After 3.5 years on Symbicort I started coughing up some serious blood. Once I switched to Spiriva, it stopped. The blood was due to a serious aspergillus infection that I blame on Symbicort. I do not have asthma but I have cavitary disease along with bronc., copd, scar tissue.
The cavity allows bacteria to collect and the steroid make it grow. My surgical attempt to resection was a failure 4 years ago so I have to live with it. My quality of life is better with spirivia.
In keeping with this discussion, has anyone asked the Denver or Mayo doctors about the use of anticholinergics (sp?) with respect to bronchiectasis and making mucus harder to expel? Trelegy and spiriva (I think) both have some anticholinergic effect. Logically it has always seemed to me that drying up the mucus was not a good idea but I have no clue about this. I have an autoimmune disease and have to be on steroids (low dose). I also have asthma. Some of us need steroids for various reasons and have managed to survive for many years!! My assumption is there are various theories about these drugs none of which are the final word. For my allergies and post nasal drip I use a nasal spray Azelastine of which very little is absorbed by the body (allegedly) combined with a spray of a steroid like flonase. These are complicated issues.
Thanks Sue...good to know. I had heard that LABA's should not be taken without a steroid but I don't know if that continues to be true. The LAMA is the anticholinergic as far as I understand it and you are saying that that has not caused any drying up so thanks for that info.
Just to clarify...you are on Symbicort (sp?) right? and that is a LABA plus a steroid I think (formoterol and budesonide ). It's the LAMA that I was more concerned with as it is an anticholinergic (sp?) and Trelegy has the steroid, the LAMA and a LABA....oh dear! I'm on Breo which is a LABA and a steroid (vilanterol and fluticasone furoate) but how it exactly differs from Symbicort is beyond my pay grade. I think they are similar though.
Just to clarify...you are on Symbicort (sp?) right? and that is a LABA plus a steroid I think (formoterol and budesonide ). It's the LAMA that I was more concerned with as it is an anticholinergic (sp?) and Trelegy has the steroid, the LAMA and a LABA....oh dear! I'm on Breo which is a LABA and a steroid (vilanterol and fluticasone furoate) but how it exactly differs from Symbicort is beyond my pay grade. I think they are similar though.
Inserting some thoughts even though I'm not SueinMN !
I am currently on symbicort; before now I was on flovent (straight fluticasone) with albuterol as needed. Comparing the two steroids is not straightforward. Perhaps a chemist can explain it. When I google searched budesonide vs fluticasone and infection rates, I found studies that fluticasone caused slightly more infection rates than budesonide containing meds in the COPD/asthma population (?) If I can dig up the study I will post it here.
At one point I tried spiriva and my breathing felt very good but it seemed more of an effort to clear my lungs so I stopped it. It's really a balancing act figuring it out. One size does not fit all.
Inserting some thoughts even though I'm not SueinMN !
I am currently on symbicort; before now I was on flovent (straight fluticasone) with albuterol as needed. Comparing the two steroids is not straightforward. Perhaps a chemist can explain it. When I google searched budesonide vs fluticasone and infection rates, I found studies that fluticasone caused slightly more infection rates than budesonide containing meds in the COPD/asthma population (?) If I can dig up the study I will post it here.
At one point I tried spiriva and my breathing felt very good but it seemed more of an effort to clear my lungs so I stopped it. It's really a balancing act figuring it out. One size does not fit all.
Interesting observation about the budosenide. My ID doc says that is why he okays budosenide nebs for MAC patients when a steroid is required.
I am waiting to see if my insurance will put Anoro on the formulary for asthma or bronchiectasis in the new year - now it is limited to COPD, which I don't have. Then I can reduce my risk even more - if it works as well as the Symbicort.
Just a Happy Hour observation - did you know inhaling the salt from the rim of your margarita glass works almost as well as a saline neb to bring up mucus? Of course, it makes everyone else at the table edge away from you as if you have the plague!🤣
Inserting some thoughts even though I'm not SueinMN !
I am currently on symbicort; before now I was on flovent (straight fluticasone) with albuterol as needed. Comparing the two steroids is not straightforward. Perhaps a chemist can explain it. When I google searched budesonide vs fluticasone and infection rates, I found studies that fluticasone caused slightly more infection rates than budesonide containing meds in the COPD/asthma population (?) If I can dig up the study I will post it here.
At one point I tried spiriva and my breathing felt very good but it seemed more of an effort to clear my lungs so I stopped it. It's really a balancing act figuring it out. One size does not fit all.
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After 3.5 years on Symbicort I started coughing up some serious blood. Once I switched to Spiriva, it stopped. The blood was due to a serious aspergillus infection that I blame on Symbicort. I do not have asthma but I have cavitary disease along with bronc., copd, scar tissue.
The cavity allows bacteria to collect and the steroid make it grow. My surgical attempt to resection was a failure 4 years ago so I have to live with it. My quality of life is better with spirivia.
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1 ReactionThe LABA/LAMA has not reduced my sputum production in the past years and a half. I still cough up crud all day long.
Sue
Thanks Sue...good to know. I had heard that LABA's should not be taken without a steroid but I don't know if that continues to be true. The LAMA is the anticholinergic as far as I understand it and you are saying that that has not caused any drying up so thanks for that info.
Just to clarify...you are on Symbicort (sp?) right? and that is a LABA plus a steroid I think (formoterol and budesonide ). It's the LAMA that I was more concerned with as it is an anticholinergic (sp?) and Trelegy has the steroid, the LAMA and a LABA....oh dear! I'm on Breo which is a LABA and a steroid (vilanterol and fluticasone furoate) but how it exactly differs from Symbicort is beyond my pay grade. I think they are similar though.
Inserting some thoughts even though I'm not SueinMN !
I am currently on symbicort; before now I was on flovent (straight fluticasone) with albuterol as needed. Comparing the two steroids is not straightforward. Perhaps a chemist can explain it. When I google searched budesonide vs fluticasone and infection rates, I found studies that fluticasone caused slightly more infection rates than budesonide containing meds in the COPD/asthma population (?) If I can dig up the study I will post it here.
At one point I tried spiriva and my breathing felt very good but it seemed more of an effort to clear my lungs so I stopped it. It's really a balancing act figuring it out. One size does not fit all.
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Helpful -
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3 ReactionsInteresting observation about the budosenide. My ID doc says that is why he okays budosenide nebs for MAC patients when a steroid is required.
I am waiting to see if my insurance will put Anoro on the formulary for asthma or bronchiectasis in the new year - now it is limited to COPD, which I don't have. Then I can reduce my risk even more - if it works as well as the Symbicort.
Just a Happy Hour observation - did you know inhaling the salt from the rim of your margarita glass works almost as well as a saline neb to bring up mucus? Of course, it makes everyone else at the table edge away from you as if you have the plague!🤣
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4 ReactionsI'm making a note right now to ask about switching to Symbicort from Breo at my next appointment....thanks
Yes, a true balancing act. A fungal infection development was my wildcard