I'm in a bit of unchartered territory at the moment so would really appreciate some advice from fellow sufferers who may have more experience dealing with it.
I was diagnosed with asthma as a baby and had it throughout childhood. When I reached my teens it vastly improved to the point I didn't need a reliever inhaler for years. Then when I was about 25 I got a really bad cold with bronchitis and it triggered off my asthma again. It was well controlled with a low dose of steroid inhaler over winter when symptoms flared, and I barely used my salbutamol.
This year however, since June, it's deteriorated. I've had 4 mini asthma attacks so far where my peak flow has dropped significantly. I was able to treat at home following the action plan and did not need hospital intervention.
I've been working with my GP's asthma clinic to find a steroid inhaler that works for me. The best one so far has been Fostair 200/6 (gas version, so I can use my aerochamber with it). Whilst my peakflow has improved slightly on it, I still feel symptomatic - tight chest, frequent cough etc, and I keep getting these awful coughing fits that last 15-20 minutes. It's that bad it often makes me gag, and gives me a sore throat for days after. Taking a few puffs of Salbutamol calms it down. I find it difficult to do a peak flow reading during them as the action triggers more coughing. Once started, I find these coughing fits will be on and off for a few days. Are they mini asthma attacks?
At my last clinic apppointment they were happy that there has been *some* improvement (with peak flow) and asked that I try stick it out for another 2 month on the Fostair to see if the little improvement becomes a bigger improvement once it's in my system properly. It's been about 6 weeks on this inhaler. What would you guys do - get back in touch with the clinic to update them and try something else, or just hold out for a bit longer?
Thank you,
Steph
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6 weeks total on the Fostair? If so I'd give it a little bit longer (usually takes 8 weeks or so to see the full effect) and in the meantime use your salbutamol whenever you are symptomatic. I think I'd keep a note of all occasions as sometimes a written record of reliever use hits home to reviewers!
It may be that, after the full trial period, they might want to increase the strength of the Fostair or maybe look at something else to add in, eg montelukast.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. I've double checked and I have been on Fostair 200/6 for 7 weeks (and 1 day) in total. I keep track of the peakflow morning and night; and note whenever I have these coughing fits, but aren't yet keeping a note of the Salbutamol use. I will though - you're right, it would help them with clinical decisions.
I'll try be patient for a little longer with it. My asthma has never been like this so it's all a bit new and it's difficult to know what to do for the best!
It should be coming up to its full effectiveness then really but maybe the amount of salbutamol use will prompt them into considering an add-on if it's still not controlled. It can be frustrating enough waiting for things to kick in but when you've been patient and it's not quite there and then the so-called experts are being vague or indecisive or think it's ok just to wait for a miracle to happen then that's even more frustrating!
Yeah, it's the suffering whilst waiting that is really difficult to handle. It's been going on since early June so I just want to feel better now. I'm so exhausted from disturbed sleep every night. Thank you again for your insight and understanding.
Yes I get coughing fits.... cough so hard I can barely stand up or go dizzy
I normally get this when I've got a chest infection which interestingly the doctors now think is mucus stuck in an irritated airway and they have tried me on carbocistine.... which makes me really thirsty but makes mucus really thin and easy to move .... it appears to be working and I suspect the doctors may be right
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I'm sorry to hear your coughing fits are so bad you go dizzy. It's really unpleasant and makes you wonder if it'll ever stop.
I wonder if I'm similar as I often feel rattly before these coughing fits. Glad to hear you've found something that is working well for you. I will mention this at my next appointment and see what they say. It doesn't really help when they're all telephone consults at moment. It'd be better to be physically seen and have the chest listened to if symptomatic at the time.
Yes in my case my chest was "bubbling" so the doctors where giving me antibiotics every 2 months ... but speaking to the right GP she said have you ever tried carbocistine?... its not normally used for asthma but breaks down mucus and makes it really easy to move .....
Which sounded like a plan to me as the last GP I spoke to said you can't possibly be having chest infections that frequently it could be mucus stuck in your lung
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