Long acting inhalers

[Stommelgirl]

Is everyone on here on these inhalers? Are they safe?

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hi there, yes I'd take a guess that the majority of people who are on here regularly, use inhalers of various kinds. Speaking for myself I've never had any real problems with my two for COPD- blue ventolin inhaler and a new one for me called DuaKalir Genuair which is the long acting steroid based one. I'm not normally up.at this hour so I guess I'll be snoring very,very shortly.

Anyways,nice to have a quick chat!

[Stommelgirl in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Thanks for the info. Sleep well.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to Stommelgirl]

No probs....its good to be able to chat and exchange.info.or whatever on this site. I've learnt more from folk on here than I've done from some actual medic's!

Goodnight to you too.

[Claudine in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

I have bronchiectasis with colonised pseudomonas. My consultant has recently changed my meds 'for something more modern' since I had been on Seretide and Spiriva for years. I'm now taking just Duaklir Genuair 2x a day. I was not aware it is steroid-based - is this right? Ingredients are described as aclidinium bromide and formoterol dumarate dihydrate. I've been taking it for 2 weeks now and seem to be tolerating it and it's a much, much easier regime than the other two. Rescue pack is the dreaded Cipro! I have a spirometry test at the end of the month. That will be interesting.

[soulsaver in reply to Claudine]

Duaklir Genuair is formoterol/aclidinium (LABA & LAMA) in combination; two types of bronchodilator - no steroid content according to patient leaflet.

[Claudine in reply to soulsaver]

Thank you for that. I thought/hoped that was the case. I am hoping my proper voice will return (sounds rather deep at the moment) and also hope my skin will improve from thin and full of bruises. I think these are symptomatic of steroid use. LAMA & LABA is how the Consultant described this latest one to my GP for him to prescribe. He reckoned that the steroid in Seretide was not helping my colonised pseudomonas. I have high hopes!

[O2Trees in reply to Claudine]

Re skin: mine is very thin and I had loads of those little deep purple bruises on my arms. But recently I realised that I hardly get them now - skin is still just as thin though. Ive hardly had to take pred over the last two years so that may account for the bruising improvement. But as I take inhaled steroids I don't expect the skin to improve, and my voice is deep now forever I think

[Claudine in reply to O2Trees]

Yup, I recognise all that! So glad to be rid of the steroid inhaler. It could be, as you say, that the damage is done but I wait in anticipation! So far I'm impressed with my new inhaler and it's SO much easier than having 2 different inhalers with different regimes. I'm off to Scotland next week and can't wait for some really fresh air!

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to Claudine]

Thanks to Soulsavers reply ,I stand correctted and there are NO steroids in Duaklir.

[nannabn in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Hi squirrelsHolt. I have been on Duakair Genuaur for the past 4 months and was told that it is not a steroid based one as I am alteady taking oral steroids for another healt reason.

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to nannabn]

Yes,you are completely correct. Apologies for my mistake.

[soulsaver in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Another soul saved...

[Hidden]

Hi Stommelgirl. Yes, I am on Fostair, a long-acting bronchodilator and steroid combination. Been on combos for a long time. Some side-effects , but these get fewer over time. But the positives are worth it.

[nanniespy]

I have been on Fostair for about three years as well, morning and night. Due to the fact I have bronchiectas as well as asthma, I do not use a blue inhaler, as this would work against my bronchiectasis. At first I was worried about having asthma attacks but not so far. I do get regular lung infections caused by bronchiectasis, but I had a brilliant consultant, he sorted out my meds and I keep an emergency antibiotics with me. Using these and Fostair seems so far to keep me as well as is possible.

[O2Trees in reply to nanniespy]

Hi nanniespy - please can you tell me why blue inhaler - presumably salbutomal - would work against bronchiectasis. Ive never heard that before. I have severe copd, asthma and more recently dxd bronch. I find the blue inhaler does pretty much nothing but have been trying it again now to try to help with pollen asthma. Thanks

[nanniespy in reply to O2Trees]

I was told by my consultant that ventolin inhaler used for asthma and copd helps by expanding the air ways. Which would add to the problems caused by Bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis widens the bronchi causing more sputum and infections, which in turn expands the airways and so the circle goes on. I have found the combination of Fostair, carbocisteine and flutter device suits me. I have managed to keep at the same l level and cope for three years.

[O2Trees in reply to nanniespy]

Oh - that seems obvious now you say it but I've never been told it by any of my respiratory team. I'll see what they say. Ventolin stopped working for me a few years ago and now Im wondering if this correlates with bronch developing. Thanks for reply.

[hoping2improve in reply to nanniespy]

Hi like you I have asthma and bronchiectasis, were you told why the blue inhaler would work against bronchiectasis?

[Patches2 in reply to nanniespy]

Could you please tell me why the blue inhaler (which I presume is Ventolin) will work against Bronchiectasis which is what I have.

[2greys]

I have two long acting inhalers "Spiriva" (once a day) and a combination one "Fostair" (twice a day) as well as the short acting one. I have been taking them for a year, since being diagnosed.

[katieoxo60]

Hi there, I ve been taking three inhalers since 2009 with very little problem only minor side effects. At least they stop the ongoing bronchospasms and improve the breathing. Some of these drugs have been used for many years without people showing signs of ill effects. however some people do get bad side effects and have to have the inhalers changed. One of my family had this problem. I had mine changed because the one I used was taken off the market Combivent work well for me but is only used in hospital now in England I beleive.

[annenic]

Morning. Yep I've been taking long acting inhalers for over 20yrs. Started on becotide and am now on spiriva and fostair as I have Emphysema and Asthma. I also have 1 tablet at night I also have the ventolin for flare ups and can't remember ever having problems with side effects x

[hoping2improve]

Hi I use Seretide and Salbutamol and have done for more years than I would like to count! It's whether the benefits are better than the side effects. Hope they work for you

[Beth1949]

I was told that after using a steriod long term inhaler to rinse my mouth out. If not, the residue left in the mouth could cause Thrush, a fungal coating, on your tongue.

[nanniespy in reply to Beth1949]

Do you use a spacer for your inhaler? I do and after a while,even though I wash it, I need to replace it because of the residue build up on the inside. Without a spacer this residue would build up on the inside of your mouth.

[letys]

I have just had my inhaler changed from Spirva, which I have taken with no ill effects for many years, to Ultibro breezhaler. Is anyone else on this inhaler which I believe is quite new?

[greatauntali]

Two puffs of Fostair night and morning, Spiriva once a day and Nuelin tablet twice a day.

I was unable to use Genuair because I could not suck hard enough to get the dose.

[suejames]

hi im on 3 inhalers and have no idea how they work i have never been told thats rotherham for you

[ron1948]

hi there, was on seretide 500 for aout 3years, have now been switched to air flusal, I have not had any problems with long acting bronchilaters at all.