1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Bronchiectasis

bronchiectasis/asthma

Posted , 6 users are following.

david_25160
david_25160

it's confusing a simple Scotsman like me having both Asthma and newly diagnosed Bronchiectasis knowing just what is going on within my mighty chest! for instance last visit to gp I was somewhat surprised that she prescribed the steroids for an Asthma related wheeze and chest rattle, as I had assumed that the culprit was the Bronchie thingy, how do they differentiate between them? one thing I discovered only tonight was regarding the Symbicort inhaler I'm on, months ago the gp said that I could use it as a "reliever" as well as a preventer, so I stopped carrying and using the Ventolin, only to spot, in red writing on the side of the Symbicort "DO NOT USE AS RELIEVER" !!!! so for quite a while I've deprived my lungs of the neccessary medication. please moderator, let this be read as I'm fed up typing my life story only for you to delete it, thankyou, hugs and kisses xx eek

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • sdawoolsey
    sdawoolsey david_25160

    Posted

    Hi David,

    I don't think you will ever find someone who can tell you exactly what to do and take. Everyone's body is different & reacts differently to medications.

    In my opinion, you need to find what medication works for you. I have bronchiectasis & have had it since I was aobut 2 years old and I am now 49. Yup have asthma too.

    I use Ventolin & have always found this to be my reliever. it works for me so I won'tchange it. Maybe you need to do the same.

    So you have to tell your Doctor what your experiences are with Symbicort so he knows not to prescribe it again.

    Also I see a respiratory specialist, not just a GP so hopefully you are also seeing a specialist. If not, ask your GP to give you a referral to someone who can manage your bronchiectasis correctly.

    Don't be too hard on your GP though. They probably thought Symbicort would work. Who knows but it's up to you to take hold of your health & work out who is best ot manage you & what medications work & don't work.

    I know another person with bronchiectasis who has one type of antibiotic when they have an infection but that same drug won't work for me. So I use something else.

    Good luck.

  • ruthie2673
    ruthie2673 david_25160

    Posted

    Hi David, it's confusing isn't it? I too have asthma and bronchiectasis.

    I have also had symbicort in the past. It is generally used in severe asthma. It is both a reliever and a preventer, but the reliever part (formoterol) is a long acting reliever and also does not provide immediate relief, so if you need immediate relief you need to use the ventolin as well for that.

    However you have not been deprived of reliever medication, what the drug info means is that if you are having an asthma attack you should not use symbicort to relieve you as it will take too long to work....you need to use some ventolin as well.

  • Kathleen1952
    Kathleen1952 david_25160

    Posted

    hi  i have the bronchy thing i take ventolin as a reliever and symbicort as a preventer where you may have been confused is that symbicort as well as a perventor also has a broncho dilator in ir make up both have bee prescribed by my gp and consultant
    • david_25160
      david_25160 Kathleen1952

      Posted

      thanks for clearing up my confusion Kathleen, must be an sge thing haha. may I ask do you have asthma as well as the bronchie thing? I'm struggling the past week or more struggling for breath when I do any exertion, even walking compromised sad currently using the Symbicort twice morning, and twice nighly, Ventolin as and when needed, on 3rd day of Prednisilone steroid course, does'nt appear to be helping at all. Recently had a course of Amoxiclav, also to no avail. so I'm banging my head off a brick wall here, getting panicky on occasion which I know does'nt help, but it's a natural reaction to the struggle for air. perhaps I need a nebuliser to help me? any advice greatly appreciated from anybody in a similair situation, thankyou
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.