wanting to stop using Seretide

Hello, I'm new to this forum so please forgive any stupidity on my part. I developed Asthma aged 50 due to suddenly becoming allergic to cats, at the time I had 2 Siamese that were basically my family, I just thought God has a really twisted sense of humor! So my beloved cats are now long gone but my asthma seems to want to hang around. I really want to stop taking Seretide as I think it doesn't agree with me, think it reacts with my thyroid meds although everyone says it shouldn't. I had a phone consultation with my GPs Asthma nurse at the start of lockdown 1. and to be honest it was a complete waste of time all she did was throw a load of different inhalers at me, brown, yello, pink, but what she didn't do was listen to me. I basically ignored the new inhalers as most I'd already tired before I settled with Seretide as it was the least worst. But as I no longer have cats I can't see why I can't stop using the inhalers, but the nurse wouldn't hear of it so any advice on cutting down/stopping and over what period I should do this would be much appreciated

[TeachKat]

Hi - it’s never stupid to seek information or ask for help! I don’t have any experience of Seretide, but, before you think of cutting down or stopping inhalers, it would be a good idea to record your peak flows for a while - probably morning and evening, to see if they are stable or to track any variations. Then you could talk to your doctor or nurse about the next step.It’s always a temptation to to try and get off medication but it’s discouraging if you do it too soon and then have to go back on it! (Been there, done that!). Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to TeachKat]

thanks for the reply what you say makes sense. I suspect that I no longer need meds as have no symptoms am quite fit for my age, run for an hour most mornings, when ever they ask me to blow into the, whatever it is they ask you to blow into they always say, "well I'm not even going to ask you to do that again." obviously my lung function is good. So I assume that I'll just cut down to the point that I don't need it anymore, but I've looked and looked online and everywhere just say cut down gradually, but what the hell is gradually, a week, a month, six months? Gradually isn't an amount of time and its subjective . Was supposed to be doing 2X puffs morning and night then they said 1X morning and night so I'm not on a huge amount. and as I say the Asthma nurse was really no help at all but I did hear all about her holidays so that was good.!! thanks again for taking the time to answer much obliged

[twinkly29 in reply to Hidden]

I would ask her specifically. Or maybe try calling the Asthma UK helpline for advice? It should definitely be done in conjunction with a nurse or doctor though. One thing to bear in mind is that you maybe have no symptoms etc because you're taking the seretide - as that's what it should do - give no symptoms because things are controlled by that medication. So it's not necessarily a definite thing that you don't need it. Although of course trying to reduce is probably the only way to try it out.

[twinkly29]

Great advice from TeachKat. Keep evidence (peak flow and any symptoms) as it should help to prove to a GP or nurse that a step down would be ok to try.

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

thanks for the reply much appreciated

[Poobah]

If your symptoms are allergy related I'm wondering if a daily Montelukast tablet would be sufficient to control your symptoms? Coming off any inhaler should be done gradually and by taking your peak flow daily you'd be able to spot any decline in your capacity and reintroduce inhaled meds, if necessary.

I was able to stop my inhalers some years ago and was symptom free for a couple of years. Unfortunately, I was then exposed to stuff at work that triggered my asthma and I've been on varying doses of asthma meds ever since. It's definitely an individual thing and the meds & doses you require can be worked at over time. For you that may be nil or a low dose, but it will take time to fine tune that. Just stopping meds isn't the safest option.

NB that Montelukast doesn't work for everyone but is worth a try. You'll know after 4 to 6 weeks if it suits you. Thanks to M I can now tolerate cats.

Seretide is not an allergy specific med, but a combination of steroids & a long acting bronchodilator. These work to reduce inflammation that can cause the symptoms of asthma. The bronchodilator works on the day of inhalation, whereas the steroid works over time, so stopping it may not produce instant symptoms. It will take a few days or a couple of weeks to know if your symptoms are returning. But it will then take time to build up the efficacy of the steroids again, if required.

I agree that you should work with your asthma nurse in your endeavour and having a chat with a nurse from Asthma UK will definitely be a benefit.

[Shellc]

Funny u should that , I stopped taking my seretide about 3 months ago , I’m still on pred 5mg, I thought the seretide was making me worse , 3 months off and I feel good , today I decided to start taking again as I want to get off the pred as I was told better to inhale the steroid than take it , well after taking two puffs my breathing went down hill and I had a rash on my face , so that’s it for me never again , I had a similar reaction years ago with symbicort, I will try reducing pred tomorrow very slowly

[Shellc]

I do however take spiriva