Asthma medications: Advair Diskus, Singulair, Tafen Novolizer...

My brother was on Singulair, but he had to stop taking it because it gave him this crazy rash. He’s using Seretide now instead—and honestly, he feels great.

Physical activity tends to trigger my attacks as well. I was on Singulair for a while, and it didn't cause any side effects for me—no increased appetite or weight gain issues—but after a certain point, it felt like the efficacy just started to taper off. Of course, everyone reacts differently to these things.
I haven't seen any weight gain from using Ventolin either, even though I had to rely on it quite frequently.
My heart is perfectly fine, but if you're experiencing frequent chest pain, you really ought to go see a doctor.

Any medication containing a corticosteroid might help manage asthma, but they all trigger changes—side effects that hit other parts of your body. We really have to stay sharp and notice exactly what those changes are and how intense they get.

For instance, I’m 25 and developed asthma this past summer. I’ve been using Alvesco, which I picked up at my local pharmacy after getting a recommendation during an ER visit in my suburban neighborhood. Since starting it, I've dealt with some bizarre side effects I've never experienced before.

My digestion is completely shot; sometimes I'm running to the bathroom three times a day, and other times I go two days without needing to go at all.

Then there's the fungal issues on my feet—something actually mentioned in the warning label.

Corticosteroids are some of the most potent substances we put into our bodies, so it's almost a guarantee that side effects will pop up. You just have to know what to look for.

Goodness, you can read just about anything on here—true facts mixed with total nonsense. Still, I suppose I'm glad there's at least some discussion regarding asthma. Most people seem to know very little about it, even though its incidence rate is nearly as high as something like diabetes, which apparently "everyone knows everything about" these days.
Regarding treatment, current guidelines suggest that inhaled corticosteroids are definitely the gold standard since they target inflammation, which is the main driver behind asthma symptoms. They might be used alone for milder cases, or paired with long-acting beta 2 agonists for that bronchodilator effect. Honestly, whether you use Advair Diskus or Symbicort is almost irrelevant. The crucial part is that the therapy must be daily, consistent, and long-term—much like how one manages a chronic condition such as high blood pressure. Both medications work similarly; they just have different therapeutic approaches. Based on what I've gathered from medical journals, I lean slightly more toward the Advair Diskus approach of fixed, daily maintenance. I suspect Symbicort became popular simply because it hit the market later, giving it a "newer" reputation, though it isn't actually superior to Seretide. I should emphasize: the medication needs to be taken regularly, every single day, at the correct dosage to maintain proper control. That is the most important thing.
As for Singulair, its anti-inflammatory effect is significantly weaker than corticosteroids. It's usually only recommended for mild asthma or perhaps for severe cases when combined with inhaled corticosteroids. And yes, a certain girl is right to say that Ventolin doesn't treat the underlying cause of asthma—the inflammation. It’s just a symptomatic rescue medication for immediate relief during an attack, though if you're on continuous therapy, those attacks shouldn't really be happening.

I've been using the Tafen Novolizer inhaler along with Singulair tablets lately. I guess you could say I feel like a whole new person since I started on the Tafen.

slyorca said:I've been dealing with asthma since I was seven years old. It flared up quite a bit during my teenage years, though things eventually settled down significantly. For a while, I was using Advair Diskus, and honestly, it worked wonders—I didn't even need to touch my Ventolin during that stretch. Now, however, my pulmonologist has switched me over to Tafen Novolizer. Since I'm planning to get pregnant, I have to move away from using Seretide. So far, Tafen hasn't really proven its worth; I've had a few attacks, albeit milder ones. Perhaps it'll start performing better once I've been on it longer.
I suspect Tafen Novolizer might be one of those newer medications, as my doctor mentioned it's relatively recent to the market, but who knows? There might be other options out there.

