Bedtime Reliever

[yaf_user681_3150]

I read in the newspaper today what looks like a good tip. Take Ventolin (or your type of reliever) as you get in bed. I'm going to try it tonight.

[Hidden]

That's an interesting one - not heard that before! Hope it works for you!

[Hidden]

What paper would that be, because I would have thought you should only use it if required.

[yaf_user681_3150]

Katina, it's in the Daily Express, page 35. "" Your Health"", item 8.

It says lung function is at its worst around 2am and so on.

UPDATE: found it online, here's copy/paste of it:

8 Take asthma pump before bedtime

Reason: Attacks are worse at night

About 10 million people in the UK have asthma including more than a million children and we have some of the highest rates of the disease in the world.

One way to keep symptoms at bay may be to make sure you follow any instructions that recommend using an asthma inhaler before bedtime.

That is because lung function is at its worst at around 2am which explains why many sufferers have wheezing and attacks in the middle of the night.

Taking preventive medicine keeps the airways open through the night.

[angievere]

My son was prescribed puff of ventolin and puff of preventer at bedtime when he was first diagnosed. He just takes preventer now and uses ventolin when he is wheezy etc.

I often take ventolin before I go to sleep because I start feeling a bit 'tight' before I settle down.

[Hidden]

I've done that before when having a generally bad time and waking up a lot and it seems to help me sleep for longer without waking up if I've had ventolin straight before going to bed.

[yaf_user681_4328]

yep I have a 2-4am cough wheeze wake up call.

so had a try the Ventolin before bed thing

works a bit

[Hidden]

I have been advised to take 2 puffs ventolin to open the airways and then 2 puffs of preventer at night (and again in the morning) - the preventer works for 12 hours to keep airways open whereas the reliever is more immediate and wears off after an hour or two. So it depends on what time you go to bed as to whether the reliever will help the longer you have been asleep - I went to bed at 9 last night as I was exhausted after a day travelling from Birmingham to London and back for work. When I first started on the preventer (seretide) it gave me the wobbles but I soon got used to it, but the ventolin does keep me awake I think. Always have trouble dropping off though!

Karen

[Hidden]

um is this just me? reading the copy and paste bit, it seems to be talking more of taking preventer in the evening (wich i imagine anyone on preventer would do anyway?)

[KateMoss]

Yes, it is better to take a 'Preventer' before going to bed!

Relievers (eg Ventolin) should only really be taken when needed.

Also relievers are generally short acting , around 4 hrs so you will end up having a dip during the night anyway when it wears off.

Preventers can be Steroid inhalers and also long acting bronchodilators such as Serevet which help keep the airways open for around 12 hrs. Steroids dampen down the inflamation.

Kate

[yaf_user681_3150]

Following on from my original post, I did take one puff of Ventolin in bed then laid down. The result is that I did sleep 6 hours without interruption, but I might have done anyway; I sometimes do.

I can only accept this if I sleep through the night for, say, five nights continually. One night can't be taken as successful.

I also routinely take Seratide 250/25 two puffs at 8am & 8pm.

[Hidden]

I take my preventer at night but do have to use my reliever before bed some times ,

as get in to trouble having a bad attack being a dutiful wife oops!!!

[Hidden]

Taking reliever immediately before preventer will help get more preventer drug into the lungs and helps it to be more effective - or so my GP says. He told me it was pointless taking the preventer on its own as it doesn't get down far enough into the lungs to help without the reliever going in first. I also use my spacer at night if feeling tight so I can get more in without making myself cough on deep breaths, especially while I have had laryngitis and my throat keeps closing up!

[Hidden]

bedtime reliever

ohh will try this as just a newly diagnosed asthmatic, i finally manged to get some sleep but tend to then wake at around 5am coughing and take ventolin then, before was awake all night with coughing especially after exercise or if its a really cold day.