Fostair not for everyone?

[Lizale611]

Hi all, I can see that Fostair has big benefits for a lot of people however I am not sure it’s working for me and I am keen to hear of any others that find it might actually make their breathing worse??

Since having a minor virus (maybe Covid) back in March, my normally controlled asthma has been much worse. For years I have been on Clenil 100 only during winter mainly, using salbutamol occasionally after exercise/ running. After I had this minor virus (no cough) for a few weeks and I was using my salbutamol more, the docs put me on Fostair 100/6 twice a day. Since then my asthma seems worse, out of control and continued talks With my doctor has just resulted in upping Fostair to 200/6, having montelukast, and now on second round of steroids. Which I don’t think actually do anything. Steroids have usually worked for me but this time they havent.

So I am at wits end and either thinking that Fostair isn’t working for me or this isn’t actually proper asthma! In terms of breathing issues it’s more shortness of breath I have rather than a wheeze. Any personal experiences similar to mine please do share.

Big thanks

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Inhalers are individual. What works for one might not work for another. If you feel like the inhaler has made you worse then give your doc a call tomorrow and discuss changing onto a different one.

Personally I’m on relvar and do better on that compared to fostair, and I know someone on symbicort who is also unable to use fostair.

Hope this helps and that you feel better soon

[twinkly29]

I'm another who tried Fostair but got on better with Symbicort. I can't actually remember whether Fostair made it worse or just didn't help as it was ages ago, but Fostair definitely wasn't my "key". As Emma said, it's a very individual thing.

[AirIsUnderrated]

No advice about inhalers but I also had suspected Covid in March and have been breathless ever since. I wasn't asthmatic before. I also didn't have a cough until chest infection #2 at week 9, and I only have a wheeze if I exhale all the way out.

I started with salbutamol (helped a bit sometimes) and then added Qvar. Do you find the breathlessness gets worse in the afternoons and evenings?

[Lizale611 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Hi, sorry to hear that. My breathlessness varies actually, some days it has literally gone (I can go on a nice long bike ride) and then some days (like this week) it’s constant and I feel like I need my blue all day. I haven’t heard or been offered Qvar so not sure what it is but I will read up. Has Qvar helped you? And has your doctor offered any other type of advice? Thanks

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Lizale611]

It is pretty variable, yes. Qvar is the fine mist version of Clenil, a steroid inhaler. I’ve only been taking it for 3 weeks and takes up to 4 to see an effect. I take it morning and evening with Salamol in between. I’ve just been given a spacer for the Salamol, but my afternoon dose at around 5:30pm simply doesn’t do anything. I’m fine in the mornings then my chest gets tight after lunch (whatever I eat - it’s not a food thing) and the Salamol helps them it gets tight again mid afternoon and the Salamol doesn’t help and I’m breathless till the next dose at 9:30pm. This has been for 4 days now. Weird isn’t it?

Does the blue one help when you take it?

[Lizale611 in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Ah I see, yes I was on Clenil for years, as part of a controlled asthma plan, only needing it in winter months, but have recently been put on Fostair 100/6 as my symptons got worse from March. I do take Salamol in between when I need it (but I can also take the Fostair) and yes it does tend to help. However, sometimes I take more than 1 puff and up to 5). If I were you I would speak to your GP or asthma nurse as they might suggest a slightly different plan, even though as you say it might have been Covid.

[Poobah]

My family have had several cases of Covid and they all had different experiences. My very fit niece just had shortness of breath and her oxygen levels would dip as low as 82. Some days she was really poorly then she'd feel better and a couple of days later the SOB would return.

As an asthmatic I can have SOB but my oxygen levels would still be 94 or above. It may be worth checking your oxygen levels on days when you feel good as well as when you experience SOB, this may indicate that the SOB is Covid related or if it's an asthma issue.

Having said that always stick to your asthma plan and treatment.

If it is Covid then it may take quite a while to recover. One family member got sick in March and still has SOB & fatigue.

[Lizale611 in reply to Poobah]

Thanks Poobah, really helpful. My oxygen levels are very good and have never dipped below 97 (which is when I feel particularly tight), normally ranging between 98-99, which leads me to think it is asthma. And my chest xray is clear which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose. However, my Peak Flow is pretty consistent at 440-450 even when I have shortness of breath / feel worse, and I dont really have a wheeze hence why my doctor thinks it might not be asthma. It's the not knowing that is the hardest.

[Poobah in reply to Lizale611]

That is a conundrum! I wonder if something more like physio and breathing exercises may work? It may be something as simple as breathing technique that's causing your SOB?

If you can't get a physio appointment because of covid restrictions then there are videos on YouTube made by qualified physios showing breathing techniques and exercises.

It may also be good to get your GP to do a MOT, blood pressure etc once you can get a face to face appointment.

All the best.

[Lizale611 in reply to Poobah]

Yes! You may be right. I will look at breathing exercises and also ask for more tests. So frustrating but thanks for your feedback. All is useful

[Poobah in reply to Lizale611]

Just thought, get a full blood count in order to rule out aneamia. I went for over a year with doctors giving me more and more asthma meds as I was so SOB. Turned out to be aneamia. I kept saying that I had no wheeze and didn't feel like my normal asthma - luckily a consultant ran blood tests and now I'm on iron which keeps it easily controlled.

[Lizale611 in reply to Poobah]

That's a good point, I was anaemic whilst pregnant and symptoms aren't far off that. Will speak to my GP again. thanks

[ChrissieMons]

See your GP and insist on an appointment with a respiratory consultant. All the advice here is good, but you need to know definitely what is going on.

[Lizale611 in reply to ChrissieMons]

Thank Chrissie, yes I will!

[Hidden]

I'm on fostair I have no shortness of breathe it makes my hand and fingers lock and has given me indigestion

[Skd49]

Phone Asthma uk and speak to a specialist nurse- go through your issues. After 9 weeks of asthma and chest infections, I contacted them and was given excellent recommendations regarding changing my inhaler. I then asked my doctor to change to the nurse's recommended inhaler, and have been better ever since. Good luck x

[Gilly100]

Fostair was no good for me 106 or 206 so went back to seretide.

[Jollygood]

Hi lizale

Just a suggestion but looking at your timings, since March the pollen count has been particularly high leading to many an asthma flare up with symptoms dragging on. X

[Lizale611 in reply to Jollygood]

Yes, I have thought that, although have never had a problem with pollen like this before...but I guess these things can just crop up! THanks