Ventolin Accuhaler

I had to be put on a higher dosage of both my preventer and reliever in the winter because I was becoming progressively worse with the cold air. I've been to the nurse a few times with concerns of using the Accuhaler but nothing was done and she barely helped me in anyway, I don't know how to use it during an attack, the powder normally doesn't all get into my airways and lingers in my mouth which causes me to have a sore throat etc. So I was just wondering if anyone could help me out? I want to try and get a normal inhaler for it but she gave me some rubbish that this is better... dont think so right now. Thanks for your help :)!

[Hidden]

Hi,

I have to use a Turbohaler (also dry powder) reliever as I can't take Ventolin and I used to use an Accuhaler for my Seretide. I can totally relate to the feeling of the powder lingering in the mouth during an attack however the information the nurse has given you contradicts what I have been told - one of the first things my consultant did was to change the Accuhaler to an MDI with a spacer as she said this is a much more effective way of getting it into your airways. The dosage was different (which is why I was originally using an Accuhaler) so I do have to have more puffs of the MDI. Also the advice I have been given with my reliever during an attack is that I may need to take several doses to get the right amount to my airways and I have a Ventolin with spacer for when I am really struggling (even though I have a low tolerance of the drug and my heart literally races).

I'm not sure if I can give you any advice other than the bit about needing more doses (although I suppose this should be discussed with a medical professional). The other thing that I have had done is a test which they do at Boots pharmacy. It looks a bit like a peak flow metre but you breathe in as if you were taking the inhaler. The pharmacist sets it to the right type of inhaler and then they can tell whether you are taking the inhaler correctly (as you can also be too quick). My pharmacist got me to do it normally and then try to replicate how I take it in an attack. The pharmacist I see is quite clued up about different types of inhaler so, while they can't change your prescription, they might be able to give you something to take back to the nurse. If it is possible, you could also see a different nurse/doctor (I have found that often they have different opinions) or they may be able to explain the reasons for you being on the inhaler in more detail.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

I have to use a Turbohaler (also dry powder) reliever as I can't take Ventolin and I used to use an Accuhaler for my Seretide. I can totally relate to the feeling of the powder lingering in the mouth during an attack however the information the nurse has given you contradicts what I have been told - one of the first things my consultant did was to change the Accuhaler to an MDI with a spacer as she said this is a much more effective way of getting it into your airways. The dosage was different (which is why I was originally using an Accuhaler) so I do have to have more puffs of the MDI. Also the advice I have been given with my reliever during an attack is that I may need to take several doses to get the right amount to my airways and I have a Ventolin with spacer for when I am really struggling (even though I have a low tolerance of the drug and my heart literally races).

I'm not sure if I can give you any advice other than the bit about needing more doses (although I suppose this should be discussed with a medical professional). The other thing that I have had done is a test which they do at Boots pharmacy. It looks a bit like a peak flow metre but you breathe in as if you were taking the inhaler. The pharmacist sets it to the right type of inhaler and then they can tell whether you are taking the inhaler correctly (as you can also be too quick). My pharmacist got me to do it normally and then try to replicate how I take it in an attack. The pharmacist I see is quite clued up about different types of inhaler so, while they can't change your prescription, they might be able to give you something to take back to the nurse. If it is possible, you could also see a different nurse/doctor (I have found that often they have different opinions) or they may be able to explain the reasons for you being on the inhaler in more detail.

Thank you so much! I have to go have my blood pressure checked soon and I see a Doctor so I may just ask then what will be best for me etc. They changed me doses too as they had me on the wrong one anyway so hopefully if I go back now and ask for either more help or a new inhaler it should all be corrected :)!

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I am in the same situation, I am on the ventolin accuhaler too and during attacks I can't breathe in deeply enough to take much medication into my lungs, I would suggest speaking to your nurse about switching to a meter dose inhaler, at least that is what I am going to do.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am in the same situation, I am on the ventolin accuhaler too and during attacks I can't breathe in deeply enough to take much medication into my lungs, I would suggest speaking to your nurse about switching to a meter dose inhaler, at least that is what I am going to do.

Same, I had one not so long ago and really struggled, but I don't even have spare inhalers because they're the old dose which was a quarter of a child's one apparently.. Hopefully she'll change it when I go for separate results because I am definitely struggling haha, thank you for your help!

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My daughter uses accuhaler for both her preventative and reliever but we still have the MDI and spacer to use if she has a proper attack, rather than being just a little wheezy/SOB etc.

Maybe stay on the accuhalers but ask for the MDI and spacer to use in an emergency situation as you are likely to get more into your lungs during an attack this way.

HTH x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My daughter uses accuhaler for both her preventative and reliever but we still have the MDI and spacer to use if she has a proper attack, rather than being just a little wheezy/SOB etc.

Maybe stay on the accuhalers but ask for the MDI and spacer to use in an emergency situation as you are likely to get more into your lungs during an attack this way.

HTH x

Is the MDI the normal 'pump' inhaler? And I also have a strange spacer that makes a noise if I take incorrectly, but in an attack it rings out so I used to just use the inhaler directly into my mouth so I'm considering asking for the clear big spacer to use with my preventer too. Thank you so much for your help :)!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Is the MDI the normal 'pump' inhaler? And I also have a strange spacer that makes a noise if I take incorrectly, but in an attack it rings out so I used to just use the inhaler directly into my mouth so I'm considering asking for the clear big spacer to use with my preventer too. Thank you so much for your help :)!

Even if your spacer make a lot of noise when you take your inhaler during an attack, you still get more of the medecine in your lungs than just using the inhaler directly in your mouth.

[budgy]

I specifically requested powder inhalers as I eventually started to react to the CFC-free versions but had no problems with the old CFC based ones. I suspect there may be a generation of people having these problems, not having known the original CFC versions, which were completely harmless as medications, but we were conned into believing that the tiny amounts used would cause global warming. It is funny that ships and aeroplanes are still complelely immune from the main global warming and pollution regulations as there is big money involved, but patients' health is not important.

[Tealcheese in reply to budgy]

Hi Budgy, I know this a really old post but hoping you still read the forums.

What sort of reactions did you get the to CFC free inhalers?

I get shakes and palpitations from a MDI inhaler but none or a lot less when take the same drug via a DPI. I have found this out from various inhaler trials I've had. But I am yet to convince the nurse to swap my MDI Ventolin to something in a dry powder or accuhaler.

Thanks!