Ventolin and other Inhalers

[Elspe]

When I was a child ( a little one!) I had fairly constant asthma. At the age of 11 I was diagnosed as having a strong allergy to feathers and wool, among other things. Of course, when I had asthma my mother would wrap me in bedding - wool blankets, feather quilt. Feather pillows. D'oh.

At around that time, I was given an asthma inhaler - I don't remember the name, but I know it contained some version of adrenaline. After some years of doing wonderfully with my asthma - I could walk uphill on a steep road with never a breathless episode, if I took it first... someone in the medical establishment decided those puffers were dangerous, and changed my faithful puffer for a different one. This repeated for some years until I was given Ventolin. Each successive puffer less effective than the previous. Now I use Ventolin alone, as I have allergy issues with all of the preventers we have tried. (I am allergic to lots of things inculding a lot of the vegetable oils often used as emulsifiers and surfactants in inhalers). And now I hear that GPs are refusing to issue Ventolin to those of us on repeat prescriptions because the overuse of it can be "dangerous". If I cannot use a preventer, where does that leave me?

Strange how history repeats itself.

[twinkly29]

It certainly can be dangerous having only ventolin. This is backed up in the latest guidance Risabel shared yesterday. It's because ventolin is a short acting bronchodilator and does nothing to reduce underlying inflammation, merely relieves surface symptoms.

However, if a consultant decides on a plan in a very unusual situation such as yours then GPs would or should follow that plan. If you are not under a consultant you should be because it's not a normal management situation.

Most people absolutely can have preventer medication of some kind, even if it involves lengthy (ie a couple of months at a time) monitored trials to check effectiveness and to find the right one - hence the new guidelines because that is achievable for most. But as I say, a consultant can alter things to suit individuals where necessary and GPs would then follow that advice.

[risabel59]

Hello, totally agree with twinkly, However you should know that there are some inhalers that don't have preservatives, and there are now a huge range of different ones. Dry powder inhalers as well as Meter dose inhalers. It is often the preservatives in inhalers that tend to cause trouble.

Taking Ventolin alone is not a way forward, if you are using a lot, your asthma is not controlled and overuse of Ventolin itself can have long term effects on heart function as well as not having any effect on the inflammation in your lungs.

Which is why all the doctors are trying to get people to take inhaled corticosteroids, and now preferably use a steroid with a Long Acting Broncholdilator, as reliever and a daily treatment.

There are now a lot of different treatments that you may not have tried that could possibly work. Including montelukast tablets, and perhaps even an old fashioned treatment like uniphyllin. Although a corticosteroid inhaler is now the first line treatment for any asthma.

If you can't get to see your doctor. Why not talk to one of the asthma nurses on the Help line, they are very helpful.

I am sorry this may seem so negative.

But perhaps you just haven't found the right medicine yet.

R

[Gwalltarian]

I too was severely asthmatic as a child and had no pump or inhaler until I was 14. A Medihaler isoprenaline sulphate - it was magic, one or at most 2 puffs at the onset of an asthma attack and I could breathe easily. Later, I was using ventolin - not nearly as effective - like you - I had a problem with steroid inhalers - and a consultant gave me the impression that it was dangerous to use ventolin and so I tried to wean myself off it. This became apparent in an asthma review and I was sent back to see the asthma nurse in the hospital. I was to keep using ventolin - it was even more damaging not to use it, what the consultant had meant was that I should also be using some steroid inhaler. The danger lies in not treating the inflammation though I too have had endless issues with steroid inhalers whether mdi or dry powder.

[Poobah]

I don't tolerate veggie oils etc either. I'm now on dry powder Fostair and have found it to be an excellent treatment. I've been able to get my Ventolin (dry powder) use down to about 1 dose a week - something of a miracle. But I do avoid omega 6 foods (including veg oils), sulphites, preservatives & alcohol (& carbs).

Despite my many intolerances I've been able to find good asthma treatment, by exploring the options with my asthma nurse. It's been trial & error over several years, but it's been worth it. Don't give up.

[Elspe in reply to Poobah]

That's helpful, Poobah. Thank you.

[Claire_ALUK Partner ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi Elspe, we'd be happy to speak to you about this if you want to give us a ring sometime 0300 2225800 M-F 0915-445

Best Wishes

Claire

[janet1944]

Hi Elspe I have used Ventolin for many years, it’s instant relief, a few months ago CFC S were banned and now I find Ventolin Useless, the reason being I have Emphysema and I’m sure feeling like I’m in my last stage, therefore NO strength in my lungs to draw Ventolin into my lungs, without the OOmph of the CFC it’s useless. But what else is there, Those who decided on this action didn’t give a thought for people like me , and others with the same problem. I did pay to see a Consultant,to no avail.I hope you’re soon sorted out and happy with your medications.

[Elspe]

I've had a few inhalers with dry powder, but I always seem to get thrush from them. Even after gargling LOL.

[OMARDAMIR]

good evening.could anybody say what is dry powder?

[twinkly29 in reply to OMARDAMIR]

They are a type of inhaler, or rather the form the medicine comes in. Most inhalers (both preventer inhalers and relief inhalers) are MDIs (metered dose inhalers) which are inhalers to press. But some are made with dry powder (often called DPIs) which you suck instead of pressing to make them work.

[JackLina]

My experience exactly apart from being refused the prescription. I actually stopped ordering because it was clear that the allergy i thought it was preventing was being caused by the drug itself....or the carrier. I don't know which but I know I'm better without any and my breathing problems are not associated with asthma.