Seretide to Fostair?

[porthos06]

Hello! I'm after picking some brains again, please!

At my last catch-up with the asthma nurse at my GP practice, I explained that I've been coughing in the mornings and using my salamol reliever more than usual. Her suggestion was either Montelukast or changing inhalers. I really didn't get on with Montelukast before, so I opted for the inhaler switch. I switched from Seretide 250 (1 puff twice a day) to Fostair 100/6 (2 puffs twice a day). However...

...Since switching, my cough has got worse (still worse in the morning and now going on throughout the day as well) and I've had a general feeling of (mild but constant) chest tightness. I've also had really strange dreams, which I think is because the Fostair makes me shake like mad so I'm still trembling when I go to sleep after my night-time dose!

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I have a follow-up appointment with the nurse at the beginning of June, but surely things should be getting better not worse?

[twinkly29]

When did you make the switch? It'll take about 8 weeks for the Fostair to become fully effective and, until then (and especially initially), it is likely to feel worse/like it's not working because the new steroid isn't yet but up enough - so you could be coughing more because it's early days. Side effects should reduce/diminish over the embedding time too.

So, if it's less than that time, it's impossible really to judge whether it's working or not and the best thing to do is to ride it out.

If it's longer than that then maybe phone the AN to discuss it.

If you're struggling as in it's causing problems that you would normally need pred for, then call your nurse because that warrants a discussion at least.

[Maggie_Mae]

Hi .. Twinky has given you good advice above.Obviously your symptoms is causing you concern, personally I would phone today for nurse to call you back . There is no harm in discussing your concerns, & taking control of your own situation. When unwell your call back in June long time away.

Is there a possibility of other things going on ?

ie.. start of chest infection ? Temperature? Urine infection? Or another medical condition you may suffer from? ( may be causing your shaking , vivid dreams & symptoms too)

I too had change of inhaler recently, lasted 2 weeks symptoms was terrible!! Phoned and was changed immediately...my quality of life improved dramatically.

Wishing you well 💐

[garywake]

I have made that switch too. My Consulatant was surprised as he said it it a slightly lower dose steroid than the seretide I was on. My astham does seem better controlled, I haven't used my Sambutomol inhaler for months now, but I have noticed an increased need to clear my throat all the time. I'm not sure if this is just coincidence or a side effect from Fostair.

[Spikedog66]

My sympathy I had a lot of your side effects the shaking was the worst for me I couldn't hold a cup, cut food and the palpitations were terrible. My family thought I was dying. So I changed back to seretide and all these side effects went within a week. Fostair is not recommed from myself many have no issues at all. My advice to you is ring your Drs today get back to your faithful seretide and bin the fostair. Good luck.

[Sparkywoo]

You might be better with the 200/6 inhaler one puff twice a day. The dosage and inhaler you’re currently on means you’re taking a lot of formoterol (the short acting part) which is known to cause side effects especially shaking.

The steroid amount in Fostair appears lower than in other inhalers but because of the way it is formulated less of it is needed to have the equivalent effect of higher dose other steroid inhalers.

[Hidden]

Hi, as others have said switching is not always easy and takes time. However not everyone has the same reaction or a good response to certain inhalers or other meds.It’s best to discuss again your options if your Asthma doesn’t improve within in the expected timeframe and settle back down.

It’s really a balancing act, Montelukast for me was what worked best with my Seretide and substituted inhalers were less effective. I also cannot take Pred as I had very serious side effects whilst many others have no issues.

Can I ask why they didn’t suggest just increasing your Seretide dosage ? As you are on 1 puff twice a day it is permissible to have 2 puffs twice a day. Even say I puff AM and 2 puffs PM.

It seems a more streamlined solution that changing Inhalers or taking Montelukast or having to have a course of Pred.

Best wishes

[ewusia28]

Hi. Yes. I also had similar symptoms. Frequent bouts of coughing during the day and night.

[Lincolnlady]

Hi,I swapped on to Fostair 100/6 back in February and it made me shake to begin with but that stopped after a while. When I first got swapped I had an issue with constantly needing to clear my throat but that's gone now as well, although I'm not sure if that is the inhaler working or me getting better at rinsing my mouth out every time I use the inhaler. I've now been swapped onto the Fostair 200/6 and I'm getting on with it really well. Hopefully, once its properly in your system, it will work for you as well.

[Monkeybuns]

I switched from clenil 100/6 (2 puffs twice a day) to 2 puffs 2x fostair 100/6 (same dose) as I also didn’t get on with montelukast. Fostair made me cough a ton in the beginning, and my chest felt weird but now a few months later, I am down to one puff twice a day and haven’t used my blue inhaler in months. I think it just takes time to get used to a different inhaler. Shaking went away as well.

[porthos06]

Thanks so much for all the advice and experience - it's good to hear. I think the nurse is ringing tomorrow so I'll go through the side-effects/apparent lack of efficacy with her then.It's been years since I changed inhalers last time and I don't remember having these problems then, so hearing from others who can speak about similar experience is really helpful - thank you!

[HampshireLass]

Usually 2 puffs twice a day with Seretide.

[Snapperdave]

Hi my surgery without warning put me on Fostair. They did this I found out because Seretide is more expensive. They tried to tell me they had the same ingredients . I demanded I be put back on Seretide as I am positive Seretide works far better for me. My chest never had a clear feeling with Fostair.