Change of inhaler: Hi Guys 49% lung... - Lung Conditions C...

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Change of inhaler

CoffCoffWalkWalk profile image

Hi Guys

49% lung function COPD

I've moved house and have a new Doctor, the new Doctor said I was using too much Ventolin (2 puffs x 10) 6 of which would be on a daily 3 or 4 mile walk, hills mostly

I have been doing this along with a daily dose of Tiotropium/Olodaterol (Spiolto mist inhaler) for the past 10 months and everything's been ok.

I was told to ditch the Tiotropium/Olodaterol (Spiolto) if favour of an, Anoro Ellipta, inhalation powder of umeclidinium/vilanterol and have been doing this for 3 days.

I feel the powder hit my throat and feel it going into my lungs. My lungs have a dull blocked feeling and are quite sore for a few hours after inhilation.

I'd like to compare the new inhaler to the old and see if my use of ventolin decreases when I'm on a long walk but have been unable to do so because I have no energy and my lungs actually feel sore.

I wear a CPAP at night for sleep apnoea but since the new powder the positive air pressure has felt really uncomfortable in my chest.

Has anyone had a similar experience with this powder?

I'm going to return and speak to the Doctor but just wanted a few of your valued opinions beforehand.

Is 10 x double shots of Ventolin too much? It's only when I exert myself, not when I'm at rest. I must say that since the introduction of the powder I've hardly used the Ventolin, however, I've not exerted myself enough to warrant it's use and it hurts.

Any opinions, advice humbly received

best regards

Simon

Picture:

Green = Tiotropium/Olodaterol (Spiolto) mist

Red = umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta) powder

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CoffCoffWalkWalk
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12 Replies
janet1944 profile image
janet1944

Hi I have 2 ventolin inhalers a month, my Doctor cut it to one without my knowledge until my prescription arrived, I rang him and told him it was a matter of life or death for me, he reinstated to two. Last week I went for my 6monthly oxygen appt, I remain on the same level, but was changed over from Symbicort 200 2puffs twice daily. And Spiriva Respimat 2 puffs am. To Trimbow 87/5/9 2puffs twice daily. Using this now for 8days, I am fine for maybe 5/6 hours then I start going down bank by the time my twelfth hour arrives I’m on my knees.

I saw my first Consultant in June he changed all my medication for various ailments especially elephant like body and legs. I was Normal in days. He kept me on Symbicort but changed me from Braltus to Spiriva Respimat. I used spiriva capsule in applicator, but it was replaced with Braltus, I didn’t like at all. So as I say last week it was all change again. I have been on line for price effective, find I am costing probably £50 less a month. I have Emphysema 4. The Consultant I saw in June was my one and only. In probably 8/9 years. I do Not visit the Doctor as it’s too much of a mountain to climb. I have not been out socially for years. I’m sure I would be known as a perfect patient, you live then you die, at as little cost as possible. You will probably deduce from my post that I’m not a very happy person. I regret Not making a nuisance of myself from the beginning, maybe I would have had a more eventful few years. Sorry for going on a bit but back to the ventolin You know what You need, I’m sure like me you know exactly the side effects, someone who is outside looking in does not know. Best wishes and I really hope you get sorted.

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply to janet1944

Ventolin has been taken off my repeat prescription completely! I’m going to talk to my gp next week. I had an asthma review with the asthma nurse in July and she said to continue to use it as I was!

CoffCoffWalkWalk profile image
CoffCoffWalkWalk in reply to janet1944

Thankyou Janet, I appreciate your opinion.

Get to see you Doctor and make some noise, it's always noisy people that get the most attention. Sending you Good wishes.

regards

Simon

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

Hi 20 shots of ventolin a day is far too much. The newer thinking is that if you need it more than 3/4 times a week then your preventer inhaler needs looking at.

I use 2/3 single puffs a day which my doctor seems ok with. x

CoffCoffWalkWalk profile image
CoffCoffWalkWalk in reply to hypercat54

Thankyou Hypercat54.

I've not used my ventolin since going on the powder inhaler, not felt well enough to go for my exercise, chest feels clogged and bruised.

I'll force a good 8k walk out over the weekend and see how it goes with the ventolin up some hills.

best regards

Simon

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to CoffCoffWalkWalk

Well I would just cut down and see how you get on. If exercise brings on an attack I would still take one puff before you start. Remember you haven't got to go fast so if you are getting breathless just slow down a bit or even stop until you catch your breath. You need to exercise to the point where you are too breathless to sing but not too breathless to hold a conversation. This is your optimal level. x

2greys profile image
2greys

You have been taking a lot of Ventolin, 2.5 times the recommended dose. Perhaps two reasons. I was the same at one time, so I do know where you are coming from.

a) COPD is not really reversable, unlike Asthma, so Ventolin has little effect, ergo the repeated use.

b) Your COPD is not being controlled by your preventers.

Inhaler/patient compatibility can be rather fickle, we are all different. "I feel the powder hit my throat and feel it going into my lungs. My lungs have a dull blocked feeling and are quite sore for a few hours after inhalation." The inhaler sounds like it is not suitable for you. I once had one called OnBrez that nearly put me in hospital because it felt like a steel band around my chest and could not breath and straight after taking it I lost control of bodily functions. You need to see your doctor and get them changed.

Ventolin ceased working for me and was changed to Bricanyl.

For comparison, I have 31% lung function, for 2 years took Spiriva (powder), Fostair 100/6 (MDI) and they controlled my COPD very well, I only had to take the Bricanyl reliever at midday whilst at work. My Fostair has now been changed to 200/6 because I was being prescribed steroids too often this year. I still only need the reliever the once whilst at work. So you can see the difference (between us) with the disease being controlled properly. It may take you quite a few inhaler changes to get the right combination that suits you. Good luck.

CoffCoffWalkWalk profile image
CoffCoffWalkWalk in reply to 2greys

Thankyou 2greys

I see a trend in opinion here.

I'm going for a long walk along the Welsh coast this weekend and see how my use of ventolin goes. Whatever happens I think I'll return to my GP and request a non-powder inhaler, the powder just feels wrong for me, I don't think I'll get used to it.

best regards

Simon

ChaOliver profile image
ChaOliver

I was at one time doing about what you are with ventolin. I went on Fostair and now I hardly use the ventolin. However, in the extreme case when out, I often use Ventolin, 4 huffs two or three time. Which means I am closing up.

CoffCoffWalkWalk profile image
CoffCoffWalkWalk in reply to ChaOliver

Thanks ChaOliver.

General consensus leans towards me using too much ventolin and that a change in my inhaler is required, I'm going to return and ask for a non-powder inhaler.

I'm planning a long (8k) walk with some hills this weekend to check out if I still need to ventolin when I exert myself.

best regards

Simon

goat-lady profile image
goat-lady

Hello my consultant prescribed anoro- I used it for just 2weeks as I got bad side effects. It did ok for the lungs just not anything else! I tend to avoid all the 24hr long acting stuff for that reason- get on ok with atrovent and bricanyl - trying oxisis but that only works if I take atrovent first. Jury is still out on the oxis.

CoffCoffWalkWalk profile image
CoffCoffWalkWalk in reply to goat-lady

Thankyou goat lady.

(my mother was 'The Goat Lady', she used to keep goats in Corwen, North Wales).

Yes I'm with you on the powder inhaler, I thinks it's just not for me, it feels alien in my body. I'll be returning to my GP and request a non-powder inhaler next week.

best wishes

Simon

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