Posted by Larry Hoover on May 1, 2005, at 12:41:25
In reply to Asthma meds known to worsen depression?, posted by CK1 on May 1, 2005, at 11:05:15
I'm 21, in good shape, and work out 5 times a week, but, since I started Advair, my muscles hurt all the time, I have pain/numbness on the left side of my face, and nothing is touching my depression/anxiety. I am normally NOT a hypochondriac and I strongly think this Advair b#@sh#! is causing these unexplainable problems.
The steroid in question here, fluticasone, is extremely potent (3 X the binding of budesonide, for example). It also is absorbed systemically, at highly variable rates, in different individuals.
Musculoskeletal pain and cramping are associated with this drug, as are adverse psych effects. You may have adrenal/hypothalamic suppression from the steroid effects remote from the target tissue, which is the lung. The kidneys may also be affected, increasing mineral loss in urine.
This may sound far-fetched to you, but adjusting your nutrient intake might help both the anxiety and the asthma. You mention being in college, so I know you're stressed. You also work out all the time. Your body may simply be running low on certain enzyme cofactors, as your intake might not be meeting demand. The deficiency presents as anxiety and asthma.
A B-complex tablet, and multi-mineral, would provide a good basic supply of nutrients, but you can then target the specific symptoms you describe here. You should see a benefit of a magnesium supp (helps with anxiety, asthma and cramping). You should target 500-1000 mg/day, in divided doses, with meals. You may get some diarrhea, if your body is not accustomed to the magnesium intake level. If that happens, reduce the dose to a comfortable level, and then increase it gradually again. Your body will compensate.
The other thing is niacinamide. It's a specific form of vitamin B3. Make sure it's the one that ends in the suffix -AMIDE.
Individual dosing varies, but you can take from 100-500 mg at a time, total daily maximum of 2000 mg. Only take the niacinamide if you also take a B-complex, as you can induce other disturbances if you don't supply all the B-vitamins together. They work as a team.
Both niacinamide and magnesium can be sedating, so you need to take that into account.
Best,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:492280
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050428/msgs/492320.html