No, it isn't Tafen. This is an entirely different class of medication based on endogenous peptides and:
- It isn't a steroid (not a corticosteroid or anything similar), so you don't deal with all those nasty side effects.
- It isn't an interferon.
- It isn't based on salbutamol or anything like that.
It's called Enkorten, and essentially, it targets the root causes (instead of just masking the consequences) of asthma.
Up until now, almost (all!) asthma therapies have basically just been symptomatic—they only really kick in when you're facing an exacerbation or an actual attack.
In my opinion, this drug is meant for moderate to severe asthma; given the price tag, it probably doesn't make sense for someone with mild cases.
When I first started, I was dealing with moderate asthma, and now I'm considered mild (that's the truth after 9 months of therapy). I've completely stopped using inhalers and other medications. For me, the goal was to stop the progression toward severe asthma, and moving back into the "mild" category just proves to me that this drug actually hits the underlying cause of the disease.
I'm sticking with it. Best regards,

Go ahead and look up interleukin-27 and its connection to asthma online; there is some actually interesting stuff out there.
You also need to factor in the role of the EBI-3 protein and how it regulates the immune response throughout this entire process.
The balance is already thrown off days before any of it even shows up.

I have lived with asthma since I was six years old, having been hospitalized more than ten times for life-threatening attacks requiring intravenous treatment.
However, I never pursued a systematic treatment plan; there were minor interventions during my childhood in places like Maui, but from puberty through the end of college, I received virtually nothing beyond using Ventolin as needed and rushing to the emergency room when an attack struck. (Honestly, I often wonder what my parents were thinking by neglecting this so thoroughly, much less my primary care physician??!!)

I am allergic to just about everything, and my attacks typically trigger when a common cold, the flu, or a sore throat coincides with exposure to allergens.

It wasn't until 1997, following my last hospital stay, that I finally began a consistent medical regimen—largely because people were baffled as to why I wasn't managing the condition regularly and was instead waiting for a crisis to act!

My treatment started with Serevent 2 x125 combined with Flovent 2 x250 in the morning, repeating the same dose in the evening (though today, I use Seretide, which serves as a two-in-one solution).
We gradually tapered the dosage until I reached a regimen of one Flovent in the morning and one Singulair in the evening; however, I frequently neglected the Singulair due to forgetfulness, leaving me on just a single Flovent for a year and a half.

Since the beginning of this year, I have replaced the Flovent with Singulair, and that is currently my sole medication.

Since committing to a systematic treatment plan, I haven't spent a single night in the hospital; I have experienced only one mild attack in ten years, and I likely only reach for Ventolin once a year.

Following a cold, I am often left with a persistent, dry cough for quite some time. My previous attacks were invariably linked to respiratory infections, heavy mucus buildup, inflamed bronchi, and allergic reactions—all occurring simultaneously. Physical activity isn't an issue for me, though I neither can nor care to go running.

I maintain high fluid intake and consume one to two tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily, which is supposedly the gold standard for managing asthma.

Despite ten years of corticosteroid use, I have suffered no side effects whatsoever. My blood work, heart health, liver function, blood pressure, digestion, and skin—everything remains perfectly normal.

Kevin Nelson6 said:I have lived with asthma since I was six years old, having been hospitalized more than ten times for life-threatening attacks requiring intravenous treatment.
However, I never pursued a systematic treatment plan; there were minor interventions during my childhood in places like Maui, but from puberty through the end of college, I received virtually nothing beyond using Ventolin as needed and rushing to the emergency room when an attack struck. (Honestly, I often wonder what my parents were thinking by neglecting this so thoroughly, much less my primary care physician??!!)

I am allergic to just about everything, and my attacks typically trigger when a common cold, the flu, or a sore throat coincides with exposure to allergens.

It wasn't until 1997, following my last hospital stay, that I finally began a consistent medical regimen—largely because people were baffled as to why I wasn't managing the condition regularly and was instead waiting for a crisis to act!

