SOB Inhaler not helpful.

Hi, I’m sorry you’re having trouble with your breathing, I know how frustrating this is after my first lobectomy and a wedge removed from another lung. I’m using Symbicort inhaler and it helps but sometimes I need more especially when it’s warm and humid, it’s hard to breathe in air that’s heavy with moisture. I don’t have an ongoing cough but I do have moments where I can cough a lot and it’s also dry and nonproductive, I would be more concerned if I had a lot of mucus coming out. I think that you should see the doctor to be sure that it’s nothing serious and perhaps a cough medication might be helpful, a dry cough is often due to something irritating your airways and the weather doesn’t help much either but a dehumidifier might be helpful for you, I hope you feel better soon, best wishes.

Have you seen a pulmonologist and have you updated your pulmonary function tests? The pulmonary function tests will tell you if you have an obstructive (like COPD) or restrictive (like pulmonary fibrosis) lung issue. Or it may be something else.
I have had two wedge resections. My shortness of breath is mostly due to pulmonary fibrosis. I have prescription oxygen for exertion and sleep. If I bend over I have increased shortness of breath.

@qrp, You may have already checked on this, but if you continue on the inhaler, has your pharmacy checked with the manufacturer to see if they offer any type of co-pay assistance? Sometimes it's worth asking even if you think you wouldn't qualify.

None of them offer coupons or anything else if you are on Medicare. I am on Medicare. Commercial insurance coupon co-pay is $35. Thanks for your reply. I’ve checked all I know with no luck of a lower price.

@vic83 Thanks for your reply. I had repeated pulmonary function tests in September 2025. I have not been told that I have anything new since I had the lobectomy or pulmonary function tests. No other disease processes. When I mentioned SOB the ARNP put me on an inhaler.

@frouke dry cough can also be a sign of pulmonary fibrosis.

@vic83 I agree that a dry cough could be pulmonary fibrosis however, @qrp has mentioned that the testing didn’t reveal any further problems. I often have a dry cough and it seems to act up from environmental issues, also I have COPD and asthma which could be causing the dry cough.

@frouke My local pulmonologist's technician who gave me PF test misdiagnosed me with COPD when it was pulmonary fibrosis. I had to request a correction when I learned later about it.

@vic83 thanks for your reply.