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Can albuterol be used alone without a maintenance inhaler?
Asthma & Allergy | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
I just talked about stopping Advair with my doc Wednesday. I have mild asthma along with mild bronchiectasis, but a couple of severe pollen allergies. I cough rather than wheeze and it seemed like a miracle drug when I started it because the nagging cough was GONE in 24-36 hours. I was a mess at that time with under treated allergies and a lot of secretions. Nasal sprays were also changed.
I just had Covid and had to be off the Advair during Paxlovid. I didn’t start coughing. I am also on a steroid nasal spray and steroid sinus rinse. Like you, I’d love to decrease the steroids, but have to keep post nasal drip under control (possible cause of my bronchiectasis). Since I didn’t start coughing, I asked about stopping Advair over winter. Doc said Advair needs to be taken regularly, but Symbicort can be used (regularly not a day or two) during flare ups and ordered that. I noticed he ordered 12 refills, so I think he expects me to need it pretty regularly and I’ll certainly take it to keep cough under control.
One thing to keep in mind is that keeping asthma under control is easier than regaining it. Also, systemic steroids (pills or IV’s) are much riskier than the inhalers and topical ones. Good luck!
Replies to "I just talked about stopping Advair with my doc Wednesday. I have mild asthma along with..."
Please please go to Cleveland clinic I live in update New York never had Anya issues with breathing in KY and moved here and oh my goodness. The doctors here are not educated enough to realize that you cannot give someone steroids after steroids and ignore them for 9 years when they say something is wrong.
I had to advocate for myself at Cleveland they found I have cortisol insufficiency and put me on steroid hydrocortisone therapy but I was already taking prednisone. I came to the ER in Lewis county I told them why I wasn’t getting better one the air quality two my son vaping in my car 3 prednisone ( haven’t started the meds from Cleveland yet) and augmentin. That my body was fighting. the antibiotics and steroids are canceling each other out. I mean come on I laughed he asked me why I was laughing and I told him this is why I came. I was sick nested on too many steroids and antibiotics and I wanted to know why I was getting worse not better. The idiot told me something I already not trauma informed, not patient centered, just over worked people who have a bias against people who had to go to ERs to get treatment because their primary care couldn’t get them in for 6 months. I am so grateful for Cleveland clinic and if I could I would love to move back to Ohio. I was originally born in Hamilton Ohio. I wonder everyday how in the world I ended up here where they have the worst medical and mental healthcare system but tax everyone to their breaking point.! Cleveland has clinics in Ontario, Canada, Cleveland Ohio, and Florida. My husband took me from Lewis county 3 times to Cleveland, but it was a 15 hour round trip or 7.5 hours down. It’s totally worth it. What it took doctors here to never figure out for 9-10 years they figured out in 3-4 months. I was not ignored or treated like a fool. I am 47 and in graduate school to become a LCSW and they act like I am the idiot. It’s embarrassing when my husband works and I have to come alone. There is a stigma towards women. Eight out of ten Women have an autoimmune disorder a usually it’s more than one. Yet, doctors still ignore us. Just pathetic.
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Your asthma seems a lot like mine. On the mild side with cough but no wheezing. Except that I don't have the bronchiectasis, at least as far as I know. I need to look that one up. I also am allergic to pollen, perfume, etc. I started taking Allegra every day, which seems to help somewhat. I think it helps with post nasal drip, as I haven't had much of a problem with that lately.
It seems that Symbicort is better than Advair for you. I think it was better for me than the Wixela but I can no longer get it. (Advair = Wixela, I'm not sure.) And thanks for confirming that the inhalers don't put the steroids into your system like the pills and topicals. Albuterol, if I'm correct, is not a steroid inhaler.
So right now, before I find a pulmonologist I will take a puff or two of albuterol if I need it, as long as it's not more than a couple of times a week. I feel that might be safe. And if a lung doctor tells me I need the ICS maybe I can talk them into 100 mg instead of the 500 mg they initially prescribed. I should think the side effects would be milder. Though what do I know. I really appreciate your feedback and wish you the best of luck in battling your asthma.