Hi GayleM.

Tiotropium has been around many years, used to be named Spirava if I recall when I took it. It is used for maintenance treatment rather than acute exacerbations. Perhaps the nurse is seeing a slight increase in occurrence or symptoms and feels a maintenance dose would assist? Nurses have better measuring devices now, which can even advise them to change or add in more medication.

The main point, if you don't mind my advise, is never feel afraid to ASK your clinician, consultant, GP or nurse what you are taking and why. We tend to be in awe of the medical profession and reticent to ask questions. You will find, if you do ask, that they are always, happy to explain, knowing that longer term this will assist them in helping you. They understand better nowadays that we are the ones with first hand experience of how our bodies react, feel etc. And we are of course all different!

Hope this is of help

JE

Hi Gayle, Tiotropium (Spiriva ) is one of the major maintenance medications used in the US. In my view anyway, it is one of the best medications for COPD. Have a good evening, judg69.

I started on spiriva a few months ago... best thing I ever did. I no longer feel like I'm on the edge of an exacerbation all the time!

Thanks everyone for your responses 👍