morning gang. I’ve posted about my state of health before, but a quick synopsis. I’ve been feeling pretty yuck for 2 months now. I’ve developed insomnia and can only sleep for 2 hours a night, which is awful. I am just so tired constantly. I started to feel like I couldn’t breathe and was having the most severe panic attacks resulted in 3 visits to a&e where It was confirmed that I had a chest infection as per the GP which was making my asthma bad and causing the breathing problems/panic attacks. The GP had already changed my pump twice. I honestly can’t keep up with the names of them all, but the one I was on then was the pink one for My COPD @ 2 puffs am and 2 puffs pm with as many as 6 extra puffs during the day should I need them, which I did. The chest infection was then diagnosed as being a sinus infection too and the GP changed me again to Trimbow, which I am now. She told me not to use Ventolin as that was already in the Trimbow. Meanwhile in the last 2/3 weeks I’ve developed a tight cough which eventually loosens for a while to produce light green ‘snot’, which I cough up. Now this Trimbow is a 2 puffs am/pm dose but last night, the cough was almost constant and my throat chest felt tight and a lovely panic attack brewing cos I couldn’t breathe properly, so I took an extra 2 puffs of the Trimbow which did the job and uo came the phlegm. So questions : can you really only use it twice a day and if so, what other pump can I take for extra relief if needed? I still have one Ventolin pump even though the GP said to stop taking it. It doesn’t seem to help much although it does stop the wheezing when the catarrh gets down in my chest and I’m banned from using the Trimbow again. Another problem is my mouth and throat are so dry that they are painfully sticking together. Pretty fed up coping with this through every bloody day and night.
thanks
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Reader100
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Hi Reader,I really don’t understand why your GP has said not to use your blue inhaler.
Trimbow, put simply does the same job as Fostair (the pink inhaler you were on) and Seebri. The idea is you are getting the meds from one inhaler instead of two. This is supposed to result in better compliance.
So, for those who take Fostair and Seebri the blue inhaler can still be used, so I don’t understand why, as you are basically on the same meds, you can’t take the blue inhaler while on Trimbow.
Has your GP taken the blue inhaler off your prescription?
Have you ever been on Spivira Respimat or Seebri inhaler?
If so, I would be asking to go back on them as two separate inhalers with a blue rescue inhaler.
I’m also amazed because as someone who has asthma you have no rescue inhaler. That has surely got to be wrong and something I would be asking about. What are you supposed to do in the event of an attack? You can’t use Trimbow as it is slow acting.
As a side note, I was on Seebri inhaler but find Spivira Respimat much better so that is another treatment option alongside a Fostair inhaler.
As to your current difficulties. Has your GP taken a sputum sample? If it is green this would suggest a bacterial infection which may need antibiotics. I understand you have already been prescribed some, but as the problem is persisting it might need a more specific antibiotic to clear it up.
As for the dry mouth that could be a side effect fro the LAMA in Trimbow.
And yes, you can take your blue inhaler - see chart below.
Hi Reader, Wow! I don't know what planet your GP is on but Trimbow does not have any ventolin ingredient at all. Yes it does have something that helps open up the airways but it is normally used alongside ventolin.
I have bronchiectasis and copd and have been prescribed ventolin 2 puffs 4 times daily and Trimbow 2 puffs twice daily!
I can feel it both in my chest, coughing and airway clearance if I miss a dose of ventolin or the ventolin inhaler is starting to run low.
Hi im on Trimbow it's a 3 in 1 but im also on the blue inhaler when needed so maybe your GP dosnt know much about inhalers and the use of them if I were you I'd use the blue inhaler when needed it should help but also talk to GP again
No not extra puffs of trimbo but the rescue inhaler blue it can be taken up to 10 puffs daily but I found once trimbow kicked I didnt need blue one to often im stage 4 emphysema without trimbow I recon I would be alot worse
hi i cant remember how long it took for trimbow to kick in but definitely within 2 weeks how are you managing with trimbow now and please keep blue inhaler use when needed .x
Do you have an asthma nurse at your practice? Or access to a nurse from the local respiratory team? I think you need to speak to an expert in this condition as your GP sounds ill-informed (that's putting it mildly)Are there any local asthma support groups where you live?
