Budesonide (Pulmicort) working well, except for mild chest congestion

[Jonathan_C]

Hi

I have exercise induced asthma and some other stuff going on which I don't understand. Earlier this year I started having bad sinus related discomfort/pain and my GP put me on Pulmicort turbohaler (200ug, budesonide), on top of my omnair nasal spray (Ciclesonide). The two together work like a charm except that I always feel like I have just recovered from a flu during which I had badly congested chest.

If I use a decongestant like olbas or prospan (cough mixture) I feel ok - but not 100% right. If I exercise without taking anything, I will get badly congested in my chest (which feels different to asthma), if I use salbutamol before exercising it just brings the phlegm into my throat, but i still struggle with breathing, if I take prospan (before exercising) I need to cough out some phlegm at the start and then seem nearly ok.

On Saturday I took salbutamol before a strenuous hike, felt like crap while hiking and afterwards - until I took some olbas (i put some in boiling water) which gave me immediate relief.

Anyone else have similar experience?