Hi folks. I have severe emphsema bronchitis. Does anyone else find that ventolin- salbutamol does not relive the symptoms at all? It used to work for me but for over the last couple of years it doesn't do a thing.
Has anyone tried any other inhaler that works? Thanks
My husband found the same - the blue inhaler BUT he started to use it with a spacer and that definitely changed the effectiveness. Having said that he was also prescribed BRICANYL as a reliever. He finds that the symbicort inhaler (which is a combined preventer and reliever) is a much more effective reliever.
It might be an idea to telephone the helpline - click on the red balloon - the nurses maybe able to give you better advise.
Take care, TAD xxx
Thank you Tad, that is useful info. I already rang BLF who gave good advice. I use a spacer but still no good. I'll mention the Bricanyl and symbicort to my local COPD team tomorrow :)x
Hi Sirjames, have also had Asthma most of my life as well as recently being diagnosed with Copd so have used a Ventolin inhaler for many years but l find it does nothing for me now. I am not wheezing as in asthma and have asked Pharmcy what other inhalers are available for copd and he gave me a list of 3 so now have to get back to Dr to see if she can change me over to a different one.
i`ve told my doc that i dont think ventolin is doing me any good as a quick reliever, but he hasn`t suggested any thing else ,i will have to ask him about the two that TADAW mentioned
I would only suggest to take this up with your doctor. I know steroids can help but long range they have major side effects. You may need coaching exercise to clear up the mucus. It all depends on how bad the emphysema is on what short and long term relief is out there. You like me want stem-cell relief but I haven't read on any research fora cure yet!
They all become less effective the longer we use them. If I use my ventolin for sob, I too use the difuser but spaced my two applications out a little. ie. I have one puff, wait 5 or 6 minutes to let that work and then have the second one. I use them very little now because i find breathing control far more effective....the more you practice and the more ways you try, the more effective it becomes. If I have a task that normally leaves me Sof B, I use breathing control before I do it. It's good enough for weight lifters and other sportsmen so it's good enough for one chubby couch potato.
Thanks -some good information there re; breathing techniques. I'm not a chubby 'couch' - luckily I can go to gym 3 times a week except when struck with infection as is the case at the moment. Do you do exercise at home? This is a good link proactivecopd.com/patients-...
Try a nebuliser they help inhalers don't help me at all
Can ask GP if a nebuliser will help I was given a machine to help me also morphine for the pain & breathlessness x
Thanks I hope you stay well 
Hi Sirjames. I was taken of Sabutamol which needed to be taken regularly and Salmeterol which I use twice a day which seemed to help me a bit I keep the the Sabutamol for a quick relief in emergency but have never found the need for it....(Also take a steroid inhaler & Tiotropium Inhaler daily) Hope this helps, But everybody's different !! -Plumbob
Hi Sirjames,
Ventolin is more for asthmatic people. It has little or no effect on emphysema and most other COPD diseases.
Yes ive been changed to bricanyl and it is helping me the ventilin was ok for number of years but last week it stopped giving me any relief it just gave me shakes even more. X
Thanks - shakin all over - johnny kid and the pirates or was it the swinging blue jeans - the hippy hippy shake?
Doesn't work for me even with a spacer. I'm thinking having read these posts I need to change as I have emphysema. Will have a word with my lovely Practice Nurse. Thanks.
Hi there if you don't have a nebuliser you can get them on ebay brand new 30 quid and sometimes lidl sell them for 20 quid it's the only thing that gives me a bit of relieve and the doctor gives you the refills for them hope this helps
Thanks - I have one on loan and it does work but doesn't last long. I's good to know they can be got fairly cheap
Hello Sir James, I think it was The swinging blue jeans! I have Emph/Bronc. like you and have never found any relief from a 'reliever'! I hope you get the right one for you. I know that the Spiriva and Seretide 500 definitely make a difference after not taking any for two mornings, I could barely walk from one room to the next and my Fev. dropped by 9% in 6 months. Having Amb. Oxygen makes it all seem more bearable, and I can still do something! hufferpuffer 
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