Swapping spiriva to Trimbow and update on referral

[Celie1]

Hi, I managed to speak to the asthma specialist nurse at my own GP’s, about my increase in flare ups, increased prednisolone and need for referral that I posted about last week.

He was very helpful in that he acknowledged that a referral was necessary, although being seen by a Consultant ‘as they have only been treating COVID patients for the last 6 months’ would be unlikely until next year. However he is starting the ball rolling with tests that need to be done e.g. CT scan, blood tests and ECG, in order to give me a diagnosis, so I’m very pleased with that 🤗.

He explained too, that my asthma was not ‘allergic’ i.e. my eosinophil (?) markers are low (I didn’t even know they were monitoring these in my general blood tests 🤷🏻‍♀️) so I don’t meet the criteria for biologics meds (I think he may have said I don’t meet 2 out of 3 of these but didn’t quite understand . Does this make sense to anyone? - think this may be why he needs the other tests 😏)

The other thing he did was to change my Spiriva that I started last week and Fostair to a single inhaler called ‘Trimbow’. Has anyone had any experience with this? 🤔

Lots to say - hope not confusing 😳😆

[twinkly29]

Yay to a good consultation! And also to a referral / the ball rolling for the next stage.

Not eligible for bios.... that's a fun club to be in....welcome...!! Over time maybe results will show other things for you and there is a new bio being developed which doesn't require Eos or something so maybe in future that would Bevan option (that's literally all I know about it though!) But even if not, consultants have access to meds that GPs don't so there will be other options.

I don't know anything about Trimbow....but someone else might! Seems to be the same steroid as Fostair plus the same LABA as Fostair (so continuity hopefully!) and something else which presumably does the job of Spiriva....but I really don't know about that bit!

[Celie1 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks for your reply. I have learnt quite a bit, being on this forum but don’t know anything about bios 🤷🏻‍♀️...Does that make me a unicorn!😆 By the time I get to the Consultant we might have a clearer view of what’s happening with me. Fingers crossed for Trimbow. Hope you’re going on ok x

[Lotti_321-]

Sorry if I’m jumping in or suggesting something that you have already ruled out. Have you had your IGE levels checked to see if you are eligible for xolair? My esophills are always too low so aren’t eligible for other biologics but am on xolair due to my ige. Just might worth checking if not already been explored. Hope the new inhalers help.

[Celie1 in reply to Lotti_321-]

Hi, no not jumping in, any advice welcome thanks.

One of the blood tests is to check total IgE, so maybe he’s thinking of that. 🤔What does Xolair do and has it worked for you?

Thanks 😊

[Lotti_321- in reply to Celie1]

This explains it better than I can asthma.org.uk/advice/severe... basically helps for allergic driven asthma. So I suffer badly from hay fever, eczema & severe asthma. It helped massively initially but after 6 months it has gone downhill. But my hospital team aren’t sure if it is coinciding with starting to inject at home due to the pandemic- so re-trialling having them in the hospital.

It’s good they’re starting the ball rolling with the tests, so your consultant can be more informed once they can fit you in - fingers crossed it won’t be long.

[Celie1 in reply to Lotti_321-]

Hi, thanks for the link, I’ll have a look, but not sure I’d qualify for that as I don’t think I have allergic asthma. 🤔Although I have a runny nose all year, excema now and again, and pressure urticaria, nothing shows up in blood tests 🤷🏻‍♀️as well as the asthma flare ups that have recently become more frequent.

Sorry to hear your treatment has become less effective, hope the hospital trials sort it out for you. Your asthma sounds a lot worse than mine. 🤞

Yes, I’m pleased about the tests, hopefully they’ll find something that works for me. 😊