Inhaler switch
Hello all!
Unfortunately, despite my best efforts I just got Covid-19 but was able to start the antiviral since I am severe asthmatic. However, that means they switched my advair to flovent for eight days. There's a theoretical risk of prolonged QT.I've had flovent before and it didn't work the greatest for me. I still have my spiriva plus rescue and duoneb. I guess I am just a little worried to be taken off my normal regime that works for me. Has anyone every had to temporarily switch one of their inhalers and did it work out ok?
Hi Rose, and thanks for your post - you've posed a good question. I do hope others in the community will see your concern and respond by sharing their own personal anecdotal experience here with the community.
I have something to contribute as well. Some years ago, I was hospitalized (for a surgical procedure for which I would be in the hospital for 6 days), unrelated to asthma. Naturally, the hospital expects to match one's medication regimen but, often times they maintain different medications on formulary. Once admitted, I had found they planned to substitute Symbicort for Advair.
I was (like you), very unhappy with this substitution. I asked my surgeon to add to my medical chart that I could use my entire medication regimen and the nurses/hospital complied.
That was how I managed my care (for asthma and other issues), while hospitalized.
In your case, I understand how you're feeling but, this may be the safest way for you to proceed in view of the theoretical (cardiac) risk (using Advair) you shared here with us. What are you thinking?
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)I understand the reason the oncall doc did. Its really half of one six dozen of the other. If they don't change it I can't take the Paxlovid which could not go well for me or change my inhaler which may cause a flare. I guess my main concern is I ended up with a severe flare up in the end of July that caused me to go to the ER twice and end up getting IV solumedrol, morphine and magnesium and then the second time getting a triple dose nebulizer. They had wanted to me admit me but since my o2 stats were WNL and I'm not a wheezer I'm a cougher (which i said several times) they didn't despite me being tachycardia, tachypneic and hypertensive. They also didn't reach out to my pulmonologist and he wasn't happy but we made it work. However, I was on tail end of recovering from that then got covid. I'm a little nervous I'm going to get another flare up while I'm already sick. My O2 is typically 98 but has been running 93-96 which is very odd for me. Don't worry I plan of following up with doc. Sorry for the long winded response. Hi again, Rose - we appreciate your response and further explanation. We are hear to listen, so don't be concerned about sharing all this - it is important!
I am glad to hear you plan on following up with your physician. Please do check back and let us know how it all turns out for you.
Good luck!
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
Hi, Rose! How are you feeling? I hope that since you wrote last week you're starting to recover. Did you end up switching inhalers and taking the Paxlovid? All the best to you, and looking forward to hearing more when you're up to it. -Melissa, asthma.net team
Hello, I did end up switching and was holding up ok and then ended up having to go to the ER late last week per my doc and getting steriods. The doc started me on a longer taper of steriods now. Slowly but surely I shall recover its just going to a while. Thank you! P.s. I have only been diagnosed an asthmatic for about a year and I really appreciate this site. The articles have helped alot. 😀
That's hard. Do you think the need for steroids was related to the switch? I'm glad you're here with us! This is a fantastic site for learning about asthma and feeling less alone on the way. I actually do not have asthma (I'm a trained moderator), but have learned a TON in the time I have worked here just by reading what others share. Feel free to ask questions as often as you want! Take it easy and don't rush your recovery. -Melissa, asthma.net team
