Specialist wants me on symbicort?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I'm 17 years old and have suffered asthma most of my life. In the past 6 months I've been hospitalised twice. My asthma has been extremely rocky since I had an attack six months ago. Since then I've had 2 other attacks.
My specialist stated that he wanted me to go onto symbicort. I initially said that I'll take some time to decide but I honestly don't know much about it. He didn't explain much to me either.
The only thing I was told by him and the doctors was whenever I require a nebuliser (when my ventolin is failing to work) I go straight to the ER. I found this advice quite pointless and time consuming as I don't find it convenient to make 10+ trips to the hospital every year.
They have so far told me not to buy my own neb (with no given reason), but I'd find this would prevent many time consuming trips to the hospital.
I don't have the time to be in and out of hospital this year as it is my final year of high school. I'm also very hesitant to be putting more corticosteroids into my system.
My parents are highly against me being on seretide to begin with so its very difficult to choose the right option, they have been told it will minimise my risk of having another attack but they're still very strongly against the idea of me going on another medication.
They are the kind of people who do not believe in the use of medications to treat illness- even when I was in hospital they were very apprehensive about the IV steroids I was being given.
Would symbicort be a good treatment for me to follow? I understand no one here could exactly evaluate my situation from a professional standpoint but I'll take any rough opinions on the matter. I'm not exactly sure what symbicort is exactly used for.
0 likes, 16 replies
AnonG
Posted
I thought I'd add-
My usual peak flow is 630L/min give or take 10
I am only 5' 0'' , I've always had great lung function when I take all my medication, yet lately it it has been around 400L/min even with all my medications.
AshLaw AnonG
Posted
AnonG AshLaw
Posted
AshLaw AnonG
Posted
OK.
In the UK you are responsible for your own health at 16. Which means you can change to what doctor you like and your parents have no say so over what medication you take.
My peak flow is 650 all the time (I am 51; Symbicort has played a big part in the control of my asthma over the last 10 years).
However I am acutely aware that any major variation in me; or the enviroment could cause a massive change in my asthma, which could if I did not have my medication be fatal.
You have to understand and so do your parents that regardless of their beliefs your asthma could kill you without the proper medication.
Should you be on Symbicort - hell yes! Symbicort for me was one of the biggest positives in the treatment of my asthma (I have been on it for 10 years).
I ensured that I didn't have to use the blue or brown inhaler ever again and it meant that by being on the "smart regime" that I only had to use Symbicort once in the morning and once at night.
If your doctor doesn't seem to know what he is talking about - change doctor.
AnonG AshLaw
Posted
Thank you for your response!
Here in Australia it is very similar - by 16 you can apply for your own health care cards and Medicare card (a health care system which provides affordable healthcare to all Australians).
But my parents are very strict and they do believe for as long as I live under their roof, I live by their standards- which is fair enough, to an extent. But it also applies that I don't have my own healthcare card or Medicare card. So I wouldn't be able to see a doctor or access prescription medication without them knowing.
I know it seems a bit unusual to other people (especially considering I'm only months from turning 18) but my parents still haven't changed their opinions on me taking symbicort. Maybe after the specialist speaks to them a bit more they may understand.
But again, thankyou for telling me how much it has helped you! I was very apprehensive about the change over from seretide to symbicort but it's nice to know it's working very well for other people.
If you don't mind me asking, while on symbicort, have you ever encountered times where you've still had to go to the hospital due to asthma flares or moderate-severe exacerbations?
AshLaw AnonG
Posted
You can live by their standards but your health is your concern, not theirs and does not come within their standards - what it could be classed as is neglect on their part.
In answer to your question - whilst on Symbicort I have never required the need for a hospital visit - as with Symbicort - when taken correctly - asthma flares or moderate - severe - axacerbations do not exist.
AnonG AshLaw
Posted
Again, thank you for responding!
I think for my parents it stemmed from their disbelief in the beginning. For months my dad was adamant that it was impossible for me to have asthma, despite severe asthma running in the family.
I think it'll take a bit of time for them to come to terms with how serious it can be if I neglect to treat my asthma with the care it requires.
But again, thank you for your help!
Aschm32186 AnonG
Posted
Hello G777 I never heard of you just going to the hospital instead of using a neb at home ? I have a neb at home in emergencies if needed. I myself don't use symbicort but heard it works well for others ..give it a try and if you don't like it tell the doc you would like to try something else. Good Luck
AnonG Aschm32186
Posted
A family friend owns a neb and I found it incredibly useful in the control of a moderate asthma flare I had once.
But when I was being discharged from hospital a couple weeks ago from an asthma attack (which nearly landed me in the ICU) I asked the doctor if it would be ideal for me to own a neb at home. She simply said no and that I should be going to the hospital instead of relying on a neb.
The only reason they work so well is because my lungs tend to inflame very quickly and nebulisers have that constant flow of salbutamol whereas puffers don't. So it gradually works at my lungs, instead of the way ventolin puffers work. If that made any sense haha.
