Seretide to Fostair, my experience and concern.

[Glen68]

So like all of us my Asthma gets worse in the Winter, however this year I wanted to just check in with my Doctor about my symptoms. I mostly struggle breathing at night, I average a 550 on my peak flow in the day (I'm 50 year old male) but with Ventolin get straight back up to healthy 650.

I was on Seretide but found it gave me a sore throat, voice and stomach issues, so I asked for a review... I'm now on Fostair but since using it (4 days) my chest feels tight but no wheezing, I cough more often, before rarely... and feel slightly nauseous.

These symptoms all fit nicely in with the common side effects, but I suppose I'm asking do they last? I'm planning on going back to the Doctor this Friday but thought I'd ask the community their experience with Fostair first.

Thanks

[Happy-51]

I was put on the higher dose fostair a few weeks ago. Lasted a week and went back to my seratide.

My PF dropped sharply and I just couldn’t get on with it.

[HungryHufflepuff]

I was on fostair for 6 months this year. Like Happy-51 it made my peak flow drop sharply. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I too felt nauseous and had a cough. Also other things like ridiculously shaky hands and arms, headaches, insomnia, itching skin, cramps. These side effects lasted all the time I was on fostair. I'm now on Seretide (and Spiriva Respimat and Ventolin) since about mid September. Can I ask what stomach issues you had with Seretide because I've got stomach issues too and I'd started wondering if it's caused by one or other inhaler. I started Seretide and Spiriva both at the same time in September and that's when my stomach issues began.

[Glen68 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thanks everyone for the reply... I've reduced my dosage and am off to the Docs tomorrow with my symptoms. I definitely feel worse on Fostair, than without it.

HHF, yes my stomach issues first started with bloating, then progress to a dull ache roughly centre 'Upper Stomach' area. I self diagnosed (stupid I know) but I assumed because my Seretide was in granular/powder form that some of the grains pass directly into the gut and cause a bacterial imbalance. I started taken high strength probiotics to counter that and improved greatly. Hope that helps.

[Hidden]

I've been on both and almost every preventer known to man.... I just stopped taking them every time. My asthma consultant put me on Anora Ellipta and Relvar Ellipta a couple of years ago and I no longer get oral thrush, hoarseness or coughs.

Best wishes

David

[Kiiam]

Hi there : interesting comments about Fostair : I had been in it for sometime, but recently switched over to AirFluSal : the fostair seemed to be causing voice problems , laryngeal tightening problems, and I thought chest tightness too : I seem much better on AirFluSal, although I guess all medications have some side effects ..... it is I guess about finding the right one for you xx

[Lizzie1956]

Have to say I’ve had no adverse effects at all on Fostair. Quite the opposite, it’s been a lifesaver.

Liz x

[Glen68]

Just an update: Back on Seretide today, along with a course of Prednisone.... how long does it take normally for the Pred to kick in and improve symptoms?

[Llamafarmer in reply to Glen68]

For me pred tends to work very fast- within hours. But it could depend on dosage, plus I believe there's a tiny proportion of people for whom pred has no effect.