Inhaler technique

[Hopeful1]

I have had COPD/ asthma for decades. Moderate severity but a bad winter of infections last year. On referall recently was asked about how I used inhaler. I had always before been told I had good technique.This time told when using aerochamber to keep it in place and breathe in and out slowly 4 times with each shot. This seems to have made a real difference to me. I am wondering if others have been so advised?

[Badbessie]

From memory my pharmacist called it a tidal technique and whilst I was on that particular inhaler worked well for me. I still use it when taking my rescue inhaler. Due to costochondritis I am not always able to use the normal techniques and revert to tidal during this times. However care must be taken when I use my steroid inhaler as tidal can cause real problems if you do not rinse your mouth properly etc.

[Nula2 in reply to Badbessie]

Hi Badbessie, I've never heard of the 'tidal technique'. I'm on Fostairs (2 puffs x twice a day) and Ventolin inhalers (when required) for Bronchiectasis. Which would you recommend for each? Will be seeing my inhaler nurse in November so can ask her then if you'd rather not say. Thank you 🙂xxx

[Badbessie in reply to Nula2]

I really cannot give a recommendation either way. We both have different conditions and what is right for one maybe not right for some one else. . For safety speak with your nurse.

[Nula2 in reply to Badbessie]

Ah you're right. I will speak to the nurse. Thank you for replying 🙂xxx

[SuziElley in reply to Nula2]

I use tidal breathing for Fostair. Seems to be more effective.

[Hopeful1 in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you

[Hopeful1 in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you

[Troilus]

I use tidal when ever I need my blue inhaler. With Fostair and Spivira I still inhale and hold.

[Hopeful1 in reply to Troilus]

Thank you

[Tykelady]

My last spacer was not an Aerochamber but an Easychamber which was a continuous breathing one. I still don't know if I'm doing it properly.

[Hopeful1 in reply to Tykelady]

thank you

[Patk1 in reply to Tykelady]

Do ask Yr nurse Tykelady.x

[Homely2]

I received similar advice and it still helps me a lot. My asthma nurse also says, slow and steady, a lot when checking my technique.

My local asthma nurse has also given me a large old fashioned spacer for use at home, it also helps.

[Hopeful1 in reply to Homely2]

Thank you

[ghousrider]

good day to you i live in uk to do to have a rep team in your local hospital i do they came to see me at my home they help me a lot & they told me to join a gym there are plenty gyms out there they told me mild execises to help the breathing dont 4 get we got winter coming up to try your best ghoust rider

[ghousrider in reply to ghousrider]

good day again yes ive got copd / asma broicals problems corns grow in toes tracky in kneck on ebuliser 4 times a day life not to good on lockdown i was down in health walking not good had copd now 2013 2023 in comma in local hospital 20113 thought i would never wake up my family said vewry hard time for all of us see you ghoust rider

[Hopeful1 in reply to ghousrider]

thank you for your replies ghousrider. It is such a friendly forum. Hope you have a good winter yourself.

[Mellywelly]

My nurse told me how to use the aerochamber and I watched my sister do it one day. She was trying to blow back into it. Obviously nobody had showed her. Idiots. I was told when it's a reliever big breath in, hold 10 seconds or as long as you can slowly out through your nose and repeat 3 more times with steady breaths in and out through the nose. With brown inhaler slow breath in and repeat slow and steady. Always told with reliever you breath in as hard as you can the first breath in. 👍

[Hopeful1 in reply to Mellywelly]

Thank you.

[Biker88]

My space chamber/aero chamber has a non return valve and I was told to breath normally through the mouth for 4 breaths. When I breath out through the chamber the non return valve stops the exhaled breath going back in the chamber and diverts it out of the sides of the mouthpiece

[Hopeful1 in reply to Biker88]

Thank you.

[risabel59]

I use both spacer techniques depending on how well I am. Some people find a big breath in difficult. So tidal breathing can make a big difference. The asthma lung uk web site has really good videos on inhaler technique for all different types of inhaler.

cheers R

[Hopeful1 in reply to risabel59]

Thank you Risobel. It sounds like more of us should be aware of the videos!

[Alberta56]

I think I need lessons in using an aerochamber correctly. I've found they tend to dish these things out, but don't follow up to make sure you're using them correctly.

[Hopeful1 in reply to Alberta56]

asthma.org.uk/living-with/i... is a link from asthma.org.uk with technique videos for many types of inhalers.

[Alberta56 in reply to Hopeful1]

Thank you. xxx

[Digger0]

I used that technique

[Timberman]

Interesting - I have always done that on the basis that there is so little effective medicine that giving it the best chance to get to the inner parts of the lungs seemed a good idea. But I have never been told to do it and have absolutely no evidence whatsoever regarding its effectiveness!