was this wise?

hi, ive been consitant on my pf on about 330 l/min for around 2 days and today i got 340. I decided to take only one puff of my preventer inhaler this morning. should i feel crappy and be coughing so much or should i drop my pride and take another puff of preventer before something goes horribly wrong?

[KateMoss]

Hi Wendy,

the aim of preventers is to keep you well.

Even when you feel well you should continue at the prescribed dose.

The lungs need the continuous dose of the steroid to keep the inflamation down and if you are on a combo inhaler (Seretide or Symbicort) the long lasting bronchodilator keeps the lungs open - bit like pit props!

Please ask your asthma nurse or your GP if you feel you need to step down any of your inhalers - don't undertake it yourself unless you have a written protocol in agreement with them.

Hope you feel better.

Kate

[Hidden]

my perscription says one or two puffs, ive been taking two puffs now for about 5 weeks, my in haler is the Ivax Beclozone 250 mg inhaler, its the strongest dose, well thats what the doctor sed. was breathless earlier and my pf went down to 310 from 340 which was a pain in the bum

[Moose1]

Wendy, i would recommend you either see your g.p or asthma nurse or speak to them over the phone. It's great to hear that your pf has stabalised and may even increase but it also depends on what your pf should be at. I would just run it past a dr or nurse, would hate for you to become ill :o/

Christine

[Hidden]

got my review next week, gonna go bck up to the 2 puffs for the time being, havnt gone up in ages actually *is confused*

its down today tho

[Hidden]

Wendy, I would not worry too much about the variation in your PF there are several non-worrrying reasons why there can be varience from not quite getting the technique spot on to the way you were sitting or standing or even simply the time of day. Obviously if there is trend then seek the advice of your GP or asthma nurse but PF's are a guide to how you are, they should be used as part of the picture not seen as the whole thing.

Bex

[Hidden]

i do try and use the pf as an indication to whats going on, there is a trend (which my doctor will be told about) and for the last week or so has been worrying me as it has been low. I'm going to talk this through with my doctor, as trends have been a little below my favour as of late

the good news is: i'm not trying that again in a hurry, not unless doctor thinks it best... i'm a funny one really, i hate being on medication for some reason so i try and be on it for as little time as possible, cant get away with it on this one *looks all sad*

[Hidden]

ok bck on the two puffs, no real improvement as of yet and pf down to 280 and that was at a push. Think i might call the doctor up if thers no improvement by tomorrow as i'm puffing like a chimney on my salbutamol *grr*