Swapped to a lower inhaler

[MissNyxiie]

My asthma specialist has swapped me from relvar 184 down to 92. Ive had 2 to 3 years of constant infections which never shows in sputum samples. I always have a slightly raised infection count on my bloods. My feno is quite low so they said its not asthma its chronic infections. All xrays and cts are clear too. I started the lower inhaler 2 days ago and i dont know if its having covid 2 weeks ago, which went alongside another chest infection but it feels like my chest is getting worse again already, i finished my antibiotics about 4 days ago and felt a lot better than today. My average for the last few months is around 460 on my peakflow, last day of my higher inhaler it went back to my best of 510. This afternoon its back down to low 400's. So i wouldnt say its that bad. I cant seem to find any information on what happens when you lower a steroid inhaler? They think the high inhaler was causing my infections but still feels like a silly change when my chest never feels great and i can easily run out a new blue inhaler in a month for the last year. I am so fed up with nothing happening but now feels like im going backwards and they didnt say what to expect or anything.

[Gareth57]

I would contact your GP on Monday or the asthma nurses at asthma uk for advice.

[Pipsqueak77]

HiI had problems with infections several years ago alongside asthma. However I was put into a joint respiratory/ immunology clinic where I saw two specialist consultants together. So respiratory dealt with the asthma and immunology with the infections.

If you are having issues with infections they should refer you to an immunologist to deal with them. They were great and really helped me.

As for the lower dose inhaler there is some thought that powder inhalers can cause an increase in pneumonia in some people… so maybe this is your cons thinking.

I would stick with it and see how it goes as it’s very early days yet. Also I’m afraid to say that your GP will be very reluctant to get involved with a change of meds advised by your specialist.

Take care

😊

[Wimple]

As well as the previous advice, maybe also ask your consultant about changing to a different inhaler. I went through 5 or 6 before finding one that really controlled my asthma. It takes time, but it’s worth it.