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Side effects of Fostair ?

44 Replies

Hi there,

I am new to this forum, despite having had Asthma since I was 6 ....

I wanted to post on here, as I am hoping for some advice (apologies for long story)

I have had my asthma 'controlled' for many years, taking one puff day and night of my brown inhaler which was a Qvar (100 mgm Beclometasone Diproprionate, when needed a puff or two of my reliever, which is a Brycanyl Turbohaler.

I was overdue my asthma review, and they wouldn't vend my repeat prescription, so I made an appointment to see the nurse :-(

I was basically (bullied) for want of a better word, into taking a 'new' inhaler called Fostair...because I mentioned that occasionally I needed to take my reliever....

I have tried to give this new inhaler a fair crack of the whip (just over 5 weeks now), but today I have thrown it into the bin and will make another appointment at the docs asap to find out if I can go back onto the medication I was on.

I have had, and this has become worse and worse the following, which has resulted in me sat here today, with pains in my chest and being short of breath (which my reliever is not fixing )

1. Palpitations

2. Shaking of my hands (reminds me of when I used to have to take salbutamol tablets - those pink ones when I was little)

3. Strange rashes over my body

4. Pains in my chest (at the back)

4. Not sure if its related but I have had a really sore nose inside :-(

I just wondered, if this was like anything anyone else has had, and also wondered whether anyone else has been talked into taking this new combined inhaler ?

Thanks in advance

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44 Replies

Hi Colley1275

I had the same problems with the fostair inhaler, it did not suit me at all. I have been asthmatic from the age of 19, I'm now 56 and have worked hard over the years to live a somewhat normal life and have also come to terms with my limiations. But my asthma has not been good since they took Becloforte off the market around 2007 because it could not be produced CFC free. I ask you, it makes me laugh with so much pollution flying around that a small inhaler would make the difference to global warming. So I am still trying to find a reliever that works for me.

I have not tried the new combined inhaler so I can not comment on it. If something works for you do not let anyone bully you in to changing, it does not matter who they are. Remember lot of doctors try to get you to change due to the pressure of the costs of medical products and the government insist that cut backs are made. You can not be forced to change your asthma product or brand for a cheaper vision if you do not want to.

Good luck

louise2421 profile image
louise2421 in reply to

yes you can.. my doctors changed my inhaler from a symbicort turbohaler, which worked for years and still works to a spiromax inhaler as the spiromax is a cheaper version.. the spiromax didnt work properly so i asked to be changed back onto my turbohaler as it had and still works to control my asthma and gave me amazing quality of life.. the doctors messed me around for an entire week, ive now been prescribed another inhaler, which is another cheaper version if the symbicort turbohaler, which the doctor has refused to prescribe!! despite the fact the turbohaler works on my asthma!!

I was changed to fostair from seretide when I went to Papworth and saw my consultant there. He had a clear rationale for changing which made sense for my situation. I've been on it a good 18 months and haven't experienced any side effects, I use it with a spacer.

Lynda :)

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your replies :-)

Been to see the doctor today and he has put me back on my Qvar (preventer) so I will be able to continue as I was.

I am going to just try and see how I manage on just one puff a day on my preventer....

Would be nice not to have to use it all.

Was thinking today if anyone has been able to move away from having to use the Steroid inhaler?

I never used one before 2002....just used my reliever when needed, but since starting with the steriod, my asthma seems to be worse than it was before (when I dont use the steriod for a while)....or is it just old age creeping in ?

Cheers all

in reply to

Hi Guys,

Been to see the doctor today and he has put me back on my Qvar (preventer) so I will be able to continue as I was.

Im surprised he has swapped the fostair for qvar... qvar has only a steroid in it, whereas fostair also has a long acting beta agonist in it too, so the two inhalers do different things.

I hope despite that, things have improved for you - luckily although the potential side effects where explained to me, I havent experienced any from the fostair.