My treatment started with Serevent 2 x125 combined with Flovent 2 x250 in the morning, repeating the same dose in the evening (though today, I use Seretide, which serves as a two-in-one solution).
We gradually tapered the dosage until I reached a regimen of one Flovent in the morning and one Singulair in the evening; however, I frequently neglected the Singulair due to forgetfulness, leaving me on just a single Flovent for a year and a half.

Since the beginning of this year, I have replaced the Flovent with Singulair, and that is currently my sole medication.

Since committing to a systematic treatment plan, I haven't spent a single night in the hospital; I have experienced only one mild attack in ten years, and I likely only reach for Ventolin once a year.

Following a cold, I am often left with a persistent, dry cough for quite some time. My previous attacks were invariably linked to respiratory infections, heavy mucus buildup, inflamed bronchi, and allergic reactions—all occurring simultaneously. Physical activity isn't an issue for me, though I neither can nor care to go running.

I maintain high fluid intake and consume one to two tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily, which is supposedly the gold standard for managing asthma.

Despite ten years of corticosteroid use, I have suffered no side effects whatsoever. My blood work, heart health, liver function, blood pressure, digestion, and skin—everything remains perfectly normal.

Where on earth did you find this idea that flaxseed oil is some kind of miracle cure? I'm actually curious about trying it on the days when I'm not using my Enkorten. Right now, I'm applying it twice a week, and I was thinking about taking flaxseed oil in between sessions as a little extra support.
My ultimate goal is to move from moderate asthma down to just managing occasional wheezing.
If anyone has a link to an article or some actual medical opinion regarding flaxseed oil, I’d love to see it.
Best regards,

redcrane6, you two seem to be having quite the debate regarding Enkorten:

Are you based out of Canada?

By the way, how exactly is this stuff administered?

Christian Wood63 said:Go ahead and look up interleukin-27 and its connection to asthma online; there is some actually interesting stuff out there.
You also need to factor in the role of the EBI-3 protein and how it regulates the immune response throughout this entire process.
The balance is already thrown off days before any of it even shows up.

Could you maybe break down some of those "interesting findings" for us? I’m certainly no chemist, so I don't grasp much even when I try googling things.

Thanks.

redcrane6 said:Where on earth did you find this idea that flaxseed oil is some kind of miracle cure? I'm actually curious about trying it on the days when I'm not using my Enkorten. Right now, I'm applying it twice a week, and I was thinking about taking flaxseed oil in between sessions as a little extra support.
My ultimate goal is to move from moderate asthma down to just managing occasional wheezing.
If anyone has a link to an article or some actual medical opinion regarding flaxseed oil, I’d love to see it.
Best regards,

My father owns two volumes on medicinal herbs where every plant is detailed with its benefits and proper usage; regarding flax, it notes how beneficial it is for the lungs and asthma because it supposedly creates a protective coating around the bronchi. I attempted to ask him for the specific titles, but he can't recall them at the moment as he isn't home—they are essentially a set, one serving as a foraging guide and the other as a collection of recipes.

I initially received a recommendation for flaxseed oil to boost immunity, which prompted my search through those books, where I discovered its supposed efficacy for lung health.
The fundamental rule is that you do not cook with it; it must be consumed cold.

Some people incorporate two tablespoons into a breakfast of cheese or yogurt, perhaps adding oats or fruit as they prefer.
As for myself, I prepare oatmeal and then stir in two tablespoons of the oil once it has cooled slightly.

Furthermore, should one consider managing asthma, it might be wise to reduce or entirely eliminate dairy products, given their tendency to promote mucus production; similarly, excessive sugar is detrimental as it invites infections, and we must remain vigilant against respiratory illnesses.

A long time ago, I recall hearing something about black cumin or a similar substance being used to treat asthma, though I cannot remember the source, so I have yet to try it.

Michael Newman18 said:redcrane6, you two seem to be having quite the debate regarding Enkorten:

Are you based out of Canada?

By the way, how exactly is this stuff administered?

