Spacer technique

[RD23]

Not sure if people already know this but felt I had to share. After seeing the pharmacist at our doctors, he was bloomin brilliant, he told me that my spacer technique should be different depending on which inhaler I’m using as some require you to breathe it in differently. He’s ordering a device to the doctors so they can check my technique and has also order me a new spacer (link below) that shows if you are breathing through it right to take our inhaler.

aerochambervhc.com

I had no idea that you should change your technique according to the inhaler you’re taking as no one has ever told me this! He said only 8% of people who take inhalers know this, so I’m sharing just incase, like me, you were in the dark.

Please Asthma UK can this information be included on your website? Hopefully all my problems haven’t been down to just not knowing the right technique but knowing sooner really could have helped. Apologies if this info is already there and I’ve missed it.

[-Butterfly-]

How can you use it differently? And how do you know what technique to use? Is it on the manufacturers website?

[RD23 in reply to -Butterfly-]

Sorry I can’t be more helpful but just found out today from the pharmacist. He said that some inhalers need different breathing techniques to make sure the dose is taken right. He’s ordering a device to the doctors so he can check my spacer technique but the aerochamber flow vu shows you if your technique is right as the piece in it shouldn’t keep moving. He’s ordered me one so I’ll report back once I’ve tried it.

It might be worth checking with your specialist as I had no idea! Let me know how you get on

[-Butterfly- in reply to RD23]

I only have a rubbish Gp/nurse combo lol, but i know the pharmacist checked ages ago with something that was like a pf meter, but it gave different ranges for inhaling as some like the dPIs need more of a suck, but that was without a spacer.

Yes I'd be intrigued to know. I'm gonna check out the manufacturers websited and see if I can find anything. Might aswel make myself useful while sofa surfing!

[RD23]

I think that’s what he’s ordering for me to try. It might be worth inquiring about the aerochamber?

[-Butterfly- in reply to RD23]

Yes definately, I need a new one anyway!

[RD23 in reply to -Butterfly-]

Hopefully it helps! I just wanted to share the knowledge 😊

[-Butterfly- in reply to RD23]

Thank you

[Hidden]

My aero chamber plus makes a noise like a whistle if you inhale too quickly. The flow through version has a little plastic bit which drops into place if the seal between your mouth and the device is correct. It also acts as a visual signal that you’ve inhaled correctly. The whistle sound can be heard if you breathe in to quickly as before.

[RD23 in reply to Hidden]

This is what the pharmacist has ordered for me. I didn’t even know you could get it, how silly! I would’ve thought that checking technique is a basic that should be done at appointments.

[Hidden]

It does seem mad that inhaler users aren't shown how to use them properly, it makes a big difference to how much of the drug gets deep into your lungs. My asthma nurse corrected my method many years ago and I had an instant improvement in my asthma at that time.

[RD23 in reply to Hidden]

I had my technique corrected as I was breathing it in too hard but nothing around different techniques for different inhalers and altering the way you breathe them in. Hopefully it will help!

[RuralLad]

The problem for me is that very often using my reliever inhaler (I don't have a preventer), the very act of breathing it in properly brings about a coughing bout so bad that it has no chance of actually getting down to my lungs at all! Has anyone found a way round that?

[Hidden in reply to RuralLad]

Yes. Use an aero chamber with a face mask and practice tidal breathing. Recommend to me by an A and E doctor who also had asthma - so he had practical as well as medical knowledge!

[RuralLad in reply to Hidden]

Excellent, thanks, will certainly ask my practice nurse for that

[Hidden]

I’ve ordered my spacers through amazon. The only one available to me on the nhs was the volumatic. On diagnosis of asthma the asthma nurse showed me how to use an inhaler with a spacer. As I didn’t like the size of the volumatic, I ordered the aero chamber plus. I’ve since orders an able spacer for my handbag as I can store my inhaler inside it and it’s small enough to not take up extra room in my handbag or pocket.

The asthma uk site has videos of how to use and care for a spacer.

It would seem that asthma care varies greatly and I’ve got lucky with my asthma nurse.