Asthma Spacer

[SpacerTeam]

I do in fact have asthma. I'm not having issues managing it, I actually am performing some research for a project. I needed some opinions and experiences of people who have used spacers so I have some idea into the types of problems with spacers I should be researching. I hope that this doesn't bother anyone because it is purely research

Back to why I'm posting again:

Since you guys have a lot of knowledge on asthma do any of you guys experience issues with your spacer? If you can send a picture of the type of spacer you have that would really help

Do you carry your spacer around with you? Or do you leave it at home?

If you had asthma when you were a child, tell me some problems you had with the spacer until you were old enough to manage the problem yourself?

Thank you guys ^-^

-Minoli

[Wheezycat]

Just one small response: I used to use a spacer as I could not take Clenil without using one. Clenil always made me cough, but not so badly when I used a spacer. To begin with I used the giant one. It worked, and I realised Ventolin worked better with it, too, but was a right pain to take around with me, so a changed to a small one, can't remember the name, a tube with blue ends, that whistles if you breathe in too hard. It was so much better, as I could easily carry it around with me. I no longer use either as I am now on an inhaler which is never used with a spacer.

[DeanSamson in reply to Wheezycat]

HI,

Iv had asthma for over since i was born basically. My mother said they diagnosed me at 6 month old I'm not 33. Iv never ever used a spacer. Simply because I never got shown one untill a few years ago. So I thought well iv gone this long I'm not going to bother. My son uses one tho. I think there good for young children. I'm now on symbicort which doesn't require a inhaler.

Thanks

Dean

[lejaya]

I am 35 and I use a spacer with my ventolin I get alot of mucus plugs (sorry) so I find using a spacer easier. I have 3 spacers a small one at work and 2 large volumatic ones at home

[RM19]

Hi, I've had asthma since I was in my early 20's, I've had it now for 20 years. my triggers are predominantly environmental /air born so carrying my spacer around with me is essential-

Issues depending on how bad the attack sometimes the spacer doesn't grab the asthma attack as quickly as you'd like. I do use it for both fostair and different spacer for ventolin.

[Gareth57]

I currently use inhalers which do not have the gas propellant which means no spacer required, I much prefer them

[AbsTan]

I carry a spacer most of the time. A smaller one (as described above blue and whistles if used too loudly) if out and about and a larger volumatic at home. If I am very well controlled I will go out with just a reliever if just for a night out etc... but rarely nowadays

[LittleMissFaffALot]

I've been diagnosed asthmatic now for nearly 30 years.

I never used to use a spacer, in fact i used to be on inhalers which you couldn't use a spacer with.

About 3-4 years ago i was changed to inhalers which can use spacers but initially i wasn't told / recomended to / shown how. I saw a specialist pharmacist who suggested i use a spacer, especially with my preventer. For over 2 years now i've had voice problems and ENT are convinced it's at least exacerbated, if not caused by my inhalers (which i don't entirely agree with) and they insisted i use a spacer. I was prescribed an aerochamber but discovered online the Able Spacer which is small volume but comes apart to store an inhaler inside. I now use it all the time, except when i'm out running so carrying only a small belt which fits just the essentials.

At first i was embarrassed using my spacer in public but now i don't care, especially cos it's not too big.

[Egret_J]

Hi I use a spacer with my two preventer inhalers and my reliever. I find it easier to take my medication with the spacer because I don't have to worry about coordinating the inbreath and activation of the inhaler.

One preventer (alvesco) has a round mouthpiece while the other, Flutiform, has a more rectangular mouthpiece. The spacers I use (Able in two sizes) are flexible enough to cope with both shapes.

I bring the smaller able spacer out and about. I prefer the larger one but it is a bit bulky to carry so keep it at home.

I find cleaning the spacer a chore and don't seem to be able to get all the residue off inside the spacer.

[moogle]

I use Aerochamber plus. The cylinder with blue attachments at both ends.

I found using inhalers on their own difficult. I could co-ordinate BUT the shock of the contents entering my mouth would make me momentary stop inhaling.

Cons are - bulkier to carry inhaler and spacer than just inhaler on own. The spacer takes good 12 hours to dry after washing!

[QuietChest]

I use a volumetric with inhaled steroid. I can't use aerochamber due to latex allergy. Have different delivery mode salbutamol for handbag so not carrying large one in handbag

[KateMoss in reply to QuietChest]

Aerochambers are latex free I am allergic to latex, the info leaflet states it is latex free...