Asthmatics

Becotide is a preventer isn't it? Are you taking anything for the hayfever? I would go and get a second opinion as you obviously need something different!

Like you I really suffer at this time of year. I'd always been on Becotide and Ventolin and never really felt my asthma was controlled. When I got sinus problems my ENT sent me to an asthma specialist who was really, really, shocked that my GP hadn't changed my drugs as my peak flow was like a childs. He put me on the following:

Montelukast http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montelukast - I take one tablet at night and it not only works on my asthma but also my allergies

Serevent - 2 puffs last thing at night

Symbicort - 2 puffs at night with the Serevent (they must be taken together)

Ventolin - as required. He said that if asthma is controlled you shouldn't really have to take Ventolin at all. I do take it about once a day in Hayfever season but really I should up my Symbicort and take it in the morning as well, which I don't.

Also, isn't Becotide a preventative, do you mean Ventolin? You shouldn't be taking Becotide as a reliever!

I'd suggested going and having a consultation with a specialist, it's not much, about £90 and if you have Bupa they cover it.

I take seretide 250 (usually purple) as a preventative am and pm and ventolin (usually blue) as my reliever.

Becotide (usually brown) is a preventative so I'm not surprised you don't feel great if it's that you are taking.

My asthma nurse tried me on various different preventatives until I found something that worked for me. Does your surgery have an asthma clinic you can attend? They monitored me regularly (every 2-4 weeks) until I had everything under control.

Sorry think I got the name mixed up for my reliever, can't remember what it's called but it's blue. I have a health plan so I think I may look into going to see someone, that's very useful Poochanna.

I just don't see how a doctor can think that it's acceptable for me to have to sit in the garden for hours at night just to breathe. I told him that and he said "if that's what it takes".

Yes my doctors surgery does have an asthma clinic but they only call me once a year on my birthday and it's always fine then as not hayfever season or very cold which are my triggers! Going to ring for an appointment.

GF, never mind sitting in the garden 290 sounds very low. I'm only 5'3" and mine is 450-500 when under control. If it is less than 360 I have to go on increased meds and if less than 225 it says on my chart to seek urgent medical attention. I take the blue reliever (salbutmol) and a combintion inhaler which has serevent and becotide in, if this one runs out it is the serevent that I really miss (I used to take them seperately).

Is there anyone else that you could go and see or even pop down to casualty or the emergency Drs in the evening when you are bad so they can see what's happening? Mine was a lot worse for years and just by chance I saw a locum Dr as mine was away and he rejigged my medicine which made a huge difference, I went from having to go to hospital about once every couple of months to not having to go at all so it was a real change for me.

The trouble is and I hate to slate GP's, they are not specialists and I think often you need to see someone who only deals with that area. My new GP is fabulous and will spend a lot of time working things out but my old surgery was useless.

I can honestly say and this came from my specialist, if you are having to take Ventolin more than once a day, your asthma is not being controlled. It annoys me that they don't take it seriously when it can kill you!

Call Bupa (or whoever you use) and ask for details of a specialist, then make an appointment at your GP and ask for a referral letter, don't be fobbed off!

Some GPs are great, mine was fabulous at getting my asthma back under control and has said if I need anymore he'll give me something but I'm coping with one or two puffs of my symbicort 200/6 at night which is great.

Good luck with getting an appointment! I only have to take my ventolin when I do any running now which is great!

W LJ S.

I'm on Serotide (purple) too, and when I'm bad, my dose is increased (in fact the plan for next year - I'm a winter only asthmatic - is to increase before my symptoms are likely to worsen).

I'd make an appointment with your asthma clinic - my GP has been absolutely fantastic and makes me see him every week when I'm at my worst and monitors me really closely (and my asthma's really not that bad - never been to hospital or anything like that, just lots of coughing, and if I catch a virus and not properly controlled, I'm bed-ridden for a couple of weeks)

My peak flow is around 200 on a good day. I take uniphyllin tablets am and pm, montelucast, Becotide, Serevent and ventolin. When I had problems breathing in the night I was told to take 4oomg uniphyllin at night and 200mg in the morning.

I get hayfever and asthma, and this year it finally feels controlled. I'm taking becotide as a preventer, and I have ventolin as and when needed. I'm taking prescribed anti histamines and beconase nasal drops to control the hayfever. This combo seems to be working for me.

You should defintely go back to the doctor, or ask for a second opinion. My doctors make me come in for regular asthma checks and take it very seriously.

I have an appointment on Monday with the asthma clinic now and have found out I'm covered up to £400 to see a specialist if I need one privately so will do that if no joy on Monday. Also considering homeopathy if it's still uncontrolled after that.

Thanks for all the help. Tanta you sound really bad with your peak flow reading. Have you always been like that?