Could you maybe break down some of those "interesting findings" for us? I’m certainly no chemist, so I don't grasp much even when I try googling things.

Thanks.

I'm not from Canada, but I have friends there—and personally, I use Enkorten for asthma, while my friend uses it for MS.
As for that article, it's a sponsored piece (they actually made up the chemical composition and intentionally listed it incorrectly)—all pushed by one massive corporation that's terrified of a systemic drug like Enkorten. Being "systemic" means it covers a much wider range of similar chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune conditions.
The thing is, current medications just deal with the symptoms, whereas Enkorten (especially for asthma) targets the actual cause. Inhalers are purely symptomatic—they help you breathe better for a moment until the next attack hits, but the underlying condition just gets worse year after year—not to mention the side effects, since most of them are corticosteroid-based anyway. Who among us has ever transitioned from moderate or severe asthma back to mild asthma, or even just stopped needing a ventilator? With Enkorten, there are plenty of such cases; plus, most people have been able to clear their lungs through expectoration (coughing up mucus). That happened to me too (and believe me, I've coughed up enough mucus to fill a milk carton), something no other asthma med manages to do—it actually leads to solving the root cause of the asthma.
It's administered subcutaneously, under the skin, via an insulin-style injection.
The problem with these asthma discussions is that they're scattered across so many different threads; lately, I've been writing more about MS (because of my friend) than about asthma and Enkorten.
That's all for now. Best regards,

Thanks a million, redcrane6🙂

I don't know—a friend of mine who works in pharmacy (she's a Russian woman, so this has absolutely nothing to do with any local lobbying groups here) tells me that it’s pretty obvious just from the name Enkorten that it contains corticosteroids.

The drug's manufacturers actually list corticotropin in the composition 🤷
.
Are you honestly suggesting that Pliva is trying to block this medication from entering the American market?

Because products like Advair Diskus, Flovent, and those other GlaxoSmithKline brands... well, they aren't owned by Pliva.

My son has been relying on Singulair for his allergies for years now. He recently bumped up from the 5 mg dose to 10 mg, and honestly, I haven't noticed any extra side effects. It seems to be helping him somewhat, but unfortunately, he still reacts to allergens like it's his job. I can't help but wonder if taking this stuff long-term is going to leave some kind of mark on him. I’m just hoping his body can handle it since he’s still young (he's 14). The doctors are pretty quiet about what long-term use actually does to you, and I'm terrified of just stopping the medication on my own—he really goes through the wringer during those few months every year when his allergies kick in.

Michael Newman18 said:Thanks a million, redcrane6🙂

I don't know—a friend of mine who works in pharmacy (she's a Russian woman, so this has absolutely nothing to do with any local lobbying groups here) tells me that it’s pretty obvious just from the name Enkorten that it contains corticosteroids.

The drug's manufacturers actually list corticotropin in the composition 🤷
.
Are you honestly suggesting that Pliva is trying to block this medication from entering the American market?

Because products like Advair Diskus, Flovent, and those other GlaxoSmithKline brands... well, they aren't owned by Pliva.

