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Inhalers

Duff1953 profile image
43 Replies

Please can anyone tell me if they find that fostair inhaler relieves severe symptoms of copd better than ventolin blue inhaler I know that fostair is a long acting but sometimes I just have to use it more than I should thank you for listening duff

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Duff1953
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stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

It can be used as a relieve in cases of asthma, but not recommended for COPD. If you feel Ventolin is no longer effective as you GP for a alternative such as Bricanyl . Mist inhalers are more effective when used with a spacer.

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to stone-UK

Thank you much appreciated I just don’t seem able to bring my breathing back when I get like this

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK in reply to Duff1953

Hi

Try breathing techniques, concentrator on the exhale, breath out for as long as you can, the inhalation is automatic. May be short or even a gasp. But if you control your exhale, so it’s slow and steady you will find you inhalation will follow suit and slow down. Plus you won’t worry to much about being short of breath.

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to stone-UK

Thank you it’s such a relief to be able to speak to people that understand how you feel and listen to their advice I have panicked all my life and that is causing so many problems now take care duff

Penelope3 profile image
Penelope3 in reply to Duff1953

Just don't panic, that makes it worse. Breath in DEEP and slowly.I don't care much for the Ventolin one either, I try to use the Proair, for my rescue inhalor.

Fostair can be used as a relief inhaler as I am on fostair. 100/6 is low dose but there is 200/6 and then you have to change inhaler as 200/6 is the last fostair dose

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to

Thank you Camilla take care duff

in reply to Duff1953

3 times a day no more than 3 days you can use it for. Any longer seek medical advice as there could be something more serious or hiding something

in reply to

I have been given fostair just today but terrified to use it as it says it can cause severe pneumonia . That's in the leaflet that came with it. Dont know what to do. Do u have severe copd Mx

in reply to

I have asthma. I am 100/6 and I had no problems with me being on a pump. I use a spacer with it. I would suggest try it out. Dislike it or makes you worse then stop and go back to your GP urgently as you will need medical help quickly

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to

I have very severe copd I use it a lot more than I should I would say if you have a worry about useing it speak to the professionals take care duff

in reply to Duff1953

Thanks duff take care too Mx

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff in reply to

What inhaler did you have previously? If you still have some left you could continue using it while you consider Fostair. Fostair didn't work for me at all, I was changed onto it and didn't get on well with it at all but, even so I'd suggest you give it a try, some people say it works wonders for them and it could do the same for you. All inhalers seem to have possible side effects that sound pretty horrendous so the main thing is to find one that actually works for you. Good luck 🤞

in reply to HungryHufflepuff

Thanks hungryhufflepuff . Will see how things go and let u know Mx

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK in reply to

Hi

Only for Asthma, not recommended for COPD. As per your link.

in reply to stone-UK

I have a friend who has COPD and she uses fostair but everyone is different

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK in reply to

Hi

I use Fostair NEXTHaler 100/6 for severe COPD, but not as a reliever.

in reply to stone-UK

I use the pump and I use it as a relief inhaler when I have run out of the blue inhaler or just not able to get rid of an attack that my blue can not control fully

syntax profile image
syntax in reply to stone-UK

And should you have C.O.P.D & Asthma ???

in reply to syntax

I only have asthma.

netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/a... this is information regarding fostair and the 2 pumps of it. I hope the website is helpful to you if you are interested in finding out more about fostair

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to

Thank you duff

in reply to Duff1953

Good luck with fostair if fostair doesn't work finding the right one for you.

Trevor70 profile image
Trevor70

Hi I suffer with asthma and bronchiectasis I use fostair200/6 and get on with it very well.

Nickcv profile image
Nickcv

For those who keep saying Fostair is for asthma and not for COPD I have in the past month been put on Fostair 200 / 6 for my emphysema. I have to take four puffs a day, two in the morning and two at night. Previously I was using Anoro Ellipta. This change over was bought about by my hospital respiratory consultant and I would strongly hope and indeed expect he knows more about treating me than members of this group.

greatauntali profile image
greatauntali in reply to Nickcv

Fostair has only been approved for use in COPD patients relatively recently. Previously, it was for the treatment of asthma only.

