Symbicort

[mshistory]

I ended up at the doctor's office AGAIN today with another round of bronchitis (plus a sinus infection - lucky me!) and as she was listening to my breathing, she said it sounded "tight" and couldn't hear any breathing sounds. So I got a breathing treatment (albuterol) and told her that all I had was my rescue inhaler and I was using it almost every day. She gave me samples of Symbicort and a Rx for it if it works well, but after reading about it, it's kind of freaking me out! Should I start out with something milder and safer like just a corticosteroid inhaler? For those of you with asthma, what you are on to control your symptoms and did you start out with something like Symbicort?

[Parched]

Hi mshistory,

I have used Advair for a lot of years now.  I believe it is similiar to symbicort.  I was very concerned with starting the medicine after reading the literature.  But I went ahead and used it and it made a big difference in my asthma symptoms.  I didn't need the albuterol much after my asthma was under Control with the advair.

The best advice I can think of to give you, Every time you use an inhaler rinse and gargle with water and then spit out the water.  (Do this after every use).   Most of the time i will brush my teeth and then rinse and gargle with Act Dry Mouth Rinse.   I have really dry mouth from Sjogrens and I was getting thrush frequently before I knew I had sjogrens.  Advair increases your risk of thrush..


Hope you are feeling better soon
Parched

[anita]

I use Symbicort, and Ventolin as the rescue inhaler...but rarely need the Ventolin because the Symbicort works so well.  Give it a try.  You'll  know pretty quick whether it works for you.  Based upon your posts, you have significant asthma symptoms so you likely need something as strong as Symbicort.

Let us know how you do with it.

[mshistory]

Thanks parched and anita!

Parched, that was great advice about brushing/rinsing after using it. I decided to wait until tonight to use it for the first time so I can just match it up at times I normally brush my teeth, and I also use the Act Dry Mouth twice daily so it will work well.

anita, I think you're absolutely right - my PCP seemed shock I didn't report feeling that short of breath after she listened to my lungs. It's sad, but I think I've gotten so used to it, being short of breath just seems "normal" to me. I am hoping some of my severe fatigue will be alleviated by controlling this asthma better - if I can get better oxygen circulation, then perhaps I will feel a little less tired all of the time. I'm glad to hear it has worked well for you, and am hopeful it will be a good treatment option for me.

Geez, the cost of these meds is outrageous though! My insurance only covers 50% of non-generic drugs, so it will be costly, but worth it if it improves my quality of living.

Thanks again for the responses - you've both been so helpful!

[irish]

mshistory, Please start using the symicort. You have had so many problems that I worry for fear you will have a severe hard to stop asthma attack. You have been given an inhaler that will make your life much better.

My hubby has been on Advair for a couple of years now and is doing good. He was on Spireva first and ended up with hives and that was the end of that inhaler.

I have worked as a nurse and given a lot of inhalers over the years. There is very little problems with them in general if used as prescribed. Just remember that the doctor orders how many times a day and how often. The albuterol/ventolin rescue inhalers work wonders, but if you take too many puffs too close together you can experience irregular heart rates, etc.

In other words, there is something in everything that could affect some of us but not all of us. The bottom line is the Symbicort will probably save your life. Good luck. Irish

[mshistory]

Thanks, Irish! I started the Symbicort last night, and my coughs are actually productive since then. Thank you so much for your concern - the support on this board is wonderful and I truly appreciate it 

[Duchess]

Hi,

I am glad you decided to start taking your Symbicort. I know that reading that literature can freak you out, but hopefully the benefits out weigh the side effects.

I, too, have asthma. I have been using Symbicort for over a year now. I also use Pro-Air as a rescue inhaler.

Symbicort contains Budesonide( a steroid) and Fomoterol ( a brohchodilator).

Did your doctor perform a pulmonary function test? If not, ask her about doing one. This test measures how much/how well the lungs take in air.

Feel better soon.


Duchess

[mshistory]

Hi Duchess,

Yes, I have had the baseline pulmonary function test but not the methacholine challenge. I have a pulmonologist, and after the exercise test and the first round of breathing tests (the spirometry) thing, I had such bad coughing fits I wasn't too eager to schedule the methacholine challenge. I told my pulmonologist I would do it if he thought it was necessary, and he said we'd wait a few months and see how I did with just the Ventolin. Obviously, my symptoms have been getting worse though. I've also recently had a CT scan that showed no sign of lung disease (thank God!) so we're pretty sure it's the asthma causing all of these problems.

[Duchess]

No lung disease. YEAH!!!

I am rooting for you.

Duchess

[irish]

I say forget the methocholine challenge and just go with the inhalers and on with your life. Nothing like a bloody medical test to kick start your symptoms and make you worse!!!! I think you have had a challenge---life is the challenge as your coughing has gotten worse.

Hopefully, you will continue to improve. The steroid in your Symbicort will reduce the swelling in your bronchioles and you will be able to move air better, cough up mucus better with resultant decrease in infections. Yea, life should get better. Irish

[mshistory]

Thanks Duchess and Irish! I'm hoping it wasn't just a coincidence that I actually felt better yesterday than I have in a LONG time...even with the remnants of the sinus infection and bronchitis. My fatigue wasn't nearly as bad yesterday as it has been for almost a year. I sure hope this continues, because you're so right, Irish, I would feel like I actually had my life back