Hi all how long does a preventer take to show if it's going to do the trick or not. Started qvar a week ago and not great so far.

[Gazza01]

Preventers

[Hidden]

What is it you are hoping for from the Qvar?

How do you mean not great ?

I note you posted 11 days ago you had just been given Forstair. You wouldn't be given both Forstair and Qvar alonside each other, so have you now switched from Forstair to Qvar and what else?

[Gazza01 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Yes the fostair seemed to be working fine for my breathing but I was getting terrible palpitations and trembling etc so had to stop it. I tried to give it time to settle down but it was getting worse with every passing day. Also have ventolin.

[Hidden in reply to Gazza01]

I'd say just give the Qvar time too. I've been on Qvar for years and for me it does help keep the lungs happier.

[frazwag]

i was told by consultant that the symbicort400 i was taking would take a month or so to reach it full potential or as good as it was going to get.

[angie105]

My Dr. Told me about one month to start working effectively.I was just switched from symbicort to breo ellipta.

[pete45]

That seems to be the biggest problem with inhalers. How do you tell if they work? I allow about 4 months and then start shopping for another. Just wish my inhalers would give me the same jolt as the rescue inhaler. With those you know it works right away. I stopped anything with steroids years ago. I have been a stage 2 plus for years now.

[Gazza01 in reply to pete45]

That's interesting as I believe steroids are not good for copd. Are you just on ventolin or something?

[deni-123red_]

I’ve been on Symbicort for a few years and often have doubts that it’s doing much for me. Reassuring to hear that others have doubts about their preventer inhalers too. I’m never sure whether I should ask about switching to another or not or better the devil you know. I had awful side effects from Seretide but I get none from Symbicort.

[Gazza01 in reply to deni-123red_]

So are you just getting by with the rescue everyday? Your not the only one. I was using clenil for a couple of years which I don't think was working at all. So I used my ventolin 3 times a day. There is plenty of evidence that it was an acceptable way for it to be used. Now though everyone frowns at the thought and says your asthma is out of control. I have also read that using ventolin several times a day with a separate preventer is no different to using some of the long acting inhalers. Personally I liked using ventolin every day as I found it keep my breathing really free and easy. Also there is no evidence that asthma gets worse by using ventolin several times a day.

[deni-123red_ in reply to Gazza01]

No I’m not using the rescue unless I need it so use it when I’m going to exert myself. I like to keep in shape so use it at least 3 times or so a week when I exercise . I thought the preventer must be used morning and night religiously. I’m coughing quite a lot recently in the mornings lately. Not getting much from the preventer so may have to use rescue more often.

[pete45]

I am on Anora and rescue is Pro Air (USA). A tip for you, I use my rescue or in your case ventolin first thing in the morning to get the lungs opened up and then about 5 minutes or so follow up with inhaler. I figured long ago when you go for your annual breathing test and they use a nebulizer to open your airways that the rescue inhaler does the same damn thing. Also have figured out that your doctor is to busy to follow you properly so fortunately I can e mail and she responds pretty quickly to my asking about another inhaler and if she thinks it might work for me. Seems the biggest complaint is no noticeable benefit from ones inhalers.

[Gazza01 in reply to pete45]

Hi. There's another thing. Some people say take a rescue to open up the airways to let the preventer get in better. Others say no. Because you are soaking your receptors in the lung with the rescue which means the only preventer sits on top of it. One cough and the preventer is gone.

[pete45]

Interesting.........I got a go ahead from my Doctor. I'll ask her if this might be the case. Had not even thought of that although sure the powder is absorbed pretty quickly into lungs. I probably average 15 to 20 minutes before doing the main event.

[Gazza01 in reply to pete45]

Yes it would be nice to know. Trouble is you could ask ten doctors and get different answers from them.

[pete45 in reply to Gazza01]

agree