Going back to seretide?

[Readingwheezer]

I’ve just been asked in for my annual review and want to ask the nurse if I can go back to seretide. I came off it a few years ago when there was some research about increased risk of pneumonia as I have mild bronchiectasis. I’ve tried quite a few alternatives and have been on flutiform for a couple of years. But none have been as good as seretide in terms of controlling my exercise induced asthma, and peak flow. Has anyone had any success arguing to go back on it? Thanks

[Hidden]

Morning, as you have been “successfully” on an alternative it might be tricky.Seretide is comparatively an expensive inhaler and I believe is the most expensive.

The closest generic, so obviously less costly I know of is Sirdupla, so this could be a consideration? You may know there was a push some years ago to transfer those of us who use Seretide on to Sirdupla. Not all of us found it a worthy and effective substitution, one reason could be as the filler is naturally different , and some people can’t cope well enough longterm with that change.

If you have your peak flow data and any issues of using Flutiform recorded it will definitely help requesting a return back to Seretide or even possibly to be considered for Sirdupla. Did you mention previously the lower performance quality of Flutiform at your reviews as this will obviously also help your request.

All the best.

[Readingwheezer in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for replying. I have struggled with exercise causing asthma exacerbations ever since I've been off seretide. The nurse suggested various alternatives such as montelukast, none of which worked and I had recalled recently that before the pandemic I was going to be referred to to a respiratory consultant. I only remembered that after my post! I always feel that I'm on too higher dose inhaler for my asthma which is well controlled except for exercise. I'm on a high enough dosage that it counts as high on the European guidelines yet hardly ever have to use my blue inhaler or get wheezy.

[Sazyldy61]

Hi I was put on Fostair a few years ago after being on Seretide. I was put back on Seretide after I spoke with my doctor and told her how I could no longer exercise and was less active due to Fostair not controlling my asthma as well as Seretide did. It took giving her concrete examples but I was put back on Seretide about 2 or 3 years ago. What a difference it makes, I feel almost normal on it. Plus my peak flow is higher all proof it works better for me. Good luck!

[Readingwheezer in reply to Sazyldy61]

Thanks very much for sharing that. I have had various different additional medications to try and control my exercise-induced asthma over the last 3 years, so hopefully that will be good evidence for the nurse that it was better controlled under seretide!

[twinkly29]

I think it might depend on your practice. I've always had GPs who are more than happy to give what works but others are less lucky. It's definitely worth an ask though.

[Readingwheezer in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks - my practice are generally very good on all counts so fingers crossed!

[twinkly29 in reply to Readingwheezer]

That sounds promising - I'll keep mine crossed too!

[Spikedog66]

Yes I did. changed me to fostair which had terrible side effects for me. Back to the old faithful seretide just said wanted it back as it worked. Wanted to give me others with finer particles as apparently want seretide off the market. Just ask nothing to lose.

[SchnauzerCharlie]

I've had issues since being taken off Seretide back in 2018, initially I went onto Fostair which seemed to instantly give me a heavy chest, I had this for a couple of years while chasing the asthma nurse for something else to help my breathing. I've since had a few others, cant remember the names but 1 was a powder and that really didnt suit me, gave me thrush even rinsing after taking it. They are unable to prescribe Seretide for me now.

So I've gone back onto Airflusal but I'm still suffering with a heavy chest.

During this time I discovered that I also have acid reflux which can and does affect my breathing however it's not all down to that as my ventolin does alleviate some of the heavy chest but not all of it.

I'm going to try again with my asthma nurse to get back onto Seretide as when I've felt like this in the past because I'd missed a day or so, then taking properly again had sorted me straight out!

Did you manage to get back onto Seretide?

[Readingwheezer in reply to SchnauzerCharlie]

Hi Charlie - I'm on forstair at the moment, but it seems I might have a colonised infection (I have bronchiectasis too) so really trying to get that sorted out first so I can work out what is asthma and what is the infection. My nurse was brilliant - took 25 mins for our appointment to discuss everything, agreed a strategy, spoke to my gp and then called me later to confirm. I'll report back again once I've made some progress. So far the forstair is really variable in terms of my peak flow, and giving me a bit of a hoarse throat, but I have been taking a slightly lower dose to see how I get on. I do find it strange that my peak flow is so variable though!

[DeanSamson in reply to SchnauzerCharlie]

Iv had the same experience as you. Was on seretide for years then placed on symbicort and just feel like a heavy congested chest all the time ventolin helps a little. I did wonder about going back.