Chest pain Spiriva + Symbicort++

[Cavmad]

Recently started Spiriva and found that I have more chest pain than before. Even though I cough less I feel like my chest is inflamed and have shortness of breath. Coughing plugs in mornings. I have had to add Neulin to help get through the day. Been like this for months now. I'm in Australia so now springtime brings more pollen and dust but live a clean life as much as possible. Ideas?

[Patk1]

I've different diagnosis to u + on different inhalers.is it worth putting a specimen in to see if u have an infection? Also,do u have gerd?x

[Cavmad in reply to Patk1]

No Drs tend not to do pathology on asthma plugs etc. yes I have gerd.. thank you for replying

[Patk1 in reply to Cavmad]

.i take omeprazole for gerd,still overrides it at times.id have a word with Yr dr/ nurse re symtoms.i take antihistamine for allergies causing rhinosinusitis+ asthma .I hope someone can help u xx

[Homely2 Administrator]

I hate pollen and dust.

I was given a choice of montelukast or spiriva as an add on. I tried montelukast first and it did nothing for me, then I tried spiriva which after a couple of months worked for me quite well, while not solving everything.

So I would give spiriva time, then if it does not work, move on and perhaps try montelukast, if you have not had it already.

[Cavmad in reply to Homely2]

Seems to give me chest pains. Not sure what is going on but have a gp appointment in a week thank you and take care

[Poobah]

Spiriva is not the only type of LAMA inhaler available. It gave me high blood pressure so switched to Eklira Genuair, which proved to be much more effective for me. Have a chat with your doctor about trying another type of LAMA inhaler.

I use Montelukast to tackle my allergies and it has helped enormously. Or your doctor could consider a prescription level medication for allergies, such as Fexofenadine.

I have had to try various medications and doses until finding the ones that suited me best but it's definitely been worth the effort.

[Cavmad in reply to Poobah]

Thank you poo bah

[Mons]

I have just started on Spiriva too. I am still breathless but have been told to persevere which I am going to do. My Doctor also told me to persevere as it won’t work overnight. There are also people on here that replied and helped me make the decision to give it a good go. Success stories are always inspirational.

Good luck!!!!

[Cavmad in reply to Mons]

Thank you for your help

[Holly_ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi Cavmad, I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. As others have advised the Spiriva may take a little while to work.

However if your symptoms are worse and you are having chest pain we would advise you seek medical advice as soon as possible.

[Nmstoday]

Hi I started on spiriva it also started to give me chest pain so I stopped, consultant persuaded me to start again and with in a week I had a massive reaction to it - extreme bronchospasm within a few minutes of taking it. Consultant thinks I have developed an allergic reaction to it and says I also need to be careful of any related inhalers. If you look at the side effects one of them is bronchospasm. So it might be that which is causing the pain?

[Cavmad]

Wow thank you Nmstoday! Might explain my chest problems and blood pressure issues. Didn't have this until I went onto spiriva

[Poobah in reply to Cavmad]

Spiriva sent my BP way up and had to stop taking it as a result. Tried Eklira Genuair next and OK for my asthma and BP, but it gave me glaucoma, so stopped taking it. Now I avoid LAMA inhalers.