Spiriva confusion.

[yaf_user681_34383]

I have recently been started on a new inhaler spiriva respimat. When I took the script to the pharmacy I was asked why I was on this inhaler. Apparantlu it's for copd and not asthma he was unsure why I had been given it. I have looked on the web andd can only find research into it's use in copd. Does anyone else use this inhaler it's rather complecated to use but think I have the hang of it now.

Also This pharmacist was not happy giving me symbicort 400/12 my current dose being 2 puffs three times a day and as needed. I am apparantly overdosing on the femoterol component, but was told by the hospital it was okay to use. Confused.

Sadwheezer

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Hi Sadwheezer,

I was started on spiriva a few months ago by a consultant (a bit of a strange dr. who is not my normal consultant). He placed me on it because he thought that a scratchy throat caused my to cough and it would fix my cough. My normal consultant said that this was rubbish, and that it was an asthma cough but that spiriva may help it. I tried it for about a month and it wasn't really helping symptoms, had no effect on my cough and my peak flows and spiros were not much higher. My normal consultant change me to atrovent nebs instead of spiriva because nebs work better for me and it can be taken every 6 hours (an though spiriva is meant to last for 24 hours I found it only lasted a maximum of 12 hours, with very little effect anyway). I'm guessing that you were put on it because of it bronchodilator effect. Have a look at this website : medscape.com/viewarticle/48...

Im not sure about symbicort doses as I'm on seritide because I had reactions to symbicort (but when I was on it i was on 400/12, 3 puffs twice a day).

Hope you get your meds figured out soon!!

Kate

xx

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Hi. I'm on spiriva 18mg once a day but as well as my brittle asthma I also have broncoectasis so I think it was started more for this.I also take symbicort400/12 2 twice a day. In addition I also take atrovent nebs which according to my pharmacist I should not be on spiriva and atrovent as they are both the same kind of drug. But was my consultant who started them both so untill he tells me to stop I will continue x

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hi sadwheezer,

I am on the new repismat too. i really like this inhaler although it takes some getting used to. Sprivia was originally designed for patients with COPD hwoever now it is also used in asthmaitcs aswell particularly those with persistant instabilty.

I am glad they are using the respimat more now. When i was put on it back in december last year it has only just been released and the southampton area had it licensed. i had to go to the southampton hospital to get a script from my consulatnt for the respimat device because where i was and where my gp's were they cold not prescribe it.

Any questions just ask

olive

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I'm on symbicort 400/12 and although I only need 2 puffs a day when stable, during bad times my consultant takes it up to 4-8 plus when needed. I don't think its something a GP would necessarily do or a pharmacist, but the hospital doctors will do it if necessary.

I was told one of the reasons is it makes you less shaky than taking masses of ventolin and has similar if not quite as immediate effects.

Jenny

[yaf_user681_34383]

Sounds like the pharmacist wasn't upto date with his knowledge. Have been using the resimat for a few days now nearly breaking my table getting the cannister in. I haven't noticed any difference in fact i feel worse (but have a chest infection) but its only been a few days so will persevere. Aas for symbicort I have been using it as needed as consultants know what they are talking about however the nebs provide more relief. Thankyou for your replies.

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my consultant from the other hospital in my city's registrar saw me tday. Ive been in this hospital treated between two different consultants to my norm all yr this yr.

This reg suggested i hav a bronchoscopey repeat chest ct as last one was 2.5yrs ago and repeat bone scan as this was also 2.5yrs ago! She asked if id ever tried spiriva too. Think they may b considering it due to the my ridiculously unstable asthma at mo. Im reluctant to stop my atrovent nebs which wrk ok 4 sumthin i can only take once a day-wot if i get no relief from it. Bit worried also bout the bronchoscopey scares me a bit. Wot will they b lookin 4? Why do they wanna do one-is it coz i stil hav wierd crackles on chest and reduced chest sounds but no bacterial infection? Did hav systemic candida albicans cud this b anythin to do wit it? Sorry 4 all the questions but im at the stage where i wanna go home but no im not rite n dont wanna end up back in straight away- i wanna b sensible witout stoppin in 4 tests if i dont need them-anyone hav any advice.

Also can u take atrovent and spiriva together then or not? Im a tad confuzzeld!! thanks Xx

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Ive bumped a disscusion about spiriva and atrovent. Hope it helps!!

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hi kit kat

sorry to here your not well , dont be 2 worried about the broncoscapy they spray you throat to num it sometimes you can have sadation its personal choice really.. but would reccomend it!!

I had my 3rd one about 4 weeks ago they just wanted to take some tissue samples and check for inflamation ive had reduced air entry down one side for a long time now but when they had a look inside he did say he was looking for masses ect but luckly they dint find anything... it just my weird and wonderful body.. hope your soon better x