sessifet | [Asthma] When medication goes awry

Since about January, I've been using Seretide combined with something called Singulair. The former is an inhaler with both a long acting version of the active component in the emergency inhaler, Ventolin, and a low impact steroid (with limited build-up, therefore fewer side effects.

The latter is something called a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) and as Wikipedia so kindly explains:

is a CysLT 1 antagonist; it blocks the action of leukotriene D4 (and secondary ligands LTC4 and LTE4) on the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT 1 in the lungs and bronchial tubes by binding to it. This reduces the bronchoconstriction otherwise caused by the leukotriene and results in less inflammation.

I'm fortunately one of the 33 percent of people for whom Singulair works spectacularly and it, the Seretide and quitting my job are what's helped get my asthma under control. So go team LTRA, right? We now skip merrily off into the sunset hand in hand (wheezing occasionally when hitting a patch of perfume), yes?

Well, not exactly. See, on my last prescription refill, they swamped the branded LTRA Singulair out for the generic version (simply called Montelukast) and despite having the same active ingredient, it's absolutely not working for me. I am now one of the 33 percent who only get the side effects and none of the benefits. Side effects include fun GI tract issues, anxiety, insomnia and irritability. Oh, and I have a persistent tight chest again because, guess what? Meds not working!

Where the anxiety comes in is frustrating and scary as I'm dreaming about normal interactions with friends and family and I'm upset or making a joke or something and they're all treating me like a lying, attention seeking bitch who should just be shunned. And then I wake up feeling like there's a miniature elephant on my chest and I can't get back to sleep because I've just been triggered something fierce.

And this has happened three times in the last three days, so I'm not surprised I woke up over an hourago having a proper asthma attack. Still fucking scary. Still all systems on red alert. Still the brainweasels jumping in with you sure it's the medication? What do you know about this stuff? You're not a doctor. It's not that the meds aren't working, it's that you're going crazy. Normal people don't have these kinds of problems. And that's roughly when the ventolin kicked in and the brainweasels slunk away muttering ineffectually, so I'm learning to recognise the symptoms and alleviate them before total meltdown happens. Go me! (No, seriously. I'm really proud of how I handled this attack.)

I can still feel the tightness under my breastbone (which my phone persisted in correcting to headstone no less than four times. I own a troll phone) and radiating out into my ribs, but I've stopped feeling like I'm about to die or go insane, so that's nice. Still kind of want a hug and possibly a good cry, but I'll survive. And later today I will pick up my replacement prescription and things will go back to normal in a few days. Now I'll try to get some more sleep.