood thinners, and I tell them no just SYMBICORT. And yes that is what causes it.
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I too had rapid weight gain while on Symbicort. I was a size 7 since high school (I'm 47) and after being on Symbicort for nearly a year I gained 50 lbs and am now a size 14. The endocrinologist says I have all the visual signs of Cushings but my lab results are normal. He had me do a 24 hour urine test and I'm going back tomorrow to discuss the findings. First thing he did though was switch me to Albuterol. I also have Fibro so it's difficult to find exercises that coincide with both copd and fibro but I'm not giving up!
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My doctor also ran a tyriod test on me and it came back normal, so let me know about the test he's doing on you now..
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Yes, I have used it for about 2 years now and have gained about 20 pounds and have an increased appetite. It is the only thing that controls my asthma, but I hate the side effects. Nothing I do seems to allow my body to lose weight... working out, diets, adkins... and they have worked in the past.
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I was on Qvar (4 months) and then Advair for four months and was ravenous 24/7. My breathing did not improve at all either. I found myself having terrible mightmares and mood swings (I tend to be a drama queen anyway but I got way over the top). I suddenly hated my job, cried a lot, broke up with my boyfriend of 2 years, etc. Oh yes, i went from 132 lbs to 161. None of my clothes fit and I got so angry I took nearly everything I owned to Goodwill. (I went from a size 6/8 to a 12.). I stopped going out in public except to work And still I could not breathe well; I scored a 39 on a recent spirometry test! (The doctor said I might have to be hospitalized.)
I begged for a non-steroid inhaler but he said my asthma was severe, so no way.
Some good news? He did switch me to Symbicort, 80/4.5, and Singulair 10 mg. In 9 days, I have dropped 6 lbs. My appetite is barely there. My breathing is better! BUT-- I was on my period the day I started Symbicort and I have started again only one week later (that can't be good.). I have very itchy eyes (I am actually scratching the rims if my eyes). Apparently there will always be side effects regardless. I still have mood swings and constant weird dreams too. Bit I fit into a size 10 pair of jeans and am breathing the best I have in 2 years. So I will stick with Symbicort/Singulair for awhile anyway.
Thanks to all those who have posted! Doctors don't like to talk about these things.
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Not sure where you live, but I am in canada, and we have an agency called MotherRisk in Toronto that you can call and get answers to questions such as this.. I am asthmatic as well and also taking symbicort, so when I called they basically said that the benefits outweigh the risks (which are small) and that it is typically safe to take while pregnant. I also noticed that you posted this over a year ago so I think it's safe to assume you're not pregnant anymore... but if you plan on having more, I hope that answer helps you.
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I have lost around 5 stone (70lbs or 31kg) in the last year since stopping taking Symbicort. I haven't changed diet or exercise. I was gaining weight slowly and nothing as helping me shift weight. They tested thyroid etc which were all normal. Since stopping the medication, the weight has been falling off.
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yes iam like you gain alot of weight in my chest i was a size 9-10 but know iam a 16 and ihate
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I certainly have and hate it. My respirologitst tells me that no Syymbicort is not causing weight gain. Hate it tho but I am hungrier that I have ever been
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I have also have a huge weight gain while on symbicort. All medics say it isn't the symbicort causing it. Somehow I think they are wrong
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I think Symbicort can cause weight gain. I just logged in with the same question, having had a stable weight for over a year and then put on 7 pounds within 2 weeks of starting it. I just think it's a secondary effect. In other words, Symbicort causes sleep loss and nervousness, which, in some people, myself included, lead to weight gain. I noticed that I've been craving heavier foods and alcohol since I've been on it, probably b/c I'm having a hard time sleeping at night without them. Now conscious of this change in diet/alcohol consumption, I've cut back on both, and now I can't sleep (never a problem, until I took Symbicort). I'm thinking I need to ask for other options, because the short of it is that on this drug, my choices seem to be to become an overweight person who drinks too much, or to stay awake all night.
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Hi Lyla, thanks for your response. I haven't done the booze thing and even tho I have had a sleep problem for years my sleeping pattern seems to have been improved slightly. But I get so damned hungry not just at meals but in between and yes heavier foods, carbs mostly.
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I have been on Symbicort for about 2 months and have gained 15 lbs. I have cut back considerably in my eating and still continue to gain weight like there's no tomorrow. I can't continue this but don't know what to do. I need the inhaler but the weight gain is causing other problems. Any ideas on a solution?
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I'd suggest finding out what triggers your asthma, for me it is largely stress, traffic fumes, cigarette smoke and exercise (more so when I'm less fit). Deal with the triggers where possible. I avoid people smoking, I got a filter mask for fumes (the kind used by cyclists for city cycling). I learned not to stress out as much and I worked on my fitness. I'm still asthmatic, but I've managed to reduce how often I need my reliever inhaler and as a result to cut out my Symbicort altogether. The weight gain from this drug will not help your asthma, perhaps they could try a different inhaler?
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