Radiotherapy and inhalers

MarkEL said:

He then pronounced that I had a fungal infection in my mouth that was likely exacerbated by a combination of radiotherapy and the steroid inhaler. He prescribed 14 days of Flucanazole to try to shift it. 

That's a good point and thanks for the warning.

Mark....that can happen whether you have had RT or not, though I am sure he is right in that you would be more susceptible. Instructions are to rinse your mouth and take a drink after a steroid inhaler. Do you do that? I have both steroid and salbutamol at times and am extra careful to make sure there is none left in my mouth afterwards

Instructions are to rinse your mouth and take a drink after a steroid inhaler. Do you do that?

Hi Dani. No, I’ve never heard of that in the 30+ years I’ve been using a steroid inhaler! Thanks for the tip

I don’t think they tell you but it’s down under the very common side effects in the leaflet that comes with it 

Sorry to hear that Mark, hope things getting better. 

I use a dry powder steroid inhaler, been on it about 15 months now. It was one of the things they threw at me before diagnosis. I was told to rinse, spit and drink, but not until I'd been on it for a couple of months and saw doctor about throat (which ended up with me on here). 

Thanks for raising it. I'd forgotten some of the possible side effects, probably lost amongst the past year! 

Ronnie 

Oops! Thanks Dani, Serves me right for never reading small print

That’s interesting Ronnie. So you got the oral thrush too. I must say it did put the wind up me for a few days, as these things tend to do. Do you mind my asking which inhaler you’re using? I changed to Fostair a couple of years ago mainly because I run and it was recommended by other runners. My GP is great and usually very accommodating so will hopefully let me try a different one. Meanwhile I think the combination of Flucanazole and reduced anxiety are beginning have an effect.

All the best, M

Hi Mark,

I managed to avoid the oral thrush during treatment,  but I was ott with the oral hygiene. They told me to rinse and spit when I was seeing doctor about the throat clearing and voice changes - side effects of the inhaler but also turned out to be cancer symptoms. At last clinic I was saying  my voice was still deeper and croaky, concerned the rt had affected vocal chords. Having looked at inhaler side effects again  from this thread, maybe it's that! This whole bad trip doesn't half make us throat paranoid!! I'm taking voice breaks regularly at work, but really noticing the difference. 

I take symbicort (a budesonide) through a spacer. No tightness, but lung capacity when I check flow below where it should be. Wonder sometimes if that is the rheumatoid arthritis, as that can sometimes affect lungs. Probably only needed my ventolin 4 times in 18 months, so it's not bad. 

Take care, Ronnie 

Yes, my voice has gone deep and throaty too, but the doc had a good look at my larynx with the gold ole nasal camera on Tuesday, made me say “eeee “ and “ahhh “ and pronounced that everything looked fine so I’m assuming it’s the fungal infection that’s causing it. You’re so right, however, in saying that this whole thing induces throat paranoia, but I guess that’s something we’re destined to live with. 
All the best, M