Does anyone have problems using Seretide Inhaler.

[hallentine47]

I was diagnosed 10 years ago with COPD at which point I stopped smoking. I have been on 2 Pulmonary Rehabs and exercise regularly and eat healthily but gradually the COPD has become advanced. I am getting older and now at 68 this year I am struggling with constant infections, disturbed nights and consequent tiredness, I use Spiriva and Ventolin inhalers without any problems but after using Seretide twice a day I seem to worsen my coughing and the mucus which is a serious problem these days gets drier and more difficult to move. Does anyone else using Seretide suffer increased breathlessness and dry throat? Any suggestions and experience welcome please.

[phillips1]

Hi Hallentine. I am 71 and I have been on Spiriva and Seretide 500 for about five years. Ventolin does nothing for me. After having the same problems as you I reduced my Seretide to once a day. This helped quite a bit. It might be worth you trying it. Good luck.

Bobby

[hallentine47 in reply to phillips1]

Thanks phillips1. I will give this some thought.

[hufferpuffer]

Hello hallentine, perhaps the meds just don't agree with you and your doctor/consultant should try you on something else. I have severe airways disease/emph' and the consultant said it was the best 'on the market' I don't have much trouble with it I usually have it with my morning cuppa, I'm supposed to take it at night too but I tend to forget. Hope you feel better soon, I know we're in for a cold spell so stay warm! huff xxx

[hallentine47 in reply to hufferpuffer]

Thanks hufferpuffer I am seeing the man in a few weeks time and hope to discuss all these issues with him but I do like to get the feed back from those of us 'on the front line' so to speak.

[adb11]

My husband was advised by his consultant to come off Seretide and it has been replaced by Symbicort 400 turbohaler, continuing with Spireva. Hope this helps.

[hallentine47 in reply to adb11]

Thank you

[frank65]

I use seirtide and have been on it for about three years with no problems at all I also take Spiriva as well no problems I still run up and down stairs although I am told not to (I am 70 years young ) but what the heck

[frank65]

if the problem persists see your doc

[Tamara70]

So sorry to hear of your problems with Seretide.

A number of years ago I was on Seretide and had all sorts of problems with it. Unfortunately, I did not realise it was the Seretide that was causing the problems until I had been on it for a year. I was literally going around dead on my feet. I believe quite a number of people in the US have died from Seretide and I am not surprised considering how I felt,

After being on it a year I changed to Symbicort and have had no problems. I came off Ventolin as I felt it did not do anything for me and, believe it or not, my energy levels went sky high and I felt much better. Unfortunately, I am not cured having had Bronchiectasis for the last sixty two years!

Good luck with your next visit to the consultant.

Tamara

[hallentine47 in reply to Tamara70]

Thanks to everyone who is responding. I really am grateful to have as much info as possible.

[peege in reply to hallentine47]

Hi. In the UK Seretide comes in two forms. one is the spray inhaler & can be used with a spacer (much much more efficient way of getting all of the dose into your airways. The other is the powder capsules stored in a flat disc container. Both methods come in the same doses.

It is always recommended to rinse the mouth very well and gargle to cleanse the throat to avoid thrush - very common with Seretide.

Personally, the powdered capsules give me dry throat and thrush much more often than the spray inhaler. I usually gargle twice for good measure.

I'm thinking you may have a touch of thrush.

[hallentine47 in reply to peege]

Thanks peege. I admit I am not always fastidious when it comes to gargling.

[stillmovin]

Hi hallentine firstly, you sound as if you are going through a bad patch and I hope you recover very soon. It is a terrible time of year for us, regarding infections and just generally being pulled down by tiredness, sleeplessness, all sorts of stuff... It is good that you keep up all the exercises and self-maintenance and keep going. I try to do that but I know it is difficult when you get knocked back by an infection. Just keep fighting. OK...I was going to mention Seretide: I was prescribed this a few months ago as my first inhaler. At the time, I wasn't bringing up any mucous and was breathless and dry coughing everytime I tried to talk or take in breaths. Seretide did not help me. After two or three days and nights of using Seretide 250, I went back to the GP and told him I just could not take to it at all. It was drying me out completely! In fact, I nearly lost my voice while using it! I know many people are fine with it and we are all different, so you will get positive and negative experiences coming back. I asked my GP to put me onto an inhaler that was similar but without steroids. I am now on Serevent 50 mcg (1 puff twice a day). It doesn't have that drying out effect and I use it with Spiriva (one puff of that each morning). I don't know if Serevent has a fantastic effect on my overall condition but I don't have that dry throat and my voice is better.

Best wishes.

xx stillmovin1

[hallentine47 in reply to stillmovin]

Thanks stillmoving 1. I was taken off Sterevent couple of years ago and cannot recall why. Seeing the Doc tomorrow night so will talk to him about it. But I get all the symptoms you mentioned when using Seretide so thanks again for your input.

[ajay]

Hi, yes I used seretide a couple of years ago, and it changed my voice, I was quite hoarse, someone told me it can cause this in some people, coughing too. I changed to Symbicort and my voice returned. Only cough with infections, one of which I am experiencing now..

Do think about Symbicort it so works for me. I was 69 last month, and was diagnosed in 2008, I am cutting out milk which increases mucus. Are you drinking lots of water, this helps thin mucus out.

All the very best to you, keep in touch

[hallentine47 in reply to ajay]

Thanks Ajay. Yes I drink lots of water and only have milk at breakfast on cereal and in tea 3 times a day. I have cut out cheese on recommendation but seems to have made little difference. I am also taking Manuka Honey and using a Flutter device. The mucus is a serious problem these days and causing interrupted nights until I clear it.

[ajay in reply to hallentine47]

Thanks for replying to me... I read your other replies after posting mine and saw that others are doing okay with Symbicort so hope you discuss with your doctor. Try Almond milk on your cereal, more calcium than cows milk and doesn't cause mucus. I make my own and add manuka honey to it, great on cereals, you may prefer it....

I have heard, seems funny but, when you blow your nose, blow each nostril separately, as it can also encourage mucus.. Worth a try, I do it all the time now...

I love this site, so many people are there to help with lots of experience...

Hope this helps....

Regards, ANDREA aka Ajay

[hallentine47 in reply to ajay]

Once again thank you Andrea for your help. Certainly will follow up on both suggestions.

Tony (Hallentine47)

[peege in reply to hallentine47]

Hi again. Are you on mucodyne (brand name for Carbocisteine) ? It's excellent for loosening mucus. It takes three weeks to take effect but well worth the wait. P

[hallentine47 in reply to peege]

Yes peege I have been using it for a couple of years now. Recently a Doctor told me it was a waste of time and I was better using a bowl of boiling water with Olbas Oil. I use both!! I use everything and anything i get so desperate sometimes. Thanks for mentioning it.

[christina1947 in reply to hallentine47]

Hi hallentine have you tried nac did it for me 1 in the morning 1 teatime also very little dairy I have to buy it because not diagnosed but I think you can get it on prescription Take carexxx

[hallentine47 in reply to ajay]

My GP prescribed Symbicort 2 days ago and I tried last night for the first time. WOW I had my first restful night in months. Mucus almost gone!! I cannot believe how much better I feel not having spent most of the night getting rid of mucus. Long may it last. Why did the Doctors NOT mention this to me before. So Thank everyone who suggested Symbicort.

This site is invaluable to those us suffering from these problems.