Spiriva Respimat puff counter

[Sansovino1926]

Call me OCD if you like. I prefer to think I am managing my health and medications sensibly. Anyway, each month I print out a tick sheet with a row for each day so I can note how many Fostair and Spiriva Respimat puffs I use. I am now on Spiriva cartridge no. 4. When a 60 dose cartridge is finished, the device locks up so you can't rotate it to release another dose. I have noticed that the second cartridge locked up after 51 puffs, and my personal count for the current one has passed 60, and is now on 61. The visible counter on the device seems to show some puffs left! Please see picture. I am wondering if I will be just inhaling propellant if I carry on using this cartridge. Basically should I go by my count or the device's? How does it know when to lock up? It seems a bit random. Just in passing, I will add that all my local pharmacies can't get just the cartridges as prescribed, they have to give me the whole thing, device and cartridge. So I now have 5 devices and 2 unused cartridges. I see the devices are £50 each retail. The Fostair counter is much easier to interpret, and I just check them when they get down to 0.

[Marylou1006]

hi, I have recently been put on Spiriva Respimat. This is my third one. I had to take it back the first two to the Pharmacy for them to insert the cartridge. This time I was determined to do it myself and I eventually managed it. I have arthritis in my hands and find it awkward to twist for second puff. I often miss my dose as I start coughing as it blasts down my throat and the medication escapes . I’ve come to the conclusion that the medication I was on, Fostair, I agree you know where you are with it. When you get to 10 on the counter I think that reminds you to order your next one. I certainly don’t get 30 doses, 60 puffs. Roll on my next appointment to see what I will have to “try”. Why do they bother making the device with a cartridge you slot in (with difficulty). It says on the box it is reusable! I have three cases now but no cartridge for any of them.

[MoyB in reply to Marylou1006]

I explained to my consultant that the Spiriva was causing me to cough so I felt I was losing much of what I had attempted to inhale. He agreed that I was indeed most likely not getting the full dose so he changed my inhaler and I no longer had the problem. Perhaps it would be worth you contacting whoever is responsible for managing your asthma and ask if you can have a different inhaler.

I was ok with the Spiriva initially, but then it became impossible to take the full dose without coughing and losing it!

Also, I agree the whole Spiriva system is very difficult to manage, especially if you have arthritic hands, and the fact that they don't reuse the pump is ridiculous.

xx Moy

[Butterfly2honey]

I’ve been on Spiriva Respimat for a few years.

I struggled to put the cartridge in the first time I used it so now when I put in a new cartridge I push it down on the floor and it goes in without and problems. It’s the only way I can put the cartridge in as I have no strength in my hands.

The cartridge counter starts at 61 as the 1st time you use it you test it. When it gets to the yellow part in the counter as in your photo it means that you still have 10 inhales left. Once you have finished these it will stop working so you don’t need to worry about inhaling just the repellent.

I have never made a separate note of when I’ve taken my inhalers so maybe there are more than 61 inhales in the cartridge. When you put in a refill order you should ask just for the cartridge only, on my prescription I have a choice of the unit as a whole or just the cartridge I’d ask your GP to put the cartridge option on to your prescription as well.

I hope this helps.

[Sansovino1926 in reply to Butterfly2honey]

Hi Butterfly2honey! Thank you for answering. I always do 3 puffs pointing at the floor, like the leaflet in the pack says. Then I should have 60 left, but this time I have written down 63 on my sheet, and it hasn't locked up yet. My GP is prescribing just the 2 cartridges on repeat, with a new device every 6 months. The trouble is the pharmacy says they can't get just the cartridges, so they have to give me 2 devices each time. I now have 5 devices altogether, and the first one I got still has 2 cartridges to go after this one.

[Butterfly2honey in reply to Sansovino1926]

I’ve had that problem too when they can’t get just the cartridge.

[Poshcards]

I only ever get the cartridge, I have to ask for the whole thing!! x0

[TeaRose36]

I am on a similar device. It's called Striverdi Respimat. It looks exactly like yours. Fortunately, my pharmacy only gives me the cartridge unless I specifically order the whole device. I have to ask my GP for the complete device when I order my meds online. Consequently, I have one device in use and another one I keep as a spare. Perhaps you could ask your GP to prescribe the cartridge only. Perhaps you could also mention the counter problem to your GP because you need to make sure you are only inhaling the medication.

[Sansovino1926 in reply to TeaRose36]

My GP requests the cartridge only but the pharmacy can only get the complete device due to supply issues in the UK where I live. As I am over 60 I do not pay for my prescriptions, which is lucky! I did mention the counter problem and the doctor said to just use it till it locks.