And thank you for your advice on the symbicort. I'll definitely be giving it heavy consideration.
loraine121 AnonG
Posted
Hi G7777,
I know it not the same but like you I have always had asthma throughout growing up sometimes I never needed any treatment but as I got older there were occasions when I had bad attacks , but again not much so occasionally use ventoline inhaler .
when I got married my husband was against any medication, and I found it very difficult but my asthma got worse when in my twenties and I needed regular medication and often required prednislone as well as preventer inhalers which contained corticosteroids, but without them I could have died , I was hospitalised a few times but again it seemed under control except if I got a chest infection I would need a course of prednisone, I was 30 when I had sever pnemonita and pleurisy I was in high dependency and was lucky to be alive since then I have had to constantly take regular medication as well as inhalers I'm on montelucast 10 mg and uniohyllin 400mg these have now increased to twice a day were as before I used to only take them at night , I'm now 47 years old ( no longer with husband that I was with in my twenties, I have difficult to control asthma, I am in and out of hospital some time only twice a year but last year I was admitted 7 times , I talk symbiotic 3 times a day now two puff at a time and a maintenance dose of 15mg of prednisone a day , in October last year I was given home oxygen 24/7, I'm not trying to scare you but your parents have to learn more about how life threatening asthma can be , do they go to you consultant or gp with you, as the stress of them not wanting you to take any medication can cause your asthma to get worse, well no everyone is effected by stress but I know if I'm stressed it can make my breathing worse,
i do hope your parents get educated on the severity of asthma especially if not treated correctly, my heart goes out to you having to go through this at such a young age ,
take care
AnonG loraine121
Posted
Thank you for such an in-depth response!
I believe it is a lack of education my parents have on the condition, as they believe I can "cure" it without medication and just exercising (which funnily enough is a trigger for my asthma).
This year alone I've been on 4 courses of prednisolone (not including that of what I was given in hospital). Whereas last year I went on only 1 course of it.
I'm back to using ventolin several times a day, it has been like this for weeks now. But there has been viruses going around so I expected this to begin happening.
I really do wish you all the best with your treatment, you seem like such a wonderful person!
loraine121 AnonG
Posted
Good luck
AnonG loraine121
Posted
My parents have agreed to both attend my next specialist appointment coming up in a month.
The doctor I saw recently had told my mum it was important that both her and my father attended the next appointment with the specialist as he had described my lungs as "the equivalent to a 70-year-old". He also stated that there is no doubt in his mind my treatment will be shifted to something stronger to have better control of my asthma.
But again, thank you for such a detailed reply! I will definitely be following the advice I've been given here.
zss AnonG
Posted
Hello Gabby,
I use Symbicort along with Asmol to control my Asthma. I realise the anxiety you have about taking cortisone, especially when you are so young.
From my own experience, I have had no side effects from Symbicort 400 at all. It works well too. Right now, I am using the "turbo inhaler", but I will be changing to the newer aerosol version of it when I've finished what I have. I take 2 puffs of it twice a day.
I realise everyone's reaction to medication is different, but this one has no unwanted effect on me. I usually don't take medication well and if there side effects, I'll usually get them.
I live in Adelaide, the weather here is warm and very humid right now and the Symbicort is helping a lot.
If you have experienced having to take Prednisolone and all of the nasty side effects it has, the Symbicort is nothing like that.
You must seriously consider trying it Lovey. Your health is important and your are in a vulnerable state.
Making 10 trips to the hospital in a year means you are not in control of your Asthama and you are in a dangerous situation.
Symbicort is a preventer of bronchiospasms and a relaxant to help breathing. It's also an anti-inflammatory.
It does have side effects so you must discuss this with a doctor you trust. There is information on side effects online.
AnonG zss
Posted
Thank you for responding!!
I have an appointment with my specialist coming up in May, so I have the opportunity to thoroughly discuss it then.
And the weather in Melbourne has been the exact same! The tropical-like weather has surprised everyone here. And it has been a drain on a lot of people's asthma lately.
I'm definitely considering symbicort now as the seretide really isn't doing much for me anymore and relying on prednisolone so often isn't ideal.
Thank you for telling me your experience with the medication, I generally don't suffer side effects of medication, yet seretide, prednisolone and ventolin give me some nasty ones to deal with.
Again, thank you for responding.
zss AnonG
Posted
Hello Gabby,
Now you've mentioned you live in Melbourne, that has me worried. I remember those Asthmatics who died in that freak weather event some weeks ago now. I was shocked and saddened when I saw that on the news, particularly for the young woman.
Waiting 'til May seems a bit too long. Can you see someone earlier or at least put your name on a list so if someone else can't make it, you can go in their place.
I know the agony you go through with the medication and I fully sympathise with you and the worry your parents are experiencing. No parent wants to put their precious child at risk.
Unfortunately these drugs are the only ones that are completely effective and will work when there is nothing else.
I have just finished a 5 day course of 37.5mg of Prednisolone per day last night, after coming out of a 4 day hospital stay Tuesday.
No, I don't feel good at all and yes, I suffered whilst taking it and now I'll suffer the withdrawal. But, I know it's the only thing that works.
I have both Asthma and an incurable auto-immune disease called Sarcoidosis. Sarcoid in my case, is turning my lungs into scar tissue and it's making breathing more difficult and painful.
I have to take Prednisolone for this as well. And, a drug called Prednefrin for a disease the Sarcoid triggers, called Uveitis. This drug is also Prednisolone in eye drop form. I'm now showing the first signs of blindness.
I have no choice in either of these drugs. The Prednisolone stops further spread of Sarcoid though doesn't cure it and the Prednefrin stops the Uveitis from causing immediate blindness if left untreated.
For me, it's a balancing exercise of quality of life vs. the damaging effects of the medication.
There is a load of information on all these drugs freely available on the Internet. Perhaps if you have time, get your parents to read it and if needed, print some out to take to your doctor and discuss.
There's nothing like being informed. It takes the stress out of the situation.
I wish you all the best Gabby. Keep safe.