Inhalers

[Beruska3]

Hello,I have had asthma flare up after my second covid vaccine pfizer 4 weeks ago and as I'm New to asthma I never really used brown inhaler fully. I spoke to asthma nurse today very kind lady. She said I must do something about it as it won't go away. I only started having asthma last August due to our guinea pigs hay so used blue inhaler and brown only 5 days after which I couldn't breathe in and panicked almost wanted to go to A&E but due to terrible covid situation in uk I decided to calm down and stopped brown inhaler and also oral steroids that gp gave me after telling her I can't breathe in. We rehomed guinea pigs and my wheezing went away so I didn't need the brown powdered inhaler anymore. Today I told everything to the lovely nurse and she said I might need trial of new ideally aerosol with spacer. I have no idea how to use spacer and where to get it. I'm calling Gp tomorrow to get more help but frustrated as I can't see face to face to show me how to use all the equipment..also my question was whether the brown powdered inhaler and oral tablets could cause that breathing spasms (as it appeared few days After taking them) or would that be a coincidence as it cleared up (thanks god as it was terrible)5 days after stopping the steroid inhaler. I also suffer with health anxiety and breathing issues due to anxiety however deep breathing exercises didn't help at that time. I'm really petrified what if I'm going to react to new brown inhaler again and my asthma will bother me. Mind I have milder (but very bad when guinea pigs were in the house)form but still I need help as it annoys me during the day...I just want to get better..

Thank you for any encouraging comments here. I'm just such a worrier

[Poobah]

Being new to asthma can be overwhelming and it's a steep learning curve. You can always ask questions here on the forum or talk to one of the Asthma UK nurses if you want to talk through your concerns, whether that's about your symptoms or your medication. Especially important when everything is new to you. They are extremely helpful. Contact details, asthma.org.uk/about/contact/

I found a link to a film on YouTube about inhaler/spacer technique, youtu.be/KNzMdBSpB0A(Not working as expected?)

Your GP should prescribe the spacer when they prescribe the new inhaler. You're clearly worried about the effect your new inhaler will have on you.

As you're so new to this you could ask for another face to face appointment with your asthma nurse and take along the new inhaler and spacer, once you pick them up from the pharmacy, in order to have the asthma nurse monitor your first dose and the effect on you. They can do a peak flow test before and after you take the inhaler in order to see if there's a good or negative effect (if any). It will help put your mind to rest that the medication is OK for you. They can also help you with the correct inhaler/spacer technique.

Here's a little film about peak flow meters that asthmatics use to measuretheir lung capacity, youtu.be/jdA8KU_D9JU(Not working as expected?)

Never hesitate to ask for help or to share your concerns. All the best.

[Beruska3 in reply to Poobah]

Thank you so much for all the info xx

[twinkly29]

Yes agree with Poobah!

This might be useful to you too:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...