Tiotropium and Cramps: What Users Say

• sce...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2014

For COPD, Maintenance "My COPD was not getting any easier to live with. I stopped taking one medicine because it seemed to just make things worse. The doctor was not very helpful. But she did say, 'Well, you can try Spiriva.' I waited almost a week to try it. But when I had some time off from work, I decided it was time to give it a shot. I felt better quickly, but only for a few hours. I continued using it, and I must say that after 3 weeks, I am feeling much better. I got up this morning and did not even reach for the Albuterol. I am hopeful now, and I do recommend this medication. Side effects have been minor. Dry mouth is the only thing I can link to the medicine. I have started taking Potassium supplements again to overcome the leg cramps, which may be a side effect."

• Qui...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "Almost drowned sitting up. Diagnosed with COPD. Leg cramps and back pain. Taking Spiriva and Symbicort. Will try potassium pills to see if tired legs go away. Been taking Spiriva since last October 28. I'm breathing ok. Not normal but ok. Haven't used rescue inhaler yet. I give myself oxygen therapy at night and a few blasts in the am. Breathing in through nose and out with pursed lips to help. If you care about someone who smokes, tell them how bad it is. It really sucks. It beats you up."

• tty...
• October 3, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "I have taken this medicine on and off for 2 years and the side effects outweigh the benefits. Terrible night cramps, dry mouth, coldness down to the bone all the time which goes away when I stop taking it. I can breathe better with it but it is not worth the other side effects. I have had bronchitis and asthma since I was 8 years old, and I am now 70."

• Des...
• July 17, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "Having read the comments on this forum, I can't believe how many similarities there are with the symptoms I am experiencing. Hoarseness and phlegm are the most annoying, closely followed by crackling in my ears, nasal congestion, and cramps. I have very recently taken myself off Spiriva to see whether my condition changes. I can't say Spiriva has been very beneficial on top of my mainstay medication, Seretide and Uniphyllin. It seemed to help initially, but I now think that was more to do with psychological factors. I recently went to see a throat specialist about the hoarseness/cough/phlegm issues, only to be advised that my medication was not a cause but that I was experiencing reflux, something I have never experienced before I started taking the medication. There was no acknowledgment from the medic that Spiriva has all of these side effects, as well as sinusitis and cramps."

• Dav...
• November 10, 2014

For COPD, Maintenance "Was diagnosed with COPD Emphysema several years ago. Have been using Spiriva since but still cannot say that I notice any benefit. My GP's, chest nurses, and consultants (9 different ones over the years) maintain that I am benefitting from using it. Do suffer from leg cramps, so will be trying potassium supplements to see if they help."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2024

For COPD, Maintenance "I took Advair for a long time, but it has steroids in it, and it weakens bones, contributes to weight gain, etc., and I just didn't want to be on steroid meds long-term, even if it's less than the pills ingested. I am a senior and have urgent bladder syndrome, and the upside is it helps with controlling that. I hear people talk about leg cramps, I have no problem with that, which is a low potassium problem that diet or supplements can help with. I have not had any bronchitis or phlegm problems, and if I do, I take Mucinex right away to make it lose and expel it. There is also a breathing exercise I found online that helps expel phlegm. Drink water so you don't dehydrate, and watch diuretic drinks like coffee, beer, etc. This medication you should not drink alcohol with. I'm going on my second month of it. Hope I don't get short-term memory issues with it as I did with a medication to control my urgent bladder problem I had to stop. My breathing is very good right now."