New dosage advice please

[Kellyanne2018]

Hello I’m a Newby, I’m 38 and I was diagnosed with seasonal asthma March 2017 I have been taking a 50 microgram inhayler two times a day but my asthma cough has been really intense since the start of April and I have had many coughing sessions which have left me breathless and with a cough that ends up sounding more like a dog barking, The blue inhaler hasn’t seemed to help ease this so I spoke the the asthma nurse a few days ago and I am now on a 200 microgram steroid broncolator 4 times a day but this seems to work until about 6pm then after dinner my cough kicks of again, the blue releaver is still not easing the cough and mucus. So I have been taking a pollanease antihistamine that does help. I’ve got to go back to the nurse in 3 weeks time to talk about the new dosage. It does seem like a lot of steroid and I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or not but I’m feeling very fatigued and can’t keep myself from snoozing in the day and early evening. Any advice from

People who are on this dosage long term would be great fully recieved.

[Bucketlist]

I’ve just been given Montelukast to take along with my regular Antihistamine tabs, not sure if it will help as I only got them Friday, but I’m to take them until October, presumably when the pollen will have gone.

[Kellyanne2018 in reply to Bucketlist]

Thank you for your reply. I’m not sure whether I should be taking the antihistamines as a regular dosage so it stays in my system. I’m only taking them as the cough starts to kicks of , it’s been twice today so far. I’ve never taken antihistamine before this April.

[Bucketlist in reply to Kellyanne2018]

Well, I was only taking half an Antihistamine tab, but the nurse told me to take a whole one per day, in case allergies are one of my triggers.

[lakelover]

Hi & welcome

I'm on a 200mcg combination inhaler which I take 2 puffs twice a day. When my asthma goes downhill my asthma nurse says I can increase it temporarily to 4 puffs twice a day. It normally takes a week or to for the treatment to work at its most effective so it's early days for you to be much better yet. I have no problems with the the amount of medicine I'm taking apart from occasional cramps in the legs, mainly when I've just got out of the car. If your sleep is being disturbed with coughing you will feel tired, but if it's a side effect of the medicine it might well wear off. Trust your nurse & don't worry, I've been on it for 10 years now & would hate to be without it.

[Kellyanne2018 in reply to lakelover]

Thanks for you response, it’s good to know you have not been to affected by any side affects of the steroid pump. I’ve always been very anti medication and will try and seek a natural remedy for most things or just grin and bear it until it passes but this asthma and has definitely stumped me. I hope that I start to feel more human again soon as I am definitely not myself and with three small children it has proven difficult this week. The nurse did say it would take about 5 days before I notice an improvement. I’m just threating a bit as it’s now day 3 and my asthma cough and tight chest has been worse than ever today.

[Robin77 in reply to Kellyanne2018]

Kellyanne, I do sympathise with preferences for "natural" remedies. For minor ailments of healthy people, they're fine. But asthma is not a minor ailment. Asthma untreated can cause long term damage to the lungs. The infinitesimal non-systemic steroid doses in inhalers are safe. Conventional asthma treatment today is absolutely the lesser evil and what's available has been used by millions of patients. So really don't worry about the meds.

[strongmouse in reply to Kellyanne2018]

Allergy UK has information about dealing with allergies and useful tips for reducing amount of pollen you are exposed to e.g. using saline nasal wash and have a shower when you have been outdoors to wash pollen off, keeping doors and windows closed when pollen is high (hard to do when the weather is hot!) allergyuk.org/information-a...

A good air filter (hepa one) can help to remove pollens indoors. They have a helpline. The pollen levels have been high this weekend.

[Robin77]

I can't say anything about the meds - I've been given higher doses than this during crises. But it sounds as if you're not feeling well at all - should you perhaps try to see somebody sooner? Three weeks is a long time to wait.

[Kellyanne2018 in reply to Robin77]

Thank you for you reply, the Asthma nurse said it will take about 5 days to notice a difference and for the steroid to get into my system. I’m on day 3 and my asthma cough and tightness in my chest is worse than ever. I guess if I haven’t seen an improvement on day 5 I will make an earlier appointment. It’s good to know that I can be given a higher dosage if needed too thank you