New Inhaler

[Scoobs87]

Hi all. I am going to be starting a new inhaler called Spiriva Respimat, 2.5mcg. This is in addition to my ventolin, fostair and montelukast. Has any one had any experience with this inhaler & whats been the outcome on it. Any help appreciated. Many thanks

[Minushabens]

Hi. Yes I use it. I was put on it by my consultant a year or so back. I think it’s a long-acting bronchodilator & I’ve had no trouble with it. The only thing I’d complain about is that the unit can be tricky to assemble.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Minushabens]

I’ve managed to assemble it no problem. Have your symptoms significantly improved whilst using it.

[Minushabens in reply to Scoobs87]

Not significantly improved, but I have various issues going on that are hitting my asthma, so probably fair to say that it has helped me stay stable.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Minushabens]

Until I ended up with chostocondritis, I had not been having any issues. Was diagnosed with that in October, then beginning of November, I started to get more & more breathless. Had a chest infection, thought after that it would be fine. But I am fine on prednisolone. Take me off them, then I feel like I am back to square one.

[Minushabens in reply to Scoobs87]

I think that the point of it is to provide top-up treatment. I guess ideally to keep people off prednisolone so maybe that’s what they are trying?

[M-D-F]

I am also on this drug, as already said it's tricky to assemble, sometimes I cough it back.

Whether it is helping me I couldn't say!

[Scoobs87 in reply to M-D-F]

Have you been on it long, apart from the cough, have you had any other side effects that I should be aware of.

[M-D-F]

At least two years, when I say cough I mean I "splurt it back", if there are side effects I haven't noticed.

[Scoobs87 in reply to M-D-F]

If you don’t mind asking, what is your ailment, I only ask because it is used for COPD aswell, I’ve just been told I have difficult asthma & this was prescribed to me by my respiratory consultant on Tuesday.

[M-D-F]

Brittle Asthma, can't get out of bed disease, and don't like cold weather syndrome, plus any other wimpy problem, unfortunately there is no known cure for they last three!!!!

[Scoobs87 in reply to M-D-F]

Brittle asthma sounds terrible. I have been following a girl on YouTube with brittle asthma, and It looks like it can be very difficult to deal with.

[M-D-F]

There is Two sorts I have the lesser type, my peak flow morning 170 now 210, on that I can cycle moderately, and have no difficulty climbing stairs.

I don't want to belittle anyone but my biggest problem is worry/panic, if I cough or wheeze, I have convince my brain that it is not an attack. If I go out without a blue inhaler then the worry factor goes up one notch even though I'm not going to need it.

[Scoobs87 in reply to M-D-F]

I know what you mean, if I am without my inhaler. I feel it makes me a bit panicky. My peak flow has been at 350 quite a lot.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have annoying asthma with admissions/daily symptoms which has been described as brittle. I call it weird- my peak flow.doesn't do the expected things but I can't control the.asthma well on Fostair Nexthaler 200/6, Phyllocontin, and Spiriva Respimat. Used to be on pred a lot but we have found it doesn't work all that well a lot of the time.

Spiriva Respimat was added trying to get things a little more controlled. I was on the Handihaler version before but asked to come off as it did nothing. I thought Spiriva Respimat was similar and asked to.come off but told no as it's good for non-allergic, non-eosinophilic asthma like mine.

Very glad they didn't listen to me on this! My GP surgery messed up a prescription last year and I quickly found that yes the Respimat had been doing something. With rubbish control I tend to judge my medications by what happens if I don't have them (not usually tried on purpoe except before a test).

I agree it is hard to put together (and they think this is a good idea for older people with COPD?!). Did you have someone showing you how to use it? I am normally good with that but needed the nurse's demonstration. I also think for a while I wasn't inhaling/holding breath properly which made.it less effective, so make sure someone checks that if you find it's not helping much.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Lysistrata]

I will do, it seems pretty straight forward to use, I’ll just be glad if it helps. I am just wanting some sort of relief at the moment. My mum said she was worried, because I was tired a lot. Obviously if you aren’t breathing great, you are going to be more tired. I am just hoping now, that I have been told that it is difficult asthma. I may now have something that is going to help me in the long-term. Just another medication to add to the pile. Lol

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Scoobs87]

Crossing fingers! Asthma is very tiring especially if persistent and difficult.

