Asthma meds

Hi Erin, and thanks for your post. As you are aware, I was able to reply to your private message more personally - I do hope you have a chance to review our conversation.
However, in the interest of answering your concern for the benefit of our community, I will share that I've been an asthmatic for many years. I finally was able to gain more control over the condition when I became a respiratory therapist, also many years ago.
I was on the typical medicine du-jour for the era and they all worked throughout the years. But the ultimate control (for me), in addition to understanding what asthma was all about, turned out to be Advair. I've been using Advair for all the years and maintained good control with this medication, one inhalation, twice-a-day. After this, I never looked back!!
I hope this brief reply helps you.
I also hope others will chime in and share their own personal experiences managing this condition.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)

I also didn't find relief with Breo, after several trials I ended up getting good results with Trelegy which was originally only for COPD but now approved for Asthma it has the same ingredient of Incrusa but also has a steroid and a long acting bronchodilator. Asthma is like that not everyone responds to the medicines the same way and you just have to keep trying until you find something that works. Since you are recently diagnosed don't get discouraged, you will eventually find the right combination for you. Best luck!

Hi zigb! Thank you for your kind words and input. I think my doctor wanted to prescribe Trelegy but my insurance apparently does not cover it so he prescribed Incruse to add to the Breo, which essentially IS trelegy (Breo plus Incruse = Trelegy!) I guess I’m getting it the cheating way haha, but whatever works to get the medicine into my lungs. It’s just annoying because now I have to do a second puff, which really makes me lightheaded in the first place since asthma prevents me from taking deep breaths. You’re totally right, at this point we’re all just experimenting with medications. I’m mostly worried about the side effects of taking these medications long term, every medication comes with such a long list and you feel discouraged just reading through it and imagining going through every side effect. Hopefully you haven’t experienced anything serious through your journey. Stay in touch, we’re all in this together.


Thanks for making me feel a little less lost and hopeless 😀

I was on Incruse a couple years ago but I ended up with a horrid cough and shortness of breath that only got worse the more I used it. One provider at my doctor’s office had me just stop using it with no replacement. When my doctor saw that, he seemed a little upset that I had stopped and had me try Spiriva Respimat which has worked beautifully for me. My insurance tried to not cover it but my doctor worked with them to get it covered. While I am on the COPD dose of Spiriva, my understanding is it was based on my spirometry results and I was told I most likely have some modeling of my airway because I had untreated asthma for many years. I was told I got used to breathing bad and don’t recognize what breathing well feels like. Now, after being on Advair and Spiriva, I am breathing great except for the rare flare-up which my rescue inhaler is effective for. I think we all are different and it takes a little time to figure out the correct asthma med routine.