1. Community
  2. Chest and lungs
  3. Asthma

Need a new maintenance med

Posted , 4 users are following.

LilJohnson
LilJohnson

Just last night, I was in the ER with a horrible asthma attack (I've never had it bad enough to go the ER before)...and the thing is, this is while on Symbicort! 

I was trying it out, since about January or so, and while I wasn't a huge fan of it because I couldn't really tell if it was doing its job or not (whereas when I was taking Flovent, for example, I could -- for awhile, then it just seemed meh), I decided to keep taking it...and well, obviously it wasn't doing it for me. 

At the ER they suggested Advair and to bring it up with my doctor. 

Obviously you guys aren't doctors, but I want to be as educated as I can be when I go see my doctor. What do you think?

I'm really hoping my doctor's office stops being stupid and lets me see my NP rather than GP because they say that ER follow-ups are with GPs not NPs...but the thing is, I've literally seen my GP no more than 3 times in the 6 years he's been my doctor, and that's including my initial visit! My NP on the other hand is who I see 9/10 times, so she's the one who knows my history and has SEEN my asthma. So yes, GP can see on paper, but I don't think that's nearly as good. Thoughts on that?

Thanks!

2 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Aschm32186
    Aschm32186 LilJohnson

    Posted

    Hello, I have used Advair and it really didn't do anything for me. Plus it was really expensive. I use Flovent and am very happy with it. I was told if you as a doctor if he/she would take advair was told they would say no....Plus I stay up on my allergy pills and flu and pneumonia shots. 

     

    • LilJohnson
      LilJohnson Aschm32186

      Posted

      I was on Flovent for a bit and it was good until it pretty much stopped doing nearly as much.

      I take Singulair daily which helps for sure, but I need something more.

  • Aschm32186
    Aschm32186 LilJohnson

    Posted

    I tak6 singular with my client and allegra allergy pill and Ventolin when needed

  • Wheezy_1
    Wheezy_1 LilJohnson

    Posted

    I agree with you. Do you have an inhaler like Ventolin or a nebulizer w/ Albueterol?

    With flare up like you had you may need prednisone for a while to relieve the inflammation because your lungs will be Twitchy and very easy to react again. Did the Dr. Say you had a virus or bronchitis? Your NP or pulmonary specialist would be best to help you get over this hump.

    I am 74 yr old and have had severe asthma most of my life, so I have taken and take lots of medicine daily and have flares often.

    • LilJohnson
      LilJohnson Wheezy_1

      Posted

      The ER doctor gave me a course of prednisone.

      I have a xopenex inhaler, and I also have a nebulizer. I was out of the vials for my neb though. I can't do regular albuterol because it gives me really bad shakiness and fast heart rate, so I take a different formulation.

      They didn't say anything about an infection, but I Also have no symptoms of an infection, so I think I'm good there.

      I made an appointment with my old allergist to hopefully get things straightened out.

  • green881
    green881 LilJohnson

    Posted

    I take Qvar and albuterol.  Flovent and Advair never worked nearly as well for me.  Advair contains Flovent and a LABA by the way. IMHO go back to the NP it's easier to convince someone you have seen a lot to switch.

    Sorry you ended up in the ER, I guess it's something we all know can happen but just hope/believe it won't.  But stay positive, I've also been on the pred in my youth and sometimes it blows over as fast as it came on.

    • LilJohnson
      LilJohnson green881

      Posted

      I would just go to my NP but my doctor's office won't let me if it's for my asthma...so the specialist is the next best option, IMO.

      I am in no way saying Advair is the way to go, just saying what the ER doc suggested.

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.