[Study] Use of steroid inhalers increases risk of NTM in some patients

@happy2023 What would you ask you ask pulmonologist? The article you cited says, more or less, that it didn't find enough validated studies to form a conclusion that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) cause a high risk of infection. The article I reviewed here a couple of years ago (https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erj/50/3/1700037) seemed to conclude that ICS use could actually decrease risk of pneumonia. The statistics on how much they increase risk of NTM wasn't clearly addressed.

Are you using a steroid inhaler now?

I use low dose Symbicort once daily as it is less of a burden than twice daily.
My pulmonologist recommends twice daily. How do I decide?
And what truly is the best option to safeguard lung health?

@happy2023 When you say "less of a burden" is it because you fear infection? My pulmonologist is adamant that improved lung function = less risk of infection.

Adequately treating asthma, shortness of breath, and inflammation (all of which Symbicort does) is important. Formoterol, the long-acting bronchodilator (LABA), stays in the system for about 12 hours, so twice a day is the recommended interval for optimum therapeutic effect. I am actually encouraged to use mine 3-4 times a day during my peak asthma/allergy times.

Budesonide, the corticosteroid portion of Symbicort, may stay in the body for more than 12 hours, enough has been eliminated to be less than a therapeutic level after 10-12 hours.

Have you had increased infections while using Symbicort?