Just been given Lubfobec - is it effective?

[trueroox]

I have been using Clenil for years as a preventative inhaler and have just recently been told I have to swap to Lubfobec and not have ventolin any more. I'm so scared, Salamol didn't work at all for me and actually seemed to cause asthma attacks. The asthma nurse told me I could no longer get Ventolin and would have to take this new one which has both reliever and preventative together. I don't understand how this is better. I don't use the blue inhaler daily, weekly etc. just when needed. Now they want me to be taking something twice a day and use the same inhaler if I get an asthma attack. This doesn't sound right to me. Yet the asthma nurse is unable to allay my fears.

Having been through topical steroid withdrawal for 5 years for my eczema I am terrified about the damage steroid inhalers could be doing to my lungs. I just get told they are completely safe and to keep using. Forgive me but that is what doctors told me about topical steroids and the damage was apalling. It has taken years to recover but the thinnned skin is healing slowly. I think I'm too scared to use these drugs. Help...

[And33]

it sounds like they have put you on the mart regime which is where you use fostair 100/6 as both maintenance & reliever, lurfobec is the generic for fostair.

[Poobah]

Clenil is a steroid inhaler, a preventer. Luforbec is a steroid inhaler that also contains a long acting bronchodilator. Ventolin is a short acting bronchodilator.

You don't mention that your asthma has got any worse, yet your asthma nurse wants to step up your asthma treatment by adding a long acting bronchodilator. Having the occasional Ventolin is currently considered fine, and I still have my Ventolin Accuhaler as a rescue inhaler for when I need extra help.

Luforbec is the generic med alternative to Fostair. I'm on Fostair but not as a MART treatment (maintenance and rescue treatment). It has proven to be really good for me. However, we can't tell if a new inhaler will suit us until we try it.

I think you have 2 choices. 1) give the new Luforbec inhaler a go for a few weeks to see how you get on. 2) try and see your GP and say that as your asthma is under control you want to remain on your Clenil and Ventolin inhalers. If you do try the new inhaler but see worsening symptoms, then definitely see your GP in order to reset your meds.

I understand your concern about tinkering with treatment that is working for you. You can chat with one of the Asthma UK nurses if you want reassurance. They're available office hours, Mon to Fri, on 0300 222 5800.

All the best. I hope you get things sorted to your satisfaction.

[Mandevilla in reply to Poobah]

I second the advice to call the helpline - they are so kind and helpful and can talk through any concerns you have. You may find after calling them that you are reassured about the new treatment and are happy to try it, but if not, they can advise you on the best way of approaching your GP to discuss your concerns. I found that whenever I contacted my GP 'on my own' about something, I just got brushed off, but if I said 'Asthma UK has suggested I contact you about...' he listened! So do give them a call.

[ChromoneLover]

That is really good advice: I just phoned them, as I get seasonal allergic asthma, if my hayfever is not treated sufficiently (antihistamines don't work - only sodium cromoglicate blocks the reaction completely), and they said that I should go back to my GP, to see whether I can get a specialist interested in re-examining my allergy treatment, then perhaps find out whether they would represent me in requesting sodium cromoglicate (for inhalation) to be made available again, in the UK