Does asthma cause a cold?

[meg1974]

I've been getting sick with a cold just about once a month for the past 6 months. My doctor told me it's because my asthma and allergies are not under control. I was on Advair for a few months, and they switched me to Asmanex because I was still getting frequent coughs. I'm on Zyrtec for allergies. I haven't been to an allergist yet to see what I'm allergic to (have an appointment coming up). A nurse practitioner at my doctor's office told me I need to take Singulair, but I am uncomfortable with that because of the warnings about depression, which I have a history of. She basically said until I take that, I will not get better. I'm finding another doctor because I don't want to be pressured into taking drugs I'm not comfortable with.

Has anyone ever experienced something similar? Do your asthma and/or allergies make you more susceptible to the common cold?

I'm also wondering if my asthma medications are making my immune system weaker because the colds started about the same time I started taking them. Anyone experienced that?

[Allisonc78]

I am starting to think maybe I should get off of Singulair because lately I have had what feels like an infection and my ear canals feel irritated with major sinus headaches all the time. Symbicort I think is causing throat issues. I have yet to catch another cold since the first one which gave me asthma. I really hope it clears up fast and don't end up completely out of breath like I was last time. Infections are more common for asthmatics because the medications weaken the immune system.

[Kalynne]

I was switched over to Symbicort this year after being prescribed others for at least four years.  I would be fine, until I caught a cold (3 times a year), then end up on Steriods (Prednisone) for 30 days!  I have been taking Symbicort since January (2 pumps, twice a day), as prescribed and I have not run into any trouble.  I have caught common colds that cleared up and went away (not the case in previous years).  Advair did not work well for me.  I have viral asthma, so I would normally end up with breathing difficulties (because of fluid, etc. in my lungs).  I feel great and have had no side effects.  I am very active.  

I think that if you are someone who suffers from breathing and/or sinus difficulties, that the common cold strikes harder and longer.  Our weak point!!!

Hope all goes well.  

[tgal]

There is another new medication called symbicort, that is what I use and I LOVE it. It takes care of all of my chronic asthma conditions and I use an emergency inhaler for when I have a trigger that causes an attack. Check your side effects. I know for a fact that Singulair can cause ear ache and chest infection as well as other annoying side effects because I have had them, I got off of the medication because I didn't see improvement, my friend stayed on it and loves what it does for her. My mother in law is on it and loves it. Oh I should also mention that it also takes about 1-2 months for some long term asthma medication to take full effect so don't take it for 2 weeks and say it isn't working, give it a chance!
So I take Singulair for asthma and then claritin (as needed) and a daily steroidal nasal spray for my allergies. I would highly recommend seeing a specialist though. I see a pulmonologist and an allergist who coordinate with my primary care but when I started with my primary care she didn't even know how to tell me how to use an inhaler and quickly told me to see a specialist! Good luck and God Bless!
Tanja - Let me know how it ends up working out. It took me 5 months to figure out my medication.