Spacer problem

[Chesca15]

Hi everyone, I’m (very!) newly diagnosed with asthma and I only just got my first steroid inhaler today. I’ve been using a rescue inhaler with an aerochamber spacer for about a month now and have basically got the hang of it.

The thing is, the steroid inhaler has a different shape to the rescue one; instead of a slightly oblong mouthpiece it has a round one. I didn’t think this would be a problem but I can’t get it to slot into my spacer!

Does anyone have any advice? I prefer using a spacer as I’m still getting the hang of timing the spray so I’d like to find a way to make this work.

Thank you!

[twinkly29]

Is your steroid inhaler Qvar? I used to have that and think it has a round mouthpiece and pretty sure I could get it in the spacer (which was an aerochamber) as the bit the inhaler goes in can be manipulated a bit.

[Hidden in reply to twinkly29]

Agree. I’m on Alvesco (ciclesonide) which also has a round mouthpiece and can use it OK with an aerochamber. The bit where the mouthpiece goes in is made of a rubbery material (so not hard plastic) and is malleable enough to allow for different shaped mouthpieces.

[Gareth57]

Is your inhaler a dry powder inhaler without the little gas canister? I ask because mine have a more rounded mouth piece. If it is you don't need the spacer, you just suck the powder into your lungs.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I had Qvar when my pharmacy couldn’t get Clenil and I just pushed hard and it fitted the mouthpiece. Didn’t do it any damage either because when supplies of Clenil want back to normal I could still use the Aerochamber.

[risabel59]

Hi, It's great you are using a spacer, everyone should with an MDI. Some inhalers don't fit in all spacers. If you look at the leaflet for the inhaler it may tell you which spacer to use, and then you can ask your dr to prescribe one. Failing that you can ring the asthma nurses on the helpline and they will know which spacer to use.However I will say, I use Alvesco and the aero chamber plus spacer, and Alvesco is also a round inhaler, but its leaflet says to use this type of spacer so I do. I just make sure that I am beginning to breathe in when I press the canister.

Cheers

R x

[lucymb]

The bit at end of spacer will pull off so u can clean it. A few washes might make it more malleable?