Lynda :)

Triggerina profile image
Triggerina in reply to

I was on Becotide until 4 years ago. Was swapped to Seretide....was told it was better...,,developed palpitations and then a heart arrythmia. heart was treated with ablation successfully. Now off seretide,at my own request(insistence!) and on Qvar. Qvar certainly suits me as I rarely take ventolin now. I also take Mobtelukast,

Different things for different asthmatics. Some people are no doubt fine on combination inhalers but not all of us.

In my teens I had a reliever inhaler to take when needed plus 3 inhalers to take everyday, one of which was a steroid at a highish dose. My asthma improved and I got to a point when I only had a reliever and only really had to take that when I had a cold. So, once on a steroid inhaler it is possible to get off it if symptoms improve. It's quite normal for asthma to go up and down over the years, so stick with the Qvar while you need it, you might find that you can stop taking it in the future. x

Hello sorry to hear of your experience it is truly awful to not have control of your own breath

I too felt that my medication was changed rather quickly. From Symbicort; which was probably the most controlled my breathing had ever been, to Fostair. I was quite bewildered at the time, as I was not complaining it was just a yearly meds revue. From the very start of using Fostair my breathing worsened, I too have had heart palpitations that have got steadily worse to the point that I could not lie down. I finally twigged that it was the Fostair and have now been prescribed Clenil. This was despite my request for Symbicort.

A quick Google and I discovered quite a lot of people with a similar story. This makes me wonder whether the side effects of this inhaler have been played down or under reported. I also began to wonder; why the apparent over keenness of G.Ps to prescribe? It didn’t take long to find out. You only have to Google “Fostair Switch” to find this is money driven. NHS trusts across the country are encouraging health care providers to switch from the more expensive meds to Fostair which is comparatively cheaper. On the face of it an admirable way of saving funds. But how much do they save by switching an asthmatic who feels their condition is controlled to any med let alone one that has some horrible side effects? The cost to the NHS of my ECG, full set of bloods, three G.P appointments and my loss of earnings, and therefore tax is quite shocking. If this happened to even 1 in 100 the cost would surely negate any saving on 1 inhaler?

Ladies and gentlemen my rant is over.... but I would be very interested to hear if the figure is 1 in 100.

in reply to

A quick Google and I discovered quite a lot of people with a similar story. This makes me wonder whether the side effects of this inhaler have been played down or under reported. I also began to wonder; why the apparent over keenness of G.Ps to prescribe? It didn’t take long to find out. You only have to Google “Fostair Switch” to find this is money driven.

I think its worth remembering that most folk only take to the internet to complain when things arent going well - you are unlikely to find forums where people have taken the time to sing somethings praises, whatever it is! Thats life..

I've been asthmatic all my life and had never heard of fostair, despite having plenty of GP's managing my asthma. It wasnt until I was referred to Papworth heart and lung hospital that I was changed to this drug, and he (consultant) clearly explained the clinical rationale to me.

The cost argument simply doesn't bear out, and is frequently an assumption made by many - who have no basis on which to place that argument (ie they do not have access to the cost of medications!).

I dont have an up to date BNF (British National Formulary), mine is 2011. But the costs then were as follows:

QVAR (beclometasone diproprionate) 200 dose unit 100mcg £17.21

Clenil (beclometasone diproprionate) 200 dose unit 100mcg £7.42

Fostair (beclometasone diproprionate/formoterol fumarate) 120 dose unit 100mcg/6mcg £29.32 - less doses and a LOT more money.

Do the maths ;)

in reply to

I think its worth remembering that most folk only take to the internet to complain when things arent going well - you are unlikely to find forums where people have taken the time to sing somethings praises, whatever it is! Thats life..

I've been asthmatic all my life and had never heard of fostair, despite having plenty of GP's managing my asthma. It wasnt until I was referred to Papworth heart and lung hospital that I was changed to this drug, and he (consultant) clearly explained the clinical rationale to me.

The cost argument simply doesn't bear out, and is frequently an assumption made by many - who have no basis on which to place that argument (ie they do not have access to the cost of medications!).

