Hi, I'm new here (sort of...)

[fortunecookie]

Hello!

It's taken me 17 months to finally introduce myself.... I replied to a couple of posts when I first signed up and then thought people might find my responses stupid or no-one would acknowledge them, so I never logged in again. Anxiety got the most of me then!

Anyway, I'm in a sort of better place than I was last time, but still on and off struggling with depression, anxiety, some chronic health conditions, and as of this winter these include asthma.

Are there any threads related to asthma medication affecting or triggering depression? I'd love to hear if anyone has had similar experiences, if that's allowed... (I know discussing specific medications as such isn't...)

I'm starting to think I'm going crazy. Since I started to take asthma preventer medications I've had a number of relapses with depression (not being able to manage stress and emotions, crying, very negative thoughts that seemed to come out of nowhere...), and the only thing that changed for me during that time was the asthma meds.

I spoke to my GP and tried a different preventer type, which pretty much had the same effect, but since I've had quite a long history of depression my GP does not seem to believe me when I say it has to do with the asthma meds. It's significantly affected my work recently, and my work is my life basically... I love my job, so I'm starting to think if I can't manage to be happy now, I never will.

So this is me. Well, one version of me. Maybe someone can relate...? x

[Quercus]

Hi fortunecookie and welcome back to the forums 😊.

I'm glad you returned to introduce yourself. At least now someone can reassure you that feeling anxious about replying to others is totally normal (well it was for me anyway). I think it is fabulous you reached out to care for others. That's what the forums are about.

What always helps me to hit post is to think of how I felt (and on bad days still do feel) waiting for a reply. That awful period of time when you wait and worry and think "what if noone replies". And worse is the black dog telling me it's because I don't matter. Such a horrible feeling that made me reach out to others too.

It takes courage to post. I don't think any of us have perfect replies or know what to say. We just share what we know and care. Your story shows how valuable your own experiences are... I had never thought about the impact of medication on asthma. Until you raised the topic I never thought to search the keyword asthma. But now we know who to ask.

On that note... There were a few threads about asthma and meds. I liked this one from 2017 because there is a reply from Dr Kim who validates how you felt. That steroids used to treat asthma can impact on depression.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/anxiety-and-asthma#qnX1B3HzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

You can also check on the Aust. asthma handbook website and under more information there is a section about the impact of asthma meds on mental illness.

http://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/clinical-issues/comorbidities/mental-illness

I hope others join in that have similar experiences but for now I wanted to reassure you all replies are welcome and valuable.

Nat

[fortunecookie]

Hi Nat, thanks so much for the detailed reply and words of encouragement!

I've had a look at the two links, which has been helpful. Even though there don't seem to be a lot of people who get depression or anxiety from inhaled steroids... not surprising that no-one seems to believe it. But my asthma really isn't that bad that I'd be distressed from it, it just doesn't respond enough to the reliever spray. And all steroids seem to have similar possible side effects on mood /depression / anxiety, even if these are rare.

I already don't feel like I'm getting the best advice from my doctor, especially being so new to having asthma and barely getting a basic treatment plan. I really should see a specialist, so I'll ask for a referral next time!

Thanks again for the warm welcome 🙂