Cornish maid

[nelly-64]

Hi all ,I was diagnosed with copd in December also have asthma I use a symbicort inhaler and have now been told not to use my blue inhaler any more just my symbicort even as a rescue remedy little bit nervous about this as I dont always have enough power to inhale the symbicort any one else have this problem

[scrobbitty]

Welcome Nelly

Funnily enough at the moment I find the symbicort to the be only inhaler that actually works for me and the best one for inhaling. I just try and empty lungs as much as possible and gently breathe in (sometimes I pause and then continue). Practice makes perfect and I've definintely had a lot of practice!

[Hidden]

I am surprised you have been told that nelly but best to follow your medical orders.. I was always told (by the copd nurse) to use no more than 4 puffs a day of symbicort (800 mls in total) and try not to excees 1000 mlgs because they contain steroids. She said under 1000 mlgs a day of steroids would not give me any side effects but it might with a regular dose much over that level. I was always told to use my blue inhaler only as rescue remedy. Never the symbicort..

[SAMMYJFL in reply to Hidden]

I started taking Symbicort 3yrs ago and was told then by the asthma nurse that I could also use it as a reliever, she gave me a little booklet confirming this. I then read the leaflet in with the Symbicort that stated under no circumstances to use 400/12 Symbicort as a reliever. The nurse and I had a falling out over this as she insisted that I no longer needed my Brycanly.

[longlungs]

Hi nelly-64 welcome to our friendly forum.Yes Im a little confused Im sure this inhaler is not meant to be used as a reliever.I would try and talk to your gp ,resp nurse.Maybe give the BLF line a call and see what they have to say Goodluck nelly come back and let us know eh? Keep well now Janexx

[scrobbitty in reply to longlungs]

Hi Jane and nelly, I was told by the top guy in the PR department B;mouth Hospital that Symbicort can be used as a reliever if necessary. The main reason it is not generally put forward is due to the cost! Situation normal then x

[longlungs in reply to scrobbitty]

Hi scrobbitty ok then isn't that just typical of the profession how confusing so how does that work then does you doc not prescribe the normal reliever, just wondering about the exta doses of steroid one would be taking ,or if your having a bad day or asthma attack ? Would you be able to use as much as you might need? Sorry scobbitty I'm a flipping nightmare sometimes with so many questions. Or is it that yes it can be used as a reliever if necessary haha I'm gonna hush my mouth.I don't even take it,saw the post and looked it up. Thanks for letting me know it is confusing though init? :). Janexx

[Suzy6 in reply to longlungs]

Hi Jane I was told by my Consultant I could use Symbicort three times a day if I needed to. My usual dosage is 2 puffs morning 2 puffs evening. I'm on Symbicort 200/6.

[scrobbitty in reply to longlungs]

Hiya Jane, I can take the Ventolin as well as Symbicort but in all honesty, the Ventolin does naff all other than psychologically sit in my pocket 'in case'. No idea how or whether it is used for asthma, cos I have COPD and my guy said as and when (possibly because my lungs are that bad if something keeps me alive then use it!) x

[PeterK1]

I'm not on this, I was on Seritide twice daily and Onbrez once daily but was still told to keep my blue inhaler as emergency back up, I am now on the new Relvar Ellipta inhaler and even on this one I have to keep the blue as emergency back up. Maybe Symbicort is different ?

[peege]

Seems odd, particularly if you have asthma.

Are you supposed to take a puff of Symbicort before exercise? Never heard of that!

I'd do as Jane suggests and call the BLF helpline for advice on to what to insist on from your GP.

Do you have a respiratory nurse?

I was told recently that my Seretide spray inhaler costs £60 and the Seretide Accuhaler (powdered capsule inhaler) is £40 which was one reason cons might have changed it.

Somewhere there'll be a pharmacy cost list, someone might post the link.

Incidentally, in my case it's false economy the dopey people don't seem to realise that the powdered one holds half the doses of the spray one!

[Hidden]

Good Morning, Very difficult to get the right information - my husband always got confusing advise from doctors and then he was referred to the respiratory team and they seem to have better information.

My husband has always found the symbicort a good reliever - but was told not to take it more than four times a day because of the steroid element. It can be used short term but not every day. If my husband uses his ventolin - he uses it with a spacer - makes all the difference to the delivery of the medication. I was told that the blue inhalers have the worst delivery of medication record but are cheap. There is also another reliever - Bricanyl which I have to say my husband has but doesn't rate!

In addition he uses the Spiriva once in the morning to keep his airways open.

I would suggest you ring the BLF helpline (click on the red balloon in the corner) and ask their advise. Then you can visit your doctor with useful information. Good idea to come on here and ask for advise. Always useful to hear others' experiences. Take good care, TAD xx

[moneal]

My GP said you have a choice, you can follow the instructions and not use it as a reliever, I am on the 400/12. and you can gasp for breath, call out an ambulance and risk the consequences, or you can break the rules take a puff wait 20/30 seconds and see if it helps. It's like magic the effect is quick and the attack soon clears. He did warn me not to take more than two puffs,and if it did not help call 999 and I must tell the ambulance crew that I had taken it.

[nelly-64]

Thanks all for your advice I have an appointment next week so will see what my doctor says ! What a friendly bunch you all are so glad I joined