Managing occasional breathlessness

[Wheezycat]

I got rather breathless on my walk today as it was unexpectedly cold. It happens. Recently I was changed from Ventolin to Salamol. I am fine with that in principle, but I have had mixed results when using it. With Ventolin I know it starts to kick in after 10-15 minutes, but the first time I used Salamol it seemed to take far longer than that. When I next went out for a walk in the cold, I took it in advance and I was fine. Is Salamol slower to kick in? Has anyone else had that experience? (I know some don't get on with it at all, but I would love this inhaler to work as I am all for reducing CFCs.)

[andy121]

I had the same problems in the past with Salamol not kicking in as quick or even lasting as long as the Ventolin. I think it’s to do with cost why they issue Salamol as it’s cheaper some people are happy with it some are not. If you speak to your nurse or doctor I’m sure they will be happy to change it back to Ventolin as my doctor did with me so I only get Ventolin now. I’m only allowed one a year now though as with Salamol I had no limit but I don’t mind as I can use my Fostair instead when I want if I’m struggling.

All the best

[Wheezycat in reply to andy121]

It is good to know it doesn't last as long and takes longer to kick in. Knowing that helps me prepare better. I still have ventolin so I could always resort to that if needed.

Can I ask, how long does it take for Fostair to kick in as a reliever? Currently I am at a high dosage, so I can't use it that way, but I may be able to reduce my daily dose, and that could make it possible. However, i did try that with my Symbicort when I was on it, and I didn't find it satisfactory for me, so I went back to Ventolin.

[andy121 in reply to Wheezycat]

I find the Fostair kicks in around 5 to 10 mins bit like the Ventolin but Fostair lasts longer as the steroid helps keep airways open around 4 hours or even 6 hours on a good day. I think Ventolin is supposed to last about 4 hours but it doesn’t not for me anyway.

[Hidden in reply to Wheezycat]

I am on the higher dose of fostair and did try reducing on a regime suggested by the respiratory consultant. Using 3 puffs of fostair 100 twice a day in place of the 2 puffs of fostair 200. this regime reduced the amount of steroid a fraction but increased the amount of formoterol. Unfortunately after about 3 weeks it was no longer controlling my asthma and I had to revert to the old regime.

[Wheezycat in reply to Hidden]

That is really interesting as I had been wondering about doing exactly that! But I am reluctant to start mid winter even though it is relatively warm. I will probably propose it and see how it goes. In summer I am fine with just two 200/6 puff per day.

[NLGA]

yes I’m the same I found ventolin much quicker to act

[runcyclexcski]

Good to now if they suggest that I change! CFCs are bad, OK, but somehow I suspect asthmatics are not the low-hanging fruits to make a difference in saving the environment.....

[Wheezycat in reply to runcyclexcski]

Yes, I agree! But I always like to try as hard as I can to reduce any such and other substances.

[Poobah]

I'm on dry powder Ventolin Accuhaler, so Ventolin is definitely available as a dry powder, CFC free inhaler. It's only 60 doses per inhaler and not exactly environmentally friendly as its older versions.

Over the years they've changed the delivery casing of DPI Ventolin. I used to have a spinhaler and would have a box of 200 capsules with the inhaler not having to be renewed at every prescription. Worked a treat. Then they introduced the dischaler, instead of capsules one would load a disc containing about 10 blister doses into the inhaler. At each use just one blister would be pierced by the inhaler and then inhaled. Again a box of discs would provide at least 200 doses and the inhaler wouldn't have to be renewed at every prescription.

The Accuhaler isn't as easy to use as the previous designs and getting a full breath in is challenging because of the design. It's probably the worst design yet and wasteful. Each dose is 200mcg.

[Wheezycat in reply to Poobah]

Interesting! Our daughter was on various versions of ventolin as a child, starting with the liquid one, whoch really gave her the shakes, but she was only five then. She also had a dischaler at one time, and loved it! she was also on an Intal spinhaler, and when we went camping and it was damp (quite frequently) the capsules would collapse but remain unpierced. But she survived and we got through it. The acuhaler sounds interesting......my current solution would be to take the salamol before I go out. I got it to work fine on one occasion, but that doesn't of course help when you need it unexpectedly.

[Poobah in reply to Wheezycat]

Definitely ask your doctor if you can try the Accuhaler. I don't think the cost is and more than Salamol, it just won't last as long.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Poobah]

I would just add that though it's worth a try, have another as back up. I have tried the Accuhaler and it doesn't go in when I'm symptomatic and need to take it! Others may have different experiences but I've found MDI plus spacer the most reliable.

Can't comment on Salamol vs Ventolin, though I have noticed Salamol is less forceful in its spray.

I kind of want the eco drive to start by addressing people who spray unnecessary vast amounts of scented stuff into the air from aerosols! We might need fewer inhalers collectively that way too.

[Wheezycat in reply to Lysistrata]

Hear, Hear, hear!!!!!!! About all the spraying , that is!

[eleanordigby in reply to Wheezycat]

I so agree! The air is full of pollutants (the proliferation of wood burners is my current irritation!) yet they pick on the sick and our MDI inhalers, because we’re an easy target. Get rid of all the other aerosols before you pick on us!