I dont have an up to date BNF (British National Formulary), mine is 2011. But the costs then were as follows:

QVAR (beclometasone diproprionate) 200 dose unit 100mcg £17.21

Clenil (beclometasone diproprionate) 200 dose unit 100mcg £7.42

Fostair (beclometasone diproprionate/formoterol fumarate) 120 dose unit 100mcg/6mcg £29.32 - less doses and a LOT more money.

Do the maths ;)

I am not naive enough not to know that people complain more than praise. After all the only time I have ever commented on a forum was to complain! So I know that it is unlikely that a balanced view would be obtained from a forum. However, my GP told me that the side effects I suffered were “extremely rare”, so it was a surprise to find others who had suffered, so readily. I really am quite curious as to how these things are recorded, and if they really are as rare as we are led to believe.

Fostair is being recommended for patients on a combined inhaler such as seretide & symbicort, so the comparisons you make are not relevant. Fostair is considerably cheaper than the most commonly prescribed low and moderate dose ICS / LABA combination inhalers, such as Seretide 125 Evohaler, Seretide 250 Accuhaler, and Symbicort 200/6.

In my case, and here is where I did my maths; the Symbicort that I was prescribed had a 30 day cost of £38 compared to Fostair £29.32 a 22.84% reduction in cost.

My asthma was controlled and now is not. I do think that saving money is a good reason for switching meds, but it should not be the overiding reason. I have also begun to wonder if my G.P just did not know enough about the medicine he was prescribing. I suppose I am curious as to whether the side effects I suffered may have been partly due to the increased effectiveness of the extra fine particle size and therefore it not being bioequivalent to same dose of another inhaler. Not information I was given at the time of prescribing.

Aubrey26 profile image
Aubrey26 in reply to

I started using this,got sores up my nose & insomnia.Have stopped it.Just use my Salbutamol.

KateMoss profile image
KateMoss

NurseFurby,

You can access BNF on line :-)

And register for an account...

Kate

Hi Kate

I know, but I thought you needed an athens account? - and I dont have one anymore.. and Nick cant remember his password LOL!

Lynda :)

nursefurby, you don't need an athens login etc anymore. You can register with any email address I believe.

Also, if you work in the NHS it is free access at work with no registration needed.

Think I've posted before on this but it is not as simple as your list - have to bear in mind steroid equivalent doses and how much of each a day and thus month costs to compare.

oooh I will have to try again then! Since I've left my NHS nursing post, I lost my athens registration, and you used to need one. :)

I agree it is not 'as' simple, (I live with a doctor lol) but thats why I posted the same doses - it still gives an indication of the huge hike in cost per 100mcg. It grieves me when people assume everything is down to money and all docs prescribing is based on this. Its simply a massive generalisation. I was changed to fostair because it has a much smaller particle size than others, and my small airways are only functioning at 11% of predicted. Thus particle size of drug becomes important if its to get where it needs to.

Lynda :)

Hiya Soph

Apologies for the confusion - of course I know that I was comparing a combined inhaler with a non combined one. The reason I did this was because the issue being discussed was one of cost, and you stated you had been swapped from fostair (combined) to clenil (non combined). Another person in the thread had been swapped from fostair to Qvar. Both of which strike me as odd, because as you say in your post, they do different things - one being a combined inhaler and the other not.

Can you go back to your GP to discuss? Is it worth asking for a referral, if you don't feel the surgery are managing to get your asthma under control?

Lynda :)

Incidentally, I hadn't noticed this in the BNF before, but it bears out what my consultant said to me regarding it being clinically appropriate:

""Fostair is a combination beclometasone diproprionate and formoterol fumarate CFC free pressurised metered dose inhaler. Fostair has extra fine particles and is more potent that traditional beclometasone diproprionate CFC free inhalers""

:)

I was prescribed fostair and found I had no nasty side effects, although the dose was too low and I got changed onto seretide.

Hi

I personally don't like Fostair

I got put onto Fostair from Seretide 250 and to be honest I would like to go back to the Seretide.... Fostair has a HORRIBLE taste... And hasn't really helped with controlling my asthma at all.

