Weaning off steroid inhaler

I have been trying to slowly wean off my pulmicort inhaler. I really want to be free of a daily inhaler and I have been before. I had very bad childhood asthma but was able to be inhaler-free by 12... it lasted until my wisdom teeth started coming in. The doctor didn't think they (the teeth) had anything to do with my rapidly worsening condition, but when the first set was pulled out, that same day I was able to cut my nebulizer treatments (which I had in addition to a steroid inhaler) from every four hours (even through the night) to just twice a day. I thought I was well on my way to getting off all prescription meds again, but that was not the case. My asthma improved so much that I was able to be free of any regular need for my nebulizer or xopenex inhaler, but I was still on the pulmicort. And I started a schedule that would wean me off of it very slowly, giving my lungs time to adjust. All was going well, and I had attained the "half way mark" when I got a cold that very quickly turned into a fever and my oxygen levels dropped all in one day. By the time I got to the ER, my oxygen was down to 80 and I learned I had pneumonia. Four day stay and I was released, but I was right back where I had started - pulmicort twice a day. Ugh. But I'm determined and the next spring (I can't "wean" when it's cold out) I started my schedule again. Made good progress and was about to the halfway point when again, I got a fever and cough but it didn't seem too bad. My fever would be down in the morning, but each night it kept getting higher. After 8 days of being miserable in bed, I landed in the hospital with...pneumonia...again. Another four day stay and I was put back at starting point...again!
Well, I'm now on my third try and am anxious...nearing that halfway point and wonder if I can make it. I so want to be free again that I just simply hate the fact that my life depends on that little inhaler. I have so much stress in my life right now and just don't know how things will end up. I really, really don't want to be put all the way back at "start" again. I think it would literally crush me. Am I reaching for something that I will never be able to attain? Has anyone been in a similar situation? I feel quite alone some days. I don't personally know anyone who has or does face the same problems and difficulties I do. A lot of people just don't understand..."it's just all in your head" "it's something you can control"...
I posted on here in hopes of some encouragement and just to be able to talk about my worry and struggle. I want to be free!

Hi Comealongway, I came across your thread after doing a Google search for "weaning off Pulmicort". I, too, would like to wean off Pulmicort and, like you, am seeking encouragement and information from others on the web. I have allergy-induced asthma and am also taking Rhinocort (same drug as Pulmicort but taken intra-nasally). My first goal is to treat my allergies, then get off the Rhinocort, and then get off the Pulmicort. I have recently started working with a naturopathic doctor (N.D.) to treat the root causes of my problems. I got fed up with conventional allergist who just want to push more drugs on me, increase my dosages, and never even consider the foods I eat, or the rest of my health. It makes no sense. And I refuse to listen to people who say, "You have an illness, so accept it, and continue to take the drugs." I won't give up until I've turned over every stone. I'm curious how you're coming along these days in your journey to get off Pulmicort?

Steroids And Weaning off them!
inhaled steroids are in Micro-doses and present NO period or discomfort in weaning Off of them. That's a Scientific fact. IF you are having any difficulty this is a sound signal You NEED THEM!! You should not stop their use! your Asthma COPD will worsen and you WILL need your Rescue inhaler or Nebuliser.
A young child may out grow allergies and asthma. An adult probably will not.
Your Inhaled steroid at 10 X your maximum dose will never give you those hated results of Prednisone ORALY. remember the nasty Acne the vicious Weight gain and Moony faced looks. Not to omit the Violent attitude toward the world around you and your loved ones walking on eggs trying not to upset you. We are now free of Prednisone thanks to Pulmocort and Beclovent inhalers. Its a very small p[rice to pay for better breathing. Properly managed your Asthma will become less threatening.
about me I am Chronic Obstructive lung disease sufferer I use 1600 micrograms of pulmocort every day Bricanyl 8 inhalations and 40 micrograms of Oxeze Plus 600 mg of theophylline daily for life until my best before date is reached and long past expired.
Inhaled steroids Have no bad Steroidal Symptoms' if you believe in old wives tales and mythological monsters any one who tells you other than what I say is simply waving a red flag at the sun and telling it not to burn you if you lay on the beach in the worst UV day of the century. Relax and TAKE YOUR MEDICINE !
Peter

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