Inhalers & oral thrush

[thethoughtofgettingout]

I have asthma - not severe but it would be managed better with a lose dose steroid inhaler.
However, all steroid inhalers seem to give me oral thrush.
I have tried using a spacer, brushing teeth & rinsing my mouth after taking inhaler, drinking lots of water after, drinking acidic drink after, etc.
Nothing works, I end up with a burning mouth & throat & that horrible cotton wool feeling.
GP is no use & has no alternative ideas.
Does anyone suffer with this & have you found a solution??

I have similar. Have taken a steroid inhaler twice a day for nearly 20 years. Never had a problem until about 2 years ago with it. I brush my teeth, rinse with water and use a spacer but still get it. Doctor gave me some drops which worked for a.week but came back.

Hi, I have had the same for years, the gp changed my inhaler but I still get oral thrush every few weeks. Like you I brush my tongue and rinse and even brush the top of my mouth, they said I'm just prone to the thrush. wish I knew how to stop it

Have you tried Symbicort turbo inhalers, I had the same problem with various steroid inhalers until a very kind pharmacist suggested asking my GP for this. They’re quite expensive but luckily the GP agreed to try it and I have been able to use them without developing thrush.

Ask your GP for an inhaler called Alvesco. Unlike other steroid inhalers it doesn’t start working until it hits the airways themselves so you don’t get the side effect of thrush. You’ll still need to use a spacer and rinse your mouth afterwards.

I am under an oral specialist for invasive thrush which is worsened by inhaler use - I have lupus and Sjögren’s which doesn’t help. I do all the “right” things with brushing, rinsing etc etc. If you are caught in a cycle of it you will need an oral course of Fluconazole 50mg daily for at least 2 weeks to break the cycle - it’s really important to take the full course even if it seems better after a few days. This is enough to keep it at bay for most people - sadly due to my issues I’m on it nearly permanently alongside Nystatin used every night.

I've tried that one! Same issue. Got advice from Asthma charity & nurse recommended this.
I would happily try anything but the steroids just seem to set it off.
I never have it at any other time.
Thanks for recommendation though...

H no, poor you! That's sounds so difficult.
I might have to ask my doctor about this...

Tried that one. Made me feel so much better but same issue with oral thrush.

Rinsing with salty water helps keep it at bay for me.

Plus Nystatin on repeat.

Things which can make it worse for me are white wine, fruit juices and sugar generally , so I try to cut back on those.

I don't get severe attacks but it started to threaten me when my steroid was increased. I found salted water helped.

Urgh, so sorry to hear that.