Why don't they listen?

[Caran]

Saw consultant on Monday and got results of tests, I have COPD and a heart murmer. He prescribed 2 different inhalers. We had a chat about my history. Picked up prescription today. Had to have a chat with the pharmacist as part of the new medice system. One of them contains steroids. I had told consultant that under no circumstances would I take steroids. 10 years ago I had a nasty reaction to them and develpoed head to foot pustular psoriasis, in hospital for 5 weeks, lost all hair and nails due to chemo injections.Pharmacist phoned his secretary who had a word with him, apparently he3 rolled his eyes and said bl88dy woman. I am absolutely petrified of taking steroids again. Why will they not listen. He obviously thought if she doesn't know she will take them but pharmacist told me the contents. What would you have done?

[Caran]

Thanks jno I thinkj I will get in touch with my old practise. I had a superb GP .there .

[jno]

good luck with that. You may well find the steroids are completely different - 10 years is quite a long time - but you're entitled to have your mind set at rest, even if you have to make the phone calls yourself. That's what I'd do.

[wolf63]

Was it was tablet steroids that you took 10 years ago ? They effect your whole body and can cause problems.

Inhaled steroids will go straight to your lungs. My cat is asthmatic and I am always concerned that he doesn't have too many steroid injections so we use a steroid inhaler some of the time.

My mum died at 58 from emphysema - not nice.

The word 'steroid' scares people but there are many types - talk to your GP he knows you best and will, hopefully, give you good advice.

[Sqad]

I am NOT a Dermatologist but i have never known steroids cause pustular psoriasis, quite the opposite, they are known to control pustular psoriasis.

If you have got it in your mind that inhaled steroids will trigger a bout of pustular psoriasis, then there is little that your Dr. or anyone, can do about it.

You have COPD and inhaled steroids may well be life saving......the decision of course is yours.

[ojread2]

I was sitting here thinking the same as Sqad, and I'm definitely no medical expert at all - I went to read about ti
Your pharmacists was absolutely right in yelling you there is nothing else if there is nothing else. You need to make your decision based on fact not namby pamby fluffy bunny maybes and possibly'd

http://www.psoriasis-....org.uk/pustular.html
As with other types of psoriasis, infections or stress may be a trigger factor in PPP. A strong association with smoking has also been identified, the mechanism of which is uncertain but may be linked to the products of smoking encouraging the inflammatory cells to accumulate in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin).
Generalised pustular psoriasis can be triggered by an infection, sudden WITHDRAWAL of topical or systemic steroids, pregnancy, and some prescription drugs.

If you go on to read the article it says it is treated with steroids

The ultimate decision is yours. But I reiterate, namby pamby words will only make you worse

[ojread2]

oh dear, it is early ... I'm sure your pharmacist didn't yell at you

[emmie]

exactly what you did, and sadly some don't listen, expecting you to bow their superior knowledge, forgetting that it's you who will be on the receiving end of their diagnosis, treatment, however ill informed.

[rowanwitch]

The other thing is dosage level .... inhaled steroids are delivered in such tiny amount far below the normal level that would give side effects. And they are needed to ensure your COPD is controlled for as long as possible.

[ttfn]

Carole, I am so sorry to read this and can understand your concern. jno was right, there are many steroids, though the link given was just for anabolic. Please discuss this with your GP, the COPD has to be managed and relieved. I had to go on to a very high dosage of steroids last year and though I had many side affects none was related to psoriasis, thankfully. I have monthly blood tests and my GP is pleased with the results. If he is happy then so am I. Don't delay getting back to your GP x

[ttfn]

^ Carol, sorry :)

[daffy654]

You can't be forced to take any medication if you don't want to, however, inhaled steroids are nothing like oral systemic steroids. I have been using a steroid inhaler for over 20 years now and have never had any adverse reactions to it, i've not heard or read of anyone else having issues with them either. You are working yourself into a state over nothing in my opinion.

[ttfn]

daffy, I googled pustular psoriasis and the descriptions and illustrations look terrible. The op states she suffered this from head to toe, so no - I would not say she was working herself in to a state over nothing. But I do hope she accepts that inhaled steroids are different to those she had 10 years ago.

[seadogg]

Many years ago I spent a month in hospital with a gut reaction to penicillin.

Years later I unknowingly took a different penicillin based drug with no adverse affect. Nothing happened but if I had known I should have been very concerned.

It it not possible to start with very small amounts and see how you go?. My pal with COPD swears by steroid sprays.