Well, I spoke too soon.

I've been feeling worse since yesterday. Major chest heaviness and discomfort that is not going away :(

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been taking my Xopenex every 4-6 hours, and it's not helping enough. I'm afraid I will have to do another round of Prednisone to get over this. I haven't had to take it since April and dread doing it again.

I was also on Pulmicort 200 mcg turbuhaler (2 puffs twice a day) until the beginning of August (I hadn't yet switched to the Flexhaler version.) I noticed a decline in my asthma control over the previous several months - very gradual but noticeable. I'm also on Spiriva inhaler and Theophylline time release tablets (400 mg every 12 hours.)

My insurance has an asthma education program and the asthma specialist - after over an hour of questions - recommended that I ask my Dr. about Symbicort (Advair was disastrous for me because of the Flovent component) and Xopenex. I did this on August 1st. He switched me to Symbicort 160/4.5 (2 puffs twice a day), stopped the Pulmicort since it's a component of Symbicort, and kept my other meds the same but added Xopenex in lieu of albuterol. It took a while - almost 2 weeks - but what a difference! He also pointed out that while I had been on 200 mcg of Pulmicort, the 160 in the Symbicort was exactly the same amount due to its configuration and better delivery system.

My best peak flow previously was rarely 300 (low, I know, but I am 61 and have had asthma since age 6 months) but mostly in the upper 200's. After almost 1 1/2 months on Symbicort, my best peak flow is now 350 with typical being 330.

I wish you luck - I am VERY happy with the Symbicort!

Linda

[QUOTE=pinky3;3201751]
I think I understand better now. My dr. put me on oral steroids to get over this hump. I just hope that once I get over it, the Symbicort will keep it under control. I wonder how likely adding the Foradil will help since the Budenoside is now only 160mcg per puff.

[QUOTE=LadyBadger;3202654]I was also on Pulmicort 200 mcg turbuhaler (2 puffs twice a day) until the beginning of August (I hadn't yet switched to the Flexhaler version.) I noticed a decline in my asthma control over the previous several months - very gradual but noticeable. I'm also on Spiriva inhaler and Theophylline time release tablets (400 mg every 12 hours.)

My insurance has an asthma education program and the asthma specialist - after over an hour of questions - recommended that I ask my Dr. about Symbicort (Advair was disastrous for me because of the Flovent component) and Xopenex. I did this on August 1st. He switched me to Symbicort 160/4.5 (2 puffs twice a day), stopped the Pulmicort since it's a component of Symbicort, and kept my other meds the same but added Xopenex in lieu of albuterol. It took a while - almost 2 weeks - but what a difference! He also pointed out that while I had been on 200 mcg of Pulmicort, the 160 in the Symbicort was exactly the same amount due to its configuration and better delivery system.

My best peak flow previously was rarely 300 (low, I know, but I am 61 and have had asthma since age 6 months) but mostly in the upper 200's. After almost 1 1/2 months on Symbicort, my best peak flow is now 350 with typical being 330.

I wish you luck - I am VERY happy with the Symbicort!

Linda

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your experience. I am so glad to hear that you are happy with the Symbicort. Since it's relatively new, it's hard to find information about it that isn't from the manufacturer. I had no idea the 160 was the same as the 200. I hope that is correct, because my asthma was really under control with the Turbohaler, and it was the switch to Flexhaler that affected me despite the manufacturer's claims that it is the same.

What did the Flovent do to you?

I think this is the worst I've felt in my chest since I had bronchitis last November. My dr. told me to do every 20 min. of Xopenex for an hour to try and get some relief along with the steroids. Asthma sucks.

[QUOTE=Titchou;3202165]You are obviously in another country as I am not familiar with all the drugs you are on....

And as for the jogging, I'm a stubborn old broad...jogged two miles one week after having my gallbladder out...mostly to prove I could....at age 59.....

I am actually quite close to you. I'm in Texas.

The Symbicort is relatively new and is a combination of Pulmicort and Foradil. I only take the Symbicort and Xopenex (I was on just Pulmicort and Xopenex).

You are stubborn but very admirable!