Symbicort

Anyone else had their life changed by this magical wonder inhaler!?!

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I could kiss the people who invented it. A wonder drug - yes, it has changed what having asthma is about (for me). I still need quite a lot of bricanyl but symbicort is probably the only drug I never forget to take!

[midgie82]

Hi!

Would also be interested to hear peoples thought on this because after a rough couple of months I have just been prescribed Symbicort alongside both my blue inhalers. Basically been on Becotide for years but it started making me really dizzy couple of months ago when i took it so I got changed to Qvar which made asthma & pain in my hands worse and then got changed to Pulmicort & Oxis turbohalers about 3 weeks ago. So far so good - seems to have made real difference to lungs so now i'm about to start using Symbicort... hoping it makes life a bit simpler than having to take couple of doses of 2 different inhalers whilst trying to stop cheerios disappearing into various appliances (ah the joys of having a small toddler around!!)

midgie

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Well i had a gazillion different inhalers growing up which i don't remember the names of, but always landed back on Becotide. My asthma was pretty bad, until about 2/3 years ago, i was prescribed Symbicord and i barely veen know i have asthma anymore, in fact i've gotten to the point where my ventolin is just a clogged up dusty piece of tat at the bottom of my handbag!

I guess everyone's different though huh, i'm sure it can't work that perfectly for everyone or they'd have the whole world of asthma prescribed to it by now...

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After not being able to control my asthma for about a year and a half, I got tried on Symbicort and has really found it helping my asthma. I like being able to up and down my dose according to how I feel.

[midgie82]

Hi

I started taking the Symbicort on friday and its definitely saved me a lot of time if nothing else - tis very handy only having to take one dose from one inhaler. Tis also kinda handy on days like today to be able to take another dose coz i've got soaked going out to feed the bunny and the rain is making me cough (im sure wearing a coat is probably more sensible - but there we go!). Don't know if its made much difference to my hormonally tempermental lungs yet but we'll see!

Hope all well and keeping dry (where is the summer gone??)

midgie

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This may be of interest:

NHS Direct launches asthma support programme

22 Oct 2007

NHS Direct is to launch a telephone review and follow-up programme for all patients who have been prescribed Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) by their GP – a new way to treat asthma.

The national telephone and online advice service is working with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to provide the patient support programme, which will monitor patients by telephone to ensure that they fully understand their new asthma treatment regime and that they are using the correct dose.

Patients will be referred to the service by their GP. If patients are found to be over or under-using their inhaler, experiencing inappropriate levels of symptoms or any new side effects, they will be referred back, by the health advisor, to their GP for a face-to-face consultation.

Once a patient has chosen to use the support programme, his or her details will be passed on to NHS Direct by the GP practice. Health advisors will then contact each patient within seven days.

The programme offers patients reassurance and support when starting this new approach to treating their asthma but it is also convenient. All information shared with a NHS Direct healthcare advisor remains confidential and is only shared with his or her GP.

During the initial phone call, the NHS Direct healthcare advisor will carry out a review of the patient’s symptoms and medication use using a structured questionnaire. Subsequently patients will be monitored by telephone every six to 12 months to ensure that they fully understand their new treatment and are using it correctly. Following each review, a report will be sent back to their GP.

Anne Joshua, associate director of Pharmacy at NHS Direct, said: “Our involvement in this programme forms part of our strategy to support people to manage their long-term conditions at home using telephone based care management systems – and medicines play a key role in managing long-term illnesses.

Joshua added: “NHS Direct is keen to run similar patient support programmes with other pharmaceutical companies.”

Steve Littler, NHS Direct nurse manager (asthma team) added: “We are delighted to be working with AstraZeneca. The team’s knowledge and experience gained from working with asthma patients over the years will enable us to provide a quality and safe service for both the GP practices and their patients.”

e-health-insider.com/News/3...

As for me - it hasn't provided the miracle i had hoped for... Nor does it appear to be of great use during an attack...

[midgie82]

Have to agree the symbicort doesnt make a difference during an attack but is saving me time compared to taking two lots of pulmicort & oxis so in that way it works for me.

Not entirely sure i like the idea of being monitored by telephone!

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I too agree that the Symbicort doesn't provide much relief during an attack. I still end up taking ventolin of even having a neb. And I haven't found a reduction in the number of attacks I get either

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I've been on Symbicort now for 3 months and I have really noticed an improvement in my energy levels and a reduction in attacks.

When I have a bad attack I do revert to ventolin but thankfully these are reducing in numbers and I find the symbicort is effective in relieving the symptoms after an attack.

So yes for me it is a wonder drug. I am also lucky to have a consultant who has been extremely supportive in my use of symbicort.

Good luck and I hope it helps your asthma as much as it has helped mine.

Judi