I've got a diagnosis of Bronchiectasis and have direct access to the Respiratory Team, bypassing the surgery. I feel you should have something similar, no wonder you're panicking. I hope you can find a supportive professional to help you
I take a codeine if a coughing attack begins. It acts pretty quickly. I wouldn’t be without it so do ask your doctor to prescribe some for emergencies. I took a codeine before having a cataract removed since I was scared I might cough at the wrong time. It worked like a dream.
Hi. I have been on Trimbow for about three years and use Ventolin as required. These were prescribed by a Respiratory Nurse from the hospital's Respiratory Team and approved by a consultant there as well. My GP just issues them on my repeat prescriptions. I have always been told that you should never use Trimbow more than two puffs twice a day. Good Luck. John
Guess what? The postman’s just been and there’s a letter from the hospital with an appointment to see the consultant at the thoracic clinic (chest). How’s that for timing?!
I have never heard of not using a reliever inhaler (Ventolin) when on Trimbow. I have used it for over a year now and find that I don't need my Ventolin as often but I am on oxygen therapy as well.
Hi, can I ask if any of you on Trimbow keep yours in the fridge? I went to a friend's house and they said that the doctor said to keep it in the fridge. Never knew that !!
It says on the packet that it has to be kept below 25 degrees, so normally I just have it stored at room temperature below 25 degrees. However, with the warm weather the room temperature has been above 25 and well over 30 degrees, so I have started storing it in the fridge until the weather and room temperature lowers.
I also read somewhere that after taking it out of the fridge to wait 15 mins before using the inhaler? So that is what I do during these hot times.
I dont sleep well at all Reader100 and sympathise with you. When my bronchiectasis is bad and I have alot of sinus problems i take a antihistamine which dries everything up and helps me sleep. Doesnt sound like your gp has much knowledge in respiratory so ask your chemist x
I take salbutimal to clear my chest.I have had a Dr tell me to use it as much as i need to clear my lungs.
I tend not use it too much especially at night since it can increase anxiety. I have had the same probable as you WRT not being able to sleep due to breathing anxiety . Panic attacks are no fun for sure. My pulminologist has prescribed laorazipam for such occasions. I have been using it to also get a good nights sleep.This is not recommended a a standard practice but sometimes you NEED to sleep! Doctors do not like prescribing them but they can be a life saver for me.
The other thing I have found very helpful is meditation tapes. Use them when and before you feel anxious. Here is an example.
I cannot take ventolin as it increases my heart quite a bit and my GP told me it was too dangerous so it was stopped. I was then given Brianyl which is terbutaline and not too long ago also was prescribed Trimbow. No one has ever told me that Trimbow had the bronchdilater in it. I found out accidentally recently by asthma nurse that I should only use Trimbow and told me why, I told her that nobody had informed me of that. So I continue to use both as I had been taking both for a few years, infact I have been on bricanyl for over 40 years and it suits me fine. The nurse also told me to rinse my mouth out with water because I could easily get oral thrush and I never knew that either. I now have nystatin for thrush but I found a better one which you can buy over the counter it is called Daktarin for oral use because you also get the same named drug for athletes foot. I hope this is of any help to you. I hope you can get proper care this time. Good luck.
Hi Reader, I am in total agreement re the lack of sleep, 2 hrs is pretty much the most iI get unless I doze in the chair for sometimes 3-5 hrs. I was switched from Trelelgy to Trimbow and my sleep has def worsened as has the dry mouth which makes my CPAP machine harder to stay with. I have phone cons with Lung Centre at hosp and COPD nurse at surgery so am hoping for something positive. I also have Ventolin as and when reqd but dont notice any help from it.
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BENEFITS OR DOWNFALLS OF USEING TRIMBOW
Trimbow with emphysema, bronchiectasis and aspergillus causing problems 
6 weeks on and still suffering with chest infections 
Suddenly Fighting for breath.
