just diagnosed ,,

[Mrteddycat]

hi everyone , just started on the brown inhalers and blue one. . Ive been taking the brown one for four days now , does it take a while for it to kick in ? Voice been a bit throaty since using , ive bin told to rinse mouth out then spit the water out after . Just reached 50 m , and bein a postman in the uk out for hours in all weather . All new to me , help . Thanks

[Mandevilla]

It does take a few weeks for the brown inhaler to take full effect. If you don't see any change after 6 weeks or so, go back to your GP and they can give you another one to try. I had to try four before finding the one that worked really well for me.

Have you got a spacer? Using that with your brown inhaler might help with the voice issues. Gargling after using it can also help. My voice is worse some days than others - usually when I haven't got the angle quite right as I inhale and too much hits the back of my throat!

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mandevilla]

Thanks for reply, havent got a spacer , not sure what it is . Gp says make an appt in 4 weeks again so see what they say. Stil feeling a bit run down hopefully that goes away as im on a weeks holiday lol. All a minefield at mo, looking at antihistamines , lung expansion devices on amazon etc too .

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mrteddycat]

Antihistimanes maybe a go to ? Ive had a long haired cat for years ( house cat )

[Patk1 in reply to Mrteddycat]

Yes,always worth trying - I take them for allergies

[Mandevilla in reply to Mrteddycat]

It takes a while to get your head around it all, but you'll get there. Don't be afraid to use the blue inhaler when you need it. I used to delay using it as I was always brought up to take medication only when you absolutely had to, but I found that if I waited until I was feeling really bad, I ended up needing it more and taking longer to recover. Using it as soon as I get a little bit of puffiness or tightness in the chest seems to knock the problem on the head before my lungs have the chance to get really inflamed, so I'm less likely to need repeat doses.

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mandevilla]

Cheers mandevilla all good advice

[25ThorntoN in reply to Mrteddycat]

You need a spacer! I don't care how much instruction you get, you cannot effectively press and inhale correctly. You currently feel the 'hit' at the back of your throat from the inhaler and who knows how much you've inhaled? With a spacer you don't get that 'hit' but you get more medication into your lungs.

[Patk1]

Welcome to the forum.love Yr name!It will gradually take effect.the blue ventolin/salamol is to relieve tightness,wheezing,and struggles with breathing.keep it on u wherever u go,especially work.dont b aFraid to use it - it is short acting approx 4hrs +-. It takes effect quickly + is a " reliever".the brown contains a steroid to help settle inflammation and can be referred to as " preventer" + is usually used 2x a day,approx 12 hrs apart.x

[Mrteddycat in reply to Patk1]

Thanks for reply hopefully brown one will kick in soon . Being a postman the blue one will help.

[Eastend555]

i found the bron one made me cough a lot

[Cosychair]

I have just got an air purifier, advice from pharmacist. I do believe it helps. Maybe worth a try. Mine is the phillips one. Good luck, once you get your asthma under control you will feel better.

[Scrofulous]

Hi. When I've used my steroid inhaler I gargle twice, spit out and then drink some water. Some inhalers have the side effect of throat irritation and hoarseness. I take Luforbec which doesn't have that side effect, though I've had issues with the metered dose mechanism. Your GP surgery should be able to prescribe a spacer for you.

[Bingo88]

Good morning Mrteddycat. Welcome to the forum. You have been given some good advice so far. The Spacer people are mentioning is basically like a small plastic bottle that holds the medication in. So you suck it out of the other end slowly so it gets down to the bottom of your lungs. Your job being a postman will help you gauge how well your meds are helping you if you need to use them while walking your route. Your chemist might give you a Spacer if you ask them. Take care and hope you keep well in the cold weather. Brian

[Mrteddycat in reply to Bingo88]

Thank u brian and everyone replied much appreciated.

[Kurty2]

Deffo make sure you are gargling, swishing and rinsing after using any inhaler, just 20 seconds or so for each puff. Otherwise you could end up with oral thrush.

[Vitali-ep]

It does take a few weeks to kick in.

A spacer is good if new to using inhalers and you are not great or unsure with inhaler technique.

[Holly_ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi Mrteddycat, for more advice on your condition and inhalers or any queries please feel free to call the Asthma + Lung UK helpline to speak to one of our nurses 0300 222 5800 Mon - Fri 9:15 - 5pm. There is also lots of advice on the Asthma + Lung UK website.

[Mrteddycat in reply to Holly_ALUK]

Went to newcastle game today big jkt and scarf. . Chest was quite tight and uncomfortable even tho scarf over face for the cold . Took cpl puff blue inhaler helped a tiny bit . Worried bout winter esp being a posty walking for 5 hours at least. Appt with nurse 18th dec to see how im gettin on wi inhalers .

[Patk1 in reply to Mrteddycat]

Did u use salbutamol b4 heading out? Don't wait til it gets worse.i find scarf wrapped loosely round best x

[Mrteddycat]

used it during game . Is it ok to say use twice or more ?

[Mandevilla in reply to Mrteddycat]

You CAN use your blue reliever more, but if it's not helping or you are needing it more than every four hours, then it's a sign of an asthma attack and you need help getting your asthma under control.

I'd suggest ringing the asthma UK helpline tomorrow and asking them to talk you through the basics. They were so helpful to me when I was first diagnosed, they put everything really simply and no question is too daft to ask. They're also really good at advising on how to approach your GP surgery if you're not getting much help there - just knowing the right phrases to use when you ring your surgery can make all the difference. Give them a ring and I guarantee you will be feeling much more confident about how to manage your asthma by the time you hang up!

[Mrteddycat in reply to Mandevilla]

Thanks mandeville. Was just wondering if gerd is an issue as well. Thanks again