Frustrated about thrush

[Wheezycat]

Just frustrated. About 2 or so weeks I was told by my pharmacist I need to change my medication, from Symbicort to something else. The reason is that I get recurring oral thrush. Every few weeks it restarts. I deal with it quickly and simply by using oral Daktarin for a few days each time and that deals with it. But now I am told it is not a good idea, that as I am prone I should instead be on a medication with which I can use a spacer. (Eat your heart out BBC!)

Anyway, i was unsure whether to go the gp route or an nurse route, and was advised by the switch board that talking to the in-house pharmacist would be best. As this was not urgent - I am not ill etc - it seemed a great idea. I had no idea there was such a person! So a telephone appt was made for last Monday, but a couple of days before ‘they’ cancelled and changed it to coming Friday. Now that has also been cancelled and changed to 20/12.

I know full well that it is fine really, though I just want to get on with it.

Has anyone else had this issue, recurring thrush, with dry powder inhalers?

[Damon1864]

Yes I did, both my GP and nurse told me to rinse my mouth out every time I used my inhaler now I'm fine. Hope this helps,have a good evening and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[Wheezycat in reply to Damon1864]

I always do the rinsing routine, and if I am on prednisolone, I also often brush my tongue, insides of my cheeks etc. I still get it. That’s the problem.

[Spikedog66]

Despite using spacer, rinsing brushing and mouth wash I still get thrush have tried many herbal remedies too. Fluconazole is the only treatment that works for me. It lasts up to two months might last longer for you as I think my body used to it. My teeth have suffered due to taking inhalers and medication for most of my life so my dentist says. I buy fluconazole online as it's expensive from the pharmacy. If you find a good remedy or someone out there has one please let me know. Feel for you it's awful.

[ChrissieMons]

I gave up on Symbicort because of the throat issues - am fine on Fostair now. I thought only your GP could prescribe a change of medication - the others may only advise. Good luck!

[Wheezycat]

I think you may be right about who can prescribe, but apparently talking to an in-house pharmacist can be useful. He/she understands medications, so I can bring up not only thrush, but also my increased cramps since I started on Symbicort. They can then advice the prescriber. Or so I was told.

I have been reluctant to change from Symbicort because I spend time in Sweden, and it is a Swedish (sort of) medication. It felt reassuring to be on something well known there. But I am sure they can cope with alternatives, so time has now come to reconsider.

It is good to hear I am not the only one with this issue.

[Amy2091]

You should automatically be rinsing after taking it anyway and so long as it's not affecting you personally - to the point YOU want to change then the pharmacy have no right to tell you to do so. It's most likely due to costs. I take symbicort mdi and that can be used with a spacer (I can't suck the turbos lol)

[Wheezycat in reply to Amy2091]

Thank you! I always do the rinsing routine. The concern is that I use oral Daktarin each time the thrush flares up again. And if there are concerns I don’t want to just dismiss them. I use the DPI.

[Elspe]

I cannot take a powder spacer without getting Thrush - maybe it's the number of years I've had treatment, IDK. As it is, with my diabetes moderately controlled I get it maybe a couple of times a year and it's BAD. The pessaries don't work, creams don't work and I always wind up begging for the pills. But those do work

[Wheezycat in reply to Elspe]

I don’t get it that bad at all, thank goodness.

[Meme63]

Yes! I have to rinse very well after using any inhaler with steroid in the content. I do hold the inhaler slightly away from my mouth and cup my hand on the side to guide the medicine in so to speak. I had a pulmonologist show me this so I do know it works. I never put the inhaler inside my mouth! Also, if I do wind up with thrush, which is on occasion, I always have an herbal remedy on hand and it works AMAZINGLY WELL! I never travel without it. It is called The Red Door teapills dao chi wan. I order it online if not available locally. Hope this helps!

[Wheezycat in reply to Meme63]

Thank you. I use a DPI and I have to breathe in quite firmly for it to work. I will look in to that remedy.

[Garden18]

Get a proper face to face GP appointment urgently and don't get fobbed off.

I had recurring mouth thrush for months and it had got infected so my GP took it seriously as can lead to other problems. Sorry can't remember the name of meds but it cleared up after a week.,was told to go back if it didn't clear.

[Wheezycat in reply to Garden18]

Thank you for your response. I must admit I haven’t particularly worried about it, just dealt with it as and when. But I do need to see someone, about that, as it suggests I need to change my medication (spoke to asthma uk nurses, who said that also). I also need to discuss one or two other asthma related things, but yesterday I just got frustrated about lack of available appointments. But I will get on with it.