Trying to find an inhaler that doesn't have bad side effects.

[welllaners]

Hi all, can you tell me why my doctor and respiratory nurse is trying to get me on combination inhalers. I am in the very early stages of COPD. I have been on Ventolin for about a year, only when I get short of breath. Some days I don't need it at all.

Just after New year I got a bad chest infection which took 3 different antibiotics and steroids to shift. Since then they have been trying to get me on combination inhalers.

I have tried over six different inhalers, all gave me bad side effects, the last one took the lining off my stomach and made me very depressed, my respiratory nurse said the inhaler wasn't responsible, yet the side effects listed on the included leaflet says "can cause acid stomach and reflux, also depression"

I have been off work since January and want to get back even though I am now 65.

I had a talk with my doctor about the inhalers and their side effects, he has now put me on Serevent, but didn't explain why the need for a combination inhaler.

I just seem to be going backwards, I feel worse now than I ever did.

I just hope the new inhaler gives me a boost without any side effects.

I should have asked him to explain the need for combination inhalers, but I wasn't thinking straight at the time, I hope you can help.

Many thanks

Steve.

[PMRPete]

Here is some info.:-

asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...

You don't say which inhalers you have already tried!

I have NO problems with Symbicort.

[welllaners in reply to PMRPete]

Many thanks very helpful

[Hidden]

Combination inhalers are mostly used for prevention but they have some element of a reliever in it. You still need to use your ventolin for sudden attacks of breathlessness but the idea is it enables you to cut down on the use of it.

[welllaners in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks

[stone-UK]

Hi

Combination inhaler contain a long acting reliever plus a corticosteroid preventer to help prevent inflammation in your airways over the long term. Possible given because of your previous infection

Could be the steroid causing the allergic reaction.

Ask can you use a long acting reliever plus a back up home pack .antibiotics and steroids.

[welllaners in reply to stone-UK]

Many thanks, I have the emergency meds and I think the Serevent is a long acting reliever.

[Crickey225]

Speriva seems ok.