Inhalers

[Mama-bear60]

What inhalers do people use for Bronchiectasis sufferers?

I have salamol, it aids with relieve from breathlessness but struggle to find any long term solutions.

I wondered if anyone has a steroid inhaler that helps them with their symptoms.

[janedivney]

I have Ventolin rather than salamol, works better for me. Also a longer-acting bronchodilator, Spiriva Respimat. As a steroid inhaler I use Fostair 200/6, and a nasal steroid called Dymista. I’m also on biologic injections for asthma, but not all bronchs have asthma

[Mama-bear60 in reply to janedivney]

Is Ventolin steroid based? Can I ask what a bronchodilator is and was it prescribed by the doctor or respiratory specialist?

I ask because I’m going to discuss medication and referral with GP next week I want to have my ducks in a row.

[janedivney in reply to Mama-bear60]

No, Ventolin contains salbutamol, the same as your Salamol. Salbutamol is a short-acting bronchodilator. Its role is to open the airways & allow you to breathe easier.

Spiriva (the drug it contains is called tiotropium bromide) is a long-acting bronchodilator so 2 puffs in the morning is effective for most of the day. Your gp or a consultant can prescribe Spiriva.

Fostair comes in 2 strengths ie 100/6 & 200/6. It contains another bronchodilator (formoterol) and also a steroid (beclometasone), so its role is both as a reliever and a preventer.

It’s a great idea to get your ducks in a row. If I were you I’d chat to one of the nurses on the helpline too. They’re really knowledgeable & might suggest things for you to ask your gp. The no. is 0300 222 5800 & they’re there Mon-Fri 9-5

[Swizzy in reply to Mama-bear60]

Ventolin is not steroid based. It is a broncho dilator which means it opens the airways. Salamol is the form of eco friendly ventolin which they prefer to give us now. Fostair is a combination of a bronchodilater and a steroid which keeps down inflammation in the airways. It us important to remember that treatment for asthma with bronch is different to treatment just for bronch

[Lynneypin in reply to janedivney]

how do you get on with Dymista? It was recommended to me by a consultant, but my GP can’t prescribe it. (Decision by ICB) What am I missing out on? Is it good?

[janedivney in reply to Lynneypin]

It’s the only nasal inhaler which has been effective for me. I don’t believe your gp “can’t” prescribe it. “Won’t” is probably the truth. Some gps are incredibly arrogant & think they know better than the consultant. He/she is more concerned with the practice’s budget than your health. I’m really annoyed on your behalf! Personally I don’t put up with s*** from obstructive gps, too much at stake. I find if you stand up for yourself & insist, they always back down, but it’s terrible that we ever have to do that.

Btw I use Neil-Med sinus rinse too, just once daily, to help repel bacteria (I’m obsessive about trying to resist infection!) It’s great. I could get it on prescription but my drug list is so long I try to avoid costing the nhs yet more money, and it’s quite cheap so I order it on Amazon.

[Lynneypin in reply to janedivney]

thanks. I was told it’s a Devon ICB decision (the consultant I saw was in Dorset - where it IS available). However, I do have an appointment in a couple of weeks to challenge it.

[Swizzy]

I have had fostair twice per day since 2007 which seems to help although with my bronch I don’t get the type of breathlessness that those with copd do. I also have salamol which I use now and then if I feel breathless owing to an exacerbation or being in a bad air atmosphere.

[Nula2]

Hi, I'm on Fostair (2puffs in the morning and two puffs before bed) for my Bronchiectasis plus a reliver inhaler, which I am having to use more & more as my breathing and other health issues have got so much worse over the last year or so. But I do feel that both inhalers help but I haven't tried going without so don't know for sure.

[janedivney]

Mama-bear, before you see your gp go online & find a bronchiectasis specialist in your area. Most big hospitals have one but if you can’t find one ask on here. Don’t let them refer you to a general chest consultant - they simply don’t have the expertise to treat us.

Repeated chest infections will eventually lead to irreversible lung damage, as I know to my cost. So it’s vital that, along with a bronch expert, you gain control & try to increase your resistance to infection. Along with a healthy lifestyle (inc as much exercise as you can manage) the MOST important thing you can do is regular airway clearance. This helps stop the air sacs in your lungs from stagnating with infected mucus & eventually collapsing. You will get on top of this condition, but it takes knowledge, commitment and a good bronch specialist.

If you haven’t yet been referred to a chest physiotherapist, that’s a priority because they’ll teach you the most effective clearance method. This probably has to be done by a consultant though. Meanwhile there are many online tutorials & information about how to manage bronch. Have a browse round the AsthmaUK website, there’s lots on there.

[Alberta56]

I'm on Ventolin ( Salamol didn't suit me) and Relvar Ellipta. I was put on this some years ago for asthma. What it does for bronchiectasis I don't really know.

