Coughing with steroids

[bowbelle]

I have Eosinophilic Asthma, and cough a phlemy cough a lot of the time. I use two inhalers, Flutiform, and Ciclesonide, two puffs twice a day. Sometimes I find that when I use my inhaler, it makes me have a coughing fit. Am I just coughing up the steroid spray and should I use it again?

[twinkly29]

The MDI inhalers (the ones you press that create a spray) can cause that reflex - do you use a spacer with them? That's supposed to help reduce that effect.

[bowbelle in reply to twinkly29]

Yes, I do.

[twinkly29 in reply to bowbelle]

I'm not sure then - rinsing your mouth out/gargling after using your inhaler might help (or just having a drink). Or maybe ask if there's a different kind of inhaler you could try? Some people find dry powder inhalers better than the MDIs for example.

[bowbelle in reply to twinkly29]

No, I mean I start coughing as soon as the spray hits my throat, so I feel as if I'm just coughing it all back. The question is, should I do the spray again?

[twinkly29 in reply to bowbelle]

My inclination would be no because you don't know how much is going in. But the effect shouldn't happen in that way when breathing in slowly using a spacer so it might be an idea to discuss it with your GP or AN to see if a different kind of inhaler would be better for you. If the medication isn't getting in, then obviously that's not ideal, but neither is the not knowing if it is or not.

[Larrythelathe]

I get similar. When I need a neb that neb nearly always wants to make me cough. I can manage mine with technique . Ask your astma nurse. Best for me is to.really clench my butt!