Asthma not improving

When I started Symbicort my pulmonologist said it would take at least two months for it to reach full effectiveness.

@normagal @altilla is correct that Symbicort takes time to become fully effective. And it comes in more than one strength.
Sometimes when you have had an exacerbation like you described, it takes several tries to get you back on track.
You may need medication in a nebulizer or another oral med in addition to the Symbicort, but it is often a matter of trial and error to find the solution.

Have they done imaging on your lungs to see if there is an infection lingering there? (Sinus infections can often work their way down into your lungs and may require further antibiotics.)

Is your allergist also a pulmonologist? That would be the doctor of choice for treatment-resistant asthma.

I meant to say I've been on the Symbicort for 2 months. I didn't know it could take that long to work. I have not had any imaging of my lungs. My allergist is not a pulmonologist. I am so much better than I was, but guess I am losing patience with all of this since it's gone on for 6 months. Thanks for the advice.

I totally relate. I have had asthma since I was 10. Allergy shots three times over the years. Lived in three states, had allergies in all three states. I am 71 now. Off and on as you say. Three years ago I couldn't quit coughing. Primary ignored me when I said it was asthma so I found an allergist. She found that I had allergic eosinophilic asthma. Fast forward to now. I now have non allergic eosinophilic asthma. I also have reflux and have had for years - it runs in my family. The reflux makes it worse so I have to keep that in control. I am on a biologic along with all the other standard inhalers, singulair, Claritin, you can imagine. It is frustrating to say the least. Most days have some time period that are difficult - but Mayo is a life saver.

Asthma is a very difficult disease and I’m sorry you’re suffering. What might help you the most is trying to figure out what is triggering your asthma. Is it allergic asthma? Have you been tested? Is it irritant asthma? are their products are using that are causing your symptoms. You will probably have to do a little detective work to figure out why your symptoms are bad.

Back in the day, and I mean really quite some (30-40) years ago when I was first diagnosed with asthma at Walter Reed, I was put on a maintenance regimen of theophylline and singulair and am still taking them to this day. I am aware that theophylline is no longer prescribed these days but I have remained a user so I thought it might be worth mentioning since you seem to be experiencing less than satisfactory results from the meds currently out there.

I can totally relate with your desire to feel "normal" again. I too had asthma that was very stable for many years, so stable that half of the time I forgot I had asthma. I caught some sort of virus a couple years ago that was not covid/rsv/flu and my asthma has never returned to baseline. I have shortness of breath, decreased energy, frequent coughing, and chest tightness on and off pretty much daily. Im on all the med categories and sometimes I just feel like im going insane. Allergy testing didnt really help and my pft remains stable. Every time I try a new medication it helps for a while but then the symptoms creep back up. It's very frustrating. I definitely feel for you. Hopefully we will find something that works soon.