Anyone using just one puff once a day on Symbicort?

[PoetWalker]

Hi dear folks, I have moderate to severe asthma and was having a flare-up and using my inhaler too much, so my doc prescribed Symbicort. She said to start out at 2 puffs once a day. I am pretty sensitive to most meds. Sure enough after my very first dose of 2 puffs, my lungs feel fabulous -- I want to go for a RUN -- but also I could feel increased heart rate and anxiety, for hours. While there may be an explanation for the anxiety, I have this "supercharged" almost manic feeling. So, of course I'll ask my doc but wanted to ask you all too: is it a thing to use Symbicort just one puff once a day? It feels to me like that would be adequate for me and reduce this "supercharged" feeling.

[Cher2017]

Hi, I do use sympbicort once daily as directed by my doctor for a specific reason and it works for me. Symbicort is designed to be taken 2x/day, morning and evening, having a discussion with your doctor to let him/her know how your feeling sounds like the way to go! Good Luck and hope you keep feeling better.

[PoetWalker in reply to Cher2017]

Thanks, I know the "usual" is two puffs twice a day or two puffs once a day. I've also seen people saying they take just one puff, morning and one puff, evening. But my question is does anyone take just ONE puff (not two) once a day? So Cher2017 thanks for responding -- when you say you use it once a day do you mean just one puff once a day? Thanks for clarifying! I was hoping to hear some success stories as I gather info. as my doc is actually very young and inexperienced and I live in a rural area. I'm feeling OK and not at all in crisis -- just surprised that I couldn't find any references to one puff, once a day, anywhere on the whole internet in all references to symbicort which is a pretty common scrip.

[Cher2017 in reply to PoetWalker]

I do 2 puffs once per day in the morning. I increase to 2 puffs 2x/day when I start having increased symptoms. You probably won't find references for one puff once per day. I'm a healthcare provider as well and all the information is for 2 puffs 2x/day. Doctors, pulmonologist, allergist sometimes tailor to the patient's needs, based on experience and evidence based practices. I'm glad you're feeling well, let me know if you find anymore information. I'd be interested in knowing.

[PoetWalker in reply to Cher2017]

Hi, thanks so much for replying back again. Yes, that's very interesting and kind of what I thought (that there's nothing about 1 puff 1 X / day in the literature). Well, I only have two days' worth of data so far, but after having such a powerful response to the Symbicort yesterday when I took 2 puffs for the first time, today I just took one puff. If today is any measure of what's in store for me, I am thrilled. Because just like yesterday I felt great, felt like almost a different person, not a person who sadly rations her albuterol inhaler puffs and becomes uncomfortable with a tight chest every 3 or 4 hours until the next albuterol puff -- but instead a person who is singing just because it feels good to sing, and exercises with pleasure instead of a dull forced feeling. Yet I did not have the manic, anxious or "supercharged" feelings I had yesterday. Based on this, I'm going to try one puff once a day for two weeks and only go to 2 puffs once a day if it seems necessary.

I've never kept an "asthma journal" but this seems like the right time to try to do that also. Otherwise it could be easy to think I'll remember, but forget.

That's cool that you are a provider also. Thanks for this dialogue and I'll keep you posted. Have a peaceful weekend I hope.

[krylan in reply to PoetWalker]

I’m so glad you’re feeling better! This is my thought because I’ve had my share of trying different inhalers! Do you!! If one puff works for you then do one puff. You won’t find anything saying it’s ok for one puff because the medicine is designed for two puffs, therefore you’ll be prescribed two puffs. You may ask your dr is there a lesser dosage or a different inhaler where you only need one puff i.e. Advair, Arnuity or Breo which are all one puff per day. But if the one dosage works for you that’s awesome. Why put more medicine in your body if you don’t need it. Also look into Boswella and Black Seed Oil to strengthen your respiratory. My asthma is GERD related so I have eliminated grains, dairy, sugar and less alcohol! Trying to repair my gut! Also I do I intermittent fasting! Best wishes!!

[Ticaboorhino in reply to PoetWalker]

I was taking Albuterol rescue inhaler 2 to 3 times a day. Just had such trouble breathing. Was on Nucala so mucus controlled, just a tight chest. The Dr didn't know what to do. She put me on the dugs in symbicort but using the Nebulizer. Side effects made me feel horrible. Talked to the pharmacist that helped with dispensing the Nebulizer drugs. He mentioned a condition called paradoxical bronchial spasms caused from taking to much Albuterol. I couldn't believe how much better I felt after my decreasing the rescue Albuterol inhaler. Take it now maybe once a week.

[Ticaboorhino in reply to Ticaboorhino]

And I use symbicort 2 puffs 2x a day

[Tengudreams in reply to PoetWalker]

Im using symbicort 200/6 and I am now using it almost daily as one puff per day. Night is worse for my asthma so it is generally taken then. Goodluck!!!

[Durcot]

I use Symbicort to and my doctor said 2 puffs each time . If your doctor said 2 puffs each then I'd say do 2puffs. Dont play doctor with your life, rely on what your doctor prescribes please.

God bless

[lizstacey]

I use symbicort 2 puffs morning and 2 puffs at night as prescribed by my gp but he says I can also use up to 8 single puffs as a rescue aid during the day if needed this seems like a lot more than others are saying I am worried now

[ChrisPilot]

You asked this Q a year ago? How's it going for you? I reduced my Symbicort to just one puff in the evening. My symptoms (exercise induced asthma) are well managed with that low dosage. But of course it's very much an individual thing.

[Eko777]

Hi i know this is old post, but just wanted to let others know you are not the only one with this side effect. My Dr put me on the lowest possible dose because i am also taking singulair and the only reason its not enough lately is due to having a chain smoker live next door.

My side effects were a strange nervous feeling like the one you might get just before you vomit. It felt like my entire body was on high alert like some terrible stuff was going to go down, but in my mind everything was normal. It was so strange to have such an obvious dissonance between my mind and my body!

It started at the same time every day, 2pm on the dot and persisted into the evening about 6pm. I also felt that pre-flu malaise where you get the sense your body is fighting off some sort of illness - including the weird skin sensitivity I usually get pre-viral infection.

The precise timing of it was the only thing that made me consider my new Symbicort perscription. I stopped Symbicort and the symptoms disappeared within a day, even though it took about 2 weeks for them to appear.

I will ask my doctor about taking it once per day instead!