This is my first post. I think I just need reassurance really. I have asthma for a few years now. I was on the brown inhaler for those few years and not very often needing the blue one. It seemed over night my asthma got worse which was very concerning for me. I’m now on the Fostair 100/6 plus the blue inhaler when I need it which at the moment seems a lot. Can be once a day can be 3 times a day can be none. I saw the asthma nurse in December and she seemed happy that the fostair is working and to take my blue inhaler when needed. However this is at times upsetting me and finding it hard to come to terms with my condition.
Written by
Pink-crochet
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am not sure I can reasure you about your diagnosis Asthma although many of us can have similar symptoms we also have different experiences of living with asthma. For me the key has been having a great respiratory nurse . I have been lucky and have always been well supported. My asthma has not held me back. I also have bronchietasis.
With the right treatment which has changed a lot over the years I just get on with things.
Try not to dwell on your asthma it does not define you.
Thank you, I think because taking my brown inhaler I never had any need to take my blue one. Then everything changed which has made things scary for me. When I take my Fostair sometimes I feel it makes things worse. Thank you for your help.
Hi, I am sorry this has happened. But with asthma you can have good periods and not so good periods. It sounds to me as if you are needing your reliever inhaler (blue) a lot. The guideline is that if you need it more than 3 times per week your asthma is not so well controlled. Keep track how often you need it, and if it is more than 3 per week, contact your asthma nurse or gp again. You may also find it helpful to talk to the Asthma nurses on the helpline - telephone and WhatsApp contact details above. I have always found them very helpful indeed!
Thank you. Yes I went to the asthma nurse in November last year after the brown inhaler no longer worked and was relying on my blue one a lot. She wanted to see me in 6 weeks which took me to December to see how I was getting on with it. It did make a difference although not a huge difference. She wanted me to carry on with it and said to take my blue inhaler whenever I needed it. Just before Christmas I was on antibiotics for a tooth infection and at the same time I felt my breathing was better as a result of the antibiotics. Then things were good for a while and now I feel worse again. I can walk 12,000 steps in one go every day and I feel a heaviness in my chest some days while walking. Even when just sitting so I do take my blue inhaler and feel I do control my asthma well but like you said I am taking it more than 3 times a week.
Of course it's hard to come to terms with. Do be gentle with yourself,. When I first got it , I made sure I would go in a corner to hide the fact I needed a puff, now if I need one , I need it whether I'm holding a supermarket line up or not. Be proud you are dealing with a serious conditionAs for how many times you need a puff, it's harder to get oxygen out of cold weather, that is why it's handy to wear a mask
Thank you , your supermarket comment made me laugh 😆 are you able to read my other comments? Yes maybe the weather doesn’t help. This is my first year with symptoms as the brown inhaler always done its job. It’s just getting used to all these different things that come along with asthma. My asthma nurse said my breathing should be absolutely clear with my inhalers which it is for a while then a heavy chest again. I think I worry it could be COPD or another lung condition.
I would try not to dwell on being asthmatic, that in itself can make it worse for some people, you can have good spell and not so good but without a full exacerbation. Ask you go/asthma nurse about increasing the Fostair temporarily when you are "off it" instead using the blue inhaler
Hi there, I too have recently been put onto Fostair which has helped my COPD so much. My breathing is much improved. However from about November to late February I always need my blue inhaler more frequently. The cold and damp affects me always. Could that be why you currently need your Ventolin more frequently?
Yes this could very well be the problem as I’ve only been on fostair since November 22 so I’ve hit the worse time in weather. Many thanks for your reply.
Fostair comes in two strengths. 100/6 and 200/6. Could it be possible you need the higher dose?
Also, a lot of people are put on a MART regime with the 100/6. This means that they take their usual morning and evening doses, but can also use this inhaler when they are symptomatic to reduce the underlying inflammation.
I think both of these are something you could discuss with either your asthma nurse or your GP.
I agree with teddyd below, we all have similar problems with our asthma , it’s sounds like you’re getting worried but if have the inhalers and it’s being controlled try not to worry. My pattern is similar to yours but I take a tablet at night . I have lots of other conditions to cope with what I have found is getting a hobby that you love it takes your mind of your illness works for me . Xx
I have tried crochet and would love to learn it , I tried you tubes and I can get a circle but not the rest . What I need is to be sat with someone teaching me not stopping and rewinding I can’t learn that way but I can knit xx
I can’t knit anymore it’s too painful on my shoulders . I thought crochet which is in front of me might have been better . I dabble in lots of craft s so I have plenty to keep me happy . Xx
Hi Pink-crochet, sorry to hear your asthma isn't so good at the moment.
