I've just been prescribed a new inhaler called Fostair (Fostair 100micrograms/dose / 6micrograms/dose inhaler (Chiesi Ltd), ASTHMA: (beclometasone dipropionate / formoterol fumarate). I previously used Seretide (and salamol reliever) in the past
I've never had a combination inhaler before, just wondering if people here reccomend them? My asthma is only really triggered by fumes such as cooking fumes (frying, burnt food etc), although I have been feeling a wheeziness more recently at other times, not sure why so trying a switch. I'm hoping that this new one she reccomended might help reduce the fumes trigger as it is annoying (although not serious, just causes me to feel a bit wheezy).
She said there's also a drypowder Fostair inhaler also but to keep to the usual puffer inhaler for now as that's what I'm used to. I've read up on these DPI's, very different device and apparently they give off no greenhouses gases like inhalers- but I was shocked to hear that puffer inhalers give off greenhouse gases. I was never told that or would have looked at DPI's earlier, is the greenhouse gas inhaled by us each time we take a puff? Also obviously bad for the environment which I don't feel great about. I have the option to switch to the DPI version if the Fostair inhaler works me, will definately try it in future if it does work- looks quite a different technique.
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I have had fostair 100 for a couple of years. I use it under the Mart regime, which suits me. I really like fostair 100, but it did take me a month or so to settle down with it.
Re fumes, I hate fumes. A respiratory physio really helped me with this, by teaching me to use nasal breathing more, I particularly use it when in an environment my asthma dislikes.
Asthma UK do an online breathe easy course free of charge which helped me and introduced me to concepts like pulmonary rehab, respiratory physio etc.
Seretide is a combination inhaler... actually quite an old one (salmeterol and fl.... I forget how to spell the steroid)
I'm taking fostair 200 DPI and have also had the fostair 100 aerosol inhaler before that ..I would argue that the "greenhouse" gases from them are so small that they can't be that bad for the environment .... the worse part is that none of the parts are reusable.... they are all single use plastics that are recyclable.
I was told I had to have the DPI as "it has a slightly higher equivalency than the aerosol puffer"
I have Fostair . I like it, more effective. Smaller particles reaches the parts other inhalers don't! However I feel I can detect more side effects, like puffy face .
I've been on it for a couple of years and was changed over from Seretide. It gave me the shakes for a couple of months, for the first couple hours after taking it, then it settled down. The swelling in my legs went down as well which was an unexpected bonus. I refused the dry powder version, as when they first came out my lungs reacted to them the same as an allergen, which has made me weary of trying them again. My breathing has improved considerably on Fostair.😊
I take Fostair 200, used to be 100 until a few months ago and I've had no problems at all with it. Whereas initially I had side effects from numerous others that I have tried previously. Fostair has finer particles so it gets into your Lungs better! But of course we are all different, what suits one person may not suit you. Good luck 🤞
Trying to navigate all the inhaler options and terminologies is no easy task, either for doctors, or patients. We are all individual, so what works for one person, doesn’t for another. With a DPI, you must be able to take a FAST, deep breath when inhaling, which is not possible for many people, especially during an attack. I could not, therefore I cannot use dry powder inhalers as the powder just sticks at the back of my throat,(causing thrush) rather than getting into my lungs. It is worth trying both types to see what suits you and will actually work for you.
While we all want to be kind to the environment, and pollution of all sorts is so often what’s caused our lung conditions. I’m sure that just being able to breathe is everyone’s priority. I've heard and read some shocking statements, in effect "gaslighting", and pointing fingers at folk with serious lung conditions using life saving medications, which is ridiculous -and that is NOT a dig at you, because I was as shocked as you when I first discovered that. This information has been pushed by pharmaceutical companies, who ultimately control what’s on the market, and there’s been big changes in inhaled medications over the last few years, with more combination inhalers being produced. Just how much pollution and greenhouse gases is produced by every other aspect of how we have to try to live these days? The figures vary on who is actually producing the statistics! 🤨
I’ve used Fostair 200/6 for some years now, but since having had bad Covid 6 months ago, inhaled medications aren’t as effective as they used to be, so not sure what my own choices are now.
I hope your asthma nurse/ GP is sympathetic and will listen to your concerns to let you try the DPI rather than a pMDI inhaler at some point, but see how it goes, and the best of luck to you. I wish there was a magic wand for all of us! Take care, and all best 👍
Ps. Have a look at the Asthma+Lung UK articles below, as they may help you to ask questions about your medications relative to your asthma. They are a great source of information plus videos on YouTube. Hope it helps! 👍
I am on Seretide 500 and Turbutaline 100 and have been for most if the time I have had asthma treatment. But recently I was attending a respiratory physio appointment and the physio told me that generally they are moving asthma patients onto newer inhalers as they believe seretide causes some issues over long term use. I'm still on them at the moment but have apparently been referred on to the respiratory nurses to assess my current treatment. The physio did mention fostair inhaler to me in conversation but said the respirstory nurses would be better trained and experienced to discuss my treatment.
Thanks for all the advice guys, very useful! Just picked up the Fostair inhaler so going to take it carefully and won't worry too much if some initial side effects.
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