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Any success with saline only and no meds?
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Aug 17, 2025 | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
@sueinmn , I was recently changed to Symbicort from Wixela ( generic Advair). My Medicare part D drug insurance pays for it but not the Wixela or Advair. Are you saying the Symbicort helped you ( but your PFT was what? better or worse) I know that Cleveland clinic & national Jewish are now saying on their websites that even inhaled steroids have consequences for bronchiectasis, but without them, I cannot breathe. I am due for another PFT next month
Replies to "@sueinmn , I was recently changed to Symbicort from Wixela ( generic Advair). My Medicare part..."
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Yes, Symbicort improved my PFT between starting it and my next test (7 months) and has been stable since then. My pulmonologist is well aware of the guidelines, but like you I had so much shortness of breath that this is what we settled on 3 years ago.
I use generic Symbicort (formoterol/budesonide) because I also have asthma. My pulmonologist and I cannot tell which is more responsible for exacerbations - asthma or bronchiectasis. I have only had 2 exacerbations in 3 years since starting Symbicort, compared to 2-3 per year before.
I had to jump some hoops originally for the Symbicort, but now it just gets reauthorized once a year.