Dulera

[beeperoni]

It is so frustrating to work with DRs when you have a lung disease. I was told that IF I have COPD, it's probably mild, but Dr thinks it's now asthma. Switched my meds again, this time to Dulera. Still do not feel any benefits. Does anyone else here use Dulera? And if so, do you suffer side effects?

[Hidden]

I don't use Dulera but I want to say that you can certainly find out if you have COPD if you have a lung function test (Spirometry). Have your regular doctor refer you to a Pulmonary Specialist who will order the test for you.

If you do have lung disease you need to know the best way of treating it.

Good luck.

[freefaller in reply to Hidden]

Yes. Defo. Get a referral. Best thing to do.

[beeperoni in reply to Hidden]

Hello Brondana,

I was diagnosed in May with moderate COPD when I failed a spirometry test (FVC 90%, FEV1 64%, ratio 70%). I was referred to a pulmonary Dr in July who performed another spirometry test. This time results were FVC 96%, FEV1 106% and ratio 86%.

[Hidden in reply to beeperoni]

You have good numbers there. tHEY would indicate very mild COPD if indeed you do have COPD.

[rubyred777]

Hi Beeperoni

I don't use inhalers ,except as needed.

So I can't help you out much with that.

I have heard others on here say the one you are using is good. Why it isn't helping you is what I don't understand.

Reading your old post I see how your fev1 improved alot. So much so, I guess you don't have copd. What is your peak flow? Have you checked to see if it improves after you use the inhaler?

Rubyxx😊

[beeperoni in reply to rubyred777]

Hi Ruby,

Yes, I check my peak flow, but that too varies greatly (anywhere from 300 to 400)

[Offcut]

You do not say if you have had a spiro test as that will see what is wrong more than anything.

I see Dulera is a preventive inhaler I take it he has also given you a salbutamol inhaler as a reliever also?

This link explains the side effects etc. drugs.com/dulera.html

[beeperoni in reply to Offcut]

Hello Offcut,

My most recent spirometry test was July 9th. Results were FVC 96%, FEV1 106% and FVC/FEV1 86%. In May, my results were FVC 90%, FEV1 64% and FVC/FEV1 70%. I was originally diagnosed as moderate COPD, but Dr now says either mild COPD or asthma. He switched me from Spiriva to Dulera and also added Singular. My breathing right now is horrid, so we're still playing with meds.

[jimborasco]

Hi beeperoni. FIrst off, we're in the US so I don't post here a lot, but I do read a lot of posts. My husband was diagnosed with mod/severe COPD 5 years ago at the age of 57. He could not walk short distances without stopping for breath, and had to use a nebulizer for his Ventolin (albuterol) as a rescue because the new propellant wasn't strong enough to get it into his lungs since he couldn't breath in enough when having an exacerbation. Our local drs told him to 'learn to live with it'.

It may be different there, but here in the US, COPD is a blanket diagnosis to cover any 'Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease'. While most think of it as emphysema from smoking, it can be caused by asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, exposure to contaminants, GERD, etc. After a year of testing, CT scans, DNA testing, and visits to a specialist about 3 hours away, it's been determined that while he has mild emphysema (he quit smoking 25 years ago), his primary diagnosis is asthma. He was switched from all his meds by his new dr and now takes Dulera inhaler, QVar inhaler, Singulair oral, Spiriva and what we believe has helped him more than anything, Azithromycin 3 days a week, mon-wed-fri. Before he had his meds changed, the drs said he may make it another 3 years. That was 5 years ago. His lung function tests have improved dramatically and he has gained nearly 1.5 liters of lung capacity! He has had NO Emergency Room visits in the last 3 years for exacerbations when he used to have at least 4 a year, especially in the winter. Long story to get to the point, but the Dulera has played an integral part in this change and was the first med the new dr started him on after taking him off of everything else. He has had NO side effects from the Dulera, but the Qvar has caused him to bruise easily and he gets skin tears very easily because of it and his dr cut his dose of that down. Best of luck to you. Hopefully, the Dulera will be a step in a better direction for you also.

[freefaller in reply to jimborasco]

So glad to hear that things have got so much better for you.

[beeperoni in reply to jimborasco]

Thanks Jimborasco,

I just met with the Dr again today and he is adding Singular to my med list also. I too am in the US.

[freefaller]

Oh you are having a bad time. I know how you feel. Sorry do not know anything about Dulera.

Good luck and hope you find something that works for you soon.

Love and hugs

Sian

xoxoxo

[punkyb]

I began Dulera three weeks ago...So far I only notice it dries me up a bit.