Pollen, symbicort Smart and ventolin

[hygge]

Any help or advice would be really very much appreciated as I don't know what to do for the best.

Briefly I have mild asthma. I say mild as it has gone undiagnosed for years. Diagnosed 2 years ago amongst recurring pneumonia. Because of the pneumonia I am on Symbicort Smart regime.

I have never had an asthma attack but I have been told that my asthma must be sensitive. This is after I reacted badly breathlessness wise after beigg started on a low dose Beta Blocker.

I have noticed that I do struggle when the pollen count is high. Today I have had antihistamine and my Symbicort morning dose (I am very careful with my maintainence) but I was still struggling. I struggled in the night and took a ventolin. I took another ventolin at 7am and have been fine. Now, I have 11ish I am struggling again. I want to have a ventolin but I am resisting because I'm not supposed to use the ventolin because there is reliever in the Symbicort. I just don't feel that the Symbicort offers me the same relief though.

What do I do? I really feel like I need the ventolin.

If anyone has any tips on how to get through high pollen days with asthma I would really appreciate it.

[emmasue]

I would take the Ventolin if you feel you need it. I take Symbicort on the SMART regime where I normally take two puffs in the morning and two in the evening, but I can take an additional 8 doses through the day if I need to. After a bad exacerbation in March due to the flu, I was told that if I get bad, use the Ventolin first and then the Symbicort so that the Ventolin opens the airways allowing the Symbicort to get where needed, if this makes sense. I know I am suffering too. The heat and humidity don't help. I am looking at the forecast with dread. It's not fair. I suffer with the pollen and heat, but in the winter I suffer with bugs and illnesses. I think my best time of year is late summer, early autumn. Oh well, that's life.

[hygge in reply to emmasue]

Me too! I dread October and what follows and I dread May and what follows.

Thank you for your reply. That does make sense about opening the airways to get the Symbicort in, thank you.

I called AsthmaUK nurses because I was worried and confused. I had a conversation with such a lovely, calm, supportive and knowledgeable nurse. She advised that I call the GP and I'm awaiting a call from GP on call. She suspects I have got to the point where I need a dose of steroids and mentioned monkulast for the future so I have also made an appointment to see the Asthma nurse next week.

I have taken the ventolin as the nurse advised and know that I'm on 'dodgy' asthma territory and to be very self aware.

[emmasue in reply to hygge]

Glad the asthma nurse was helpful! I've found AsthmaUK an invaluable source. I am just coming off a dose of steroids, but the asthma is acting up again. I have an appointment with my consultant soon, but I might not be able to wait as long.

Oh well. Hope you feel better soon. xxx

[Tre in reply to hygge]

Great advice, the nurses are excellent. I’m having to use the ventolin a lot at the moment despite being maxed out on meds - Fostair 200, Alvesco 160, Fexofenadine 180 twice daily, Dymista nasal spray, Monkalucast, oral steroids for the last 6 days - so all I can do is stay indoors with my air purifier & do as little as possible. I don’t want to end up in A&E , thankfully seeing the consultant on Mon he might have some new magic meds 😀.

Take care x