Russia just became the first country to approve the patent for this medication for Canadians, and that holds through 2021. Look, let’s get one thing straight—for something to actually qualify for a patent, it has to be an absolute, groundbreaking novelty on the global stage; otherwise, you don't get that protection. If Enkorten were just a standard corticosteroid—something we've known about for decades—there wouldn't even be a conversation about patenting it. Period.
It’s honestly frustrating how many pharmacists out there seem completely in the dark about certain things—it’s like they haven't even cracked the cover of a textbook lately! Listen, let's get one thing straight—it's corticotropin, and no, it is absolutely NOT a corticosteroid! People constantly conflate the two, and frankly, that kind of medical misinformation is exhausting. It’s like confusing a spark plug with the entire engine—they belong to the same system, sure, but they are fundamentally different components performing entirely different roles. One triggers a process, while the other is the actual fuel. Get it right.Corticotropin is essentially just a placeholder name—since we’re dealing with a brand-new combination of two peptides, there isn't an official INN designation yet. It's basically a neuropeptide based on endogenous foundations.
That’s exactly the crux of the matter—what makes "endogenous" substances so vital. Because the body actually recognizes them as its own, they don't trigger those nasty side effects you see with other medications—especially when you compare them to standard corticosteroids. It's like trying to introduce a stranger into a high-security building versus letting in a family member; one causes an immediate alarm, while the other just fits right in.
Look, let’s clear up this confusion once and for all—it's basic biochemistry, really. We are talking about peptides here: specifically ACTH 1-13 combined with Metenkephalin. The whole reason people get tripped up is because they confuse it with ACTH 1-39, which actually triggers the body to release corticosteroids. That is exactly why the molecule used in Enkorten has been trimmed down to just 13 amino acids—it's a deliberate design choice! By shortening it, you ensure it doesn't stimulate corticosteroid production (since it isn't a substrate for MC2 receptors) and, quite frankly, it isn't a corticosteroid itself. Because of that distinction, what we have here is... This thread is getting way too short—honestly, it’s practically a snippet at this point! The amino acid from ACTH 1-39—it’s actually quite easy to tolerate, and you don't have to deal with those nasty side effects typically associated with corticosteroids. Plus, there’s metenkephalin in the mix, which provides that extra layer of clinical and anti-inflammatory punch.
You can show this to that Russian woman—she probably hasn't dealt with neuropeptides before, so she likely confused them with corticosteroids (but honestly, she isn't the only one).
So, here's the deal: Corticosteroids—honestly, where do we even begin? It’s one of those topics that people love to throw around in conversation without having the slightest clue about the actual baggage that comes with them. They aren't just some magic wand you wave to make inflammation vanish; they are powerful, aggressive tools that come with a serious set of strings attached. Think of it like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame. Sure, you might get the job done, but you’re probably going to crack the drywall in the process. That’s exactly how I see corticosteroids. They are incredibly effective at shutting down an immune response—which is exactly what you need when your lungs are staging a full-scale revolt—but the "collateral damage" can be immense. We’re talking about everything from bone density issues to metabolic chaos. It’s a delicate balancing act—really, it is—between getting enough relief to actually breathe and avoiding a whole new list of side effects that could end up being just as debilitating as the original condition. You can't just go rogue with these medications; there has to be a calculated, medical approach to dosage and tapering. Use them blindly, and you're just trading one problem for a dozen others. Enkorten consists of cyclic molecules—it's basically built that way. A peptide combination. Just like that. Short, simple, and honestly? A bit underwhelming given how much we have to deal with. It’s like trying to fix a busted engine with nothing but a handful of loose screws—it might work in theory, but you're really asking for trouble when things get complicated.

I don't honestly believe Merck is going to pull any punches here—unless, of course, this starts hitting too close to their core interests and bottom line. I’m not naming names specifically, but we’re looking at certain foreign corporations that have some very cozy ties to the Canadian lobby operating within our government and clinical circles.
The asthma medication hasn't even cleared Phase III trials yet—meaning it isn't approved for general use outside of Canada. Because of that regulatory bottleneck, you can't just walk into a local pharmacy and pick it up; the only way to get your hands on it is through the pulmonary clinic at the University Clinical Center in Ottawa.
Look, I’ve done my homework. I’ve studied this extensively and I fully grasp the clinical implications here—I know exactly what we're dealing with regarding the actual efficacy of the treatment. Despite that, I’ve been pressured to consider other therapies, and frankly, those suggestions were completely baseless. It's the same old story: these special interest lobbies—which, unfortunately, often have these uncomfortably close ties to certain doctors—trying to steer patients toward different options without any real scientific merit.
Based on everything I know and my own gut feeling, I’m sticking with this therapy—period. Sure, it’s a massive pain in the neck having to trek all the way to Ottawa every three months just to pick up my prescription, but honestly? It’s not even worth complaining about when you consider how well it actually works!