I hope the Spiriva helps. I tend to find bad habits creep in with my inhaler technique even though I am generally good, so it is always worth checking (or the asthma nurse should as they know about tnings slipping if you don't check). I recently had a very useful lesson on optimal techniques for Ventolin and using spacers from the specialist nurse, even though I have been using Ventolin many times a day with a spacer for years!

Definitely find every.little helps but it csn take a bit of time to work out how your asthma behaves, which may be very different from someone else's.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Lysistrata]

I’ve had asthma for a no of yrs now. But, all of a sudden, I picked up a bug or infection. And now I’ve been like this, I am hoping that maybe as we get to spring, then it may setttle down.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Lysistrata]

How do you take it. 2 puffs in the morning. Or one in morning One at night.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Scoobs87]

2 in the morning which seems right according to box/nurse.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Lysistrata]

I was told it acts in addition to my fostair, but opens airways more.

[M-D-F in reply to Scoobs87]

Also two in the morning.

[Scoobs87 in reply to M-D-F]

I’ll see how it goes. Hope it gives some relief, and means I won’t need prednisolone again

[QuietChest3]

Yes and it made a difference

Originally licensed for COPD but now used as a asthma drug in certain cases.

[Scoobs87 in reply to QuietChest3]

How long was it before you noticed a difference.

[QuietChest3]

A couple of weeks. Morning peak flow increased and exercise tolerance increased

[Scoobs87 in reply to QuietChest3]

I’m only 31 and feel like an 80yr old. I’d like to get round the house without being knackered.

[Elderasthmatic in reply to Scoobs87]

I'm 82 and have managed my asthma with Buteyko shallow breathing. Look it up. Prednisone gave a bit of relief but no permanent help. I also take a low dose of Pulmicort twice a day and occasional ventolin once to twice a day. The shallow breathing has changed my life for the better. Very rarely now I need 10 mgm of pred for 3 or 4 days but as long as my breathing is controlled, I am doing quite well and sleep thru the night. Also I have learned to breathe only with my mouth closed. Hope this helps a bit.

[QuietChest3]

I know I was younger than you when my asthma deteriorated. I do have bad times and it’s hard when you can’t even manage to do basic tasks.

Hope it gets better soon.

[Scoobs87 in reply to QuietChest3]

So do I. Have you learned to try and cope with it.

[QuietChest3 in reply to Scoobs87]

I suppose so I still have good and bad days

[S4r4L0u153]

I have been on it a few years, along with Flutiform, montelukast, Fluticasone nasal spray, and fexofenadine. I found Spiriva increased my peak flow, and I haven't had any oral steroids since going on it. X

[Scoobs87 in reply to S4r4L0u153]

So it’s really helped then. I’ve been in oral steroids 3 times since end of November, and taken into hospital once. Hopefully it gives relief. X

[S4r4L0u153 in reply to Scoobs87]

I hope it improves things for you too.x

[angievere]

I’m on Spiriva and it has really helped. Hope it works for you. x

[Scoobs87 in reply to angievere]

Thank you. X

[Doodles65]

I’ve been on it since October and take it with fostair 200/6 and montelukast. it’s made a huge difference, now hardly ever need to use my ventolin and any coughing attacks will subside on their own . I can go out and about without being in constant fear of something triggering my asthma and needing my ventolin a lot and wondering whether or not I will need a nebuliser or have to go to a and e! The only side effect I’ve noticed is a croaky voice but it’s a small price to pay. Hope you find it as effective as I have .

[Scoobs87 in reply to Doodles65]

That’s good to know. Cos your on exactly the same medication I am. How long did it take you to feel better taking it. X

[Doodles65 in reply to Scoobs87]

To be honest I can’t exactly remember! Think it was within a month, I started to realise that I hadn’t needed the ventolin in a while. I’m just hoping I dont catch the cold/ flu bugs that are going around, especially as I work in a GPs surgery! So far so good though!

