Asthma pumps - any help??

[bluesky8_]

Hi guys,

I’ve always had problems with my chest, shortness of breath and heaviness. My mum has asthma so, it was no surprise when the doctor suspected I have asthma or at least, hay fever that severely effects my breathing.

Anyway, I have a blue inhaler and brown inhaler. My mum and I are having the same argument on whether you take the blue pump or brown pump first?!?! Now I understand the purpose of the pumps but, brown is daily use. However, the doctor ask that I take both pumps twice a day (2 pumps of each morning snd night) but, still use blue pump if needed - any chest tightness, pain etc.

I’ve been using the blue pump first and then brown but, my mum is convinced that it isn’t the right way around so, now I’m so confused! Does anyone know???

Thanks

[Mariachristina76]

I take blue first and than the brown one was told by the asthmas nurse always drink water after taking the brown inhaler

[bluesky8_ in reply to Mariachristina76]

Thank you! Yeah I always make sure to rinse out my mouth due to the steroids

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

Truthfully for most people it doesn’t matter. Some people get told to use blue before brown to open the airways up and relax them so that the steroid inhaler can ‘get deeper’ in the lungs. Ideally, if it turns out that you do have asthma, you won’t be needing your blue inhaler every day. A controlled asthmatic doesn’t need their reliever inhaler cause the preventer meds should stop all issues (you’re classed as uncontrolled if you’re needing salbutamol 3+ times a week).

I’m assuming you’ve also been asked to track your peak flow 😉.

Hope this helps

[Troilus]

I was told blue first then wait a little while, then the preventer ( brown. )I was told this was to ensure the airways were open to ensure the preventer got where it was supposed to go.

[bluesky8_ in reply to Troilus]

Thank you!!! I knew I wasn’t wrong haha my mum keeps saying to check it and I knew it

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to bluesky8_]

😂😂😂 go ‘ner-nikki-ner-ner’ at her 😉😂

[Thomas45]

That's what I used to do, blue first then brown, but then was told I should only take blue when absolutely necessary, and then no more than 3 times a week. And that's what I do My brown one two puffs spaced about two minutes apart,twice a day and only take the blue if absolutely necessary,which normally is less than once a week.

I should add that we are all different. I've been treated for asthma for 46 years. I do however find it strange that any doctor has prescribed a blue inhaler for two puffs twice a day. Does it say that on the pharmacy label on the inhaler or inhaler packaging?

[SE71]

Hello blue sky8. Sorry you feel like this. I know how you feel. When my Asthma started to progressively get worse 3 years ago, I was given the Brown pump and was told to take two puffs a day at night as a preventer and to use my blue reliever as and when I needed to. It's best to follow what your GP has said as each direction is specifically given to each patient. Since then my meds have been tweeked thanks to me being referred to the Thoracics Department at my hospital. I think you need to keep going back to your GP and tell them that you symptoms are not getting any better. Ask them if they can refer you to the Thoracic department who have specialists in Asthma. I am now on maximum medication for my Asthma. Asthmatics have a weakened immune system so we are more prone to catching chest infections. Maybe you cld ask your GP to check you up again? Hope you feel some relief soon. Its important that you keep going back to your GP if your symptoms are not getting any better.