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How to deal with side effects from Symbicort

Asthma & Allergy | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (23)
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@jackiet

Thank you. I appreciate your interest.

I don’t know if I should get another topic started, or if this is the place to do it, but I have one.

Have done a little research on long-term use of steroids in the elderly. I know that Symbicort is a corticosteroid and that albuterol is not. Think I’ve also read that Spiriva is a non-steroid maintenance inhaler.

Which raises the question of what might be the safer/safest inhaler for people of an advanced age.

I could mention that I am 88 and just trying to stay alive for a few more years.

You’ll probably tell me to speak to my pulmonologist, but at the moment I don’t have one because the previous doctor refused to monitor and deal with the side effects I was having with Wixela. And it may take awhile to find another.

My PCP, on the other hand, is on board with the research I am into with the help of Mayo Clinic Connect. And I can get my Symbicort refilled for the next year.

I’m lucky that my asthma is mild to moderate, and seemingly intermittent.

Best wishes to all for a happy holiday……

H

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Replies to "Thank you. I appreciate your interest. I don’t know if I should get another topic started,..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 7 10:11am

I am glad the Symbicort is working well for you.
The good news for me is that:
Breyna (generic Symbicort) keeps my asthma well-controlled - no ER visits for 2 years for breathing/lung issues, improved Pulmo Function Test (PFT) and able to stop another long-term controller med.
All of my docs (PCP, Ortho, Pulmo & Cardio) tell me the risks of a daily low-dose inhaled steroid are less risky than a steroid blast 3 or more times a year for an exacerbation of my asthma or bronchiectasis.
The generic versions of Symbicort are now covered by my Medicare drug plan, which means that it must be "inching" closer to full approval for use in long-term asthma.
I am fortunate to have an awesome pulmonologist (took me 5 years to get on her patient list) backed by a superb team of other specialists.

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