Bronchiectasis- Symbicort

[Espanolita]

Hi, I’ve got Bronchiectasis and went for an appointment with the consultant. I’ve been taking Symbicort as part of my medication for about a year and a bit. He’s now told me to not take it as he doesn’t think it has much effect. ( it’s a different consultant from the original one and it think he’s more senior) Is anyone on this medication for Bronchiectasis? I also take Carbocysteine and Azithromycin. Would love to know your views. Thank you!

[Alberta56]

Sorry I can't help with Symbicort, though a physio told me that Relvar Ellipta, which I am on, was no use for bronchiectasis and must have been prescribed for my mild Asthma. I hope someone will be along to enlighten us both. I am on Azithromycin and Carbocisteine and would not be without either of them.

[B0xermad]

Hi I have bronchiectasis asthma and copd but never had symbicort only seretide and ventolin mainly for the asthma part of my conditions. I did take carbocysteine but now on acetylcysteine and azithromycin also.the only other inhaler I have been prescribed was fostair which left me in breathing difficulties. Do you do clearance techniques for the bronchiectasis? I do wonder if the consultant have different opinions on medication and trial people to see what suits them better.I asked to be changed back to seretide as it works for me.

[Bizylizy in reply to B0xermad]

PS have you asked your GP about Pulmonary rehabilitation classes? They are run by physios and are so helpful. You have gentle exercise for the first half, then a talk about managing your condition. There is often an occupational therapist there too, to help with getting tasks done around the home. They will show you lung clearance techniques, or refer you on depending on what your need is. I cannot recommend them highly enough

[B0xermad in reply to Bizylizy]

Hi yes did pulmonary rehab 9yrs ago and following on from that I go to breathe easy gym once a week since

[PaulineHM]

Hello, sorry you are having this issue with the inhaler, how confusing for you ?

Does the Symbicort suit you ? Do you think it helps ?

You could ask your surgery for an appointment with the Primary Care pharmacist to discuss medication options. I always find them really helpful when it comes to medication.

Then you will have a larger picture of what might be available for you ?

Go well

Pauline

[gingermusic]

Like you I take Azithromycin and Carbocisteine but also Trimbow hope this helps

[Izb1]

I think we all react differently to inhalers and what suits one doesn't suit another. I do wonder if we have traces of different lung conditions yet only diagnosed with the one and that's why they work differently . Whichever one makes you feel better is the one to go with x

[Mooka]

I put budesnide (an ingredient of Symbicort) in my nebuliser. This is because I was found to have high levels of nitrate oxide when doing a lung function test. I think you need to know why the original doctor prescribed it.

[Xlizixx]

I was told the only inhaler that helps for bronchiectasis is ventolin. I have asthma and use relvar ellipta. I have used symbicort before but it's usually used for copd.

[Superzob]

Symbicort is a dual inhaler which doesn’t have an anti-muscarinic in it, so it might not help reduce the excessive mucous which you tend to get with bronch. Carbocysteine, montelucast and triple inhalers seem to be the preferred choices for bronch, and I’ve tried N-acetyl cysteine, but that’s not worked for me. If carbocysteine is working for you, and you don’t have any asthma or COPD, then I guess an inhaler may be redundant.

[birdy53]

I was diagnosed quite casually with Bronchiectasis when on a go appointment he said do u know u have bronchiectasis, no further mention except to say it gunge in the lungs..,,,Later another doctor sent me for a physio appointment, no further treatment except when get infection

[Alberta56 in reply to birdy53]

That leaves you needing to know more. Go back to the surgery and tell them that. You need to keep it from worsening, which you cannot do if left in ignorance.

[birdy53 in reply to Alberta56]

In December last year the mucus was so scary I thought I was going to die was given antibiotics to no avail then they sent off a sputum sample and I got the correct one, apart from salbutamol absolutely nothing except for how to cough to try clear mucus

[Phill1 in reply to birdy53]

Everyone with bronchiectasis should be under the supervision of a hospital specialist bronchiectasis consultant. Recommend you go back to your GP and ask for a referral.

[Alberta56 in reply to birdy53]

That is not good enough. Go back and ask to see a specialist. I found an AeroBika helped me bring up a lot of horrible sputum. You could ask your doctor to prescribe one of them. And to put you down for a Pulmonary Rehab course.

[Pepsi003]

Hi Espanolita, I am a 70 year old lady with bronchiectasis, have been on carbocisteine for five years, i have not been offered any other medication apart from anti biotics when needed. I find the carbocisteine helps clear mucous but i also find it upsets my digestive system so i sometimes take a break from it for a couple of days.

[pauls]

hi I take the basically the same except I also take 2 lots of seretide

[Bizylizy]

Hi Espanolita, I took Carbocistine for a few months, but while it was excellent for thinning mucus and clearing my lungs it made me very nauseous all the time. I take NAC instead now. If you are able to take it I would continue as it certainly worked for my lungs clearance but not for my tummy!

[Arizonasky23]

I have been using Symbicort 400 /12 for 9 months , in conjunction with the Biologic Tezspire for my diagnosed late onset severe oesoniphillic asthma .

The introduction of the biologic has been a game changer .

[garibaldon]

Hi, I was taken off Symbicort having been told it’s only use is for Asthma. This was after years of using this inhaler. I’m now on Trimbow …to be honest I can’t feel much difference.

[Espanolita]

Thank you all for your replies, I think I will reduce slowly from Symbicort and see how I go. Also doing chest clearance with an Aerobika which has definitely been a game changer along with Azithromycin and Carbocysteine.