Few questions on taking the inhalers

[reetm]

Morning all,

As a newbie to taking inhalers for asthma, I was wondering if you could help me. I'm currently taking Qvar 100 2 inhalations twice-A-Day. Could you let me know:

1. In the morning should I take it before or after breakfast?

2. Should I measure my peak flow before or after taking the inhaler?

3. After taking my inhaler I have been recommended to use a mouthwash. Woodwater be sufficient or should I get a proper mouthwash? If so which one should I get?

Sorry for these questions; you can imagine how I'm trying to understand it all. It needs to become a lifestyle for me so then I get used to it. Thank you so much in advance, having this forum has been so valuable to me. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Hi reetm,

I'm not on Qvar, but I have been on other inhalers in the past (including becotide which, like Qvar, contained beclometasone). My routine has always been the same.

1). I use my steroid inhaler (which is what Qvar is) when I first get up in the morning and again in the evening. My routine is to use the inhaler, gargle and rinse out, clean my teeth, and then gargle and rinse out again. The reason rinsing out after using inhalers is important is that it helps to prevent oral thrush, a known common side effect of using steroid inhalers.

2). Peak flow measurements should always be taken before you use your inhalers. The reason is that you need to measure how your asthma is in its natural state, so not how it is after you have taken medication to help control it. I was advised to do three attempts and to record the best one.

3). I've already partially answered this one in no. 1. I find that water and teeth cleaning works for me, but I am also well aware that that is not the case for everyone. You might want to get a variety of answers and look at some of the alternatives before you decide what to do:-).

No need to apologise for asking lots of questions:-). Being a newly diagnosed asthmatic can be a bit bewildering. There are lots of people on this forum who have been through what you are going through now and we all understand what it's like.

Hope this is of some help:-).

[reetm in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Maggie! X

[Hidden in reply to reetm]

You're very welcome:-).

Until you decide what to use as a mouth wash (and it is very important that you do use something, though different asthmatics find different things work best for them) can I suggest that at the very least you do gargle and rinse out with water. The reason for gargling is that it gets the back of the mouth and top of the throat. Just rinsing out won't necessarily do that:-).

[_cherry_]

Hello,

since you should at least rinse your mouth or even better brush your teeth after you use this medication, after breakfast might be more convenient for you.

Peak Flow is measured before taking your medication, especially if you only measure it once per day you need to do it first thing in the morning.

I usually only rinse my mouth with water if I don't brush my teeth afterwards, and water is probably sufficient, however if this is a major concern for you ask your doctor about it.

Hope that helps!

[reetm in reply to _cherry_]

Thank you Cherry for your help

[Hidden]

Reetm, one other thing, if you live in England and you haven't done so already (and you aren't eligible for free prescriptions) you might want to consider whether it would be worth purchasing a pre-payment certificate. These can be bought on line on either an annual or quarterly basis (the annual one is around £104) and once you have one you get prescriptions free for the period covered by the certificate.

[reetm in reply to Hidden]

Well I never knew that this existed! It would've helped me so much with all the medication I have bought since June. I will look into it now thank you so much I really do appreciate all your help

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to reetm]

The yearly one can be broken down into monthly direct debits 10 x 10.40 that's how I do it.... it's saved me a fortune just yesterday I collected 25 quids worth of prescriptions (3 items)

[Hidden]

Hi reetm

Just to add to the helpful advice already given. Take your peak flow before you take your inhalers. We advise you either brush your teeth, rinse out your mouth or gargle and make sure you spit out, after using your preventer inhaler there's a bit more information here bit.ly/2t2juqH. So you can judge whether you'd prefer to do that before or after breakfast. It's people preference whether they use mouthwash or not as rinse/gargle should be ok.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[reetm in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Dita ❤️

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to reetm]

As for gargling I was told a very long time ago as long as you wash any steroid residue away from your mouth so it didn't sit in your mouth and cause thrush it didn't matter whether you drank a hot cup of tea or gargle with water,I always have a cup of tea in the morning and night so take my inhaler before drinking me brew

[Weeannie]

Or I gotta, I have had Asthma for over 30yr and always take it in the morning and then brush my teeth. I would always take a peek flow before I take my inhalers x

[reetm in reply to Weeannie]

Thank you it makes sense x