I also take another preventer inhaler Ciclesonide.

May this year I suffered quite a severe bout of pneumonia, which caused some damage to my lung.... Asthma hasn't been the same since.

Thanks

WHayleyOW

Draconius12 profile image
Draconius12 in reply to

I know this was years ago but how is your asthma now? I have took fostair once made me feel like I was having a heart attack

Hi,

I've been on Fostair for two months now (was on Symbicort before, loved it but got side effects when my dose was raised) and have had some difficulties that I put down to a chest infection. However, infection is clearing up now and I'm still getting very dizzy with bad headaches and shaking hands etc. along with chest pain and cough - anyone else had similar issues?

Thanks :)

Superzob profile image
Superzob in reply to

Only been on Fostair for two days and definitely feeling dizzy - is this likely to go away or should I change to a Clenil?

budgy profile image
budgy

I thought I would reply to this old post as it is still relevent. I had the same experience of being conned into using Fostair by the nurse after using occasional ventolin and Qvar. For the first few weeks I felt great, then gradually got worse and worse side effects, thrush, nose and throat problems and eventually it seemed to make my breathing worse. I looked at Bnf at the time and Fostair was slightly cheaper than separate inhalers, but they have made access to Bnf more difficult now if you are not in the health business. I got the impression that the GP had been nobbled by the drug reps.

I went back to Qvar and ventolin, but I seemed to develop thrush and throat problems that I had never noticed before which I could not get rid of. I then asked to use Symbicort as I had tried it before and had no problems. It seems to be the least bad of the bunch now, with some thrush, but I can live with it. The experience with Fostair seems to have triggered reactions that I never previously noticed before. The snag is that Symbicort is more expensive than Fostair so I may have problems keeping it in future, but so far so good.

Most of the reliever meds like ventolin or combined inhalers will cause some level of palpitations etc, but it is likely to be worse with the combinations as they use long term versions of relievers.

I did not notice any rashes, but at various stages of use of Fostair I did have chest aches.

Although researchers and fashion says that asthma is mostly under-controlled by patients, I think it is important to use the minimum amount of drugs possible especially once the situation is stabilised, to reduce side effects.

Does anyone have any recent experience of accessing Bnf as a non healthcare insider?

BatuoShaolin profile image
BatuoShaolin

I do sympathise with many people who suffers from breathing problems. It is a devastating health problem and if it also affects your oesophagus, it is a worse scenario to suffer COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. I am not a medical person, but reports of my condition in 2008 to a Life Insurance policy of my GP devastated me at that time. A medical condition, not revealed to me in hundreds of appointments since I inherited this genetic condition from my parent. I suffered what I thought was Asthma, but a doctor told me in my late teens I suffered what he determines is Bronchial Asthma. This meant I had breathing health problem with my lungs as well as my oesophagus. Nevertheless, over the years with age, I also suffered several health problems. With serious asthma attacks and persistent violent coughs, my body suffered severe aches and pain.

An almost fatal attack on a night in August 2008, and my chest was unable to take in air and I could not reach my inhaler, I clung on to dear life with a tight grip to the spindle of my pine headboard. I thought I was a 'goner' and kept my body from wriggling for air and calmed down. I then felt relief and air somewhat began to enter my lungs. The next night it happened again, and I did the same motion and again my body calmed down.

I realised there was something Happening with my body to relief further attacks. Over the next few months, I went on to innovate further methods of bodycalming and realised I did not need to use my various types of strong inhaler to relieve my breathing problems. The activity is simple yet more effective than any physiotherapist recommended me over the years without success.

Since my innovations for relief to my breathing problems I have never had an Asthma attack and other health problems contracted with age are completely relieved. I still suffer with my cough, but it no longer causes me any aches and pain in my body. Whenever, I cough I consider it as a 'jumpstarter' for my heart to remove any plagues from my arteries and other blood vessels.

I named the therapy I still use almost daily, One Inch Therapy. It is so simple and easy and you perform the activity on the bed or floor without moving your body away from the spot. I'd say, there is no one in the world that performs this innovation I discovered and practice daily. I spent only 30 – 45 minutes almost daily on my bed in the morning. I am now 69 years old with a body shape more admirable than a person of 35 years old.

