Hi everyone, ive got a respiratory tract infection develop and started to use the antibiotics from my rescue pack yesterday due to what looks like infected sputum and feeling diabolical. But Im not sure if i am meant to take the steroids as well. I sent our surgery one of those internet messages and i got given a message for seeing a doctor in a weeks time so thats not helpful, i just wanted a quick bit of advice re medicaction today.
So anyone with asthma that is used to using their rescue pack (i had to coerce to get this earlier in the year) what indications do you take note of to start on the steroids. thank you - Sally
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Shirazmataz
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I have asthma, amongst other things, and no longer have a rescue pack, but when I did, I used to start the steroids at the same time as the antibiotics. I no longer have a rescue pack because I now take an antibiotic, Azithromycin, as a prophylactic, and haven’t had a chest infection for about 8 years!
Thankyou Helen. Thats a great result for you, and touch wood that carries on. I think i might just take them and give myself best chance of getting better quickly. I remember having to make a strong case earlier in the year for getting a rescue pack and GP was very reluctant to give it, saying i must check back with them if i use it. So busy getting agreement, didnt get any guidance on use!!
Do you have a lung consultant for your asthma. If so I’d ask if you could be put on Azithromycin. For me it’s been the best thing since sliced bread. It was stopped in November last year because one of my RA meds was changed, and the new drug couldn’t be taken with Azithromycin. I then had 3 chest infections in three months, the last one ending up in pneumonia and 7 weeks in hospital!
That must have been terrible and 7 weeks in hospital. Grim. I hope you are ok now. Was it better to stay on that rather than new RA med?No i find my surgery never think of referring me for any specialist care. I had pulmonary emboli in both lungs a couple of years ago, totally failed to diagnose it and i went to A&E by that stage in heart failure. Couldnt even see a GP just a helper who hadnt got a clue. God knows how staff get supervised. Not easy to change practice here in middle of rural area.
Thanks Knitter, you managed to get one too. Did they tell you when to use it, both bits? At my surgery you have to use their on line system and it usually works well for getting appointments and call backs. I did tell them peak flow right down and measures, i use Fostair 100 no reliever. I have oximeter too and thats down.Maybe whoever did the triage decided i was taking antibiotics so that should be good enough.i think im just going to take the steroids anyway. Im not sure what they do exactly, pos deal with inflamation which must help with sore lungs and coughing. Thankyou for you advise. Sally
Take the steroids. Your fostair is your reliever. Two puffs am and pm as preventer and a further one puff up to another 4 times in between if needed,ie max 8 puffs in 24hrs altogether. It’s a combined inhaler with inhaled steroid snd reliever. Take care and get well soon. We’re all here 24/7 if you can’t get advice anywhere else. A knowledgeable bunch of wheezers and puffers! 🦊x
Ahh thank you Bingo fox i knew i would get the answers here from people who have experience of these things and happy to support each other. I like the knowledgeable bunch of wheezers and puffers!!! To true!!
Hi commiserations, the point of steroids/ prednisolone is for the inflammation in airways so for me when airways are inflamed I get incessant asthma coughing - which then closes airways more & making them more inflamed. It's for this reason I'd take the steroids because I don't want to deteriorate even more and would need airways open to get rid of any mucus (which would also cause me coughing vicious circle) but you could always call the helpline ASAP to check 0300 222 5800. Good luck ××× P
I don't have a rescue pack but yes, steroids are to reduce inflammation. I would have thought it sensible to take them because if the airways are inflamed the Fostair won't be getting down as deep and thus won't be as effective on its own. That's my understanding, anyway, but obviously if you can possibly get a GP to bother with you that is best.
Ah yes that makes sense too thankyou. I have been coughing badly and if you start you cant stop. I was told by receptionist to send another message to get a reply to the questions i identified earlier. Cant see an appointment in a weeks time going to help. But i will go to try and make sure i get another rescue pack if pos. Why is everything a bit of a battle!
I agree, take the steroids as well. On the topic of when to use a rescue pack, I once tried asking a respiratory nurse but unfortunately did not receive a helpful answer.
They really dont want to hand over responsibilty to their knowledgable and experienced patients. I think its got to do with overprescribing of antibiotics and reduction of effdctiveness.
I agree with everyone- take the steroids, but reduce the number gradually as you get near the end of the packet. I would phone the Asthma and Lung helpline and get some sensible advice.
Thankyou Alberta i took them at lunch time so hope it will help with terrible cough and sore chest. Why reduce towards end of course? Is it an idea to wean off?
I think you only need to wean off if you've been taking longer than a short course. I sometimes used to eek mine out if I wasn't feeling better towards end of a short course. ××I haven't been allowed a rescue pack for 10 years since moving from my wonderful GPs in Wimbledon, a right flipping pain. I get that they need to prescibe fewer antibiotics but that's for normal people not lungues like us. Makes me so cross.
Maddening. Very unfair system in Primary Care. I think what our practice will say is you can be seen or have phone consultation same day when you contact them. My reply to that was if ive got chest infection and asthma flare up and temperature the last thing i want to do is to come out to the surgery, spread bugs, and then queue in pharmacy. Still struggling to tell me there are people in the village that can pick up your meds for you. And how does that work. So reluctantly she gave in. What a faff so much easier to give a rescue pack for immediate needs. I dont think they like it if you put a good case.Thanks for your tips, i will bear in mind about cutting down a bit towards the end to eek them out if necessary. 😁
Lower peak flow and finding it "harder to breathe" .... a peak flow of 25% or lower than your normal is apparently the guideline for automatic steroids from the GP
So depending on what you mean by diabolical you may already need steroids
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No steroids
Rescue pack of prednisolone- when to start using them 
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