Asthma flare ups

[alvariam]

I am on Fostair, 2 puffs twice a day and up to 8 puffs a day as per asthma plan as required. I have been prescribed Prednisolone several times after flare ups. I do get perfect relief from the steroids, but after a couple of weeks the asthma rears it`s ugly head again.

I wonder if the inhaler could be changed to give better results as the Docs seem very reluctant about steroids. I have an appointment with a nurse tomorrow, but I did ask for a doctor face to face. What a surprise not being able to get to see a doctor !!

Any comments, observations.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi Alvariam,

It does sound as if your current medication isn't controlling your asthma, if you're needing frequent courses of oral steroids. They're not ideal as they do have side effects but can sometimes be needed. But they definitely shouldn't be something you keep needing when there are other options to control your asthma. This is something to point out to your GP/nurse - if they don't want you to keep needing oral steroids, they need to revisit your regular treatment.

I would strongly suggest you give the asthma nurses at ALUK a call before your appointment tomorrow. 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp on 07999 377 775 Monday-Friday 0915-5pm. Although they can't treat you, they can chat everything through and discuss what options you have and how to approach it with the nurse tomorrow.

[Homely2 Administrator]

I had much the same, my asthma nurse took the view that as I did not respond to the standard Treatments, I should go to a consultant, to be properly investigated.

After lots of messing about, I ended up with fostair 100 mart, spiriva and alvesco. They keep me off prednisone.

Have a chat with asthma UK to work out what you need to be raising with your nurse.

[Beth_19]

I’m in a similar boat as my asthma isn’t controlled at the moment. Hopefully the nurse can help you, but if you are needing so much steroid treatment you probably need to see the specialists at your local hospital. Has your doctor talked about this with you at all?

[alvariam in reply to Beth_19]

You must be joking about seeing a doctor. My appointment tomorrow was requested as a doctor face to face, but no I have a nurse`s appointment. I do however have an asthma nurse`s appointment later in the month at my local hospital.

[Thomas45 in reply to alvariam]

The last time I had an exacerbation of asthma was at a weekend. I filled a form in online on a Sunday afternoon, giving details of my problems, and was phoned at 8am the next day, and saw a nurse-practitioner a couple of hours later. I was prescribed prednisolone and antibiotics for a week. A fortnight later the infection had not totally cleared up, so I filled in an online form on the Sunday, and saw a GP doctor at 9am next morning.I'm 79, and have been asthmatic for 50 years

I use a different inhaler from you. I also have permanent, though asymptomatic, AF.

[alvariam in reply to Thomas45]

Thanks , I to have af but asymptomatic. I was diagnosed with asthma last October when I had to go into hospital for 12 days to be stabilised . No antibiotics prescribed at any time. 5 days on predisolone and I am completely clear, for a while anyway.

[Beth_19 in reply to alvariam]

I can understand your frustration, it is very ridiculous that you can’t get to see a doctor, especially when that is what you have asked for and are needing steroids so much. Can you call up the asthma nurse at the hospital and see if they can bring your appt forward at all? I know services are overwhelmed but might be worth a retry.

I hope you can get sorted at your appt.

[Thomas45]

I used to have 5 days at 40mg a day, but in recent years have been prescribed 7 days at 40mg. Fortunately my last flare-up was the first since before the pandemic.

[Lunabi]

I can sympathise with you. I am on Fostair and have been given numerous inhalers over the last 4 years. I am ok for about 4 weeks then I go down and have to have Prednisolone. It is the only thing that helps me to breathe. I have to have them every month! I don't wake at night with asthma but start to get a cough which becomes mucus like and it is this that seems to get stuck in my throat. I have taken Montelukast as well as other meds, none of which seem to help, I gradually go down despite taking the inhaler more times. I don't feel I have hay fever as I don't get itchy eyes or a runny nose. My doctor wanted me to take Spiriva Respimat but I have read that people over the age of 65 should not be taking anticholinergics as they cause cognitive decline and dementia, this was on the Alzheimer's Society website. I went into the doctor's the last time I was struggling just to show them how I am and they agreed I needed to have a course of Prednisolone. They have also put me on a permanent antibiotic Azithromycin too but unfortunately nothing seems to stop my going down. Does anyone else suffer in the same way?