As others on here have said, you shouldn't need your blue/reliever inhaler more than 3 times a week at most. It can take a bit of time for a new inhaler to kick in and while that's happening you will probably need to use the blue more, but if you started it in November, it should really now be at the point where the Fostair is as good as it will get.
I don't know if the asthma nurse got the wrong idea about how much reliever you're actually using, or if she didn't communicate what she meant. However, she shouldn't be happy for you to be needing to use the blue reliever more than 2-3 times a week, particularly now you've given the Fostair a good try.
If you're still needing the blue a lot now then it suggests the Fostair isn't doing enough - something needs adjusting. (Just to be clear - you absolutely *can* take the blue whenever you need to, you just *shouldn't need to* very often, if your preventer regime is the best it can be!)
I would go back and say that you're still needing to take reliever and how often (emphasise there are days with 3x or more, even if some days it's none). I would ring the asthma nurses here though before you go and have a chat, as they are experts who have more time to talk through what's happening than your GP or asthma nurse. They can also suggest options you can ask your nurse/GP about. You can reach them 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp 07378 606 728 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm
Also, don't worry that you're maybe not fully controlled right now - almost everyone's asthma can be, even if it can take a bit of time and sometimes more than one trial of medication, or more than one medication. There are still plenty of things you can try (But be aware this forum will attract people who are struggling to get controlled and may have severe asthma, which will make it look more scary and like that might be you. Well controlled asthmatics with no problems generally don't spend time on forums like this!)
What a see saw! I'm sorry it is taking so long to settle and of course you must keep in touch with your GP & nurse. However, I agree with Gareth,that it is easy to focus too much on being an asthmatic. Actually, we're not supposed to say that now; you are a person with asthma, as asthma does not define who you are. You might try just sitting and breathing calmly before you reach for the inhaler to see if you can calm your breathing down on your own. If you are really struggling, of course get it. Roll on the fine weather!
thank you so much. Everyone has been so helpful and it seems my asthma isn’t controlled correctly. I will make an appointment to see my asthma nurse. She did say to see her at any time. Thank you and thank you all.
easy answer, insist on a face to face GP appointment to discuss your asthma as you should not need the blue inhaler as often as you are taking it.
Unfortunately, not all nurses reviewing asthma patients are respiratory nurse specialists. Although a well trained respiratory nurse is worth their weight in gold
Talk to your GP, try writing down examples of when you’ve needed your blue inhaler. For example, what triggered the breathlessness , wheezing or coughing episode . This will help the GP to assess the correct treatment plan for you. If your medication is changed, ask for a review in 3 months.
Yes I agree it is upsetting knowing we have breathing difficulties and it's only going to get worse but you have to be inspired by the people on this group who have had the same problems for years and still fighting on. Hope you get some help with your breathing and meds. Brian
It can be very scary when you think you have it under control, then you have an attack it hits you for six. Then you will have preventer and a reliever. You just have to follow the instructions from your doctor and respiratory team. But it is scary the first one you have.
Sorry you're finding things hard. I don't have asthma per se but hyperreactive small airways disease after covid in 2020. It is very similar and getting the right inhaler was a process of trial and error. Fostair was no good for me, I felt it made my breathing worse. I now take Qvar 100 one puff twice a day and get on much better. I notice when I am stressed (work, life!) my breathing is worse and I use Ventalin/Salbutamol (the blue inhaler) more frequently, sometimes easily more than 3 times a week. I try not to stress as I know it passes and there are ups and downs with this condition. I understand though that it can be upsetting and confusing. My breathing is also affected by the weather- cold air or very warm humid air. It's a learning process. And of course when I have a cold. If you are concerned speak to a doctor/nurse. Wishing you well.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
(But be aware this forum will attract people who are struggling to get controlled and may have severe asthma, which will make it look more scary and like that might be you. Well controlled asthmatics with no problems generally don't spend time on forums like this!)
Eosinophilic Asthma?
Asthma advice 
Asthma worse but no 
What's your asthma action plan?
