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Original poster

Switching to Fostair from clenil

21 replies

Neurotrash · 01/01/2019 11:18

Just looking for any experiences.

I wasn't well controlled on clenil recently so just started Fostair.

It seems to make me cough a lot for some time afterwards but eventually my lungs feel a bit clearer and possibly ever so slightly higher peak flow (only taken twice so far!)

Did it settle down for you or does it just always tickle? I'm going back in 6 weeks.

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 01/01/2019 12:51

Personally I absolutely love Fostair - am on a MART regime.

If you weren't well controlled, the coughing is likely it working. If you have only taken it twice, the preventer action hasn't had a long time to get going so give it a chance to get your asthma under control.

The coughing for me is everything opening up and then I can breathe

I suspect your tickling is just that you aren't controlled and it has a lot to do. It also isn't like the Clenil - as it isn't just a preventer but a reliever as well it actively opens up your airways at the time so if they are closed up, you will feel it working. While with Clenil you feel, well not a lot.

When my asthma is well controlled I don't notice anything at all when I take it. But then it isn't, well there's some deep coughing and it feels good

madmum5811 · 01/01/2019 12:54

I was switched to Fostair it did not work for me, 12 months later they switched it back to seretide. Give it more time.

avoschmado · 01/01/2019 13:22

I'm on symbicort but I'm crap with properly taking it (New Years resolution) but does anyone else feel breathless despite peak flow being ok? I took mine two days ago and it was 430 but I felt pretty puffy.

AnnaMagnani · 01/01/2019 13:47

Avo, is that your normal peakflow or what ou have been told is an OK peakflow?

It doesn't matter what the charts say is an OK peak flow for your age/sex, what really matters is what is normal for you

My peak flow when I feel bad is excellent on the charts but it is still bad for me. Just 10 below my normal and I don't feel right.

Original poster

Neurotrash · 01/01/2019 13:52

"The coughing for me is everything opening up and then I can breathe"

Yes that's what it felt like. I think I need to get out more; house air at this time of year is a bit clogging.

Ok so I need to let the steroid build up. I was taking double clenil through two infections but it really wasn't working like it used to when I doubled up. She's put me on an equivalent dose to my double clenil as I'm still only 2 weeks out of a virus so it's probably also that.

Ooh I dream of 430! i have also noticed a difference of 10 can cause some symptoms. I think I'm 420-440 but I've been hanging around 400 (or much lower for ages). Definitely been needing a combo one.

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 01/01/2019 14:01

Have you seen the Asthma UK advice on winter asthma?

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/winter-asthma-triggers/

If you are going out - take a scarf!

I was also interested in their anti-histamine advice, I've been much better since taking one all year.

avoschmado · 01/01/2019 14:06

This sounds insane and when I told the chest reg he looked at me like I was high but when I'm tight I need my blue inhaler (bricanyl) and a swig of gaviscon. Wtf?!

AnnaMagnani · 01/01/2019 14:20

Avo, I find exactly the same thing! It may be that you and me are swallowing air when we are tight and struggling a bit so end up with the Gaviscon as well for wind.

Otherwise I haven't the foggiest. Perhaps it is something an asthma nurse would know, my old GP had an amazing one who sorted me out brilliantly but the new one is not nearly as good.

avoschmado · 01/01/2019 14:51

@AnnaMagnani I swallow so much air subconsciously - aerophagia I also permanently over breathe with chronic hyperventilation syndrome. In fact I have no idea what normal breathing feels like anymore.

madmum5811 · 01/01/2019 15:02

I dream of 400. 340 to 350 is the most I can achieve.

madmum5811 · 01/01/2019 15:02

When I had a chest infection 260 was rough.

dragonmummy17 · 01/01/2019 15:07

Fostair has been great for me after 6 months. I was on Clenil before. Peak flows are back to 2016 levels which is the best I've ever been

Original poster

Neurotrash · 02/01/2019 14:12

That sounds tough mad. the series of infections I had in the autism made me go to 300, lowest ever, and that was tough.

I was just wondering- with clenil, when I had a cold I doubled up immediately.

I'm expecting to go down to the lower dose of steroid Fostair (but obviously same level of reliever) in a few weeks. If I get a future virus, would I switch back to the higher dose inhaler (essentially doubling up the steroid) or not?

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 03/01/2019 11:04

Dunno. TBH I'd just wait until you are using it with no coughing fits at all.

I use Fostair on a MART regime where it is the only inhaler I use and I love that because it is so simple.

1 puff Fostair morning and evening and then I have 6 puffs left over to use as reliever if needed. If I am using more than 6 puffs - GP visit, usually need steroids.

For me it's great, no brain required, really flexible, easy to comply with as only one inhaler - previously I had 3 and wasn't using them

The only problem is the world and his wife telling me I'm using the wrong inhaler when I'm short of breath as they all think I should be using a blue one

Original poster

Neurotrash · 03/01/2019 14:14

world and his wife!

That's interesting. What strength is the Fostair? And what's MART?

OP posts:

Original poster

Neurotrash · 03/01/2019 14:14

No coughing fits today or last night. I feel my breathing is like drinking a glass of cool fresh water!

OP posts:

madmum5811 · 03/01/2019 14:18

This cold weather is helping me. Hit 360 on the gadget last night.

Original poster

Neurotrash · 03/01/2019 14:45

Awesome! Isn't asthma weird?! It was the lovely hot summer I liked!

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 03/01/2019 18:32

MART - Maintenaince And Reliever Therapy

The idea is that you just have the one inhaler, and when you are bad you use it more and you are getting both more reliever and more steroids to calm it down and so naturally resolve the flare up.

It's for people who already have a preventer, montelukast tablets and another regular inhaler, as well as their reliever - so for me it means instead of having 3 inhalers, I just have 1. Marvellous.

Original poster

Neurotrash · 03/01/2019 20:46

Ah ok thanks. Makes a lot of sense :)

OP posts:

Rainwoman · 31/10/2021 09:12

Well,
Ive been a smoker and had constant blocked nose between both of my nostrils. What I can say is inflammatory was building up even making it difficult for me to sleep my breathing was 420 max which isn't too bad. The headaches and shortness of breath was happening on daily basis because my respiratory line in my chest was narrow.
After taking a puff over night I no longer hear and feel the upper body struggling. My blood is getting enough oxygen and my heart is no longer feels as its struggling, oh even my blood pressure was falling on bad days without the fostair. It's excellent and would recommend. Don't ignore your body when you feel its difficult! Get that prescription! From a black british citizen!

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