Worried about taking brown inhaler

[NM13]

I was told in my blow tests my lung function was good, then given a peak flow to measure for 3 weeks

I got called in to nurse and she said my reading were up and down so I was prescribed a brown and blue inhaler. I have been reading up about asthma and it says you are usually given the blue one first to see how often you use it before being given the Brown one ? Can anyone relate to this? I don't want to be taking a steroid inhaler if I don't need it as my body will get used to it surely?

Thanks in advance ,by the way I am paranoid about everything to do with my health 😐

[Minushabens]

Try not to worry too much! There's no truth at all in the idea that they will always give you a blue one first - they might in some cases, but as they only give short-term relief, they don't tell the doctors a great deal other than (possibly) confirming they are dealing with asthma. The blow tests (I'm guessing it was a spirometry test) might have already told them that in any event, so there would really be no clinical reason not to get you going on a brown one.

The brown one is what will help you over the long-term. It is generally a lot better for you than trying to manage your symptoms with a reliever (blue) & the dose of steroids is relatively low, the inhalers have been tried and tested over many years. and will do far more good than harm to you.

[NM13 in reply to Minushabens]

Ah ok Thank you,it was a spirometry test yes.

It was that test that she said I had good lung capacity which looking back now I should have asked why I need an inhaler then,when I was given it on Monday

You always think of things after the event.

[Minushabens in reply to NM13]

Spirometry tests various things, so it’s more complicated than just good or bad. Crucially though it was very likely in your case looking at whether or not your lungs react to a bronchodilator (the blue inhaler). If they decided that your symptoms were improved by taking it, that’s a big clue that you have asthma.

[NM13 in reply to Minushabens]

Thank-you for your advice.

Sorry I fell back to sleep, will have to look if sleeping is a side affect 😃

[hypercat54]

Hi inhalers aren't like meds in that you can become used to it so it becomes less effective. The brown one is a preventer ie it opens your airways up. The blue one is a reliever which you use as and when needed. If the preventer is doing it's job properly you won't need to use the reliever one much.

I wasn't aware there were any steroids in the brown one? If there is then it is going to be so low as to be neglible and won't adversely affect you at all. x

[NM13 in reply to hypercat54]

Ah thank-you, it was the steroid thing that panicked me!

[Superzob in reply to NM13]

Just think on the bright side: with enough of the steroid inhaler, you should be able to win the Tour de France (but only if you can ride a bike first)!

[jogger1]

oh yeah, I was diagnosed 3 years ago, I'm 52. The GP put me on brown and blue straight away as well. I was on them for at least 12 months before the practice nurse called me in to say that I should not be on the inhaler. Your GP should be trying other inhalers first. Get an appointment with practice nurse or asthma nurse if there is one at your GP and discuss your concerns. GP's are not really clued up on asthma but your practice nurse should give you a management plan and review your inhalers

[jogger1 in reply to jogger1]

oh yeah, the brown one does have steroids in it. You may eventually need this but guidelines say that others should be tried first, good luck and remember you know your body not your GP

[NM13]

Thank you

It was the nurse who gave me them through my doctor.

I'm getting a call later from nurse so I will ask the question

[Atom1]

Clenil made me very ill due to the steroids. Mild or not. Everyone reacts differently. Nasal sprays with steroids have the same effect on me.

[NM13 in reply to Atom1]

Oh no hope you are ok now

[Atom1 in reply to NM13]

Getting their. Thanks.

[Chip_y2kuk]

I have good lung function but was born asthmatic.

The blue inhaler works by relaxing muscles and provides short term quick relief

The brown is a steroid and will reverse the inflammation but at a slower rate over a longer period of time than other methods steroid tablets for example... the wonderful things about steroid Inhalers are the doses are so small and delivered directly to the lungs (meaning normally not much if any ends up elsewhere, in the blood stream for example)

I wouldn't be concerned about taking steroid inhalers I'm on my 5th at pretty high doses... after various issues with my asthma getting worse

Chip

[NM13 in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thank-you

I have spoke to the nurse and she too has reassured me,

Thanks again.

[Gerrymoise]

Hypercat54 is the only advice I agree with. Brown is a preventer and is to stop you needing blue one.

[Ken6]

My doctor did not believe that I was ill, when I described my symptoms. I could not breathe/sleep when lying down. So I bought a blue inhaler and a peak flow meter online. I drew a graph of the readings usually 80 before one puff from the blue inhaler and 300+ after. I took the graph to the doctor and after a spyrommetry test I to was prescribed blue and brown inhalers. Do not forget take the blue one first.

I read somewhere that the blue inhaler is similar to coffee and it stimulates and opens up the airways. With Asthma and COPD the airways/lungs are inflamed and red. The brown inhaler cures the inflammation for a few hours. The brown inhaler has similar ingredients to hay fever cures.

I would think that if your breathing is normal after taking the inhalers you have Asthma.

I was told my breathing is 85% of normal. I have mild COPD and Asthma.

ken

[NM13 in reply to Ken6]

Ah thanks thus has also really helped

Lots if great advice in her.

[Deedee111]

they give both alot of the time as brown one prevents attack sand blue one for all the time side effects alot less compared to oral steriods hope this helps.warm wishes dee

[NM13]

Thank-you