[mogrann]

My peak flows dropped and my rescue inhalers were not working to bring peak flows back up plus not helping me breathe better. I went to a clinic and the doctor prescribed me another inhaler. SPRIVIA to be taken once daily. The pharmacist was kind of shocked I was put on this and not prendisone. I came home and googled it and found out it is for COPD. I do not have that I am asthmatic. I have taken the daily dose and am waiting for the 30 min to pass so I can test my flows again. Is this a viable treatment for asthma when they have dropped significantly?

I have been hospitalized before for my asthma. I was on oxygen for one of the admissions and not allowed out of bed at all.

Symptoms are : peak flows regularly at 400 to 450 now at 250
Wheezing and hard to catch breathe especially after walking.
Allergies acting up.

[Fr_Chuck]

Not going to a specialist?

I understand clinic for perhaps emergency

[mogrann]

Clinics here are for when your doctors office is closed and you need medical attention. It helps take the load off emergency rooms.
Specialist I would need referral from my family doctor and am unsure what that would do. I have been asthmatic since I was diagnosed at 16. It is a disease that is not curable so a specialist can not do much? I am concerned that I was given medication for a condition that I do not have .

[Fr_Chuck]

COPD medication is different often, but if medication used in asthma is not working, often COPD medication is tried, to see if COPD has developed... I have had asthma since I was about 12, ( well when doctors told me)

So adding COPD medication can be normal

I end up changing medication every few years, either due to not as effective or side effects starting.

About 40 percent of people with Asthma also have COPD

[mogrann]

Thank you for the explanation

[Fr_Chuck]

For mine, seasonal allergy, hurts it a little, but it is really the change in air temp.. Moisture in the air, and physical activities, that make mine the biggest issues.

The once a day, is of course for long term control, and normally do not do much for immediate help.
I have used the Advair Diskus at times, (fluticasome propionate and salmeterol infoate) which is the powdered inhalator.

The other is Aznacort (triaamcinolone acetoride)

But again, those did not give any relief during any attacks

Also, while not prescribed, and perhaps I should not... when I was at the worst, ( and that was maybe 20 years ago) I got a oxygen machine, and used it in evenings for a hour or so,

[mogrann]

I have my Ventolin and my symbicort I know the protocol for them and when I can increase them. I followed my protocol from the asthma doc I seen a few years ago and this doc threw me for a loop he did not even take my blood oxygen levels. At least he listened to my lungs

[J_9]

Mogrann, asthma falls under the blanket of COPD as COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. While it is more common with emphysema and bronchitis, it can still encompass asthma that is not controlled or poorly controlled.

Spiriva can be used with asthma as it is a bronchodilator. Taken every day as directed it should help control asthma exacerbations.

[onphospital]

See a specialist to get your asthma under control. They can help you with an "action plan" to help keep things manageable. See if you can find a support group as well.

Hang in there its not easy but most people through medication and monitoring can get things under control.