How do you treat asthma when you also have COPD?
I've had asthma since childhood. Recently I was also diagnosed with COPD. Most medicines seem to treat one or the other. I'm not sure which condition I should treat.
Hi. tui2. Great question. First off, sorry to here about your double diagnosis. I think you should feel comfort in knowing that there are many people who have both conditions, and that most asthma/COPD doctors should be fully capable of treating them both at the same time. Most of the medicines that are generally recommended for either condition can be used to treat both, if your doctor decides to go that route. For instance, Advair is recommended as a top-line treatment for asthma, although often it is used to treat COPD. Similarly, Spiriva is considered a top-line treatment for COPD, although sometimes it is used to treat Asthma. Usually, finding what combination of asthma/ COPD medicines work best for you is a matter of trial and error. Interestingly, I just wrote an article on this subject, if you are interested in reading it, I will post a link here: (https://asthma.net/living/copd-overlap-syndrome). Hope this helps. John. Site Moderator.
Hi tui2 and thanks for your post. I see that John has already provided you with a very suitable reply. I would second what he's said already and again provide the reminder that you are NOT alone. Many members in our online communities have advised us and shared with other members that they have both COPD and asthma. The treatment frequently overlaps (as John has underscored in the article for which he provided a link) and most pulmonary physicians should be able to provide a plan for both diseases.
You may be interested to know that we have a sister site for COPD. If you haven't as yet, you may want to register here: COPD.net/register.
Please check back with us and let us know how you're doing.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator)
Hello tui2,
I too have asthma and Copd. I take Dulera twice a day and Spiriva in the morning. When I started Spiriva, it gradually helped. I am taking Mucinex(2400 mg) every day and that helps to get rid of some phelgm.Thank you all for your responses. My pulmonary dr. prescribed Stiolta. I’ve never seen it mentioned here, but it has made a big difference. I still have some every day chest tightness that gets worse when I’m dealing with a cold or allergies. but when I add albuterol before exercising I can almost always swim.. Now I’m left with the question of whether I should try adding another medication to deal with the residual tightness or decide I’m doing well enough and leave it alone. I still can’t climb moderate to steep inclines when hiking without lots of rest stops, but maybe that is to be expected.
Hi again tui2. Thanks for getting back to us here and providing your own personal update. In view of your concerns about Stiolto, I thought you might find it helpful to look over this article on that very medication: https://copd.net/treatment/medication-overview/medications/stiolto-respimat/. It is from our sister site: COPD.net. I do hope it provides you with a bit more insight. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
