Preventer inhalers

[juestweezing]

I’m off for an asthma review this week - currently on montelkast , two preventers and a blue, using my blue so often throughout the day. I constantly feel tight, coughing up phlegm, only feel okish when on prednisolene. Any new preventers that anyone has used which I can suggest to dr? I’m fed up with being palmed off and struggling to breathe

[RicStevens]

i moved to the coast and exercise daily on the beach and still no improvment. i cant take the preventers because they make me a snapper head but i am havining success with the Subutamol nebulisers.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

I’d suggest asking for a hospital referral. There are other drugs out there (and other preventers which may work better for you) which either GPs don’t know about or can’t prescribe.

Preventer wise I’m not sure what you’re on... personally I’ve found relvar Ellipta the best for me however others prefer fostair or symbicort or seretide... Is one of your preventers spiriva? If not that’s one to ask about. Alternatively if you have allergic asthma, you could try asking for fexofenadine (a strong antihistamine) to see if that helps control your triggers.

If coughing up the phlegm is difficult (and triggering you) there is carbocisteine which helps to break it down short term til you fine control - it’s traditionally for COPD and bronchiectasis. Asthmatic bronchitis (constantly coughing up white/yellow mucus) is typically a sign of poor control and inflammation... get the control and it should stop! (Took 6 years of it for the AN to tell me this 🙄... now I only have it when my asthmas bad or I’m ill)

Another one to discuss is theophylline/aminophylline (uniphyllin/slo-Phyllin etc) . It’s a pain when taking it (due to needed blood tests to get the right level etc), but it’s a godsend to many as it tends to be one that really helps. It’s the ‘old fashioned’ asthma treatment, and can come with some dodgy ‘instant’ side effects but doesn’t come with the long term side effects associated with long term pred.

After all of that you’re probably going to be looking at maintenance pred, with I’d suggest avoiding if you can due to the side effects, and biological injections (which can only be prescribed and given by resp specialist hospitals).

However I’d definitely focus on a hosp referral as that will open more doors for you! I hope that helps explain some of your options and that you fine some control soon. Good luck

[hoping2improve]

Hi so sorry you struggling. Do know the feeling. I am currently taking Fostair 200/6 , Spiriva Respimat , allergy meds too. Don't know whether they would help you or not. Salbutamol is also used more frequently than should. Am waiting on consultants appointment. Good Luck hope they come up with something that works better.

[Thomas45]

Asthma comes in many forms. I was diagnosed as having asthma in 1974 aged 29 after moving from West Sussex to West Yorkshire. I have had many different inhalers in those 44 years and my current preventer is DuoResp Spiromax, a dry powder inhaler which delivers 320mcg of Budesonide and 9mcg of formoterol fumarate dihydrate. It's the best preventer I've ever had. I only use my blue inhaler once or twice a week. But it might not suit you.