COPD

[taffydaffy]

Hi all saw specialist yesterday and copd it is he gave me inhaler called Spirva hints and tips would be Ideal x

[Hidden]

Always rinse your mouth after use, ensure you spit out.

[123podmore]

please why i always use it

[Lynne1955 in reply to 123podmore]

It prevents you getting thrusgh in the mouth, but I think that's more common with steroids.

[Hidden in reply to 123podmore]

It can cause a dry mouth, hoarseness and tooth decay.

[Lynne1955]

I find spiriva really helps me. Mine is the 'handihaler' type. I take mine every morning about 7.30 and I find it helps to have a few practice deep breaths first to get my lungs to suck in to their best ability.

I think others on here have to use their salbutomol inhaler first to be able to inhale it more deeply.

It should make a sorty of rattling sound as you suck in. If not, you might not have closed your mouth around the applicator properly.

I have a spare handihaler, in case one breaks and I alternate them each month.

I always gargle with moutwash after using it.

I'm sure others will add to this.

Lynne xx

[libbygood]

You should gargle after using spiriva because it can cause tooth problems. I use mine every morning around 6 am. Like Lynne I have two inhalers one to use and one to wash as they can take a while to dry completely. After I put the capsule in the chamber I give the handihaler a little shake to make sure the capsule is 'free' otherwise it won't vibrate when you suck in.

I think of all my inhalers I trust spiriva the most.

Lib x

[Puffthemagicdragon in reply to libbygood]

I don't gargle as I have hardly any teeth left !

[123podmore]

i use it just one a day,how many time do you use it?

[Hidden in reply to 123podmore]

I use it once as well Podmore. I think that is the usual dose.

[SeasideSusie]

Thanks for asking this Taffydaffy, and thanks very much everyone for your advice and tips.

I am seeing one of our GPs on Monday as the COPD clinic nurse at our surgery suggested I might be better changing to Spiriva instead of Salbutamol. It will be very interesting to see if she tells me any of this if she does change me over. She's known locally as Dr. Hopeless, I think she may very well live up to her knickname! I was planning to do a blog post after my appointment so will try to remember to put something in about this.

[Hidden]

It made three of my teeth break off through not gargling cos no-one told me to. Now I have none left!

[taffydaffy]

Awww thanks guys glad I asked now did not know about rinsing my mouth out I have already lost half of my lovely healthy teeth from Sjogren's Syndrome damaging my gums I don't want to loose anymore I use the Spirva once a day in the morning also do I need any other sprays I also go blue around the edge of my lips at times is this also to do with copd x

[Hidden in reply to taffydaffy]

Sounds as though you need your sats testing though I'm no expert in that dept, going blue anywhere doesn't sound good to me.

[Lynne1955]

Well I never knew about tooth decay. I'm so glad I have used mouthwash from the start!

Lynne xx

[Glitzdevil]

Omg that's why my tooth is hurting I never knew to gargle thank you all

[hamletvv]

I use it once a day before cleaning my teeth. It really has a highly beneficial effect on my breathing.

[terrzy]

i am at he end stage with copd,now under hospice nurse[fantastic] been on spiriva 12 years.im sure thats what kept me goingmnever washed my mooth out,but spriva has helped me

[Bacardi]

I am on spiriva to and was told to brush my teeth and rinse well to stop tooth decay !!