E Asthma

[RvUSA]

Just diagnosed in the last couple months. Trying to learn as much as I can. For now I have been placed on Trelegy. And that seems to work. I still have trouble breathing everyday. Usually in the middle of the day. Seeing my pulmonologist this week and seeing what the next step.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum. Dou also have the blue inhaler salbutamol/ventolin? It is a reliever treatment to dilate the Airways & is a very effective at relieving struggleto breathe

[RvUSA in reply to Patk1]

Is this a rescue inhaler. The only inhaler I have is the Trelegy. Thank for your feedback . I will speak with my pulmonologist this week.

[Patk1 in reply to RvUSA]

Yes it is a rescue inhaler,commonly used x

[RvUSA in reply to Patk1]

I have tried ventolin and it did not help but this was before I started Trelegy

[janet65]

Hi and welcome from me too. I was diagnosed with E asthma back in 2019, my long term asthma went completely out of control in 2016.

Since 2020 I've been on biologic injections. These have made a tremendous difference to me, I still use my Forstair inhaler daily as prescribed.

Maybe that's something you could discuss at your appointment?

Good luck.

[RvUSA in reply to janet65]

thank you for the feedback

[Homely2 Administrator]

Handling asthma is very multi layered a lot is self help.

So I would keep an asthma diary to work out what is triggering it. Then when you establish your triggers work to minimise them, for me it is dust, pollen, humidity, cold air, also heavy meals. An air purifier helps me as does washing bed clothes at 60 and reducing house clutter. Blood tests helped establish my triggers.

I am just starting to explore the world of breathing exercises. Pursed lip breathing definitely helps me.

Then you need a good medic who will make sure you are using your inhalers correctly and will help you find the right medicine combination for you.

[RvUSA in reply to Homely2]

What kind of doctor do see. Right now I am just seeing a pulmonologist. Thinking that seeing an ENT would help also

[Homely2 Administrator in reply to RvUSA]

I see a respiratory consultant with an interest in asthma. If he cannot solve it, I will get referred to a severe asthma specialist.

However my day to day care is by asthma nurses, one at my local doctors and one at my local hospital. They are critical because they are much more available and much more practical than the consultant. It is really useful to have two, because one of them is normally around.

[RvUSA in reply to Homely2]

Thank you

[Headoverheels]

Hi...I was eventually diagnosed with E asthma 6 years ago. As time went on it became extremely troublesome having to change inhalers regularly and take Prednisolone to clear my chest of phlegm and stop the wheezing. Once you get to the stage of having to rely on these steroids too regularly you may be considered for Biologic Therapies. I must add that this can take a very long time as you have to fit a certain NHS criteria.Earlier this year I had a bad 6 months. Exacerbations were happening regularly and in May the steroids didn't clear my chest and I lost complete control of managing my asthma and was admitted into hospital for 7 days. The outcome was Biologic Therapies. I had been offered them on my previous visit to the Clinic and l refused as I was frightened of something new. After having experienced hospital I couldn't get onto Biologic Therapies quick enough!

I must tell you that they are life changing! One injection once a month and nothing to be scared of. The hospital are amazing and now I attend clinics for monitoring.

There is hope at the end of the tunnel RvUSA ...but it can be a rocky road getting there. I wish you all the best. I was in the same position as you once and I know exactly how you feel. I was shocked when diagnosed with E Asthma and read up about it on the web. One of the most important points ...do keep a diary. Write down your Peak Flows and how you are feeling. I can't stress how important this information is. Every time you go to the clinic you will be asked questions referring to Peak Flow and you won't remember.

There are times you do feel so lonely as it is a rare form of Asthma and others don't understand it. You are very welcome to message me through this site...It has helped me tremendously. Good Luck!

[RvUSA in reply to Headoverheels]

I have been on prednisone 4 times this year. I can breathe like normal for a little while and then it starts again.

[Headoverheels in reply to RvUSA]

Yes that's the pattern. Prednisolone 4 times is not good. By the time I started Biologic Therapies I was on two inhalers in the morning and a reliever for during the day and Montelukast in the evening. I no longer have the need to use a reliever but I still continue to use my others until hopefully one day I will be able to cut down on all my meds.I await the hospital instructions.

These are my experiences and obviously you are in the States so I have no idea of how a Pulmonologist would deal with Eosinophilic Asthma ...it may prove to be different to here in England.

[Poobah]

You may wish to discuss your medication options with your doctor. As Trelegy is a once a day medication, you're unable to use it to deal with any shortness of breath (SOB) at other times of the day. You could get 2 inhalers that cover the 3 meds in the Trelegy, one to be taken once a day, with the remaining 2 meds in a second inhaler to be taken twice a day or on a MART basis ( as needed over and above a set dose).Your doctor could give you Ventolin to help you with your SOB but ideally, you'd only need this a couple of times a week. The aim of asthma treatment is to reduce the symptoms so you're not experiencing symptoms daily. So it can take a while to try different treatments until you and your doctor find the mix that suits you and your asthma best.

[RvUSA in reply to Poobah]

Thank you for the feedback

[kdr112]

I was on Trelegy at one time but it just didn’t control my E asthma. I was diagnosed 6 years ago. I am on Advair and ventolin as my rescue inhaler. Also, I am on a biologic, Nucala, once a month. In addition I take singular. It has been a journey getting my medicines correct but I am finally there. I’ve only had to take oral steroids once this year.

Best of luck to you! It is difficult but it can be controlled!

[RvUSA in reply to kdr112]

Thank you for the feedback