Can I take ventolin as needed despite using sirdupla?

[flossiew]

Hi folks. I don't want to be a pain in the proverbial by posting here too often but I need advice.

I had a bad asthma flare on holiday but thankfully I managed to get an emergency supply of steroids to take away with me as it started to play up before I left. The flare was caused I believe by hay fever - the over the counter antihistamines I take are next to useless!

When I returned home last week I got an emergency appointment to see one of the nurses who told me not to use the ventolin unless it was a life threatening attack as there was a risk of overdosing due to the fact that there's a longacting bronchodilator in the sirdupla. Is she correct in thinking that? I had been using my reliever much more than usual as I was coughing so much, I was wheezy, my peak flow had dropped by 30% and when I lay in bed at night my lungs were so "gurgly" with mucus I had to sleep- or try to sleep - upright in bed. What else could I have done if not use my ventolin???

Your help would be much appreciated 😊xx

[risabel59]

Hi Flossie,

Yes you can take Ventolin and Sirdupla if you are symptomatic. However if you are using Ventolin more than 3 times a week, (for symptoms rather than before exercise) you need to make a doctor's/ asthma nurses appointment to review your medication. As you are having a flare up, using ventolin is a wise thing to do.

It is very hard to overdose on Ventolin, it just makes you very shaky in large quantities. However long term overuse of Ventolin can (apparently) have an effect on your heart. This is not a problem for most people.

Ventolin is a life saver, if you can't breath and your peak flow is down of course you should use it. I am assuming you have a written asthma plan, how and when to use ventolin should be written on your plan.

Uncontrolled asthma can be a killer, so its important not to rely on Ventolin rather than going back to the doctor / nurse asap.

Hope this reassures you.

R x

[flossiew in reply to risabel59]

Dear Risabel, thanks for your very helpful reply. My apologies for my delay in acknowledging it but I fell asleep!

I was surprised that the nurse told me to avoid using my reliever- as you say it's a life saver. Thankfully I have an appointment with my asthma nurse for a review following my recent flare so hopefully she will know what she's talking about!

I do have an asthma action plan, which I had taken photos of on both my husband's phone as well as mine, but went on holiday forgetting that we had both got new phones since, so I didn't have it to hand, but I was able to remember what I had been told and was able to take appropriate action. Lesson learnt about making sure I have a copy of my action plan with me!

I trust you're keeping ok,

Flossie 😊 xxx

[Chip_y2kuk]

Yes you can, sounds like the nurse you saw was a bit clueless... I take braltus (ultra long acting broncnodilator, 24 hours it also helps clear mucus) and duoresp (long acting broncnodilator and steroid like sirdupla)

When things go wrong for me it's not uncommon for me to end up on the max dose of duoresp (8 puffs a day) and loads of ventolin

As for the antihistamines see if your doctor will prescribe fexofenadine it's much stronger than over the counter stuff

[flossiew in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Hi Chip... 😊 Thanks for getting back to me.

I also think the nurse I saw was rather clueless, but thought she might have been correct in the info she gave me, so I have been coughing- although much less than on holiday- and trying to avoid using my reliever, but following your and Risabel's advive I will take my ventolin again as my lungs feel a bit "iffy" still.

Thankfully my asthma nurse who I will see at the end of the month is a but more clued up. I will also ask her about fexofenadine thanks for the tip!

Take care 😊

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to flossiew]

They do fexofenadine in three strengths 60,120,180 mg

The thing to remember is ventolin is a short rescue bronchodilator and only lasts up to 4 hours

[Chip_y2kuk]

The long acting bronchodilator will be 12 hours

[flossiew in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thanks 😊

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to flossiew]

Your welcome, the advice/knowledge of asthma varies so wildly from doctor to doctor it's actually quite scary

[flossiew in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

It is scary, the lack of correct info, that we get passed on at times, but I know I can rely on folks here to keep me right! Thanks again 😊

[garywake]

I also take Sirdupla and have taken ventolin as and when needed if I get tight chests. My asthma nurse did tell me to take 4 puffs in the morning and night to open up my lungs while my asthma has been bad. I think your practice Nurse hasn't been properly trained on asthma.

[flossiew in reply to garywake]

Thanks garywake! I am thankful I didn't see that nurse till after my holiday- if I had followed her advice I dread to think what could have happened while I was away and I was so bad. Just typical of me to have such an awful flare up while out of the UK!!! It was quite scary and I don't remember ever being so glad to be home after a holiday.... I hope you're keeping well btw 😊

[lucia_m]

Just to add to the general consensus: I’m on sirdupla and have never been told to limit the amount of ventolin I take: if I need it, I take it. I do make a doctor’s appointment if I’m having a lot of symptoms, but I don’t ever avoid ventolin - it’s a lifesaver!

I’d also recommend fexofenadine if you’ve not yet tried it - I find it reduces my hayfever symptoms significantly. You need a prescription as it’s not available over the counter.

[flossiew in reply to lucia_m]

Morning Lucia. Thanks for your help. I am still coughing more than usual so I am grateful that I have an appointment at the end of the month for a review- I will also ask about the fexofenadine when I am there 😊