inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

I've had a dry cough and some shortness of breath for the last month. I have an Rx inhaler that maybe I use a few times a yr for very mild asthma. Using the inhaler has helped so much the last few weeks.

Those that use inhalers - is it normal to have increased heart rate, and even sometimes palpitations an hour or so after using it? But I can breathe so much better, so I've been using it every 4 hrs.. does this go away? It kinda makes me feel jittery like I drank too much coffee

Message edited 11/12/2012 9:23:59 PM.

Re: inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

It is aside effect of the medsI wouldcall your dr andsee if they suggest stopping. I had that in the past.

Re: inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

Yes! those meds help you breathe better by dilating your blood vessels in your nose- but it also dilates blood vessels elsewhere so you feel very very jittery.
I have gotten to the point where I can't use the meds anymore- so I have to suffer with congestion etc...
I HATE that jittery feeling.
Freaks me out

Re: inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

They definitely cause increased heart rate, the the extent that I document those side effects to show how disabling asthma can be (document as part of my job). Often the rescue inhalers are the real issue, not the maintenance ones. If you are not on a maintenance one, I would try it so that you can decrease your use of rescue inhalers over time.

inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

Thanks everyone. Its Ventolin making me feel like this, not the Asmanex inhaler

Re: inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

have you tried other ones? Sometimes even if it is a known side effect, some people have more of an issue with one brand than the other. My pediatrician has the same opinion I do about that. For kids she thinks that the brand name Xopenex has less complaints of this even though it still happens with that drug.

Message edited 11/15/2012 9:56:42 PM.

inhaler and increased heart rate/palpitations

Usually every year I come down with a good bout of bronchitis. The ER and/or Dr will tell me to use the rescue inhaler x times a day, even if it is not needed. I found that it is just overkill, and I'm still OK if i use it for rescue ONLY along with my steroid inhaler.

Also, if you still do want to take it, they usually say 2 puffs, but for myself I found that 1 puff will solve most issues. So instead of doing 2 puffs right off the bat I will take 1 puff, wait 10 minutes and then if necessary take another. I usually dont need the second one.