Is it safe to take Ventolin 2 puffs 4 times a day ? On no other medication for Emphysema.

[miren]

[libbygood]

I was told by the Resp. nurse from the hospital to take 2 puffs 4 times a day and that's what I've done for the past 2 years. I also take Spiriva? and seretide.

Lib

[miren in reply to libbygood]

Thank you.

[jojam]

Yes but you need to talk to your doctor regarding a long acting medication such as Spriva or Seratide. I find I do not need the ventolin as much since being given Long acting inhalers whhich only need to be taken once or twice a day.

Jo

[miren in reply to jojam]

I was on Pulmicort for 30 years with Ventolin. Doctor took me off Pulmicort last month saying new Guidlines indicated not necessary for moderate COPD. I wasnt happy about this. So now have to use Ventolin more than usual.

[jojam in reply to miren]

I believe your GP may have misinrterprited new guidelines Long acting preventative inhalers are still recomended for moderate COPD see link below

nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/...

nice.org.uk/CG101

Jo

[miren in reply to jojam]

Thanks so much for the link. Very interesting reading x

[jojam in reply to miren]

your welcome, I rarely need my ventolin since being prescribed spiriva once a day & seratide twice a day. Please talk to your GP.

Jo

[Hidden in reply to miren]

hi miren.i am a copd moderate 63 yrs/i ceased cgs wen i was told .can i ask how long u have been moderate please.i was let down bad by my ex gp.he ignored my june xrays wich showed slight highinfiltation of lungs as no action needed .stupid man.i was smoking for a further 8 month until i got ill at xmas.thats wen a locum got me a scan.to late then .i have a new gp now hes ok.i have seitide twice a day.and a blue inhaler.wat is pulmicort.and were do u go to get guidlines for moderate copd/im learning lots of hear.as no 1 really tells u anything at all.its like hears your inhalers bye bye .take care

[Lynne1955]

I too am on Spiriva and find it helps far more than ventolin, which i rarely use now.

As others have said, please talk to your GP.

Lynne xx

[123podmore in reply to Lynne1955]

i am too on spiriva salamol,and they give me atrovent,they said i should not take it any more ,i need something ,because i feel very tired

[tanyamarie]

The Ventolin Evohaler can be used on a set dose of three or four times a day like you have said or just as a preventative for when breathing becomes worsened for one reason or another. Some GP's will tell you it can be used as many times as 8 - 12 puffs in succession and asthma nurses will diasagree. You should only use it in accordance with how it has been prescribed for you.

[Hidden]

Hi all, Im on the brown inhayler (steroid) 2 puffs in the morning and 2 before i go bed, im also on the ventolin throughout the day for asthma and have copd and getting fed up that my chest is so tight and i cant breath!! feel free to comment

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Kazz,

Sounds like your asthma is being treated and i wondered have you had spirometry to prove your COPD diagnosis?

Also how you use your inhaler is critical. If you are having difficulty breathing perhaps you are not getting the best out of yours. You may need a bit of help from your asthma nurse. Go & ask!

Enjoy your easter

[miren in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes have had spirometry test which showed mild COPD. Hope you have a good easter x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi kazz,

I am same as you with the inhalers,always tight chested and feel like crap.seeing nurse next week about it cos in 2years They have never worked properly for me.

Would appreciate any feedback you get.

Have a good relaxing weekend

John x

[Hidden]

Hi Kevi, im using my inhaylers correct its the weather changing all the time thats making me worse and my chest goes tight, i can predict the weather better than the met office lol, ive had a spirometry test that was 6th march thats when they told me I also had COPD, Happy Easter to you also

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The weather ha made my asthma bad this winter,if it'd freezin I can't go out

[Hidden]

Thanks for the reply.

Pleased you can use inhalers properly. I am often amazed how many people i see using inhalers can't use them properly. Especially in films, or on TV. Many healthcare professionals simply prescribe inhalers and nobody shows patients how to use.

I was so breathless recently i could not breath in "hard and fast enough" to use the dry powder inhalers I normally use. If the drugs can't reach where they are supposed to go, they can't/don't work as well, consequently i needed to use nebuliiser to help get me over the worst.

Normal 'puffer' inhalers reqire "slow and deep" technique and a breathold.

I hope the weather get warmer soon.

