New add on treatment Spiriva

Hello, I'm new to this forum, had asthma for over 30 years, I'm 36 now, but I'm in the middle of a very bad relapse. I've seen the consultant twice in the last 4 weeks. I take seretide 250, singulair, citerizine, nasonex, and now I've been given spiriva as an add on once a day. I thought it was stabilising things but I had another attack on Monday.

I almost got Xolair but I'm far too allergic as my ieg levels in my blood were 1400. I was so disappointed as I thought my life would change for the better if we're to have this new miracle drug

Anyone else have experience of spiriva? According to the leaflet it's for COPD but my go assured me its also used for asthma.

I don't get wheezy just cough a lot then can't breath

Lindsay x

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Hi Lindsay, I have been on spiriva a long time, however I am on the respimat and not the handihaler which has the capsules. It is licensed for COPD as a maintenance therapy (not for acute bronchospasm) but is also prescribed for some people with asthma.

Sorry to hear you havent been able to try xolair, I can imagine thats frustrating. However, its not a miracle drug for everyone who has it. Has the consultant agreed an asthma plan with you?

I hope youre feeling a little better today

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Hiya thanks for your reply. It's the handihaler I've been prescribed. I had a bit of an episode again last night. Had a bad attack Monday. Just don't know why it's so volatile.

No, I don't have an asthma plan and I'm not seeing him until September now. I now realise that Xolair isn't the miracle I was looking for, think I just wanted a way out like most people lol.

I did go out this morning but slept all afternoon, not sure how I'm going to cope being back at work next week.

How long have you been taking it? Xx

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Blimey it's been so long I don't know... Three years maybe? I wouldn't mind a miracle either

Could you do a phased return to work if need be? x

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Possibly but I'm about to get a warning for all the time off I've had, and I have to see occy health Wednesday too

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Hi Chickenlady (love the name btw!),

I have been on the Spiriva Handihaler for about a year and what I found is that it helped me on a day to day basis with my lung function, i.e. my pf went back up to what it used to be a couple of years ago and I can draw breath all the way down into my lungs again, whereas I felt I wasn't getting air right down to the bottom of my lungs before starting on the handihaler (hope that makes sense).

I have to be honest and say its made no difference to my big attacks or day to day asthma breathlessness symptoms as such.

x

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Thanks Angelico :). Yeah I feel like I can breath again but attacks are still happening it's making my throat sore too.

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I had that too!

My pharmacist suggested I tip my head up slightly when I take it (look at the point where the wall joins the ceiling) and its worked a treat

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Ok thanks, ill give it a go