Since late Nov have been prescribed a blue inhaler to take and a orange inhaler and to take my peak flow readings.
How ever since i have made more detailed notes using Blue inhaler i have noticed i am using it more, 2 puffs twice a day over the past week or so, i want to take MORE because of my tight chest in the morning and when i feel rubbish in the day but am i able to or will i take to much, i am new to all this and it is starting to stress me out big time my next appointment with the asthma nurse is not until the new year.
I am not so good at the moment, just staying in bed late in morning at weekends and hiding from the world, i know that it is not the idea situation but at the moment that is my coping mechanism.
Regards
Digg
Written by
digg
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi cec47, my peak flow readings have roughly been the same since starting using the inhalers, when i do use a blue inhaler and wait 10mins and use the peak flow meter to test there is only a small jump on the readings.
The aim of the game is to not use your blue one too often if you are it's a sign your asthma is uncontrolled and you may need to change treatment regimes
However you can take quite a lot of ventolin if you need to.... but you should also be seeing your gp of your needing to
I posted this recently in reply to a similar question querying the 8 puffs a day rule. Hope it's helpful:
"I read a similar post yesterday and one of the replies mentioned NICE guidelines: so I looked them up and here they are bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/salbut...
In a nutshell for normal asthma the recommended dosage is "100–200 micrograms, up to 4 times a day for persistent symptoms." (A puff is 100 micrograms so this is where the 8 puffs a day comes from i.e. 4 x 2 100 microgram doses)
However, for life-threatening acute asthma the recommended dosage is "2–10 puffs, each puff is to be inhaled separately, repeat every 10–20 minutes or when required, give via large volume spacer."
Hopefully this helps clarify"
The idea is that the blue inhaler helps relieve immediate episodes of breathlessness, the orange inhaler is a long-term preventative. The orange one will take a little time to start working effectively and so it's VERY important that you use it exactly as you should have been shown by your GP or nurse. Use a spacer and get your technique right. Once the orange one is working properly then you'll find that you need the blue one less and less.
You're right, staying in bed because you feel lousy is not good. But it is completely understandable. Not being able to breathe is frightening and it makes you feel pretty miserable. You mention that you feel stressed out. Of course you do - that's perfectly normal. Stress is a very real symptom of asthma - and it can be treated. I'd recommend something called "Headspace". Google it, try it, and see if it helps.
I'm not far off 60, and have had asthma all my life. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how badly even some healthcare professionals understand the disease. "It's only asthma, take your inhalers and you'll be fine."
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that kills people. It's not a lifestyle choice, inhalers are not fashion accessories.
If you feel that things are not improving then don't wait until the New Year. Get onto the GP today and ask for another urgent appointment. You do not have to apologise for having asthma. Take your peak flow records, take your inhalers and ask the GP or nurse to go through the proper inhaler technique, including the use of a spacer. Their job is to help you understand your asthma and get it under control.
You have a serious life-changing, even life-threatening medical condition. It's very difficult to start to tackle asthma and get the treatment right first time. There are many drugs, and everyone's asthma is different.
And to be honest, none of this can happen if you stay in bed. Asthma is utterly horrible but there's a world of difference between being "an asthmatic" and being a person who happens to have asthma. That difference starts with you. Ring the surgery now.
What you say is so true. I too have had variable treatment from health professionals. You have to be really stubborn and focused sometimes to get proper treatment.
just been diagnosed with Asthma today and my appointment the the nurse is Dec 22nd might get my meds changed and ask for a spacer and a combi inhaler for the morning.
Good luck. Asthma is no picnic but if you’re determined enough then you will get on top of it. There are lots of preventer inhalers, lots of things that can be done to help you. Keep on in there!
Although salbutamol is not in itself addictive, it can become your cure-all. You can develop a dependency on it, so that you clutch it all the time and don't sort out the reasons why you are feeling grim.
You really do need to get pro-active with this. I know it looks like a mountain to climb when you are feeling down and stressed, but it has to be done, and if you can get friends and family to encourage you, it will be easier. Find out all you can about the orange inhaler you have, speak to the asthma nurse at asthma UK, and remember that most of us on this site cope, in our different ways, with this condition - and so can you with the right medication and reasonable peace of mind.
A lot of good advice on these posts. On the face of it, it might seem that the Orange (preventer) inhaler isn't working too well, but it can take weeks or months to really kick in. The other problem may be stress itself - that tends to give me a tight chest anyway, which won't be relieved by an inhaler (because it has nothing to do with the asthma). Best see your doctor about BOTH. In the meantime, try not to worry about the asthma; you're in good company here!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
steroid inhalers and oral thrush 
Problems with alternative inhaler to Seretide
GP won't increase my inhaler for winter
coughing post trelogy inhaler?
Inhaler adherence/use your spacer