Have fun and enjoy your day

Kevin

[naturelover]

Hi everyone, I have recently been in hospital with pneumonia and then on return home, was informed i had tamiflu (swine flu) and had to obtain immediate meds, which I did. It was detected in my lung after a bronchoscopy. I was too ill to do the biopsy they wanted to do, instead they took washings. I am am still waiting for results of what is attacking my lungs and causing the inflammation. This has gone on since at least 2008. The consultant then blamed my parrot and his feathers. He has been dead at least 5 years and this new consultant does not agree...does not think it is an allergy at all. I am still quite breathless but getting a bit better in myself each day. I have never felt so ill in all my life as i did a couple of weeks ago. I have come home with an antibiotic to take for a month, Doxycycline 100mg. and two inhalers (I hate inhalers with a passion!) Fostair steroid (never seen this one before) two be taken twice daily, two puffs. the nurse showed me a different way to inhale than my local pharmacist. So I know what you mean folks. I also have salamol (Salbutamol) to be taken two puffs. I tend not to take this unless really breathless.

I also have osteoporosis folks.....and that is why I hate anything to do with steroids, my consultant knows this and understands. They say the inhalers only have a very small amount of steroid, but I know myself it will still attack the minerals in my bones. I am trying bits of exercise as I am feeling better, because I know the secret of building bone is exercise, all this laying in bed and on my settee will be taking its toll with my bones. I am also on the save our bones programme so eat for my bones. This info may be useful to anyone on here also. Any comments would be appreciated guys.

[Hidden in reply to naturelover]

Hi Naturelover glad your feeling better in yourself, ive got steroid tablets and the steroid inhayler and ventolin for during the day all for asthma, then march 6th this month was told i had COPD and im not sure if i should carry on with the inhaylers now as somtimes i dont feel there doing there job proper, ive not been given anything for copd as yet x

[miren]

You have been through a terrible time. So glad you are feeling a good bit better. Yes I was on Pulmicort Steroid for 30 years for Asthma also had Ventolin inhaler which i rarely used as Pulmicort was keeping things in control. Last month doc stopped the Pulmicort saying not necessary for mild COPD, now only left with Ventolin which i take 2 puffs 4 times a day. Im so confused at this outcome. Have a nice Easter.

[Spritz]

Hi miren. I am on Spiriva, Seretide 250 and Ventolin and oxygen at home, and am apparently considered end-stage (though my feeling is that it's just a number :D). I've been told that up to 16 puffs of the Ventolin can be taken per day, if necessary - although if you use too much you may well get the shakes, lol!! Good luck with getting your meds sorted out,

Jude xx

[miren]

Jude, thanks so much for that information, i really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I just didnt know what was too much or too little ! Doc had said 8 puffs so i was frightened to take more when i needed it. Have a good Easter x

[Spritz in reply to miren]

You are most welcome! Hope your Easter has been good - think I'm all choc'd out, lol!!

Jude xx

[Hidden]

I am surprised you are only on ventolin with emphysema. I have copd and asthma and take ventolin, symbicort and spirira. I was told to only take the ventolin when needed which I do. But was told I could hammer it if needed too. I have often taken 8 puffs a day and never come to any harm

Bev x

[miren]

Thanks so much for that, makes me more confident to have a extra puff when needed.. x

[qbjb]

I was so bad a while ago that I asked for a house call (stiff upper lip - never normally do that) and when my doctor came out she squirted 10 (yes TEN) lots of Salamol into a dispenser.

After I inhaled with very raised eyebrows and had enough breath to query this vast amount she said "do you prefer the alternative?"

As I could barely blow 90 on my peak flow at the time, it made me

laugh - it's all relative and I don't care if I get the shakes if it keeps me breathing and alive!!!

Jude

[naturelover]

My goodness, that's strange, but if it worked, that is the main thing! As I said before I am using a steroid inhaler night and morning but far from happy. I see my consultant again in early April, so we shall see if there are any results from my bronchoscopy. I have the option to have open surgery in Edinburgh hospital to toke proper samples off my lungs, I said no in 2008., but now I am not so sure....I need answers. There are a lot of people worse off than me, I just need to know what is causing this inflammation once and for all. I have cold sores on my lips, but using tea so starting to clear up. I made myself a cream with it in too, nice and soothing. I am a qualified aromatherapist, but if anyone wants to follow this, be careful not to get any in the mouth, the oils are poison, and also do not get in eyes, if you do wash out with full cream milk....and yes it does work!

[naturelover]

I meant early May, not April.....the hospitals don't do appointments that quick...lol

[miren]

Thanks for that. I won't be frightened to take a extra puff now. Happy Easter.

[Murican]

I was told the exact same- yet very little release! George

[Martinaann28]

My doctor told me two puffs four times a day as need for me it use to be less I went up even my advair went up to two puffs twice a day but I'd talk to your doctor about it

[stamford1234]

I was prescribed 2 Puffs 4 times a day Ventolin. It seems a lot but I don't think it is unusual. In fact Dr said I could take up to 4 puffs if I needed it. I don't. Good luck Miren

[stamford1234]

Apologies, don't know how I got into six year old posts!