Non atopic, non eosinophillic asthma

[hb1977]

Hi,

I have been told by the local respiratory asthma team that I have this. Anyone else? What triggers do you have? What treatments are you on?

[Hidden]

Hi hb1977

Non-atopic non-eosinophillic asthma is also called non-allergic asthma.

If you have non-allergic asthma, your symptoms are caused by an irritant you breathe in or another factor, but are not caused by an allergic reaction. Common irritants include cigarette smoke and car exhaust fumes. Common factors that can trigger asthma symptoms include exercise, cold weather, colds and flu.

There aren't as many treatments that target non-allergic asthma (as allergic asthma), so it might be harder to get settled with the right treatment and may take some time to find the right medication for you.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, I know this is a little old but thought you might like to hear from someone else with it!

I'm under a tertiary specialist team ans despite a lot of efforts to see if my eosinophils would do something interesting so I could get mepolizumab, they have now pretty much decided I have non-eosinophilic asthma. I could have told them that a while ago especially when they kept telling me it was good that my eosinophils were low even when I am having an attack!

My consultant is very keen on FENO - have you had that? This seems to have a slightly confusing relationship with blood eosinophils - mine is never massively high but veers between normal, high but not massively so (48-58) and what my cons calls 'good for an asthmatic' (37). I used to be on long term pred by mistake (courses and tapers blended into each other) and that suppressed both FENO and eosinophils. Eosinophils are now normal but FENO can be high and is used to decide whether I should be getting pred (my cons really loves FENO but I'm fine with getting less pred, though A and E pay zero attention to FENO lol).

I am on Ventolin, Spiriva Respimat, Phyllocontin and Fostair Nexthaler 200/6 2 puffs twice daily. I was on montelukast until recently but my cons stopped it as I'm not atopic and he doesn't think it's that useful. He wants to stop the Phyllocontin because of side effects but I am NOT happy with that! I have pointed out I don't really have any and also that there isn't anything better for me at the moment because all the biologicals currently licensed or close to approval are for eosinophilic asthma grrr. I'm fairly poorly controlled as it is without removing something which helps.

My triggers are pretty much what Dita from AUK mentioned - cold air, viruses, pollution, cigarette smoke, exercise. I do also have a big problem with scents and flowery things - can't be around or consume anything with rose, lavender, violet or similar, cheap perfumes are bad (but expensive ones are not). Aerosols like deodorant and air freshener are awful as is paint. Weather changes affect me and humidity. Falling pressure also affects me whether that's thunderstorms or being on a plane descending.

What about you? Curious to hear from someone else with this type of asthma hence the long reply!

[hb1977 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I've never had raised eosinophils either. FeNO has been done a few times (always when well) and varies from 11-28. Never had it done when things have been bad. Currently taking Seretide 250 & Spiriva. Montelukast has been stopped due to not being atopic. Have had Fostair but stopped it because of cramps. Had two trials of theophylline and hated it both times.

Triggers very similar (infections are the worst) and are what is responsible for any ED attendances or admissions. Cold air, cigarettes, deodorants, perfumes, weather changes upset me too but nowhere near as bad as infections - I have home Pred and antibiotics for those situations.

Roll on the day when there are some more treatments for the non-atopic among us.