Eklira Genuair

[linsabout]

I have just been taken off Spiriva respimat and put on Eklira Genuair. Wondered if anyone else is taking it as its very new, and if so what your thoughts are about it.

[Gordon57]

It's been mentioned a few times on here already, see :- blf.healthunlocked.com/site...

Seems a bit of a backwards steps to come off Spiriva though, Eklira is similar in what it does but I'd understood it was the one new sufferers would be put on first, probably due to price - ah, that could explain it then

[linsabout]

Gordon, My surgery has taken ALL patients off spiriva respimat. I have been doing well on respimat for over 2 years. The capsule one doesn't help me so there was nothing much left for them to try. I am trying to find someone else who is taking it

[Gordon57 in reply to linsabout]

Not a problem, I just linked back to all previous discussions so you'd be able to read what had been said about it.

[linsabout in reply to Gordon57]

I have thanks and added a few comments. ive heard of people being taken off all over the country even though the report on respimat was inconclusive. It maybe a money issue like you suggested. at 29% I cant afford to go down hill

[Gordon57 in reply to linsabout]

That was my thought, but I didn't want to appear negative so just gave the links, which would then include what I'd said previously. From what I had read, it's similar to, but perhaps not as effective as, Spiriva. Cost appears to be the factor for GP's cutting a lot of medication back.

Thankfully, our surgery has a pharmacist who also happens to be the COPD specialist. She tried swapping some of my meds about but I went to see her and explained what problems I'd had previously and she was then happy to leave me on the only steroid inhaler that suits me.

If she was to try and take me off Spiriva I'd probably try the Eklira, so I can judge for myself, but wouldn't hesitate to go back and ask to go back if needs be. Sometimes the patient is not the priority, which seems wrong.

[linsabout in reply to Gordon57]

trouble is the surgery has withdrawn it totally so if this one is not as good im stuck. Doctor said her hands are tied. Well so far so good with it so fingers crossed for me! tHANKS

[wellman2 in reply to linsabout]

I think it s very sad that a Doctor says her hands are tied when they are supposed to prescribe the best treatment for the individual patient so definatelyy fingers crossed for you hope it all goes well.

[linsabout in reply to wellman2]

Thank you, its only been a few days but so far im feeling better than I have in ages. Could be the new med, I hope so

[Flippettyflew]

Iam on Eklira Genuair , (on my third one)after a number of ineffective inhalers . Seems to be working well for me. Hope this new one brings ease to many many more lives . I cannot think of any side effects ..dry throat perhaps ..but I can live with that!

[linsabout in reply to Flippettyflew]

Thank you! I'm noticing the dry mouth but I am breathing so much better at the moment and hoping its the meds and not just coincidence.

[linsabout]

In case anyone else goes over to Ellira: I have just realised I am not using my blue inhaler at all since changing. Was taking 3 or 4 times a day. Cant belive what a difference this med is making!

[linsabout]

answering my own comment again: I still feel good. I am 29% and can walk much further than I did and take what to me, are deep breaths. Not touched my blue ventolin since. I'm sleeping better. Still cant eat fast enough to finish a meal before its gone cold tho lol.

[linsabout]

Still doing really well on this. You would have to fight me to get it off me now. I wouldn't go back to spiriva even if you were to give me £10 a puff. I am managing to do a little more of everything everyday. No coughing at night nor wheeze. Im not tired all the time anymore.

[Hidden]

hi ive just been put on elkira also i have seritde 500 and blue ventolin,gps nurse give it me after i told her id heard of 2 new inhalers seebri and elkira she was a bit piffed wen i told her about new inhalers/isnt it there job to tell us .after readin thezs blogs it seems they have been out a while so i think the nurse is a bit slow with new info for us and treatments nasty/av noticed an inprovement alrdy since takin elkira,she said its to get lung function up as the read out said i had a lung age of 90yr old im 63.i never asked for lung age dont no why they tell u that/i stopped cigs at xmas on bein told i had copd and wont b smokin again,i think she should have explained my fev instead but didnt and i got no copy of my readings either i was blowing for the spimerty test wen she said ok stop now but i could have carried on.dont no why she said stop so im not sure if that readin was accurate .

[linsabout in reply to Hidden]

Hello Caroll, im still doing really well on it, everythings good except i am getting more oral thrush than before, but its a small price to pay. My nurse isn't good, she has never explained anything to me. I only found out what stage because she had a student in with her & said Linda is end stage now. I was gob smacked, had no idea. Never had a copy of spirometry readings from her, but not sure i would understand them anyhow! I was told by a doctor that nurses tell you lung age in order to frighten you into not starting smoking again. Take care x

[Hidden]

hi .god thezs nures at gps presume alot dont they.i prefare to listen to blv nurses myself.gps nurses are not in my opinon as good,i asked her ave u ever smoked/oh yes but stopped 9 yr ago/shes about 62 herself.then took my blood.asked wat for/its c how much carbon ive got.all in all not a nice visit but ive come to accept the ignorant ones with a pitch salt,asked me if id had whooping cough measles bit pheonmia all yes then i told er had meningitus at 15 yellow jaundice at 14 was brought up in a smokers household worked in cotton mills 20 odd yr didnt start cigs till i was 20yr old.never drank nor drugs/oh she said all them illnesses are a factor related to copd.she saw i wasnt fazed with my lung age wich i didnt ask for/said cum bak 2months time and will c if elkira as improved lung function.ok i said bye.god wat a visit glad gp is ok he is my new gp.as last 1 coulndt read an xray,i had last june wat said copd clown ignored it said it was ok xray,how old are u im 63 an i think if u feel ok wats with the stages gettin told to us if we dont even ask scaremongers.take care

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

me again she also said i will be on oxy soon,i said ohrite well my oxy is 98 99 so wen then,oh we will c,asked her do my oxy .no we leave it for now smart isnt she

[linsabout in reply to Hidden]

Sorry forgot to say im 59.

[linsabout]

I went on it yesterday. Blooming giant tank in my hall. Just have to use for 5 mins before i do my housework ir bath as my levels fall so low i pass out. Doc prescribed it as nurse said the 88 and below im getting is perfectly fine... Doc was horrified. They really do need to train uo the nurses that look after us. Mine actually said i deserve all i get because i smoked!

[Hidden in reply to linsabout]

as oles sum of them an most have smoked in past ignore them i do.wen they have walked my path then can preach other wise quiet please 59 is young have u got a family,i have a friend who is 57 oxy 17hrs daily will not stop the cigs so me an her sis ave stopped tellin her makes no difference an dosent eat /just drinks coffee all day and she as tiny drinks in fridge vitamins of gp thats all.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

p.s.i havnt used my ventolin in 2days now sinc been on elkira shows u dun it nurse cud have give me this wen it 1st came out not wen i rung and asked bout 2 new inhalers there not payin for it.ive paid my taxes years an years ,got info for new inhalers of thezs blogs thank god for ppl on hear

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

me again ive just googled elkira its by u, s,a, and it was passed in july 2012 so why we just gettin it bldy ridicouls,

[linsabout in reply to Hidden]

Caroll are you on Facebook? If so come and join us at copd uk and have a proper chat with lots of people all in the same boat xx

[Hidden in reply to linsabout]

wich facebook im on facebook with my family an few friends wat is facebook copd uk

[linsabout in reply to Hidden]

Its a group on Facebook. If you want to add me im Linda Sweetman and i will introduce you x