Latest GP Article on Steroid Inhaler Changes:

In light of 2greys/Angiecbr's recent post on inhalers, here's latest GP's Pulse Magazine article on withdrawing said inhalers - hope it helps: pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/r...

[cofdrop-UK]

very interesting pippa. Thank you for sharing.

Cx

[sinclair61]

This has me concerned. My symptons have only been pretty much under control since I have gone from fostair 100 to 200. Without It I get sob at rest despite my FEV being in the high 80's. My functional status is very good and there's nothing I can't do even without inhalers but it makes me think that all the higher steroid is doing is masking this flare that I haven't fully got over since January.

About 6 weeks ago I started reducing my fostair to only 2 puffs at night and nothing during the day. I'm fine without it during the day but without it I wouldn't be able to sleep and even one puff wouldn't really suffice because I would wake with the feeling that I'm holding my breath.

[Leesea in reply to sinclair61]

I am concerned too. Fostair basically returned me to normal and I dread to think how poorly I may become again without it.

I do have asthma.

[moogle]

Reading that article I think most GPs would be pressed to reduce and even withdraw the inhaler.... even though there is a warning in the article about doing so.

[skischool]

It may well help or it may well alarm and frighten vulnerable people taking these medicines.Why do we always have to go through these leaked and sensational stories although factually based instead of progressive and informative information from our learned medical community,Perhaps we are all considered to ignorant to be kept in the loop.........skis and still relaxed cat

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Intarestin

[casper99]

Interesting article. I have moderate emphysema and neither the Seretide or the one I'm on now, Forstair, seem to make a difference to my breathing. I was put on inhaled steroids, after having an infection that needed stronger antibiotics. xx

[Dianemc01234]

I have severe COPD and am trying to recover from pneumonia/pseudomonas at the moment. I'm pretty limited to what I can do right now and never really great. I do feel the fostair helps. But I really can't tell to be honest. Does anyone else have trouble determining if their inhalers are working?

[undine]

Interesting thank you x