Recording Medication Use...

[CliffyBiro]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone try to record their use of inhalers (or other medication)?

I've seen logs on asthma plans for recording peak flow but never anything about recording when you're taking inhalers...

It seems like it would be useful to know how often you need to use a reliever inhaler for example, or what time of day etc.

I just wanted to hear if others are trying to record this and if they found it was helpful.

Thanks!!

[starveycat]

Hi CliffyBiro, I just jot down in my diary when I use my reliever inhaler it just lets me know how I am so if when I go for a review I can let them know hope this helps

[CliffyBiro in reply to starveycat]

Thanks Starveycat,

Yes it sounds useful for a review so you can have a proper discussion about when you needed to use a reliever. As I've never had the info in front on me before to have a proper discussion about this before

[elanaoali]

I have been writing down every day how I feel in a note book (this includes the weather, if I used my Ventolin inhaler) as well as doing my peak flow. This is due to mainly having my first ever asthma attack just over 5 wks ago. I had mild asthma for 10 yrs and only used a Ventolin inhaler if I had symptoms.

I am now on seretide inhaler 250mg 2 puffs twice a day which I being taking for the last 19 days. Unfortunately it gave me oral thrush a week ago but I getting better from that. I also got a cold and cough at the moment so I am keeping a close eye on my symptoms.It really helped me to see how much better I am now then back then. My chest was very sore and my asthma nurse said it would take a long time for it to settle down as I was so low after the asthma attack. I am not due to go back to my see my GP for another 10 weeks for a review. That too is much better so its definitely worth doing for me.

[CliffyBiro in reply to elanaoali]

Hi elanaoali,

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Sorry to hear about the recent attack but good to hear that things are getting better.

Recording the weather sounds like a sensible idea as I think the cold air or changes can affect me quite a bit.

[Lil_tinx66]

I used to use an app called inhaler tracker I think it cost me 79p or something a few years ago, can still download from App Store if you have an apple device, the logo is a red inhaler in a white square. It lets you set up multiple inhalers (incl images which is brilliant to identify them especially if like me you have relievers dotted all over! To record tap the one you use each time you take a dose, you can then look back at the history and even use it to monitor the doses left in your inhaler via a colour coded system(if your inhalers don't have counters) I found it useful to monitor when my inhalers would run out and when I was using my reliever the most.

There are plenty of other Apple/android apps available so it might be worth having a look around at a few, see what suits you. As others have said above there's also the good trusty pen and paper/diary, it's really a personal preference as to what you prefer.

[CliffyBiro in reply to Lil_tinx66]

Brilliant, thanks I hadn't seen any apps for this before so I will go and have a look. Definitely useful to track different inhalers and I also liked the counter option. Sounds helpful.

Thanks!