COPD is third cause of death...anyone have any feeling about best inhalers

[pete45]

I have switched inhalers several times after testing for 5 months or so. The biggest complaint is that I notice nothing from these medicines. Using the rescue inhalers on the other hand gives immediate results. I was about to switch again as I indicated in another post and thank God the company posted about their lousy results. Wonder if I can get my money back? In any event I am a stage 2 plus for COPD and trying to find results from others who are satisfied which means their level has maintained for a period of years.......

By the way I use my rescue inhaler about 15 minutes before I use my medicine inhaler. The rescue inhaler opens up my lungs even more to allow the medicine to get into lungs even more.

[Bkin]

Are you self prescribing or are you going on what your doctor prescribed for you?

In UK we get what is appropriate, each individual may be on a different combination of meds depending what they are dealing with, usually we get what is prescribed we don't normally pick and choose, if the prescribed med doesn't work or suit we go back to doc to discuss other options.

So many different lung conditions not just COPD

I have in the past found relief using Qvar, formotarol fumarate and spiriva, I don't get a lot from ventolin but I do use that as required for extra support.

I've current been switched to Relvar I have been on it a few months now and am beginning to think its not suitable for me. Other on it would say it helps them a lot.

What suits one may not suit another so any recommendation may not suit you either.

[pete45 in reply to Bkin]

You can't self prescribe for prescription drugs. I work with my pulmonologist doctor although I stay away from steroids. Most people that I talk to or read about on blogs have the same problem. The meds cannot repair the damage so even the doctors are clueless for the most part as to what is really going to work for us. The ads on TV here for COPD or lung issues are probably number one in the medical area. So when a new one comes on board I try to research and then confer with my doctor. We have a son who is doctor although not in this specialty and YOU HAVE TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN health issues. Meaning challenge sometimes what you are being prescribed.

So this could be the correct forum to talk about inhalers and how people are dealing with them. I just lost a dear friend a few days ago of over 50 years. He advanced to stage 4 and was on inhalers. These devices are not going to stop the advance but hopefully slow down the progression.

[Bkin in reply to pete45]

No drugs can repair the lung damage * but the meds can help keep the condition stable but it is finding one that suits, also the inhaler meds do help us breathe easier and enable us to be more mobile, in addition to that they can help the patient to have a reasonable quality of life, that is when you find the right one that suits.

Things work very differently here in UK to how they work in the US and of course people here in UK do communicate with their docs (when they can get an appointment ) if a drug is not suitable and usually discuss other options available. So we discuss, ask, request rather than challenge our medical professionals well at least that is how things have worked for me and no doubt many others living in UK although it has been known for us to have to insist on referral to a specialist on occasion

There is one expression suck and see, or you won't know if it suits unless you try it but when one med works there is the other expression if it aint broke don't fix it or if it is working why change the med.

Precisely I agree medicines, applying PR ed course information in daily life can slow down the progression of the disease. In fact those who do not take the prescribed meds or disregard what is recommended to help remain stable can result in a more rapid deterioration.

So sorry to hear of your recent loss.

Hope you will find the medicine the suits you best and you remain stable at stage 2 for many many years.

Best wishes

* ( In the future things may change when stem cell research has progressed a bit more and damage lung tissue can be removed and regrown healthy lung tissue is a success)

[pete45 in reply to Bkin]

amen on the stem cells but sure it will be long after I am gone. I don't think things are much different here then there. I consult with my doctor and she recommends their use but as with the vast majority of us we have no idea whether it is working or not and so after months I will try another to see if there is a notable difference. I have made suggestions and the Doc has vetoed them and gave me reason why. sadly, here as well as over there the docs have huge patient loads although thank god for e mail here as we can communicate quickly and efficiently. thxs

[Inamoment in reply to pete45]

You have adverts for inhalers etc? That is extraordinary in a bad way

[pete45 in reply to Inamoment]

seriously, meds are not advertised in the UK. How do you ever know of a new product? I pay attention and confer with my doctor

[Inamoment in reply to pete45]

Doctors know and also are more likely to know the pros and cons. You do appreciate that the majority of adverts lie?

[pete45 in reply to Inamoment]

So that is why you can't advertise in the UK???

[Inamoment in reply to pete45]

I've never seen anything on prescription advertised, just things like headache pills

[pete45 in reply to Inamoment]

medical prescriptions are about the second behind auto advertising..........drives one nuts but makes you more aware of things to discuss with your doctor

[tomc in reply to Bkin]

I can't use powdered inhalers but I have been changed to Trimbow.

It is a three in one inhaler that's taken twice a day, I have only been on it a few months so I can`t write an accurate review.

I am Moderate to severe COPD with a lot of other things and it was the Specialist respiratory nurse at hospital who fiddled about with treatment inhalers.

What I do know is Trimbow is only prescribed for Moderate and severe patients.

My reliever is Salbutamol in both inhaler AND nebuliser form,.

There are many treatments available and more being developed every year or so.

PS... I was also cautioned about using Salbutamol or Ventolin more than four times a day...apparently it can cause shakes and something else I can't remember.

Talk to you consultant about it and get it off your chest!!

[pete45 in reply to tomc]

appreciate your response

[RayMag]

sorry I already wrote this but it disappeared so sorry if it appears twice! I was on relvar last year and thought it was working okay but then was coughing up blood so had to stop. I also got a really bad chest infection/ virus in March..the worst Ive had for many years so dont know if this was connected. I'm on symbicort now amongst other things...every time I go for a check up I get prescribed more and more medication. Fed up with taking steroids but they seem to be the only things that sort of work. The stem cells sound v.interesting would be great to get a cure instead of just dealing with symptoms...

[pete45 in reply to RayMag]

I stopped any meds with steroids years ago and no clue whether I fell better or not. Thanks. Kind of scary about your coughing an blood. With so many on the market today one wonders how the doctors become an expert at any of them

[Schmicter]

Hi Pete,

I am moderate to severe COPD/ emphysema. I actually quit all inhalers except for the Ventolin used occasionally. I really didn't feel they did a thing for my breathing or quality of life. I was previously on Spiriva for a while...then symbicort for awhile, here in the States. I have been off the symbicort for 3 months now. ...No difference. For me...so why bother with the expense. I have read that for stable emphysema they don't do anything or very little, since there really is no inflammation anyway. The Ventolin is not a steroid and works differently, and does seem to open up my breathing on occaision.

[pete45]

Thanks for this. A year ago I stopped everything as well. I noticed no difference at all. I did not use my pro air (rescue inhaler) either. I finally started to feel lousy and went back on something. Whether that made me feel better or not I have no idea. My annual breathing tests for the last three years have remained stable and doctor thinks I may have plateaued which is interesting. I am using my pro air more, maybe 3 times a day or so. Will forward your comment to doc about the emphysema and inflammation. Still learning so much about this damn disease. While it may be the third leading cause of death it is primarily the heart that gives out because of the breathing problems. Just pisses me off that there are so many different products to chose from and yet no one can say this one works best.

Thanks again