Part of your problem could be the hot humid weather, but I think you need to see a really good pulmonologist. I don't know who you're seeing now, but if you've been seeing them for a year or two, they should have a good idea of what's happening to you and they should have a treatment plan in place. If you're not seeing a pulmonologist, you need a referral to one right now.

If you're having exacerbation after exacerbation, you probably need to talk about using Daliresp or azithromycin three times a week. Either of those meds are designed to reduce the mucous production and therefore reduce the number of exacerbations you are having. You may also want to be seen by a pulmonologist who specializes in bronchiectasis to be sure that's not part of the problem, or an Infectious Disease doc to rule out a bunch of other things. I think you need to put your doc on the spot and see whether they've got a plan for you or not. If not, ask for a referral to a pulmonologist or an Infectious Disease specialist.

The Symbicort you're taking is the only inhaler you use? The pred and antibiotic are usually for an exacerbation. It that's what's going on, that's probably why your Symbicort doesn't seem to be working as well. Wait until you get over the exacerbation to decide the Symbicort isn't working. As you get better, it will seem to work better.

With the Symbicort, you're only getting a Long Acting Beta Agonist (LABA) and an Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS). There's also a Long Acting Muscarinic Agent (LAMA) that you could take: Spiriva, Tudorza, Seebri and Incruse are all LAMAs. In addition, there are other treatments including Daliresp (a pill) and taking azithromycin three times a week that are designed to help reduce the number of exacerbations people get.

Most of the meds available come in different dosages (not all, but many), so there are lots of alternatives. You really need a good pulmonologist who is familiar with all of these meds to be sure you're getting the best treatments for your specific situation. If you're seeing a primary care doc, ask for a referral. You wouldn't expect your primary to take care of your cardiology issues, so don't expect that they'll be able to properly deal with your pulmonary issues.

I have severe copd idk what stage and don't want to know. I guess ignorance is bliss. I go see about the zephyr valves on the 30th. But I use trelegy 200/62.5/25 and it's really the only thing that has worked well. Also I don't have much mucas or phlegm unless I have pneumonia. Idk why that is but I'm grateful. I will pray 🙏 for all of us. As this disease is no joke

OMG I would stress out if my inhalers didn't work as well. The nebulizer does help alot for me...it says to use it four times a day for SOB. With NO or little SOB, I use it approx.2 times per day and today I forgot I had any disease. The last time in the ER they said.."We'll give you something which is a step up from what you have at home". I hope you can get a handle on this.

I'm the one who originally asked if you were on oxygen or whether you have you have a nebulizer to take albuterol treatments. I take Breo 100, one puff in the morning and Spiriva Handihaler in the evening. If I feel really tight and filled with mucus that I can't bring up, I use give myself a nebulizer treatments with albuterol 3 or 4 times a day. This doesn't happen too often, but at least I have it here. I also have oxygen that is used all night and sometimes during the day, but that depends on what I'm doing. If I'm using a lot of energy and get short of breath, than I put it on. I also have a portable oxygen machine for use when I go out. If I'm sitting still I'm ok, but if I'm shopping and walking around than I have to use it. I've had my pulmonologist for 10 years, that's since I was first diagnosed. For the first year, there were adjustments made with inhalers. Then when I had several excerbations and developed pneumonia is when I was put on the in home oxygen and nebulize. I haven't been in the hospital or have had an excerbation in at least 4 years. I've been holding steady with my PFT testing with no drastic changes. So, so far so could. My advice is what a few here have said, definitely find a good pulmonologist who will work with you together with trial and error as to your inhalers. Good Luck!