Asthma not improving: Is it too much to expect to feel normal again?

Posted by normagal @normagal, Jul 6 6:31am

I'm frustrated. Have a history of asthma--although only dealt with it on and off, not regularly until now. Started with a sinus infection, bad headaches, shortness of breath in January. Never dawned on me that the shortness of breath was from my asthma. Finally, after visiting many specialists I decided to go to Allergist and found it is my asthma. Have been on Symbicort 2 months ago. While my symptoms aren't terrible, they're not going away either. I hate this-walking bothers me, climbing steps, lifting things. Had a full pulmonary function test and was told this is my asthma and nothing more. Supposed to wait to see dr for a month, but I don't get why dr isn't have me try something else. Maybe it's too much to expect to feel "normal" again. I am 69. Can anyone relate?

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normagal | @normagal | Jul 7 5:42am

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.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 6 2:28pm

@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.

altilla | @altilla | Jul 6 8:31am

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

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