Trouble loading symbicort turbohaler 😞

[flossiew]

Hi all. I don't know if I am being a numpty, but I was prescribed symbicort a couple of days ago, but despite following the instructions about how to set the inhaler up it doesn't seem to have worked as the counter isn't counting down - sorry if I haven't explained myself well... I am bringing it in to my pharmacist tomorrow so they can talk me through how to set it up and use it, but I was wondering if anyone else has had similar problems. Also, I was told not to use my ventolin, but to use the symbicort as my preventer and reliever instead - I am not sure what to do if my symptoms worsen though. Any advice would be appreciated. Hope you have a lovely weekend, Flossie 😊 xx

[Carriejen]

I know this sounds silly, but if it’s a powdered inhaler make sure you’re taking it the right way up! Haha good luck

[flossiew in reply to Carriejen]

Doesn't sound silly at all given the fact that I can be a bit of a numpty at times, but yes... the inhaler is the right way up! I think the mechanism isn't working properly, or I just failed miserably trying to set it up correctly - anyway I will pootle off tomorrow to see my friendly and very helpful pharmacist to see how it's meant to work 🤣

[Carriejen in reply to flossiew]

I’m taking Fostair and I was taking it upside down on the odd day and I thought my inhaler was broken! Haha

[flossiew in reply to Carriejen]

Bless! I haven't had that problem yet, although on the odd occasion I have caught myself blowing out before checking my peak flow.... 😁

[Lynneypin]

It counts down slowly, it’s hard to see the change. I still occasionally use ventolin, if I’m having a bad do! They told me to still carry ventolin with me just in case.

[Wheezycat]

Hi! I have now been on Symbicort a coup,e of years, and it has worked much better for me than clenil plus ventolin did.

The counter moves very slowly, so you won’t really see it moving from one puff to the next.

You use it when you would otherwise have used ventolin. I still also have ventolin, apparently views differ on this one, and on the whole I use that when effects of excercise, but symbicort for an increase in symptoms generally. But it can also be used for excercise. You should always carry one with you to use if needed.

After I got it my pharmacist checked with me that I knew how to use it, and that was helpful.

[DeanSamson in reply to Wheezycat]

Mine moves really slow

[flossiew in reply to DeanSamson]

Good to know! It's rather disconcerting not being sure if I have done things correctly, so I am very grateful for your reply. All you folks on health unlocked have been so helpful- thanks a bunch! 😊

[-wil in reply to Wheezycat]

how do you know it’s working. can you taste it, or feel the particles? i just got mine and i’m not sure if it works or not

[flossiew]

Thanks Lynneypin and Wheezycat -

I had been taking sirdupla and was used to the counter going down each time I used it, so it's good to know the reason why the counter didn't appear to be moving on the symbicort! Thanks both for your replies 😊

[dawnydawny]

When you turn the bottom piece you should be able to hear a click. If so, then it’s loaded correctly and ready to go.

[flossiew in reply to dawnydawny]

Thanks dawnydawny 😊

I have heard it click, so I guess it must be working correctly. What's thrown me is the fact that the sirdupla counted down each time I took it, as well as the fact that I could actually tell the dose from the sirdupla was dispensed as I could hear and taste it, but as the very lengthy leaflet says, the dose from the symbicort is very small so I may be unaware I have taken it... Here's hoping!

[Superzob in reply to flossiew]

Just make sure you turn it both ways each time (otherwise you won't hear the click and it won't have been reloaded).

[flossiew in reply to Superzob]

Thanks Superzob - I popped into my pharmacy this morning and got them to check my technique etc- apparently all is well! Good to know I am less of a Muppet than I thought 😀

[dawnydawny]

I know what you mean though. I am now on the DuoResp and you can see it count down each time but the turbohaler isn’t like that.

[flossiew in reply to dawnydawny]

It's reassuring to see the counter going down each time! Thankfully my pharmacy is excellent- my hubby and I had only been going there a couple of times to collect repeat prescriptions and they knew us both by name! The person I saw this morning was very helpful- it makes such a difference 😊

[Choristermum]

The counter goes down in 20s with a little line half-way between to mark 10 doses. As others have said, you won’t see it change with each dose you take. I also use Symbicort as a reliever (SMART regime) and it works pretty well for me, along with Montelukast and Spiriva Respimat. I keep a Ventolin on me too because if I have an actual attack, I find it hard to take the Symbicort. Hope it works for you.

[flossiew in reply to Choristermum]

Sorry for not acknowledging your reply till now, but I haven't been on the site for a couple of days. I am relieved to say that the counter has now gone down- It's presently hovering around the 100 mark! I think it's helping as my lungs feel less "irritated" than they did, although I am still coughing occasionally and my peak flow isn't quite reaching my usual. I am seeing the asthma nurse in a few weeks time to see how I am getting on, but really need to remember to ask her for a new action plan - like you I carry ventolin as well as the symbicort because I am not 100% sure what to do if my asthma worsened suddenly.

I tried the montelukast but couldn't cope with some of the side effects!

Thanks again for replying, folks here are very helpful and it's appreciated 😊xx