This is kind of a new thing for me but I started having breathing issues last summer after catching a nasty flu     The cough never quite went away and it's been difficult to breath on and off ever since

So I finally asked my doctor about it and he gave me a sample of Symbicort and that seem to help the breathing but also gave me a headache and my ins. denied the prescription for it

So then the Dr. gave me a couple samples of Advair and that seemed to work better and without the headache but the ins. denied a prescription for that also

So now I am on my third type of inhaler called Flovent which has to be used with a second aerosol inhaler called ProAir which the ins. finally approved a prescription for

The thing that's bugging me is that the Flovent and ProAir are on two different schedules so I'm hoping I can coordinate the timing of each

Anyone else go through this kinda thing or have experience with this stuff?

ProAir is like a rescue breather.  It is fast acting to open the bronchioles and alveoli.

Flovent helps to keep them open.  Remember that Flovent is a corticosteroid.  Corticosteroids can delay healing and can be immunosuppressive.  Tell any doctor you are seeing you are on both.

I have COPD and have used both.  The Provent can be a life-saver, especially when you can't seem to catch your breath.

Both of them are cheaper than ether the Symbicort and Advair.  I used them also and I like the Provent and Flovent. 

Thank you 

As mentioned, this is all very new for me... I am very nervous about it

Thank you both for your replies     

Ms. O has it in the head for what the drugs are.

The only other thing I can add is some people who get put on these meds (I'll be on them all my life) because of an illness can stop using them once things are better and your lungs get a chance to strengthen a bit. The chances are in three months or so your doctor may say "hey, try going with out for a bit... see what happens".

These meds get $$$ and the cost goes up regularly. Do some homework, you may be able to find lung exercises that can help get you off these meds if that's something you want to try.

Thank you  LivingInGrey 

I'm hoping for this to be a temporary issue    The inhalers are expensive and I really don't want to have to rely on them forever

Hugs

V M

Advair and others have coupons from the manufacturer that make a dig dent in the cost.  Ask your pharmacist and they will often get one for you.

I had pneumonia a couple of years ago and after continuosly had breathing problems until my pcp finally sent me to a pulmanary specialist which found I had a collapsed lung from the p neumonia. surgery fixed the issue but the damage to the lung is permanent. If you have continued respitory problems I would ask fr a referral to a specialist, I am not saying you have a deeper undelying issue just the for the sake of a chest xray to make sure there is no damage. my lung would have recovered had I not had to wait 7 months for the referral to the specialist. I now have ventalin as a rescue inhaler which works most of the time but not always.

Sorry I am really not trying to sound like doo and gloom I just dont want to see anyone go through what I had to