Medication for COPD

[Crankshaft]

According to the doctor i have COPD with asthma threw in for good measure . I find myself having very little confidence in doctors diagnosis of different types of lung disease. Personally when my breathing becomes troublesome ventolin gives me no relief. I had asthma all through my childhood and it left me in my teenage years. At that time I was prescribed an lnhaler called Alupent which give me immediate relief. My mother at that time which was in the 1960s had bronchitis and was prescribed ventolin and on some occasions I would try it and All it did for me was give me the shakes . I developed my current condition through accidental inhaling of Fina wood dust . Asked about Alupent and was told that it was no longer available. Does anyone know of a reliever inhaler other than ventolin which may share the chemistry of Alupent. Just wondering, occasionally I fall asleep in the chair and have always noticed that my breathing is much better than if I sleep horizontal in bed . Has anyone purchased and used an adjustable bed which allows for a more upright sleeping position and if so does it help. I am thinking of getting one but they are quite expensive but if it worked would be well worth the money. Just wondering!!

[jimmyg23]

Yes I got ajustable bed about a year ago and it is great best sleep I never ever had every night legs raised up head up or down great expense I have ever bought worth every penny I got mine out Benson for beds they even do everything for you build it and even test it out big sale on at the moment

[stone-UK]

Hi

The active ingredient is Metaproterenol which does not seem to be available in any other inhaler apart from Alupent.

I have often found the respitory team are more upto date with the different inhalers available. Ask for a referral.

I can no longer sleep lying flat, I have a device ( no longer available ) which raise the pillows. It does work for me.

Having previously change my bed a mattress. With hindsight I wish I had purchased the proper bed.

careco.co.uk/item-s-bd01056...

[mskpjb in reply to stone-UK]

Hi Stone. Like you I bought a new mattress - blooming expensive one too- and my bed's now so high I have to turn my oxygen up just to climb into it. I'm going to have to buy a lower base but I'm wondering whether it's possible to buy an electric base only and would it work with my deep mattress. Probably too expensive. Might have to settle for a step stool. Sheila x

[Ern007]

Hi.. I find Ventolin not that good for Asthma caused by COPD (Bronchial Asthma) - The used to be a much better reliever in Duovent which was 'Ipratropium Bromide – Fenoterol Hydrobromide' - That was discontinued and I started with Combivent 'Ipratropium bromide/salbutamol. That was discontinued, Now I have Salbutamol (ventelin) and Atrovent as seperate inhalers - I find Atrovent a better relieved than Ventelin - That is not uncommon in COPD.. Not sure it would help you, but if Salbutamol is not working. i also take Serotide am and pm.

healthcentral.com/article/w...

[Crankshaft in reply to Ern007]

Thanks for that Ern . Will try and see if the doc gives me that. Would try anything at the moment!!

[2greys]

There is currently only one alternative to Ventolin (Salbutimol) in the UK, it is called Bricanyl (Terbutaline Sulfate) it is a powder inhaler and you need to be able to suck quite hard. I use it instead of Ventolin, that no longer works for me. I suffer with severe copd. It has to be worth a try if Ventolin is no longer effective. I use it it mid afternoons to help get me through the day at work.

[judg69]

Crankshaft, I have slept in my recliner for the last 6 years. I cannot lay flat and breathe well enough to ever get to sleep. I have my legs raised and the chair back only slightly tilted toward the back. Best Wishes, judg69

[dgreen88]

Please see my post on misdiagnosis of COPD/asthma. All the best, Deborah

[barbs47]

Hi I bought an 4 foot adjustable bed earlier this year. It’s great and cost be under £500. Have a look at backcarebeds.co.uk I had excellent service from them. They make the beds themselves. Barbs

[rtaxron]

Hi Cranky,

I don't know how old you are, but do you have visits from the District nurse, or the COPD team, if not get in touch with your surgery, and ask for a visit.

I have been given an eclectic bed riser by the district nurse department, They fit it for you, and it goes under the mattress, and you have a hand held thingy to raise top and bottom of bed.. and they have other helping devices for around the home.(cushions, pillows, bed handrails, kitchen chairs etc.

Ventolin doesn't do much for me, or does the Nebulizer.

Good luck, Ron.

[hopetorun]

I must confess i much prefered alupent. I felt the same about ventolin but have to accept it as alupent is not available any more

I think it was withdrawn as it was said to cause heart problems.

I sleep proped up on pillows

Hope you find an answer

X

[lKeith]

Crankshaft

Can't help with the inhaler except to say go to see your GP and give him/her the background. As to the bed I have the same problem, can't lay flat so have a pile of pillows to keep me generally upright, have got a secondary problem at the moment with a slight dislocated neck. I have 3 phases of getting through the night, Pile the pillows up, lay back until your body gets to rest, then slip down a bit to get a little sleep, then back upright when the neck starts to play up. I'd stick with experimenting with pillows before spending out on a special bed.

IKeith

[Crankshaft in reply to lKeith]

Thanks for that Keith.

[micox]

I sleep in a manual reclining chair.

[Bumley]

I bought an electric bed some 8 years ago when I was first diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. If I lay flat on my back my throat blocks up, my bed solves that problem. I bought mine from the Electric Bed Company who were significantly cheaper than other and give a superb service!

[Matilda_1922]

Can I ask you do you have cpap to aid breathing overnight. My sister has sleep apnea and has one. She had to do a sleep teat.

I often say to her I wouldn't be able to use one as I sleep on my side.

Just wondered whether this would help your sleep.

[Crankshaft in reply to Matilda_1922]

Thanks Matilda , As far as I know I don’t have sleep apnea and having a friend who has it I don’t identify with his symptoms and I take it that that complain is like momentarily stopping breathing. It’s just that I waken more congested from sleeping in bed than I do in the chair. One point that you mentioned is that in bed I always sleep on my side. Anytime I fall asleep in the chair I have had a very tiring day and am wondering if I could Get to sleep on my back after an ordinary day. You seem to go through the mill with your illness and I can understand your frustration regarding getting shingles which I had a number of years ago and would not like to get again. Thanks for your response xx

[2pray4us]

Good evening, I really don't know about the inhaler that you are talking about, but I sleep with four pillows and they work great for me. I cant lay flat down because it feels like I cant breathe. I wonder why that is...

[Christabella153]

I had problems with my Inhalers luckily was sent to Chest Clinic at the local hospital & she told me it was because the powder was not getting to the lungs. Have liquid Evohalers now which I have to use with a Spacer you need proper help with your Inhalers 1 of mine was changed last year. I have 3 Inhalers now which help 90% of the time.

[Hidden]

I bought a secondhand electric bed its great i cant afford a new one but it was clean and in spare room type of bed not used much my strong son and the man who was selling it put it on my sons truck try a second hand one if u cant get a new one if u dont find it usefull to u you havent paid out all that money i use the blue inhaler salamol works for me good luck😊