problems with Symbicort
Laura0711 posted:
Hi,
I take Symbicort 2 puffs twice a day and I have notice that I have been feeling tighter in the chest. I was wondering if anyone else was having the same problem? I also have been feeling more short of breath while using the inhaler. I don't know if I should keep using it for a while longer and see if it goes away or call my pulmo right away and see what he says. I also just found out that I have AVN (Avascular Necorsis) in both hips so my primary who treats me for my asthma most of the time said we have to limit the use of pred. so I need to good controller med.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks,
Laura
I take Symbicort 2 puffs twice a day and I have notice that I have been feeling tighter in the chest. I was wondering if anyone else was having the same problem? I also have been feeling more short of breath while using the inhaler. I don't know if I should keep using it for a while longer and see if it goes away or call my pulmo right away and see what he says. I also just found out that I have AVN (Avascular Necorsis) in both hips so my primary who treats me for my asthma most of the time said we have to limit the use of pred. so I need to good controller med.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks,
Laura
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:problems with SymbicortHi,<br />I take Symbicort 2 puffs twice a day and I have notice that I have been feeling tighter in the chest. I was wondering if anyone else was having the same problem? I also have been feeling more short of breath while using the inhaler. I don't know if I should keep using it for a while longer and see if it goes away or call my pulmo right away and see what he says. I also just found out that I have AVN (Avascular Necorsis) in both hips so my primary who treats me for my asthma most of the time said we have to limit the use of pred. so I need to good controller med. <br /><br />Any advice would be welcome.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Laura
Aqua14 responded:
My thought is that perhaps you are reacting to the new HFA propellant that's found in both Symbicort and rescue inhalers. Some people on the board have problems with the HFA propellant. You might try using a spacer and see if that helps disperse the propellant enough so that you don't have problems with it. Unfortunately, all of the metered-dose inhalers now use the HFA propellant, so it's hard to avoid it.
You might want to talk to your pulmonologist about a dry powder corticosteroid inhaler such as Asmanex, and the dry powder inhaler Foradil (the long-acting bronchodilator med found in Symbicort). Using Asmanex plus Foradil together would give you much the same effect as Symbicort. However, some people develop hoarseness when using dry powder inhalers, since some of the powder tends to deposit on vocal chords. Also, dry powder inhalers contain lactose (milk sugar), so if you're allergic to milk those would not work well for you.
Alternatively, the specific steroid in Symbicort (budesonide, or Pulmicort) is available as a liquid to be nebulized (Pulmicort Respules), as is Foradil (under the name Perforomist), so nebulization would be another possible way of taking these meds, although much more of a hassle than using an inhaler.
Hopefully these thoughts help give you some ideas to take back to your pulmo and discuss with him. Take care and good luck. Judy
You might want to talk to your pulmonologist about a dry powder corticosteroid inhaler such as Asmanex, and the dry powder inhaler Foradil (the long-acting bronchodilator med found in Symbicort). Using Asmanex plus Foradil together would give you much the same effect as Symbicort. However, some people develop hoarseness when using dry powder inhalers, since some of the powder tends to deposit on vocal chords. Also, dry powder inhalers contain lactose (milk sugar), so if you're allergic to milk those would not work well for you.
Alternatively, the specific steroid in Symbicort (budesonide, or Pulmicort) is available as a liquid to be nebulized (Pulmicort Respules), as is Foradil (under the name Perforomist), so nebulization would be another possible way of taking these meds, although much more of a hassle than using an inhaler.
Hopefully these thoughts help give you some ideas to take back to your pulmo and discuss with him. Take care and good luck. Judy
Report This| Share this:problems with SymbicortMy thought is that perhaps you are reacting to the new HFA propellant that's found in both Symbicort and rescue inhalers. Some people on the board have problems with the HFA propellant. You might try using a spacer and see if that helps disperse the propellant enough so that you don't have problems with it. Unfortunately, all of the metered-dose inhalers now use the HFA propellant, so it's hard to avoid it.<br /> <br />You might want to talk to your pulmonologist about a dry powder corticosteroid inhaler such as Asmanex, and the dry powder inhaler Foradil (the long-acting bronchodilator med found in Symbicort). Using Asmanex plus Foradil together would give you much the same effect as Symbicort. However, some people develop hoarseness when using dry powder inhalers, since some of the powder tends to deposit on vocal chords. Also, dry powder inhalers contain lactose (milk sugar), so if you're allergic to milk those would not work well for you.<br /> <br />Alternatively, the specific steroid in Symbicort (budesonide, or Pulmicort) is available as a liquid to be nebulized (Pulmicort Respules), as is Foradil (under the name Perforomist), so nebulization would be another possible way of taking these meds, although much more of a hassle than using an inhaler.<br /> <br />Hopefully these thoughts help give you some ideas to take back to your pulmo and discuss with him. Take care and good luck. Judy
sgbl88 responded:
In addition to Judy's thoughts...
What meds have you tried and when did you start using the Symbicort? Some meds don't work for some people.
I nose dive in 2 weeks on Symbicort. I don't matabolize it well
You could also not be matabolizing it effectively. You might do better on Advair or Dulera. Also, as Judy mentioned one of the dry powder meds may work better for you.
There are lots of other options out there for ICS therapy. Fewer for the LABA component. Ask your doctor to try you on different options to see how you react.
If you don't gain control after trying different ICS/LABA combinations, ask you doctor about adding Atrovent neb 3-4 times a day. There is new research out of NJ showing that this is very effective for asthma which goes against previous thought.
Feel better soon.
Sonya
What meds have you tried and when did you start using the Symbicort? Some meds don't work for some people.
I nose dive in 2 weeks on Symbicort. I don't matabolize it well
You could also not be matabolizing it effectively. You might do better on Advair or Dulera. Also, as Judy mentioned one of the dry powder meds may work better for you.
There are lots of other options out there for ICS therapy. Fewer for the LABA component. Ask your doctor to try you on different options to see how you react.
If you don't gain control after trying different ICS/LABA combinations, ask you doctor about adding Atrovent neb 3-4 times a day. There is new research out of NJ showing that this is very effective for asthma which goes against previous thought.
Feel better soon.
Sonya
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end... Ye shall seek me, and find [me]
Report This| Share this:problems with SymbicortIn addition to Judy's thoughts...<br /> <br />What meds have you tried and when did you start using the Symbicort? Some meds don't work for some people.<br /> <br />I nose dive in 2 weeks on Symbicort. I don't matabolize it well<br /> <br />You could also not be matabolizing it effectively. You might do better on Advair or Dulera. Also, as Judy mentioned one of the dry powder meds may work better for you. <br /> <br />There are lots of other options out there for ICS therapy. Fewer for the LABA component. Ask your doctor to try you on different options to see how you react.<br /> <br />If you don't gain control after trying different ICS/LABA combinations, ask you doctor about adding Atrovent neb 3-4 times a day. There is new research out of NJ showing that this is very effective for asthma which goes against previous thought.<br /> <br />Feel better soon.<br />Sonya
Hi,
I already use a spacer and still have the symptoms. I can't use Asmacort or Servent because they make my asthma worse. I haven't figured out what to try. Sonya, I think I might be like you a little because I felt better at the beginning of using the Sybicort but then I got worse.
If you any other advice it is welcomed.
Thanks,
Laura
I already use a spacer and still have the symptoms. I can't use Asmacort or Servent because they make my asthma worse. I haven't figured out what to try. Sonya, I think I might be like you a little because I felt better at the beginning of using the Sybicort but then I got worse.
If you any other advice it is welcomed.
Thanks,
Laura
Report This| Share this:problems with SymbicortHi,<br />I already use a spacer and still have the symptoms. I can't use Asmacort or Servent because they make my asthma worse. I haven't figured out what to try. Sonya, I think I might be like you a little because I felt better at the beginning of using the Sybicort but then I got worse. <br /><br />If you any other advice it is welcomed.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Laura
If Serevent makes your asthma worse, then know that there is a similar category of medication in the Symbicort. Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator, and Symbicort contains another kind of long-acting bronchodilator called Foradil. So perhaps that's it.
Azmacort is not the same medication as Asmanex -- they are two different types of corticosteroids. Azmacort is triamcinolone, Asmanex is mometasone. I believe Azmacort is no longer on the market because the company did not want to reformulate it to use the new HFA propellant.
I think talking to your doctor about additional treatment options is your best bet.
Hope these additional thoughts help. Take care & good luck. Judy
Azmacort is not the same medication as Asmanex -- they are two different types of corticosteroids. Azmacort is triamcinolone, Asmanex is mometasone. I believe Azmacort is no longer on the market because the company did not want to reformulate it to use the new HFA propellant.
I think talking to your doctor about additional treatment options is your best bet.
Hope these additional thoughts help. Take care & good luck. Judy
Report This| Share this:problems with SymbicortIf Serevent makes your asthma worse, then know that there is a similar category of medication in the Symbicort. Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator, and Symbicort contains another kind of long-acting bronchodilator called Foradil. So perhaps that's it.<br /> <br />Azmacort is not the same medication as Asmanex -- they are two different types of corticosteroids. Azmacort is triamcinolone, Asmanex is mometasone. I believe Azmacort is no longer on the market because the company did not want to reformulate it to use the new HFA propellant.<br /> <br />I think talking to your doctor about additional treatment options is your best bet. <br /> <br />Hope these additional thoughts help. Take care & good luck. Judy
JohnKruker responded:
yes advice would be nice for me as well.
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