Dreaded nebuliser

[Bel1966]

I have finally been battered into having Ventolin in my nebuliser. It feels like the next step to deterioration in my condition (Lung Cancer) which there aren’t very many on here with this. It made my breathing better but I did feel very shaky afterwards and my heart started racing, is this normal? I should point out that I have had my right lung removed. Do I continue or should I go back to my Consultant? Comments will be much appreciated, thanks Bel

[Hidden]

Ventolin can make your heart race and give you the shakes. If you are unsure about how you feel please go back to your doctor. You take care. X Maz

[garshe in reply to Hidden]

I hate nebulizer, made my heart rate go up scary . Never use mine prefer my Humidifier and my Olbas Oil. .x Sheila

[Bel1966 in reply to garshe]

Thanks Maz I will persevere for a couple of days.

[Caspiana]

Hello Bel.

You aren't alone. Ventolin did that to me too. It's a side effect of it. Definitely talk to your consultant if you are concerned. But I am glad it helps you breathe better. *HUG*

Cas xx 🌈☀

[Bel1966 in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks Caspiana, need to outweigh the benefits as it has made me feel so much better.

[Oshgosh]

Ventolin does have these side effects,but if it helps you breathe better,you may think it’s worth it

[Bel1966 in reply to Oshgosh]

Thanks

[Echoblue]

May be worth discussing strength of Ventolin. I have nebulised Salbutamol and Ipratropium. I was initially on 5mg strength of Ventolin but personally found the pounding racing heart very unpleasant and was impacting on sleep.

Asthma nurse changed it to 2.5mg and I had the benefits without the side effects 👍🏻👏🏻 .

Certainly worth a conversation with your clinician. Wishing you good luck for getting that balance right for you x

[Bel1966 in reply to Echoblue]

I am on 5mg too, worth contacting the doctor again, thanks.

[paula66]

So sorry with your prognosis but ventolin can leave you shakey xx

[Bel1966 in reply to paula66]

Thank you

[2greys]

You are not alone with having lung cancer and having to deal with he additional stress that it brings. Mine is currently in remission after radiotherapy, so I very much empathise with what you are going through. One of the side effects of Ventolin is, as others have said, the heart racing. It is a possibility that the dose can be reduced without it affecting benefits and worth asking about, even as just for a trial period.

[Bel1966 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks, being on here makes me realise that I am not alone. I have had the chemo and radio but unfortunately I am not in remission.

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Bel, I found the same problem with Ventolin, either by inhaler or nebulised. I am prescribed Terbutaline and I find the side effects much less. Might be worth asking about if you don’t see an improvement with the Vent.

Cx

[Bel1966 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Hi C, you are right I think I need to persevere as it’s only been two days but thanks for the advice.

[Response]

It makes my mum's heart rate go up too (I believe this is intended ) so in her case (as she doesn't need it much) I can give it to her sparingly . Doctors/consultants I've talked to say that some increase in heart rate is deliberate in order for (I think) the blood to pump round faster and therefore get oxygen to places where it's needed (that's not the correct medical explanation but a simplified version). Your medical professionals should be able to explain better what the drug does and why you need it, if the shakes are normal (i.e. address your concerns better)

[Bel1966 in reply to Response]

It may not be the medical explanation but you have made more sense. Thanks

[rf4c]

Hi Bel1966

The first thing to say that anything out of the ordinary should be notified to the consultant. It's usually nothing more than a medication adjustment, but let them decide!

I know from experience that changes in meds often lead to weird and sometimes scary symptoms before the body adjusts to them, so it could be this.

I get how you feel about "the dreaded next stage". I'm a COPD patient and everytime they "upgrade my meds" I think it's all getting worse, but it's not usually the case, it's just that a change in meds often causes the body to respond better.

I find that diet helps more than you might think. Look up the Anti-Inflammatory diet which I find actually helps. You don't have to give up the weekly fish supper from the chippie, but if you behave the rest of the time, it should get some positive results.

As I said from the outset, always keep your consultant informed of your worries, as the consultant is your main line of defence!

May it all go well for you! Kindest wishes, Jim

[Bel1966 in reply to rf4c]

Hi Jim, thank you your advice is good and I certainly will look into it. Bel

[HungryHufflepuff]

I’ve never had Ventolin in a nebuliser but, I used to take my Ventolin inhaler daily, every day, for decades. As far as I remember I had no side effects other than cramps. For the past 6 years I’ve hardly used my Ventolin on different recommendations by a different doctor. Recently I had to use it and the effects were terrifying! It gave me the worst shakes and my heart felt like it was racing. I can only assume that my body had acclimated before with the daily use, then become totally unaccustomed to it over the past few years. Things will have to be pretty bad before I have the courage to use it again and I’m not convinced it helps me all that much anyway. Which is totally not helpful or reassuring for you! But, maybe you will get used to it too and those awful side effects will ease, and hopefully it will be if some benefit to you. 💐

[Bel1966 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thanks for this, I have a Salamol inhaler which I use regularly but when my coughing fits get so bad I can’t use it as I can’t take the breath. The main reason I have agreed to this is my daughter as she gets really scared when she sees I can’t breath and tries to help me with my inhaler. At least this way she can just put the mask on. I will try this for the time being and see how it goes. Thanks for you advice.

[jackdup]

I don’t use a nebulizer but ventolin does the same to me. I am using Bricanyl now and don’t get those side effects anymore.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to jackdup]

A few people have mentioned Bricanyl recently, saying it’s better and more effective than Ventolin 🤔 I wonder how one gets prescribed that rather than Ventolin ❓❔

[jackdup in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

I just told my doctor I didn’t like the side effects of ventolin and didn’t find it worked that well for me and would like to try bricanyl and he gave me a prescription.

[Bel1966 in reply to jackdup]

Maybe I will try if I can’t get along with this, thanks

[jackdup in reply to Bel1966]

I like it better but we are all different and what works for one doesn’t always work for another but always worth a try in my opinion.

[Bel1966 in reply to jackdup]

Thank you.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Bel1966]

Bel Bricanyl is Terbutaline.

Cx

[Bel1966 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thanks

[m0bnd]

Hi Bel.

My mother had lung cancer and had a pneumonectomy (left lung). She is currently using Spiriva and Qvar among some blood tablets and beta blockers.

I have used Ventolin and yes, with 1 nebule (10 puffs of an inhaler equivalent) it does make me feel light headed and shaky with a racing heart. Maybe go back to the respiratory dept. and see if other inhalers may work.

I wish you well with everything in the future.

Andy.

[Bel1966 in reply to m0bnd]

Hi Andy, thanks I might do that if this doesn’t settle down. I wish you well too.

[AnnaMT]

As a chronic asthmatic, I have had to use a nebuliser quite a bit (even took one on honeymoon to Canada, as was in hospital before I got married). I feel such a relief when it takes effect and I can breathe.

[Bel1966]

Congratulations, Anna you are an inspiration and I hope you had a lovely time despite of it all. Yes it is a relief. Bel

[AnnaMT in reply to Bel1966]

Such a lovely time. At least I had finished making and decorating my cake before I went into hospital and I spent my time usefully making mine and my sister's headdress. 😊