Thrush from Steroid Inhalers

[Logo132]

Hi, I’ve recently been moved over to the MART regime and I’m using the fostair powder inhaler. I always rinse with water after I use the inhaler but I still have a bad case of thrush on my tongue, which has a white coating and it causing loss of taste.

I went to the pharmacy and have been given daktarin gel, which I’ve now been using for 5 days. I’ve not noticed any difference at all. I’ve also bought a tongue brush and scraper but again no difference yet.

I just wondered how others have coped with this and have you found any treatment that helped for stubborn thrush?

[Jolu29]

Hi I was finding this from being on steroids ,my lovely chest nurse t Guys sid ti speak to gp to get something stronger. The gp hs prescribed a tablet for 2 weeks

[Bevvy]

I rinse with salt water when plagued by oral thrush and find that far better than any prescription medications. It was originally suggested to me by my gp after finding that prescribed medications just not helping.

[Gareth57]

hi, just a thought but could it be the angle you hold the inhaler, perhaps it is tilted down so the powder hits your tongue? Try tilting it up a bit so the powder goes slightly to the top of your mouth? Hope that helps

[Popplemoggy]

Hi Logo123, sorry to hear about your struggles with oral thrush, in my experience it can be a nightmare to get rid of. I too have been prescribed Nystatin, which didnt help me eiither, and i , like you, have good oral hygiene and always use a tongue brush after using my inhalers. I have also found natural live yogurt very effective in keeping the thrush at bay. I have a small pot daily or a live probiotic drink(but these can be expensive).When its very bad my GP does prescribe antibiotics and this is usually when the thrush has spread to my throat but i have to say the yogurt has kept any thrush at bay for almost a year now. Hope this helps you and you are able to get relief from yr symptoms soon.

[klaradb]

I have a repeat prescription for an anti fungal pill called fluconazole. I find if I just take one pill it is normally enough to clear it up. I also find eating yogurt every day keeps it at bay.

[LilsM]

I have also had oral thrush when using Fostair next powder inhaler even though i have been careful to rinse, gargle and brush my teeth after use.

i had a long awaited face to face appointment this week with my GP. She changed the prescription back to the non powder Fostair (although the asthma nurse had told me it would not help).

Within 2 days of using it through a spacer the thrush has cleared up tototally, I'm coughing less and my chest is no so tight.

I wish that the nurses (I have seen several, all very knowledgeable about astma) would listen to the patient and be prepared to try a change. The powder inhalers are not always the best option. We are all different in our response to medication.

I hope you manage to resolve your problems with this inhaler.

[piffila]

Mine is bad ever since I had to double my Fostair. Waiting on a GP appointment as it’s going down my throat but I do find Corsodyl twice a day helps a lot (it just tastes rank! and can temporarily stain your teeth). Along with Daktarin which I use after the Corsodyl to try to alleviate the taste.