Anyone with asthma taking Symbicort have choking problems?

@narelled23 When I first started using Symbicort, I had a small problem with it. When I asked the respiratory therapist in my pulmonologist's office for help, she said to make sure I am using a spacer (I use the Vortex, just personal preference.) She suggested I use the Symbicort around 6-7 pm (my morning dose is around 7-8 am) and do a small airway clearance an hour or so later. This solved it for me, and my body adjusted so I no longer need the evening airway clearance.
Have you mentioned it to your pulmonologist?

Symbicort user here. I don’t choke on mucus, but I do sometimes wake up coughing a couple of hours before I get up, usually because I need to clear my airways. One puff of albuterol settles things and I can go back to sleep. I use Symbicort after airway clearance and albuterol beforehand. I also take Mucinex 1200 mg twice daily plus Allegra, which has really reduced my sinus headaches and nighttime postnasal drip—and I think some of the chest phlegm as well.

My doctor recently told me Symbicort can be used up to 12 puffs a day, though I typically take 4 (2 in the morning, 2 at night). I was also reminded that asthma plus bronchiectasis can be tricky: asthma treatment suppresses cough, while bronchiectasis needs cough for clearance. For me, that means finding the minimum effective dose.

Did you have these symptoms before starting Symbicort? BTW, symbicort can take a few weeks to start working.

@scoop
Thank you, Scoop. No I don't recall having this problem before using Symbicort. I have woken twice with this in last week or so. It seems the mucus much thicker/airway throat blocked. I do have post nasal drip and maybe that is now thicker and blocking. I will try using a nasal rinse before bed.

I agree finding minimum Symbicort dose...wondering if one puff morning and night might help...guess I will have to try it.

I don't really have a pulmonologist...although I could re-engage through the public hospital system. Waiting on an asthma appointment through Respiratory Health. The Symbicort has helped my breathing but does seem to cause this choking issue. 🙏

@sueinmn
Thank you Sue. Was the small problem to do with thick mucus?
I do use a spacer and have been taking it in the morning and late afternoon/early evening. I do a hypertonic nebulise/airways clearance after the morning dose...but not in the evening. Perhaps I need to do the evening one too...or at least try to address any post nasal drip which may be causing the throat clog. 🙏

@narelled23 If your mucus is thick, have you considered a mucus thinner like Mucinex or NAC?
Treating post-nasal drip would possibly help too. Do you use any nasal sprays for your allergies?

Tjank you, Sue...I am considering Mucinex and do have some NAC somewhere I will try.

Will also attempt to fit in a nasal rinse before bed. Have found I need to slow down to fit in everything I now need to do! A common problem, no doubt.

Appreciate your responses. Many thanks 🙏

@narelled23 Make sure the NAC is fresh - it has a pretty short shelf life. If it stinks when you open the bottle, throw it out.

@sueinmn
Oh...maybe just as well I can't find it! Thanks.

@sueinmn

Sue I am worried all the throat clearing and coughing has damaged my throat and causing narrowing of airways.

I know you trained yourself out of it...did they say what damage it could cause? Or what could be done to check the area out?

Many thanks. 🙏

@sueinmn

Oh...I also have severe Sleep apnoea for which I had a dental splint made earlier this year...but have not been using it recently. Any thoughts?