Inhaler adherence/use your spacer

[Angel6767]

I am possibly going to take part in a study for inhaler adherence. When speaking to the Dr running the study, she told me that many people do not take their inhaler correctly, and it makes such a difference to your condition. Using a spacer can make a difference of 30% more of your medication getting into your lungs, so just doing that can really help.

[Poobah]

I agree, technique is so important in getting a full dose of inhaled meds. Spacers can only be used with aerosol inhalers and I used to be on them years ago, but no spacer provided. It will be interesting to see the outcome of your study and if spacers become the norm.

[fraid in reply to Poobah]

Weird you say spacer can only be used with aerosol inhalers? My flixotide is dry powder but still told to use it? Confuddled. Also Ventolin. Have wondered about the amount of flixotide residue in spacer, shouldn't that be in my lungs not on spacer? Washed it out per instruction which says don't rinse out fairy wash, let dry naturally but have wiped out a couple of times so I know it's clean and shiny or surely med will stick to it? Asthma bad atm re bonfire and wood stoves 🙄plus windows now shut re very cold now, just fresh air blast 10 mins a day. Just steamed carpets and breathing better. Don't want more meds!🙁

[Poobah in reply to fraid]

Have you got a spacer designed specifically for dry powder inhalers? Now I'm intrigued. Both my DPIs wouldn't fit into a normal spacer and are both breath activated, so not sure how I could activate them if a spacer was in the way.

[fraid in reply to Poobah]

It fits both Flixotide and Ventolin. When they gave me Qvar it didn't fit. So dunno- on all counts, guess I'll just carry on as usual.🤷‍♀️So many different ones and I don't know one from tother just take what I'm told and hope it works!🤷‍♀️

[Poobah in reply to fraid]

If it's not too much trouble, can you post a photo of your inhalers and spacer, so I can compare the designs to mine? Thank you.

[Patk1 in reply to fraid]

I wash mine using a baby's bottle brush so it gets all the residue off × sterilise them x

[gemwatercolour in reply to fraid]

Hi Fraid, you ask a good question about the residue in the spacer. I have previously worked on conducting clinical trials of inhalers and got some good insight from the medical lead on the trials. The inhalers release a range of particle sizes and it is mainly the really fine particles that get deep into your lungs where they need to be. If you didn’t use a spacer, even with good technique, larger particles from the inhaler just get deposited in your mouth and throat and upper airway. If your technique is off, say your coordination of pressing and inhaling wasn’t great, then the finer particles would just hit the back of the throat too.

The larger particles can deposit in a spacer, but a spacer helps more of the finer particles get to where they need to be, deep in your lungs. I don’t think you need to worry about some of your dose being deposited in the spacer, as long as you clean your spacer in the recommended way for that spacer

[fraid]

Not sure it'll help if we're on different meds but.... Flixotide orange, Ventolin blue, obviously they fit spacer mouth bit.

Inhalers

[fraid in reply to fraid]

Nope I meant fit on other end to mouthpiece - I'm tired....🙃

[Melanie1989 in reply to fraid]

Hi fraid, looking at that photo both of those inhalers are MDI's. DPI flixotide is a circular shape, and is released by sucking in a breath

[Poobah in reply to fraid]

Thanks for posting the photo. These aren't dry powder inhalers but aerosols, activated by pressing the canister into the plastic casing. Dry powder inhalers are breath activated, meaning you have to inhale directly from the inhaler in order for them to work.

gemwatercolour has a good explanation regarding the residue in the spacer and the smallest particles that are inhaled. Spacers do have good delivery of medication if used with tidal breathing.

[PaulRosedene]

I got told recently to leave a minute between puffs. I had never heard that before. I've forgotten the reason they gave.

Were you told this too ?

[Poobah in reply to PaulRosedene]

The Asthma UK video does recommend waiting a minute before taking the second inhaler dose.

[PaulRosedene in reply to Poobah]

Does the video explain why ? I guess I could watch it !

[Poobah in reply to PaulRosedene]

I don't think it does, but I always have to give myself a couple of minutes between doses in order to get properly prepared for the next inhalation aafter holding my breath for 10 seconds (I use dry power so have to inhale in one intake and hold my breath for at least 5 seconds). If I rush things I lose the technique and I lose the full effect of the meds. My respiratory physiotherapist recommended this technique.

[lovethemountains]

just my opinion on spacers ... after 30 years of asthma, I received my first spacer last summer. It has made a world of difference! Especially when the attack is more severe, it helps me to get the medication into my lungs.

As for the wait between puffs, I wait 15-20 minutes because I'm hoping to forego the second puff.

[Poshcards]

I have to take both my Fostair 200/6 and salbutomol inhalers with aero chambers, never done it any other way x