Exacerbation.

[Dizzy412]

Hi. Went to see practice nurse yesterday as asthma getting worse and using maximum inhalers as per prescription. She called Doctor for her opinion. They have given me extra montelukast as a step up. I use frutiform and increase maintenance dose. Do other people use ventilun as well to deal with symptoms or should I use flutiform as a stand alone. Seem to get conflicting advise from different people at the surgery. Thanks for listening. I’m getting frustrated with constantly feeling breathless.

[Poobah]

You can increase your Flutiform in a structured way to the maximum rather than as a reliever (patient leaflet should say what the max is). This is so your inhaled steroids are maxed out but that you don't use too much long acting bronchidilator in the Flutiform.

Use Ventolin as the reliever and try and keep a record of how many times you're having to take it. This is an indication of how well the other meds are working.

If the extra Montelukast doesn't help along side maxed inhalers then go back to GP. But don't wait if things just get worse, head straight back to GP.

There should always be a follow up appointment to monitor the efficacy of new or increased treatment. Sometimes the patient has to take the initiative to ensure follow up, unfortunately.

Hope your new meds regime works.