Copd

[stryker1]

Why is it when I have a Copd flare up my blue inhaler or rescue inhaler is useless ? Soon is it hits the back of the throat now I reall have a hard time breathing

[stone-UK]

Hi

Mist inhalers such as Ventolin are best used with a spacer, less co-ordination is required.

Can use normal tidal breathing if unable to keep below sound of whistle, four normal breaths will empty chamber.

Available on prescription from your GP.

[O2Trees in reply to stone-UK]

Hah stone, you beat me to it

[O2Trees]

Hi stryker - I can't answer directly why you in particular react this way but when you have a flare-up your airways are in crisis, they will be sensitive in a way they aren't when you are well. I'd suggest you get a spacer device prescribed from your GP. This attaches to your inhaler as a kind of plastic chamber between the inhaler and your mouth. You can breathe in much more gently in your own time from the chamber and you won't then get the force of the inhalation hitting the back of your throat. If you call your GP you could get a prescription over the phone instead of having to go into the surgery.

[skischool]

Stryker.Your blue or ventolin inhaler will/should give you some immediate relief from sob during an exacerbation by opening up your airways but it may appear to be useless as it is probably not going to address the root cause of the exacerbation which may be infection etc which will be addressed possibly by the introduction of combinations of abs/steroids as advised by your medical team.................regards skis

[Hidden]

how do you manage to get by if they are useless...what do you do. can you say whats Actually happens when you having a flare up.

i only ask becouse theres a difference between a flare up that can be very frighting and damaging to your lungs.. and a temporary S O B that can happen many times in just one day for many diffrent reasons..specially if your still smoking.

if your not sure that using your inhailer correctly..have a look on Youtube..i find it better to look at something on how its done then reading how its done.

[Hidden]

Hi I always use my blue inhaler without a spacer when having an asthma attack. But last time it made it worse instead which is worrying. I was out at the time too so not sure I could really carry a spacer in my handbag or be able to be calm enough to use it.

[stone-UK in reply to Hidden]

Hi

The AeroChamber is the smaller of the two most common spacers, and would easily fit in a handbag.

Purse lip breathing at onset of Asthma attack will give sufficient control, to assemble and use spacer which in turns give a more efficient delivery of your medication.

aerochamber.co.uk

Click on products then AeroChamber plus.

[Hidden in reply to stone-UK]

Can't get any air in through my mouth in an attack as it closes up. I can only breathe through my nose a bit. Thanks for advice though. x

[stone-UK in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Pursed lip breathing is, inhale through nose 4sec, hold for 2sec option, breath out through your mouth 6sec like you are whistling.

It’s a commonly recommended breathing technique to control breathing during panic attacks, or sudden onset of breathing difficulties.

It’s a technique you can practice at any time, as it also increases you oxygen levels.

[WheezyAnne]

You can get smaller spacers for use with your Ventolin that are ideal for carrying around in your handbag. The Ventolin inhaler can also be stored inside making it very neat. You will have to buy the Compact Spacer though from that famous online website. You really should use your spacer, if you can, particularly when you are bad because, as advised by the Respiratory Nurse at Pulmonary Rehab, when used alone, only 12% gets down to your lungs, but with a spacer, 24% gets down to your lungs. Hope this info helps

[Annie31 in reply to WheezyAnne]

What happens to the other 76%?! better still, what makes up the 76% if it's not medication? Don't like the sound of that.

[Hidden in reply to Annie31]

It stops in the mouth or back of throat. The full list of ingredients is on the patient information leaflet supplied with every prescribed medecine. For Ventolin it is mostly solvent and propellant.

Using a spacer allows the blast of the inhaler to slow down and become suspended in the air that you inhale and so more of the medecine reaches the lungs. Even then a lot of it is exhaled again when you breathe out which is why such a small proportion is actually effective.

[Annie31 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a bit of a miracle it's working at all then!! Lol!

[shadow4me]

I find that the rescue inhaler plays havoc with my throat and I use a spacer

[Fennella02]

I have always found it difficult to use the spray so I've been given the dry powder version - the 'easyhaler'. Despite initial scepticism, I'm very happy with it.

[lKeith]

stryker1

Have you tried an "aerochamber" which helps to inhale the meds a lot slower.

IKeith

[knitter]

One of my asthmatic daughters gets no relief from Ventolin anymore.....she uses Bricanyl instead .

Please contact your health professional for advice.