Have Asthma And Taking Medicine. Having Joints Pain, Advised Bone Density Test. Using Foracort Inhaler And Unicontin. Suggest?

Posted on Wed, 11 Sep 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 Answered on

Wed, 2 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I am an asthma patient and taking medications from last 5-6 years. Of late i'm feeling pain in my joints and a friend advised to get the bone density test done because the steroids in the asthma drug may lead to osteoporosis. Not sure if this is true. I've regularly using Foracort 400 inhaler and Unicontin E400. Also, i'd like to mention that i smoke 4-5 cigarettes a day and drink maybe twice in a week though I exercise regularly.

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Go ahead with the bone density test

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Yes, your friend is right. Steroids used in asthma can lead to Osteoporosis in the long run.

Please go ahead with the bone density test.

Cigarette smoking also increases the risk for osteoporosis-induced fracture.

Hope this information clarifies your doubt.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar