
Asthma Support Group
Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

htag
OK, I finally started taking the "maintenance drug" that the Dr. stuck me on and lectured me about. Now my wheezing is worse! I read the side effects and one of them was "wheezing"! So am I supposed to go back to the Dr. and tell him it's not working! How the heck am I supposed to know? I use my rescue inhaler more now than before, but I'm still under control. I follow up with him in Dec. anyway, maybe I'll try a different one. I don't like the pulmacort anyway. Just as long as he doesn't stick me on that HUGE Azmacort again!
Posts You May Be Interested In
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
Call the doctor back as soon as you read this and ask about Advair. Pulmicort might not work for you and only contains one medication anyway - didn't do anything for me. Azacort is an older product and generally out of favor these days so you shouldn't have to worry about that.
Please post what happens.
Glad to hear it. Advair, used twice a day, is a much better product and choice than using Pulmicort once a day, which isn't worth using the first place.
Just be sure when using Advair that you first exhale as completely as you can before SLOWLY AND DEEPLY inhaling it. Then hold your breath for a couple of seconds forcing it into the lungs. Then exhale with puckered lips which also helps force the medication into the lungs.
Also be sure to ALWAYS RINSE your mouth after using Advair to try to prevent thrush (fungal infections). It's usually better to rinse with Listerine or Cepacol.
Good luck and please post how it goes.
Sorry to take so long getting back to you (was still at work). Yes, this is a dry powder inhaler (DPI). Unlike Pulmicort though, it contains 2 medications and should work much better for you. It's just a matter of getting used to a DPI.
Please post how it goes with the Advair. It might take as much as a week to feel a real difference though.
When taking the Advair try to get your tongue out of the way and suck in the Advair as deeply as you can. It is important this gets inhaled into the lungs and not just staying in your mouth. Not only is it in effective in your mouth, this can eventually lead to oral fungal infections. Again, be sure to rinse out your mouth after each use of Advair.
Practice makes perfect and eventually you'll get the hang of taking powder meds. However, if you need more help on this have the pharmacist (or the doctor or a nurse) demonstrate how to inhale the Advair and practice with them if this is possible.
Please post how this goes and how the Advair is working out. It should be much more effective than the Pulmicort.
Advice: * Don't try too hard to aim, just exhale like orsonwelz said, then put it too your mouth, and take a really deap breath, while your lips are on the mouth piece. Like you were sucking in air from a balloon. ... You know, I think at first I had a hard time too LOL- but my problem wasn't aim, it was breathing in, and pressing the button LOL... yeah, you will get good at it. Probably 2 more weeks! **GOOD LUCK!!**