Nickcv profile image
Nickcv in reply to greatauntali

It has been licensed for use for COPD sufferers since 2014.

greatauntali profile image
greatauntali in reply to Nickcv

Fairly recently in the grand scheme of things. I was put on it in 2009 when it was not licensed for my copd/emphysema but I was made aware of the situation by my GP at the time.

syntax profile image
syntax

Have you not used Symbicort at all ?

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to syntax

No I haven’t been offered it duff

syntax profile image
syntax

Hi Duff, l tend not to wait to be offered a medication.Find out about

a new medication online and the results of it.Then ask GP to look at it

and order if it is better for me.

Davegt profile image
Davegt

Fostair is used for people with severeCOPD who have repeated attacks of breathlessness, despite using long-acting bronchodilators such as formoterol or salmeterol on a regular basis. Only Fostair inhaler 100/6 andFostair NEXThaler 100/6 strength are suitable for treating COPD

Lynnecal42 profile image
Lynnecal42

Hi Duff. Yes I agree Fostair relieves the symptoms more quickly than Ventolin. I am seeing my Specialist in June and will mention it to her as the recommended dose is only twice a day but an asthma sufferer friend said that she has been told to use it when ever needed. I will tell you what my doctor says after my appointment.

Kind regards,

Lynne

Superzob profile image
Superzob

Plenty of good advice, but I would add a couple of things: Firstly, Ventolin is really only supposed to be used as a reliever (though up to 8 puffs a day should do you no harm); if you're having to use it a lot, then the Fostair is either not working or too low a dose (I don't get on with it at all, but that's just me and others find it very good). As my doctor says "this is big business" which is why there are so many alternative inhalers available to suit different people. If you're ever worried about using an inhaler too much, you can refer to the NICE/BNF guidance at bnf.nice.org.uk which gives maximum recommended usage as well as standard dosage. But it might be worth trying other inhalers to see which works best for you; Fostair is often given for starters as it's cheap, but not necessarily the most appropriate for YOU.

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to Superzob

Thank you great advice take care duff

Pwkav1 profile image
Pwkav1

I have asthma and haemophillus influenzae bug in my left lung. Im on the stronger 200 dose and works well for me. Not sure if i have copd but i was very ill. Karen. Xxx

Jaysha profile image
Jaysha

Hi Duff

I was on Fostair and it did help relieve my COPD. I am now on Trimbow and this is much better. I do not get out of breath as much and my cough has also improved. Do you have a pulmonary specialist at your doctors for advise.

Hope this helped. Feel free to message me anytime. It is always nice to know someone else is in the same boat as you and understands.

Take care

Sharon

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to Jaysha

Thank you Jaysha I am seeing pulmonary specialist next week I think that I might not be taking my meds properly as I have not been using my inhaler chamber and that is my fault as I was shown how to do this i now think that I have got a chest infection will give it 24hours to see if I improve definitely do not want to have to go into hospital it really annoys me that I could be the cause of all this problem thank you for carding duff

Lilianne profile image
Lilianne

Hi Duff, I think you should ask your consultant this question as all drugs have side effects. I was on Fostair for a short while but found that I got cramp almost on the house, every hour!! Whatever suits you may not suit everyone else, so please ask about the over dose of Fostair. Best wishes. Lilianne.

Teyha profile image
Teyha

Hello everyone, lots to read

My instruction I was & again just been given again

1- ventolin is as required, I can go few weeks in not using then when needed wonderful.

2- fostair pink one take daily it’s prevention

3- I am also on Spiriva 2 daily

Plus mometasone

I use the spacer you don’t have to think about the breathing technique.

I have just had flair up of phenomena!!!

And I saw another post re acid reflex

I take carbocisteine 375x 2 3 times per day

Also on ranitidine twice daily &

Swap from lansoprazole to

Pantoprazole

An apple helps to to break it up & rosemary oil

Get your doctors to get see if you have Gastric & ulcer

Had hiatus hernia for year before all this started

Eat little that really helps

Wishing you a lovely day & find what right for you , your body isn’t Text Book x

syntax profile image
syntax

Do not know if it is that good really Duff. Find Symbicort

and best of all Spiriva Respimat to be my life savers !!

Duff1953 profile image
Duff1953 in reply to syntax

I use spiriva fostair and ventolin I guess that I am just panicking that they are stopping working on me duff

Oshgosh profile image
Oshgosh

Have you been to pulmonary rehab. I went,it helped me a lot. Exercise and education.they also teach you how to control your breathing when you are struggling. Good. Luck

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