Is a nebulizer used if an inhaler is not working for asthma?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 23-year-old female. My height is 5.48 ft, and my weight is 110.23 lb. I have asthma, and I am using Symbicort Rapihaler for my maintenance (two times a day) and emergency inhalation. I have recently been feeling more tired than usual, and I have chest and back pain. I also have a dry cough from time to time, and it hurts to cough sometimes. Breathing through my nose is hard because it feels like it is plugged. I have an on-and-off fever of around 37.5°C, which only happens during nighttime. The inhaler does not seem to work this time. Do I need to use a nebulizer?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern.

Yes, in such a case, you can use a nebulizer. You can use a nebulizer with Symbicort. It will help you more, and I can see, according to your symptoms, it seems that you have a common infection as well. So you have to start antibiotics as well. Can you please tell me: Are you taking any other medicine apart from the inhaler? Are you allergic to any antibiotics? The probable cause is allergies. The investigations to be done are CBC (complete blood count) with ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and chest X-ray. The differential diagnosis is a respiratory infection. The probable diagnosis is asthma. The treatment plan includes a Tablet of Cetirizine 10 mg once a day after a meal. Tablet Paracetamol 500 mg once after a meal (if you have a fever) for five days. The preventive measure is to drink more fluids and avoid dust and polluted areas.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No, you do not have to go to any lab for a test. I just asked because some people might be allergic to antibiotics. So, I would suggest you take the tablet Augmentin 625 mg three times a day after eating for five days. And continue Cetirizine and Paracetamol as I prescribed above. Apart from that, continue your Vitamin C and inhaler as well. Please let me know after five days. If it continues, then we will go for further treatment. If you need anything else, you can message me at any time. I would suggest you stay away from dust and pollens because asthma is triggered by allergies only, so if you avoid them, then you will have fewer symptoms. While cleaning houses and beds, use a mask because there is a lot of dust that triggers asthma. Use fresh bed sheets.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.