So, my sister's doctor just switched her over to the Tafen Novolizer after she spent two whole years stuck on Seretide. Has anyone here actually dealt with the Tafen Novolizer before? Any takers?

If anyone out there can offer some advice or a bit of guidance, I’m reaching out. I have a 4-year-old son who is struggling significantly with his breathing. Because he was born with extremely enlarged tonsils, the doctors haven't even bothered—at least based on his symptoms—to look for any other underlying cause; they just keep suggesting they be removed. The catch? He has actually never had a single case of tonsillitis, which is apparently the primary indicator for removal.
I can't shake this feeling that the issue isn't the tonsils at all, but something else entirely. He breathes through his mouth, struggles immensely to breathe through his nose, and carries himself with this specific head posture—kind of tilted back. Once he hits the bed at night, the coughing starts—it's intense, like he's trying to clear something out, but it sounds more like an adult than a toddler. Occasionally while he's sleeping, it seems like he stops breathing for a second, and then when he finally catches his breath, he starts gasping and coughing. Even right now, I can hear him snoring through two closed doors. During the day, it’s mostly just light coughing, but once I prompt him, he really starts hacking. We already went through the allergy testing gauntlet (the basics—dust mites, pollen), and he came back negative for those. I've noticed he coughs less when he's finally settled comfortably in bed; for a while, my husband and I actually wondered if he was just doing it for attention, but this has gone on far too long to be anything else.
Please, let me know what you think and where you'd recommend we start with diagnostic testing.
We saw a doctor for the allergy tests who also happens to be a pulmonologist (Dr. Pavlov), but once he took one look at the tonsils, he barely even glanced at the test results. There was absolutely no mention of spirometry or any of the other tests people talk about here on the forum. To make matters more complicated, asthma runs in my family, and my husband deals with neurodermatitis.
If anyone knows where or with whom we could get proper testing done in the New York City area, I would be incredibly grateful!

Kevin Hall10 said:If anyone out there can offer some advice or a bit of guidance, I’m reaching out. I have a 4-year-old son who is struggling significantly with his breathing. Because he was born with extremely enlarged tonsils, the doctors haven't even bothered—at least based on his symptoms—to look for any other underlying cause; they just keep suggesting they be removed. The catch? He has actually never had a single case of tonsillitis, which is apparently the primary indicator for removal.
I can't shake this feeling that the issue isn't the tonsils at all, but something else entirely. He breathes through his mouth, struggles immensely to breathe through his nose, and carries himself with this specific head posture—kind of tilted back. Once he hits the bed at night, the coughing starts—it's intense, like he's trying to clear something out, but it sounds more like an adult than a toddler. Occasionally while he's sleeping, it seems like he stops breathing for a second, and then when he finally catches his breath, he starts gasping and coughing. Even right now, I can hear him snoring through two closed doors. During the day, it’s mostly just light coughing, but once I prompt him, he really starts hacking. We already went through the allergy testing gauntlet (the basics—dust mites, pollen), and he came back negative for those. I've noticed he coughs less when he's finally settled comfortably in bed; for a while, my husband and I actually wondered if he was just doing it for attention, but this has gone on far too long to be anything else.
Please, let me know what you think and where you'd recommend we start with diagnostic testing.
We saw a doctor for the allergy tests who also happens to be a pulmonologist (Dr. Pavlov), but once he took one look at the tonsils, he barely even glanced at the test results. There was absolutely no mention of spirometry or any of the other tests people talk about here on the forum. To make matters more complicated, asthma runs in my family, and my husband deals with neurodermatitis.
If anyone knows where or with whom we could get proper testing done in the New York City area, I would be incredibly grateful!

