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Medications: had to try many inhalers till I found one that one worked
Not sure others have had this journey but I was put on many inhalers to find one that worked for me. Will apologize for spelling.
I was on advair, alberterol, atrovent. The atrovent actually seem to make it worse. The others either did not last long or did not work.
The last one I was put on and take now is Wixela. It is Fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder. Finally something that worked.
At first I thought not going to work either but then noticed it takes about 30 minutes to subside my wheezing and coughing and then last a long time.
My PCP wanted me to take on daily basis but I found I could just do it as needed and he agreed. I don't need it until ouside pine and oak pollen really get bad.
Medications must come from your medical professionals but don't give up. If something does not work tell your provider and asked to try something else. Might take some time but like me thankful I spoke up and found something.
I know a lot of allergy medications and inhalers are not right for all as can affect other medications or medical conditions so my recommenations is to work with your provider with complete information about your physical and mental health and all medications and supplements you are on.
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It is not inexpensive, but I only need to buy one every two - three months and if I average that out over the months it makes me feel better! I didn't know Breyna was the same ingredients. I'll ask my pulmonologist and see if that's more cost effective. I tried AirSupra but that did nothing for me (which is good because its new and not covered by most insurance).
For my asthma, I use both mometasone/formoterol (Dulera) twice daily plus ipratropium inhaled (Atrovent) inhalers twice daily. I tried various substitutes for mometasone/formoterol inhaler when it went down in my formulary, but I could not find one that worked as well for the coughing and wheezing I experience with asthma.
@britelite
I use a inhaler that is designed for every day usage. So I believe it is classified as a maintenance inhaler. It is called Wixela. The active ingredients are; Fluticasone propionate and salmetero inhalation powder.
I have been through many tries of different inhalers and found this works the best although takes about 1/2 hour to work for me. Probably why would be a maintenance inhaler.
I had been having epiosodes of mucus build up in sinus and bronchial tubes I think in response to allergies.
I do Sprint Triathlons. Over the years my swimming portion was getting harder and harder for me until the last 2 at around 10 minutes in I was getting short of breath and feeling like I could not bring enough air into my lungs. This caused me to breath much faster, shorter breaths and then coughing would start. I had to stop last two races because coughing would be so bad.
I can mentioned all the other inhalers put on if you want and we used them prior to races and during other episodes. The rescue inhalers I was told to use it prior to starting race. These did worked and would not reach become short of breath/coughing around 10 minutes in. Only to
find the shortness of breath and sustained coughing would start again toward end of swim. I went through a lot of diagnosis including CT, pulmonary function test, pulmonary stress test that could not duplicate the episode even have me inahaling known irritants.
I was working with my pulmonologist and PCP and about 6 months ago was put ask to try Wixela. It was to be used as a daily prevention inhaler. I found I did not need to do it on a daily basis and could go for weeks sometimes without issues. I went to using in as needed and my PCP and pulmonologist agreed that was okay for me to use it that way.
Sprint Triathlon season coming up and will have several races this year. It will be the first time using Wixela in a race. However in really worked well and sustained relief when I would have episodes of extreme coughing, coughing up mucus from bronchial area. I am looking forward to being able to finish the swims again. Will just use inhaler 30 minutes prior to race.