Is my FOSTAIR NEXThaler working correctly?

[Eggles]

I have just taken receipt of my first FOSTAIR NEXThaler, and I’m concerned that I’m either not doing something correctly, or the inhaler is faulty? (OR it may be absolutely fine! 😃).

When I breathe in deeply, I get the click and also a ‘spattering’ of tiny hard balls sprayed around my mouth, that I can feel between my teeth. I know it’s a fine dust inhaler, but this is a strange sensation and no one mentions it in any videos I’ve watched.

My asthma is worse this morning, I can understand if it’s due to the swap over of medications, but also concerned that it could be the FOSTAIR not operating correctly?

Thanks

[Poobah]

Hi Eggles. I'm on FostairNEXT 200/6 but I only have a sensation of dryness when I inhale. I don't recognise the "tiny hard balls" that you describe. Unlike the aerosol inhalers, there's no need to shake before use and as you say, the click on inhalation tells you a dose has been delivered as otherwise you may not notice because the powder is so fine. My previous dry powder inhaler was definitely more noticeable on inhalation as the powder wasn't as fine.

I noticed an immediate difference when I started Fostair, in that my breathing improved from day 1 (I had been on Symbicort previously). My asthma nurse was surprised that it didn't take the usual few weeks for me to experience an improvement, so maybe my experience was unusual.

I think that you should have a chat with the Asthma UK nurses about your experience and they will be able to advise you about what you should do to resolve this issue. I've Googled to see if any inhalers have been recalled recently but nothing comes up (it's happened in the past). Asthma UK: 0300 222 5800, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

[Eggles in reply to Poobah]

Thanks for your reply, managed to speak to a nurse via WhatsApp. She thinks it may be technique or the inhaler has got wet at some point, but this wouldn’t be possible - unless it was exposed to moisture before I collected it from the pharmacy!

Thanks for googling, I wouldn’t have even thought about that (I’ve only been diagnosed for a year, so it’s all new!).

Will try to perfect the technique for this evenings dose, and if no luck - back to the pharmacy!

Thanks again.

[Poobah in reply to Eggles]

I've taken dry powder inhalers for years, but it did take me a while to get used to them. It's such a change from having the dose propelled by the aerosol pump, to having to have a good exhale before sharply inhaling in order to get the dose into the lungs. Some residue will end up in the mouth though, I always have a good rinse afterwards and then brush my teeth after 30 mins. My physio niece checked my technique and said my shoulders needed to stay down and relaxed in order to fully use the diaphragm. She made me practice without the inhaler until I got things right. Having someone check your technique may be useful - asthma nurse?

Hope you get things sorted.

[Myasthma1]

I find the same thing I just make sure I swill my mouth well and brush my teeth after using it

[Giraffe91]

I think it takes a while to get the technique right. Videos are helpful.

[dsddsd]

Couldn't get use to FOSTAIR or Anoro(?) powder inhalers. Use to feel like wasn't getting a dose. Must be some technique to it .