[Scoobs87 in reply to Doodles65]

That’s good to hear. I have been using the ventolin quite a lot & I’ve got quite shaky and had palpitations a few times. So I’m hoping it may sort this out. Xx

[Emily-G]

Hi

Im on my second month of it. I think I was prescribed it to try to keep me off pred. I take relvar Ellipta, accolate, fexofenadine, salbutamol and have epipens. My peak flow is generally all over the place and always much lower in the mornings - so far (fingers crossed etc) my peak flow is up out of red zone most mornings now. 😊 I am happy with it so far. I have severe persistent with loads of allergy so am waiting to see how it goes when the tree pollen starts.

I felt a bit spaced out the first few days I took it but that passed quickly (could ve been a virus and nothing to do with the spiriva)

Hope it helps you good luck xxx

[Punkgirl94]

I’m on spiriva and I’ve found it really helps, I’ve gone from not being able to laugh without an attack to being able to laugh. Hope it works for you

[Keithr24]

Was started on this in August and it was and has been one of the best inhalers for me. Easy to use and rally helped pf. All the best with it

[Joan_Public]

Hello, I use the Spiririva HandiHaler. The little capsules can be a bit fiddly, but I definitely notice the difference with this one. Been on it about 3 years now. The main issue for me has been dry mouth.

Hope it works for you, Scoobs.

Agree with other posts about the TIRED thing! Although I am not brittle, just severe allergic...

[Scoobs87 in reply to Joan_Public]

I’ve always had a dry mouth with inhaler. But this is added in, now I’ve been diagnosed with difficult asthma.

[Joan_Public]

Do you think Spiriva is worse than the rest for dry mouth? I read this can lead to dental probs.

I think "Difficult" is a horrid name. I (well, my asthma, but it sort of felt like me) was "difficult" according to the gp. Got sent to the "difficult asthma clinic" and since then I am "severe". I don't get the difference, as things have actually improved since seeing new cons, but "difficult" just seems like such a negative word.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Joan_Public]

I think it’s when they can’t properly treat it. So you need more than one steroid. Hence the difficult.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Scoobs87]

Spiriva does cause dry mouth because of the drug class it is in - the way it works leads to other effects like dry mouth. I gargle with water afterwards like I do after my Fostair which may help.

I have also had my asthma described as difficult but also as brittle - sometimes that is used to describe any unstable asthma that can't be controlled, and sometimes used specifically for where there is wide peak flow variation. My asthma fluctuates and I often have attacks even on all the treatment, but I do not have the peak flow variation. There's a lot of debate on it! Pretty sure most of my cons thought I was the difficult one for not getting any better. It has often felt like they blame me not my lungs! Not the current one so far though.

[Scoobs87 in reply to Joan_Public]

If I agree. Difficult asthma like the can’t give you a definite diagnosis.

[Aido101]

I have this for my asthma. I am also on Relvar Ellipta Inhaler (2 puffs in morning, 184mg x 22mg )

Singulair Tablet (1 at night before bed)

Avamys Spray (2 sprays in morning and 2 sprays at night)

Otrivine Antistin ( As required)

Ventolin Inhaler (As required

Deltacortril (15mg once daily for a month)

Xolair (Transfusion once monthly)

I found this inhaler very good the one thing is they are hoping to take me off pred once I am controlled on Xolair

[Joan_Public]

I am due to start Xoliar in the next few weeks. 3 courses of steroids since Nov. I also take seretide, flixotide, spiriva, intal, beconase and brycanyl + bricanyl nebs and saline. Really hoping I can cut down on the steroids...

Glad that Spiriva is helping other folks to. I know it is working because on the few times I have missed a dose, I have felt terrible breathless the next day.

Keep well everyone.

[Wheezebag13]

Hi, great to read all the positive comments as I too have just started on Spririva, and my peak flow has already slightly improved after a few days of use. After a bout of pneumonia and a stay in hospital I am under the hospital's respiratory team and they have been great in introducing new drugs to try and control my asthma whereas my local gp practice seemt a bit set in their ways and didn't suggest alternatives.