Billygoat profile image
Billygoat in reply to BatuoShaolin

Dear BatuoShaolin

Your "One Inch Therapy" sounds excellent. Would you be able to describe it, please, or is it documented anywhere? Physical relaxation sounds such a powerful way to combat breathing problems. I am a keen proponent of the Alexander Technique but had not thought of it in the context of asthma attacks.

Best wishes

"billygoat"

Vilmak profile image
Vilmak in reply to BatuoShaolin

Please, please! Can you tell more about the One Inch Therapy please???

catherine1712 profile image
catherine1712

i have been using the fostair spray for the last 18 months. since then i have had serious palpitations, shaking of my knees and elbows and sometimes even my stomach. these are strange symptoms i never had. thank you for sharing your experience. now i know it is from fostair

Matman profile image
Matman

Hi

No Medicine is perfect and Long Term use of Steroid and Other Inhalers come with 'trade-off' risks for both Asthma and Other Health Issues. Having two separate Inhalers (one Steroid and the other for Breathlessness / Rescue) at least means that - with Doctor's agreement and guidance - you can periodically run short tests to see how well you can do without one or the other - otherwise, how will you ever discover whether you can cope without a particular drug?

'Combo' Inhalers are, however, a useful way of preventing Patients from failing to follow a prescribed Regime, by - for example - deciding not to take their Dedicated Steroid Inhaler, or forgetting to do so.

As always, 'Cost' also comes into the equation and - where Medication Cost is subsidized - Doctors are generally encouraged to move Patients onto the cheapest solutions, which may not always be the best ones. Some 'Combo' Inhalers offer Cost Savings when medicine costs are being subsidized by the State or some other Body.

My understanding is that the objective with Asthma Inhalers is to 'step down' - as fast as your health will allow (to lower doses and fewer drug combinations). Also, to strive to 'reduce / restrict' your use of both 'combo' Inhalers and / or single drug inhalers to periods of your life when you can't do without them.

Other than Patients who's condition 'severity / specifics' compel them to permanently remain on Inhalers, it's probably wise to view any Inhaler as a temporary-fix rather than a long-term solution, and to Review (at least every six months) with your Doctor / Nurse, irrespective of how well you're feeling.

Note, I'm NOT a Medical Professional, so share your thoughts / intentions with a Doctor or Nurse before acting.

Here's a couple of useful / related links:

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dru...

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

myhealthevolution.me.uk/201...

jdrntruhs.org/article.asp?i...

Viccurt17 profile image
Viccurt17

Hope you're feeling better now! I've moved to a new area and had to have a review..obviously my inhalers have been changed. Eyebrows raised..."that was ok in your last surgery?"...been given fostair and a spacer..not covinced...do you feel better ?x

I hate Fostair too, I have palms and shakiness and a sudden onset of red, raised rash in my cheeks (I usually have flawless skin and I'm 52!). I too want old fashioned Becotide back! Keep well xx

Kayhudsonyoga profile image
Kayhudsonyoga

Hi I have been wondering whether fosstair is making my breathing worse. I had a severe asthma attack last September after an allergic reaction. I had been taking the brown inhaler not very well as was in denial about being asthmatic ( I still am a bit!) The hospital put me on fosstair full dose and since then I've got steadily worse, a recent hospital appointment I was given a Spiriva inhaler to have as well and told to be aware it would take at last 6 weeks to be fully effective so still take fosstair. I now experience a bad cough which was misdiagnosed last week as a chest infection, I get ringing in the ears or difficult hearing, plus shakes and palpations. It's affecting my job as I get so breathless I can't teach and have had to have more and more time off. Does anyone think it's ok to come straight off the fosstair or should I reduce it slowly. I can't get an appointment at the doctors till may!

pollygale profile image
pollygale

Hi, I wish to know the same thing. I just want to stop taking it. I have found that fostair has made my anxiety go through the roof and I also get red flushes. Problem is because I have other health conditions its hard to say if I a getting other side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, low mood.

