I’ve had my third dose of a 5 day course of pred this morning. Feeling a bit worried about finishing because while I’m a lot better than I was, I’m still getting breathless walking round the house. Am using ventolin every 4 hours as instructed but it’s not really lasting so am just managing things by staying still a lot. PF is just under 80% of best but doesn’t usually drop a lot unless I have a chest infection.
At what point should I speak to my GP again? Do I call on the last day of the course, or the day after if still not feeling better?
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alexanderosman
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It might depend how easily you can get through or how helpful your surgery is. But I'd ring today or tomorrow rather than leave it til the last day especially as you're clearly still symptomatic. It should be kicking in now so maybe tomorrow you'll notice more of an improvement...but if not it's unlikely the 5 days will be enough.
What dose are you on? I think if you are still breathless when you walk around on day 3 you are likely to need more. I just rung up for my wife to get an extention on day four as she she was getting attacks still. Our surgery responds the same day fortunately. Which 111 they have always sent me to a&e or in person clinic so didn't get any pred from them, my symptoms were the same.
I was on 30 for 13 days to get under control. If the inflammation is very bad and sounds like its pretty bad can take a while, hopefully the higher dose will get you there quicker. Have you been able to track your peak flow? Have you seen an improvement?
Peak flow has been up and down throughout. Was better after the neb at the weekend then drifted down again. It doesn't usually drop much unless I have an infection though. I spoke to a receptionist who said if I call the appointments line tomorrow morning I should be able to speak to a nurse to sort out some more pred. Hopefully she's right. 🤞
Your definitely doing the right thing by calling them today. 10 puffs of ventolin overnight! Wow!
I had a short course recently but called my GP becauseIi realised I still had symptoms, still using ventolin etc and getting to the end of the 5 day course. I explained that I would feel happier tailing off the steroids rather than stopping abruptly and that was sorted for me together with a new rescue pack. have just taken the last prednisone 5 mgms and touch wood all ok. I hope you have a helpful GP practice.
I also found it helped to get mucus up if it's there, I used guaifenesin, drank plenty and used huffing cough technique. After taking inhaker so it's more open.
I have had similar to you recently, just funished 2nd course of pred. I spoke to my GP last week as I wasn't getting better. She said tjere could be lots of inflammation and to let it settle a while longer. One week later it does seem to be seting down more.
My wife spoke to asthma UK nurse today and they said that they if not significantly better on day 3 then extention other while you may go down hill after stopping.
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What if pred doesn't work for you?
Steroids not working? 
Steriods!
