Inhaler Operation

[Difficul]

My hands are quite small and my grip is not so good these days. I sometimes find it quite difficult to squeeze my aerosol inhaler sufficiently firmly. Does anyone know if there is a gadget to help with this please?

[Alberta56]

Many years ago my doctor prescribed me a gadget called a Haleraid which worked very well. I never used it because my hands were not so arthritic then. It might be worth checking if these things are still on the market.

[Alberta56]

I've just looked on the internet. Haleraids still available. See if your GP will prescribe one. If not Amazon sell Haleraids for about £15.

[Difficul]

That's brilliant, thank you so much.

[Anselm198]

I have been searching for this on Amazon and can not find it ebay seems to be the only place.

[gingermusic]

You can ask your GP for an aero chamber which will make things a lot easier for you

[Difficul in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you for trying to help me, gingermusic. In case your suggestion confuses anyone, an aero chamber is not the solution to my weak hands issue with inhalers. Indeed, I use one and suspect it makes using the inhaler rather more difficult.

[gingermusic in reply to Difficul]

So sorry thought that might have helped you

[Ergendl]

The manufacturer stopped making Haleraids some time ago, so ebay is the place to find one. I got one when I first heard about them in 2016 and find it really useful.

[Difficul in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you for confirming this, Ergendl. I couldn't find it on Amazon either and only use ebay when it is unavoidable. No point in trying to get one from my GP then. Can you please tell me how easy it is to put the elastic band on? I wondered if this might be another challenge for my thumbs, which are still playing up.

[Ergendl in reply to Difficul]

Mine doesn't have an elastic band. the inhaler just slots into the Haleraid.

Inhaler in a Haleraid

[TDM2023]

I searched for "inhaler aid for arthritic hands" on Google and a number of options come up on ebay, amazon etc including one for £5.47 on ebay. I haven't tried any myself but I know how difficult it can be to have arthritis. Hope you find something.

[garshe]

I have an aero chamber. I also have very tiny hands this enables me to use both hands when using the inhaler. Supplied by my Respiratory team xx.Sheila

[Dottie11]

Using my Aerochamber helps re grip.XX

[Difficul]

It's really gratifying and helpful to receive so many helpful replies. While my experience of the AeroChamber is different from that of Garshe and Dottie11, I have picked up on Garshe's comment about using both hands. I think that doing this will likely make a positive difference for me.

[Bingofox007]

what inhaler metered dose aerosol are you having problems with? A reliever is available in powder as accuhaler for ventolin or terbutaline in same device as symbicort. Preventers are available in powder form at many doses. Speak to your surgery respiratory nurse. An aero chamber won’t help if it’s pushing the aerosol down hard enough that’s the problem. Haleraids only work on the old salbutamol as salamol is a smaller device it doesn’t fit on to. Hope that helps. Take care 🦊x

[Difficul]

I don't do so well with a powder, so this is not the best approach for me. It may help others.

[garibaldon]

you don’t say which aerosol but I wouldn’t mind betting it’s the Ivax Salamol.

that replaced Ventolin in many surgeries. My thumb slips of the bottom of this device it’s much smaller than Ventolin and badly designed

[Patk1 in reply to garibaldon]

I've emailed them about the problem with them blocking frequently so have to carry two

[Difficul]

Actually, no, but thank you for the warning about Ivax Salamol.

[Ern007]

Stupid inhaler. I find it difficult with one hand, so I use two. Two middle fingers over the cannister and two thumbs under the mouth part. Works better than one hand.

[bluedolphin2]

I have DuoResp inhaler It's breath activated,

Much more easier to use, just open the mouth piece, blow out, put mouth piece in mouth and slowly breathe in.

DuoResp inhaler

[Difficul in reply to bluedolphin2]

Thank you Blue Dolphin for your kind suggestion. I'm glad you have an inhaler that suits you. However I am better with an aerosol type and happy with Trimbow. I am finding the suggested two hand approach works better. This forum can be very helpful.