Vidvid profile image
Vidvid

I'm very much in the minority here. I have been inhaling Fostair for about two months following a diagnosis for COPD in January. It has enabled me from depression, shortness of breath and struggling up the stairs to actually returning to the gym and jogging slowly, very slowly :) on a treadmill. I have no experience of any other medication. So far no side effects but I still can't play the violin.

green881 profile image
green881

I just came across this long thread while searching for something else. Fascinating. Fostair is not approved in the US, but I wonder if it is coming. I have a strange story:

I have had asthma as long as I can remember, i'm nearly 50. So maybe since 5. It was more severe as a child, the shots were invented when I was in my teens and I took that and it reduced my allergen reaction. In my 20s I pretty much grew out of it, but it came back 15 years ago. Flovent (fluticasone) was all the rage then - fueled by TV ads. But my asthma was mild i took whatever they gave for a few weeks here and there I was fine. I moved to a severe pollen country about 20 years ago, it took a while but gradually I acquired the allergy that everyone here fights. 3 years into the recurrence i had a really bad spring and I was not able to get controlled on max dose fluticasone plus add ons. At one point the doc turned over a bag of samples he got from all the drug companies and said "try anything" - but still no good control. I was stumped, really since the age of 8 or 9 when I did occasional systemic steroids I had not been so bad.

So I was forced into doing some research to find a cure and I got self educated. I learned something.

As a kid the staples of asthma were simple: Ventolin and Becotide. They were invented around that time, I had a very advanced asthma doctor. As you may know all these new ideas were invented by Sir David Jack a Brit, starting in 1966 and into the 70s and I had been taking them up until the late 90s. When I was young we tried some add-ons like Lomudal and others but I always felt those two were the most effective.

Fast forward 30 years, when I was not controlled I thought: Why not just try Becotide again? It's amazing how you listen to doctors so long without querying. So I looked to find it and guess what - unavailable in the US. I tried to get some in Canada, but as I got there it was also discontinued. i suffered one season but I saw that someone was bringing beclomethasone (the generic name for Becotide) into the US. I called them, and they said 6 months before the plant in Florida would be up and running. That brand was Qvar. i fought with my pharmacy to order it but finally they did. Voila!, Next pollen season i was taking Qvar at half the dose of fluticasone and fully controlled. Same old stuff as the 70s.

Long story long I went on a minor quest to find studies comparing beclomethasone (Qvar, Becotide) to Flovent (fluticasone). Only one study: Australia. Why? Beclo is completely generic and cheap to make (I've ready $2 a canister). Flovent was on patent, and it's $100++. Australia health system pays for drugs so they funded the study. Results: Beclomethasone was twice as effective as fluticasone (clinically) which was exactly my experience. You have to titrate the dose to see the effect.

Draw your own conclusions.

So no surprise Fostair has beclo but I don't like the idea of forcing a long acting beta antagonist on people. I was always taught they were a little dangerous hyping you up. Certainly if you need you take, then you wait until it clears and go on with life. But why have long acting beta antagonist when short acting has such a good track record? Certainly if you can't get controlled you need combinations, but most people don't.

Bottom line - start with Qvar, if it works titrate it down to the minimum dose such that hardly taking any rescue. Only go to combinations if max dose Qvar is not controlling.

Sir Jack needs a posthumous Nobel prize. Stick with his two best inventions.

It's just my personal journey, your mileage will vary....

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear

For all of those (including me) who were put on to Fostair and are finding undesirable side effects, there is a scheme where you can report these... Its called the "Yellow Card' scheme run by the MRHA and you can report any of these side-effects here: yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

I have gone through the PIL with a highlighter to mark all of the side-effects I've had from this inhaler since being put on it from Qvar and Ventolin 2 years ago, which seem to be getting worse as time goes on. I'm due to go for a new spirometry test next week as I have questioned the 'Asthma' diagnosis I was given 7 years ago (I'm 62 now) as I believe my condition is more in keeping with COPD (given I smoked 20/day for 35 years before stopping in 2004). Either way, although the Fostair was great for the first few months, its benefits are now far less effective and the side-effects progressively worse!

pearl2711 profile image
pearl2711

I was given fostair on Friday instead of my usual ventolin after using it the 2nd time Sunday morning I experienced what I can only describe as an attack of angina it was really scary and I won't be using it again. I don't know yet they chose to replace my venturing with this other than big pharma pushing their product.

