Asthma getting worst

[Onire2]

Am in Lagos. I have been managing my asthma for about 20 years use ventolin. I recently (last year) started using clenil I feel am not getting better. Any advice please.

[green881]

I don't think we have Clenil in the US yet, it seems to be just another beclomethasone HFA. I've used beclomethasone on and off for 50 years in the forms of Becotide, Qvar and generics. Seems odd to me that you had Ventolin for 20 years and never tried a preventer.

Anyhow, my personal experience tip is make sure you have enough starting dose. Beclomethasone is VERY effective but you need to reach a threshold dose for your height and size and severity of your asthma. Below the threshold it probably will seem to do nothing. Dose up, give it a week to kick in , then once your ventolin use plummets to zero you very gradually taper the beclo. It's weird but once you smother the asthma bout you need much less beclo (or can go off completely).

Don't forget the usual stuff, look for triggers, beware of new triggers later in life. All that helps reduce and gives space for the drugs to kick in as well. Good luck!

[Wheezycat in reply to green881]

But be aware, Onire2, that you may need to take a preventer long term. Here in the U.K. the guideline is that if you need to take Ventolin more than 3 times in a week then your asthma is not controlled, and you should see your health provider for something like Clenil, or another preventer, quite possibly long term. The US do things a bit differently I believe, and the same may apply in Nigeria.

[strongmouse]

If you can keep a record of your peak flow each day and when you need to take the ventolin. You should take the clenil daily regardless of how you feel as it works long term. As wheezycat has said if you need the ventolin (which opens up the airways so is used for an asthma attack or when your peak flow drops) more than three times a day then you need to see a doctor or Asthma Nurse to be reassessed. There are other medications which you can take which are stronger than the clenil , or you may need the clenil dosage increased if you are not on the maximum.

Asthma UK website have lots of useful information about managing asthma, ranging from mild to very severe.

[hilary39]

Have you seen a doctor? A combination controller inhaler like Advair or Symbicort might be what you need-

[Onire2]

Thank you for your replies. I have seen a doctor. She recommended I go for a test. I will be taking the test tomorrow.