Advice needed please

[deni-123red_]

I’m on Symbicort twice daily for asthma and mild COPD. Only just realised that having just used up one inhaler, my spare has gone missing. I’m on holiday in America for the next 3 weeks. Upon asking in the local pharmacy if I could buy Symbicort I was advised that I need a prescription (so need to pay for a consultation) and that the inhaler costs just over £400 which is a lot of money. I could perhaps claim it back on my insurance but not sure about that. I’m relying on my salbutamol inhaler for now. Question is...should I carry on using salbutamol only or pay out for Symbicort. In other words how much harm could it do? Annoying thing is that I always put my inhalers in my carry on luggage but now they have to be opened at airport security and placed in a plastic bag. It was so chaotic in security at airport that I’m certain that was where it went missing. Husband is on insulin so we had to open all his sealed packs and place them in bags too. Like I said, utter chaos. Thanks for advice.

[Armadillo57]

Why don’t you make a call to your Gp ask their advice. Better to be sure.

[deni-123red_ in reply to Armadillo57]

Just had a text from my surgery today to say their phone lines are down. I’m certain I’ll be told to see a dr over here though.

[knitter]

Can you contact your insurance company and ask?

Are you a long way from the airport....I wonder if they have found your inhaler?

UK embassy ....I don't know if they would deal with your difficulty, maybe try?

[deni-123red_ in reply to knitter]

Good idea to contact them. I’m a very long way from airport in Manchester. I’m in Miami. Thanks for advice

[Bkin]

Assuming you did buy medical insurance that should cover your costs. It depends how many days you have left before you fly back home, for me I would start noting more difficulty breathing after about 2 days which usually impacts on how much activity I can achieve.

There could well be an increased risk to lung infection without your medication. In addition you might have a lot of trouble on the return flight home if you have gone for several days without medicating properly.

It may pay you to act, but basically its your call if you want to take the risk.

[deni-123red_]

I’m wondering when the lack of medicine is going to affect me. I used my ventolin only this morning and felt ‘chesty’ but felt ok as day wore on. Tomorrow will be 2nd day without meds so I’m going to see how I feel. There’s a walk in med centre near hotel.

Another thing I’ve been told by pharmacist over here is that they don’t have the exact same meds as I’m on. It’s different dosage

[hypercat54]

How about buying it online? I am sure you can and it might only take a day or two? x

[deni-123red_ in reply to hypercat54]

I only have a few more days before we move on so buying online isn’t practical but thanks fir advice. Much appreciated.

[JasperDylan]

You could use your salbutamol inhaler increase the amount of times you use it

Eg instead of 2 puffs 2 times daily increase it to 5 6 puffs when you require it this will not harm you at all

If you was on a Nebuliser that’s like having 100 puffs only an example

Good luck

[deni-123red_ in reply to JasperDylan]

I’ve had to bite the billet so to speak. I saw a lovely nurse practitioner at Walgreens pharmacy this morning. She charged $15 for prescribing me Symbicort. I just couldn’t risk enduring breathing difficulties away from home us were travelling around quite a bit. The inhaler cost $416!! Blooming heck. Makes one appreciate our NHS that’s for sure. Will try to claim some of cost from insurance when home.

Thanks for your much appreciated advice.

[Whitechinchilla]

Golly that’s a blow. I always get anxious when I have to empty all my inhalers at security. Disorganised chaos often.

Check the cost of the inhaler there with the excess on your insurance.

I didn’t and got caught out.

I’d be inclined to follow the advice to try and get it online.

You will want to feel safe on the return trip.

Hope you get it sorted soon and enjoy the rest of your hols.

[deni-123red_ in reply to Whitechinchilla]

Thanks Whitechinchilla, as you may see from my reply to JasperDylan, I’ve gone and bought the most expensive inhaler ever!! It did come in a fancy box and is definitely more user friendly than my usual British inhaler but so it should be at that price. Feeling relieved now.

[Whitechinchilla in reply to deni-123red_]

So pleased to hear that.

I hope you can now enjoy the rest of your holiday worry free😊

Good wishes and travel safely.

[deni-123red_ in reply to Whitechinchilla]

I didn’t realise how much it would affect me following 2 days without simbicort. Now I’m back on it I’m feeling much better. Your good wishes are much appreciated. Thanks

[Maximonkey]

Hi Deni, I would phone your insurers asap, lets hope they will stand the cost of a new inhaler. Suffering from Asthma and Bronch myself I understand that you need the Symbicort to keep you well. Did you ask the pharmacist whether there is a generic inhaler on sale with the same ingredients as Symbicort, This would be cheaper and would be just as effective as Symbicort. I used to be on this inhaler and I know we in England have a generic sub which is much cheaper. I would not go without your Symbicort inhaler (Salbutamol on its own is not enough), if I was you, think how expensive it would be if you ended up in hospital, not to mention your lost holiday. Take care, good luck and let us know how you get on. Maximonkey

[deni-123red_]

Hi Maximonkey,

You’re correct in all you say. I cannot think about managing without my preventer inhaler. I felt very chesty this morning. As I replied above, I decided to see the nurse practitioner who was lovely and I bought the inhaler at $416. I never thought about asking for a generic one. What a good idea that would’ve been. Anyway I can hopefully recoup some of the cost from insurance. It’s a very fancy one, but give me the plain free one from our wonderful NHS any day. Thanks so much for your advice.

[Putsywillow1]

If you can connect with a doctor you might be able to get a free sample. It’s worth a try - it’s worked for me. My PC ended up giving me 2 months of free samples! Good luck.

[deni-123red_ in reply to Putsywillow1]

Thanks pussywillow1 that’s a great idea. However I wasn’t feeling too well so had to get a prescription and buy the inhaler. Will definitely keep a closer eye on my inhalers in future when going through airport security.

[santisuk]

I used to use Symbicort here in Thailand. Still do if i have an exacerbation or otherwise feel the need for a bit of breathing support, but only use now for maybe 2-3 weeks of the year in total. Costs me about 30 quid (=about US$ 40) to buy a 120 dose 160/4.5 inhaler at a discount pharmacy in Bangkok. No need for a prescription in Thailand cos most antibis and such like are unregulated*.

I just can't imagine how Symbicort can cost so much in the US. The medical profession and pharma industry is taking the whole country for a ride it seems.

*Prescription needed for sildenafil (=viagra and similar ED drugs). Seems daft to me as although one can obviously do yourself some harm if you use without care for your other medical conditions antibis can be pretty dangerous as well if abused.

[deni-123red_]

Well I can’t do without Symbicort. It’s my

preventor inhaler. Yes the cost was shocking and makes me realise how fortunate we are with our wonderful NHS.