I honestly think your son needs much better diagnostic work than what he’s been getting so far. What you’re describing doesn't necessarily have to be asthma, but it could be something like chronic airway obstruction or even COPD. He needs much more thorough testing and a real diagnosis. It’s even possible there's an autoimmune component involved, especially since you noticed his mood seems to impact how he's feeling, which often points toward that.
My advice is pretty straightforward: Get a full pulmonary function test done via plethysmography—everything (FEV1, FEV2, airway resistance, lung capacity, etc.)—along with blood oxygen saturation levels, and check for various markers related to asthma, COPD, neurological issues, and so on. Only after all that is done can you reach a solid conclusion and diagnosis to determine the right treatment.
Don't ignore the recommendation regarding the tonsils, though. If they aren't functioning properly, they can seriously mess with other vital organs, so if specialists are recommending removal, it's probably best to follow through.
If that were my kid, I’d be jumping on these appointments and pushing for answers immediately.
Best regards,

Hey there,
Could someone give me a quick rundown on what a typical asthma attack actually feels like? If I remember my diagnosis correctly, I'm at stage one—it all started a few years back right after I hit the end of puberty, probably due to a dip in my immune system and being exposed to way more allergens than before.
I honestly can't quite put my finger on how my own attacks feel; it’s just this intense, terrible itching deep in my bronchial tubes paired with this sensation that I simply cannot get enough air. To make matters worse, I’m an active smoker, which definitely isn't helping things along, so I am trying my hardest to quit.
Would you say that wheezing—that whistling sound when you breathe—can be considered a warning sign of an impending attack? So far, I've been caught off guard by full-blown attacks a few times right after experiencing that wheezing sensation, which mostly happens when I'm lying down.
I tend to struggle with breathing and wheezing most during the summer months when it's sweltering out, and also in the winter, especially now when the air feels heavy and biting cold.
But, I have this nagging feeling that maybe what I'm going through aren't even "real" asthma attacks?
I've been really wanting to get into sports lately, but my stamina is absolutely non-existent—though that might just be the asthma talking. After even a short run or doing some physical chores, I get completely winded, and I don't feel like I can catch my breath until I squat down low.
As for my treatment, I take Alvesco once a day, which has been incredibly effective at preventing potential attacks, though it doesn't sit well with me in the summer because it makes my lungs and bronchi feel irritated. I use Ventolin as needed, plus one Singulair tablet a day to help mitigate the effects of allergens. Singulair helps me immensely, but I'm a bit worried about whether it's okay to stay on it long-term.😕

Hey everyone!

So, I’m dealing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To be honest, my actual diagnosis is a bit of a mess—some doctors tell me it's asthma, others swear it's COPD, and then a third group says it's just chronic bronchitis. Regardless of the label... I don't have allergies, and I don't really deal with acute attacks or coughing fits, but I do have constant breathing issues and pretty lousy spirometry results. I've had lung problems my whole life, but I never actually needed to be on daily medication until about three years ago (I'm 30 now). Something just shifted... maybe it's the air quality lately. I've seen plenty of pulmonologists, but nobody has given me any hope of being "cured"—instead, they all just suggest long-term therapy to keep things from getting worse.

Right now, my maintenance routine consists of Serevent 2 x125, Flovent 2 x250, and Ventolin as needed. I only touch the Ventolin when it's absolutely necessary, because I've noticed it gives me heart palpitations and makes my heart race. Based on my doctor's suggestion, I tried using an Advair Diskus for two months, but it ended up giving me oral thrush. On top of that, it didn't even seem to work as well for me, so I went back to my old regimen. I noticed that the powder from the inhaler seems to just sit in my mouth—even when I rinse, it feels like some of it stays behind. That’s probably what triggered the fungal infection.

My doctors have recently swapped out the Flovent for a Tafen nebulizer, so we'll see how that goes.

Some people have suggested I try a newer medication called Alvesco. I was wondering if anyone here has experience using that specifically for non-allergic airway obstruction?

I'm also curious about Enkorten. Is that something used strictly for allergy-related issues, or is it used more broadly for obstructive lung diseases?

Best,