MyCOPDTeam

Can stopping steroids worsen breathing with pneumonia and COPD?

It's understandable you're concerned about your breathing difficulties. Steroids are commonly used to manage COPD symptoms and reduce inflammation in your airways. When you stop taking them, especially suddenly, your COPD symptoms can flare up, making it harder Show Full Answer

Can stopping steroids worsen breathing with pneumonia and COPD?

It's understandable you're concerned about your breathing difficulties. Steroids are commonly used to manage COPD symptoms and reduce inflammation in your airways. When you stop taking them, especially suddenly, your COPD symptoms can flare up, making it harder to breathe.

Your doctor likely stopped the steroids temporarily because they can sometimes complicate pneumonia treatment, but this doesn't mean the steroids caused your pneumonia to worsen. The breathing difficulty you're experiencing could be from:

• Your COPD flaring up without the steroid support
• The pneumonia still being active (antibiotics can take time to work)
• A combination of both conditions affecting your lungs

A MyCOPDTeam member shared: "I was hospitalized about 5 weeks ago with pneumonia and influenza A... since then I've had a hard time breathing, getting winded with the slightest exertion." Recovery from pneumonia with COPD can take time.

Since you're still struggling to breathe after 4 days on antibiotics, it's important to contact your doctor right away. They may need to adjust your treatment plan, possibly reintroducing steroids in a different way or checking if the pneumonia requires different management.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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