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Coughing when laughing

In my 20's I regularly coughed hard when laughing and suffered from bouts of bronchitis. At 28 (and 34 weeks pregnant with my third child) I had viral pneumonia at which time (as well as other times) I managed to crack ribs from coughing so hard. At 30 I was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma. I continued to be trying to get my breath on a regular basis, coughed when laughing on a regular basis, and unfortunately also on a regular basis, I did not advocate for my lungs and accepted the "this is just how I am" role.
Fast forward to 58 and having tried numerous meds/inhalers, I now find myself often short of breath, especially with walking at a slight incline and regularly coughing. I am in the constant care of my Pulmonologist, getting regular (at least 2x/year) PF tests.
I am currently on Symbicort (8 puffs/day and up to 12 when feeling sick), Inspiolto (2 puffs/day), Salbutamol (as needed), and Dupixent injections every other week, as well as daily Pantaprozole for GERD symptoms. Prior to the Dupixent injection, I was on Fasenra. They put me on that due to my eosinophil count being 1500.
A respiratory therapist friend of mine knew the national rep for Fasenra and she had never heard of such a high count. With the appropriate medication in regard to eosinophils, do I have to stay on it for life? If I stop it, will my eosinophil count go back up?
What is everyone else on and do you wonder at what point you can start weaning off some doses? Sometimes I wonder if all these meds make my symptoms no better in the end...
So tired of being tired. Was sick in September 2022 and now finishing another 2-week bout - Prednisone, Amoxicillin, and now Azithromycin. Feeling a little deflated and without a big light at the end of this long breathing tunnel.

  1. @LoriS - you have been through so much when it comes to your health. These are some very important questions that need to be brought up with your pulmonologist. Only they can answer when the time is right to wean a medication, change to a new dose, or a new medication altogether. Sounds like you are on some very good medications to assist your breathing and reduce symptoms of asthma. I understand how being tired can really affect you mentally. It's really rough being fatigued most of the time, you can't think straight, get tasks done, or really enjoy the little things life has to offer. I surely hope that you get a handle on your health and that the pulmonologist can offer you a treatment plan that truly assists you in decreasing symptoms. Then maybe reducing or weaning is possible. What do you think? I'm sure others may chime in and offer some of their experiences with the issues you struggle with. Wishing you a joyous New Year and know we are hear to listen any time. Rebecca (comm advc)

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