I had the same side effects from using Asmacort...don't know if the chemical is the same as your Pulmicort. Notice that I am morely likely to get the side effect if I breathe in REAL deeply and it lasts about an hour. Am new to these steroid inhalers (had to get off asmanex after about 2 weeks due to this side effect) and was afraid to really breathe in deeply until I made sure I had no side effects. Also find that I feel lousy if I use it the maximum times per day prescribed. Started with only 2 puffs/day and tried to increase to 4 but the scarey feeling prevented me from doing that.

I also took the old pulmacort and actually was told the new one was not different, yet now I can't breathe...I find myself using the rescue inhaler now on a regular basis when before I never had to use it while on the 200mcg pulmacort. I am now on 180 mcg and am always out of breath. On top of that the new albuteral changed too, now they use HFA instead of CFC (is that right spelling?) anyway the new albuteral I had serious side effects heart racing, but the worst part is I got no relief, so I had to take more and it still didn't help. I researched it and found some places still have the old albuteral, so I have refilled my prescription and now at least I have some relief..although I have been told that by Dec 08 it will not be around anymore.. I just don't know how I will breathe come the end of this year.. scary...
PS: Doc just prescribed ASMANEX, haven't tried it yet, they first told me Qvar80 and after reading the side effects I said no, I am so scared to try something new.. Please help.. what is as safe as the old Pulmacort yet works as well? Having a hard time here.. thanks