Beebee123 profile image
Beebee123

Hi yes I have been on fostair for 6 days and steroids and antibiotics for asthma flare up. I am 100% certain that fostair 20 mins after I'm taking it is causing me extreme chest tightness and hyperventilation and I feel normal again until I take it. I'm not taking it again I have told the doctors. That will explain why I keep going backwards and forwards and no one is seeing anything wrong with me

meirul profile image
meirul

I can totally agree with you! The Fostair inhaler gave me quite a few side effects including an incredible itch and rash all over some parts of my body that affected my day to day routine I couldn't cope, so I stopped taking it. I also had some vivid dreams whilst I was on it and pains in my body. I also lost my sense of smell. I'm now back on quaver which is far more better.

HappyTaypot profile image
HappyTaypot

Hi. Meirul can I ask you how you stopped taking Fostair. I want to reduce my Fostair 100/6 down to two puffs a day from 4 as my side effects are getting worse. I can't get to see my doctor as abroad at present and want to reduce asap. This is only my second month of taking it. I want to see if the side effects clear up on a smaller dose. Wondering how best to do it.

akshayv2 profile image
akshayv2

Before using orthofeet house slippers, my husband’s feet hurt every day when I wore other house slippers for the day. I am impressed with the offer of slippers for my husband who is suddenly experiencing plantar faciitis---with hopes that this investment will be worth it and a big help to him I have been amazed at how I can wear these with no feet pain at the end of my day.

Lori-S profile image
Lori-S

Hey I also have had asthma from a very young age but my asthma has been controlled on and off !! I was too almost bullied into changing to fostair the nurse practioner basically saying they were taking all patients off seretide . ( what I was on before ).

Now however I feel my asthma is worse than What it’s ever been! That’s why I came on this to see if anyone else was having the same problems ! I’m going back next week to get this checked out ! But good Luck you you hope your symptoms get better ☺️

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff in reply to Lori-S

I was changed from serevent onto fostair about 5 or 6 months ago (bullied into it is a good way of putting it!) I’ve had asthma all my life but apart from the occasional incident it’s been well controlled. With fostair my breathing was horrible, like every breath was a struggle. My peak flow just got worse and worse (120 at best). Definitely my asthma was the worst it’s been ever. About a month ago I was finally taken off the fostair and given Seretide and Spiriva Respimat. Within one day I started to feel better. Good luck with your appointment next week, I hope you can get something sorted out for you and you feel better soon.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady

Hi. I have been on various inhalers and am still not believing and agreeing that I have asthma at all, for various good reasons, the preventer - brown one - I had was causing me problems so they switched me to Fostair - maybe because its cheaper they choose that one - they are told to prescribe cheapest alternative when several - its too early to say if its a good choice - I tend to get infections quickly whichever ones I take and am trying to avoid having to keep taking antibiotics.

Makeitup profile image
Makeitup

Fostair

I would just like to comment on Fostair, having experienced problems with shaking, feeling very anxious and like previously mentioned strange rashes all over my body which I’m still experiencing… I’ve actually stated taking a antihistamine which seems to calm it down!

However, 2 weeks on , my asthma finally looks like it’s definitely under control with two puffs morning and night! Actually walked 5 miles fairly on steep climb the other day without feeling out of breath. So, for me it seems to have worked. So, it seems it’s the right one for me but if you don’t feel better after a few weeks then go back to your asthma nurse, if they’ll see you as it now seems they only chat to you on the phone which I find strange as no longer actually see you face to face.

Good luck with this new inhaler.

Tricia

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