[Egpa]

Hi, I am on trimbow and ventolin, was changed from fostair as it was not so effective.aslo co-amoxiclave tablets for my rescue pack, Good luck finding a consultant in your are.

[Lizzab]

I tried a few different inhalers during one year and eventually I was given ciclesonide, formoterol and montelukast. Look them up.

That was a game changer for me.

Out of the 3 medications . I cannot manage for very long without ciclesonide.

With that combination I never ever need the ventolin.

[Jack70 in reply to Lizzab]

never heard of ciclesonide is this for copd or bronch

I’m looking for a better inhaler I’m on Trimbow

[Lizzab in reply to Jack70]

I have Bronchiectasis and asthma. Prescribed by the hospital consultant. Alvesco is it's brand name.

I was told that it is 'finer and good at getting further down in the lungs'

[modace]

Trimbow

[watergazer]

I use fostairnexthaler as it goes deeper into the lungs and I find it keeps me quite stable with only the odd flare up I also have the blue reliever which I sometimes use during flare ups. X

[Digger0]

I'm not on any inhalers as I don't have asthma as well.

[Beshmeta]

I use Symbicort (which is both reliever and steroid), which has worked well for my asthma since 2005-ish. I don’t have an inhaler for bronch, but use Aerobika for clearance and take Nacys tablets to thin mucus. This combo, along with staying active, seems to work for me.

[Fresco]

Ventolin and Fostair steroid inhaler, I'm sure they work.Plus I bought a Nebuliser where you can buy Saline that does help.

My last consultation, prescribed

Saline solution and trying Pulmoclear 3, Hypertonic solution, x 3 per day. That does help clear mucus, obviously takes a little time. The Nebuliser came with a Nasal shower, highly recommend that, I use that 1x daily. If I'm out , I bought a portable rechargeable nebuliser,

[B0xermad]

Hi mama bear 60 I use ventolin and seretide 250mg inhalers they seem to keep me in reasonable health. Tried fostair but didn't get on with it very well.I also use a mucolyte drink and an acapella device for clearance of mucus

[GintyFerguson]

I'm not sure there is anything specific for bronchiectasis. I have that and asthma and take Incruse and Fostair. I'll take prednisilone and antibiotics if necessary. The former only if I think my life us at risk because I hate the side effects!

[Maximonkey]

Hi Mama-bear60, I have Bronch and I use Fostair and Spiriva Respite inhalers, my Salbutamol inhaler is for emergency use only (as advised by GP). I use it very rarely. If you are only on Salbutamol I think you should make an appointment with your asthma nurse or GP. Good luck and I hope this has helped. Maximonkey

[Timberman]

Bronchiectasis is the damage or destruction of the cilla essential to moving waste mucus out of the airways to be expelled by coughing and sneezing. An inhaler is about opening up the airways, specifically the alveoli, to facilitate the transfer of oxygen to the blood stream. I can see no specific benefit to bronch sufferers like me from an inhaler beyond opening up the airways.

I take carbocistine which works to liquify mucus and make it easier to remove.

I practice vibrated breathing to facilitate movement in the airways.

Devices to assist in this are available but efficacy is a matter of opinion.

Note- I am not a clinician, merely a long time sufferer with a keen desire to understand my problems. Please discuss with your clinician.

images of open and blocked airways.

[Seagullcity in reply to Timberman]

Hello Timberman, I found your response to this inhaler question interesting as I have been trying to work out how the salbutamol inhaler, prescribed for my bronchiectasis, is supposed to help. My understanding is that the inflammation in my lungs erodes and widens the airways. The responses to the inflammation is constant phlegm production, which clogs up the airways. And we need to find ways to expel the phlegm to prevent infection. But why have an inhaler which serves to widen the airways, which are already widened?

[Patk1 in reply to Timberman]

I use 2 steroid inhalers as well as salbutamol.i do have asthma( as well as multitude of lung and Airways probs).the aim is to help reduce inflammation due to bronchiectasis + asthma

[Timberman in reply to Patk1]

Surprisingly neither Ventolin nor Salbutamol include steroids. There are steroids in some other inhalers. I have been warned to take great care if taking steroids as they can cause a host of other problems if taken regularly or to excess.

[Patk1 in reply to Timberman]

Yes,they are bronchodilaters.my 2 steroid inhalers have been very necessary and 1 is on mart regime,which has been proven to be v effecting trials

[Jaybird19]

clenil------- but have developed arthritis in hand a nd that togrther with lessening of grip in old age is making it difficut to activate the clenil puffer

[MrsBumble2512]

I use Trimbow along with the Salbutamol ... and also use nasal rinses too .. get that off Amazon. I also use a steamer to loosen the mucus! X