Hi, I'm new here, been using Symbicort for about 9 months now, but symptoms of my asthma are still here.
I'm 57 quite fit, run everyday , and had very mild symptoms of asthma for years and used my ventolin now and again.
But for about 9 months now, I get this like tickling feel of asthma no wheezing, So they put me on Symbicort which has not really been working, I wake up early morning to take this this as I feel the above, and it's not controlling my symptoms.
I also am experiencing phlegm or catarrh that I can't shift.
I have read about Fostair and people who have switched from Symbicort to fostair and it's helped them.
I am going to see the asthma clinic next week to see what can be done.
Should I ask to see if I could try and switch to fostair and which one spray or power?
Any help or advice is appreciated thanks 😊
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jameyx1x1
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Do you take your Symbicort regularly, say twice a day, every day? It's designed to be taken whether or not you have symptoms, so it prevents rather than relieves symptoms.
It could be a change in treatment would help. Fostair is a similar inhaler type to Symbicort, in that it contains an inhaled steroid and a long acting bronchodilator. I found Fostair to be a much more effective medicine. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to predict which inhaler will suit someone, so it's trial and error. You should know by the 8 week stage whether or not the inhaler is effective (it takes up to 8 weeks for the steroid to become fully effective).
I take dry powder as the propellant in the aerosol inhalers is a trigger for my asthma.
Montelukast is an add on treatment and good if you have exercise induced asthma or allergic rhinitis.
Phlegm indicates inflammation and your tickle suggests this, so if a new inhaler doesn't sort the phlegm out, try Montelukast just in case it does the trick. You'll know after 4 weeks if it's effective or not.
So whatever new treatment you start, make sure you have a follow up review after a couple of months, to make sure the new treatment is proving effective. No point in continuing with meds that aren't working for you.
I'm envious that you run every day 😊, but exercise is a great thing if your asthma allows.
Well I will say for me Fostair was a game changer as after 23 years of my asthma battle of finding the right inhaler for the last 4 years I've bee using Fostair and my asthma has never been as under control as it is now. I will state though this may or may not be the case for you as we are all different, so I hope this helps
One puff of preventer lasts approximately 12 hours hence taking it twice daily. If you already take twice and sure you're using it correctly I'd go back to the GP about it plus explaining the stubborn phlegm. Have a thorough read of the Symbicort leaflet, it'll explain how long before it kicks in, how to use it, dosages etc. (I always keep one up to date leaflet for everything I'm prescribed).
The manufacturer hopefully will have a video on correct inhalation.
Personally I prefer spray type (MDI) over powder, Fostair 100/6 is my preventer (it's MART ie can be taken up to 8 times daily if necessary) and it suits me very well. However, we're all different what's fantastic for one may not be for another. Good luck with getting sorted. P
Hi my friend! I too suffer badly (at times) with asthma & I found neither these sprays worked on me: Following an illness in hospital many years ago the doctor put me on Seritide Works wonderfully & I use :Seritide to open my lungs: then Ventolin twice a day then mornings I have Spiriva respirator all works wonderfully & I have chronic lung disease following Covid & pneumonia! I hope this helps you!
Hi,I am really overwhelmed from everyone's kind words and help. It really does restore my faith in humanity and proof that there are good people around us.
I really don't usually reach out like this, but I thought why not this time, and was so surprised with all the great input and advice here.
I've been using Symbicort regularly since July last year, every morning 2 doses evening 2 doses, and yet, I'm still having symptoms, in fact I am woken up by them early mornings which disturbs my sleep. I'm taking the dosage correctly, watched the videos and read the leaflet thoroughly.
I was supposed to have a 3 month review of Symbicort in October of last year, but that never materialised, I think due to our hospital's under staff and being poorly paid by our government my follow up never happened. So this is why I called them and they have said, go to the asthma clinic to get an assessment.
So after reading all the posts here, I'm now more convinced that Symbicort is not working for me and I will ask to change to fostair at my asthma clinic on Tuesday. I do hope they listen.
Thank you all once again for reading my post and giving your time to respond it has meant a lot to me.
First thing to check is whether you are I) loading the Symbicort correctly and ii) taking it correctly.
I) it’s essential to hold the turbinates upright when loading - it can’t load if you’re holding it horizontally. ii) are you breathing out completely ( facing away from the mouthpiece), and then sealing your lips tightly around the mouthpiece with it between your teeth ( not in front of them) and then breathing in forcefully and deeply for at least five seconds, and then holding your breath for up to 10 seconds.
You need a deep forceful inhalation to release the drug from the inhaler and to get it into your lungs.
Then the other point made by others in this thread is that Symbicort is best also used for relief of symptoms instead of the ventolin you said you are using. Asthma is caused by inflammation ( swelling, tightening of the air passages and increased collection of phlegm/mucus inside the airways) and ventolin does NOT treat this inflammation - where Symbicort has both a quick acting reliever AND an anti inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid- so it’s better and safer to use the Symbicort for relief. ( of course keen the ventolin for emergency use if you have a severe attack).
The Fostair is also licences for regular as well as relief use, and is available in two types of inhaler. So if you cannot use the Symbicort inhaler properly, then it may be worth changing- however as above it may be best to first ensure you are loading and using the Symbicort correctly before changing.
Finally make sure (ask) whether the nurse you see in the practice has appropriate training in asthma care.
Luforbec is basically the cheaper version of Fostair. Our ICB has switched everyone over from Fostair to Luforbec. I haven’t started on the Luforbec yet just using up the last few doses of Fostair.
I have Fostair and my husband has Luforbec, I used his inhaler at night by mistake as I didn’t turn the light on and it tastes slightly different but it worked as effectively as my Fostair
Hi, I’ve been using Symbicort since 2003, and as of today starting Fostair. Sadly, my asthma was not well controlled with Symbicort + Salbutamol (ad hoc basis). I do not have COPD, but could not get rid of coughing - mostly at night, but at time morning as well. I am allergic to things and take antihistamine too. I’m clinician (not lungs!) and feel quite positive about this change. I’ll be also seeing respiratory doc at the hospital (at some point), so the hourly is out right now. I was a runner, rider, etc. still do but less so, age yadda yadda…
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1st appointment with the respiratory consultant 
peak flow best of 3 today ws 400
laryngospasm started in recent months
Fostair excessive use maybe? 
Sore Throat and inhalers
