Out of control

[Nerja2012]

I'm new to this Forum but here goes.6 weeks ago I contracted Flue type A which resulted in a severe chest infection, after 4 courses of antibiotics and steroids and no improvement Doc put my on a high dose of erythromycin which thankfully worked, previous to this I was changed from Symbicort to Fostairnext 100 mart, which threw me all to pot, my question is how long will it take to get my asthma back in control, I'm using fostair on the max dose (8) and was told I will know myself when I'm ready to reduce the dose, it's 2 weeks since I finished the antibiotics.

I find it very scary as I'm normally a very fit person walking at least 5 miles with no problem, anxiety is a big issue also but not sure if it's the meds that's causing it.

Feel like my asthma will never be as it was.

Bit long winded but thanks for any advice given. M

[Homely2 Administrator]

I would ring the asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800. They are brilliant.

They also run a mindfulness course online, which may help you.

Inhaler changes can take time to settle down, and sometimes they are just not the right change. I was on max fostair 100 for six weeks in the autumn and it made me very jumpy and I would not willing repeat it. So I would be talking to your medic soon, but I would ring Asthma UK first to get some ideas.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Homely2]

Homely, Thanks for that.I will try ringing them . M

[Nerja2012 in reply to Homely2]

Homely 2 and Peege Thank you so much for your advice.

I rang Asthma UK as you both suggested and feel so much better after speaking to them, they gave me extra guidance on the Fostair which has made things a lot more clear but mainly I have to realise that it will take quite a while for me and my asthma to recover from the flue and I have to accept that.

We can be hard on ourselves at times but we carnt always bounce back much as we would like to . So thanks again M

[peege]

Hi, very sorry to hear all that Nerja. I agree with Homely2 that a call to the helpline professionals would be beneficial.

I can only commiserate and compare to my experience of 5 x pneumonia in about 18 months plus endless infections, it usually took at least three months to feel completely back to my normal. I did take lots of tonics, vitamins and minerals (even expensive Manuka) in an attempt to regain my immune system - but do call the helpline (uk office hours) for advice and guidance from the helpline on that.

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong - I don't think the last flu vaccination included type A catching out many people.

My advice: absolutely don't overdo it, gently gently does it going forward, plenty of warm drinks & self TLC . P

[Nerja2012]

Thanks Peege, I forgot to say that I have to take Respimat x2 once daily till it all settles.I went to AE when it first started and they did a nose swab, I'd had the flue vaccine but obviously to no avail.

I'm taking prio biotics, magnesium taurate and vit a&d, I will give the helpline a ring and thanks for the advice M

[peege in reply to Nerja2012]

I'm so pleased you rang the helpline, also that youre taking pre or probiotics, magnesium and the vitamins. I take so many vitamins, minerals and supplements that I rattle ! We do what we can to stay as healthy as possible. Good luck, P

[Chip_y2kuk]

If you've had 4-5 courses of antibiotics to kick the infection.... im afraid its going to take time... probably a few months for everything to settle down and heal.

And I wouldn't worry about being on 8 puffs for a short while .... the alternative is a course of prednisolone and in my opinion if you can get away with 8 puffs, I would be doing that instead...

im on the fostair 200 nexthaler and currently taking 6 puffs a day of that (under guidance from the hospital consultant) even though I have a rescue pack which includes prednisolone In the cupboard.... because the consultant has the same opinion as me... taking prednisolone like I was (everytime they gave me antibiotics at one point, which was frequently) isn't good.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thank you Chip, you are certainly having a hard time, things starting to settle now, hope its the same for you soon

[RABS1957]

well iam sorry to hear about your problems, I can only say that my daughter is on the Forstairnext she’s says it works for she is 28 and had problems seems forever then she found it was the type of pill she was taking that caused here anxiety and breathing problems, I was bad with my breathing and had same as you antibiotics etc, I had chest scan proved no problems, they gave me Symbicort told take 2 sucks morning and 2 at night as it’s none based, after 2days I was on the mend and kept going for 6months I asked should I stop doc said no it has a preventive in it and a little of the immediate relief as well he says keep using it, even after 15months I still do it and don’t have any problems, I work as plumber so there is fumes and dust everywhere, I smoke 6 cigarettes a day and have about half bottle of vodka, not all at once 😅 I eat well lots of homemade soup and fish, I drink a lot of water 2 litres about, I am always active iam 68yrs old , you must gargle after using inhalers as the leave residue and drink water swallowing after, eat black pepper and turmeric on a lot of occasions they say it helps , maybe go back to what worked before but you must keep it up, that infection you had played a big part on things going wild but now that, that is over you should build up immunity I had flue jab and bronchitis jab went down for a few days but that was all. Anyway I wish you good luck and hope you get well soon let’s us know how your doing bless you.

[Nerja2012 in reply to RABS1957]

Thanks for that Chip, just need to be patient I guess .

[Nerja2012 in reply to RABS1957]

Thanks for that, feeling better today.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum.if yr having probs with fostair,do see Yr gp/ asthma nurse.flu& exacerbation of asthma with lung infection,will have knocked the stuffing out of you.itll take time to recover from.i imagine Yr exhausted too.be kind to yrself,don't do more than Yr able.x

[Nerja2012 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks for that PatkYou hit the nail on the head, advice taken.

😊 .

[sciencepotato]

Hope you recover soon.

I've been on Fostair 8 puffs for a while and then switched to Symbicort and still on 8 puffs daily for 2 years. I think if you need it you need it. Hopefully won't cause any serious side effects long term.

[Nerja2012]

Thanks science potato, things have improved the last couple of days so hopefully will settle down soon.