Spiriva and Symbicort together ?

[Durcot]

Been using Spiriva for 4months now with Albuteral when needed. I had an aspiration 2 weeks ago and sent to emergency. Now the doctor wants me to take Symbicort with the Spiriva twice a day as directed. Now I'm planning to start but concerned about taking Spiriva and Symbicort at the same time. The doctor said it's ok. That scares me. What do you think ?

[hypercat54]

Do you mean an exacerbation? There is no problem taking both together and many of us do. The spiriva is a longer acting bronchilator than symbicort and builds your lung strength in a cumulative effect so relax x

[Durcot in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you. I use Spiriva a 8am, so you say it's ok to use the same time then.

[hypercat54 in reply to Durcot]

Unless you have been told differently it should be fine x

[Durcot in reply to hypercat54]

Ok thanks

[barney55]

My diagnosis 4years ago was end stage c.o.p.d. I am a co2 retainer and have been on Spirivà and à inhaler called DuoResp it has 3 different inhalation powder . I'm on a Nippy Machine 8hrs a night with 1 of oxygen and several other meds I'm still on from a stroke I had in 2001 good luck mate the LUNG disease is a terrible progressive illness. It just grinds you down over the years I'm 69 and the LUNG disease was diagnosis in 2005 you could do the rehab it helps hold it bàck.

[Durcot in reply to barney55]

Thanks for your responce. What rehab do you mean.

Good luck my friend

[Ergendl in reply to Durcot]

In the UK some medical centres and lifestyle centres run pulmonary rehab courses, usually 2 sessions per week over about 6 weeks, about 3 hours per week. People do guided exercises at every session to improve their fitness, starting from their starting fitness so tailored to the condition. There is also an education component, so every week experts discuss what lung disease is, how to look after it, and answer questions.

I benefited greatly from attending - I was at the moderate stage and was causing myself more problems by hyperventilating which the physio spotted and helped me stop doing. They also encouraged me to start a singing for lung health group, which I have been running for the last 4.5 years. In that time my stage has improved to the lower end of normal, though I do still have emphysema, so still have to keep taking the meds.

It has also helped me following the suggestions of others on this site regarding healthy eating, keeping away from triggers such as smoke and perfumes, keeping fit (which you are likely to do with a farm to run) and avoiding infections. Lots of people have given good advice about those already.

All the best.

[ajay in reply to Ergendl]

You sound like a woman after my own heart.. I agree with everything you say.. well done you.

[Durcot in reply to ajay]

Sorry but I'm NOT a woman, are you ?

[Ergendl in reply to Durcot]

You're not, but I am, Durcot, and I think ajay's comment was aimed at me. All the best.

[Durcot in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks

[NancyUS in reply to barney55]

I have gone through cardiac rehab as that was the only option that my hospital offered after my chemo and radiation. It was not ideal.

My son, however encouraged me to go to "Planet Fitness" and begin to lift weights on cabled machines, do treadmill if only 10 minutes a day. Initially I lifeted on 10# per machine with 5 or 10 reps. NOW, I can leg press 165# and can do bicep curls of 30# --- AND I now am walking about 2.0 MIles (3.25 K) per day. I am now fast - but I am at the gym at least 3x or 4x per week.

I do not enjoy it, but I am really staying far healthier than one would imagine as a lung cancer survivor with COPD.

Go to the Gym. DO SOMETHING. Anything. Just a little. Walk in circles in your bedroom to start, but stay active! Then go on the treadmill for 5 minutes (I started that way 2.5 years ago!)

I won't win a marathon, but I am very healthy, given my history!!

[NancyUS in reply to NancyUS]

I should mention that I am 152 cm tall, and weigh 44.45 Kg

[Durcot in reply to NancyUS]

Hi Nancy, I wish you all the best. I will be going to a pulmonary rehab class next week and after the 16 weeks of it I'm planning to continue my health rehab at a gym. I'm 71 years and I want to live , im not letting COPD beat me.

[Spacecat1]

I had same ones symbicort and spirivia seemed to work at the beginning but after about 3 months went to doctors to ask if I could change it wasnt helping me but it may suit you we are all different. See how it goes.

[Durcot in reply to Spacecat1]

Thank you ,

I've been putting off using the Symbicort because of steroids. My uncles died using steroids. But in a different form. My VA doctor said the steroids in an inhaler isn't as severe as the pills , because people seem to use the pills,more often and the longer you use them the more damage they do to the body

[janice01 in reply to Durcot]

Steroids are life savers although they have serious side effects too.

I use them when needed and did develop steroid induced diabetes (type 2) after a long period recovering from flu Feb before last.

Off steroids ( other than short course if asthma activating copd), diabetes well controlled now by slight change of diet.

Asthma under control and Bronchiectasis no worse.

I know my lungs very well,

I believe thats a good part of living with copd.

Good luck... 🙂

[Redrum46 in reply to janice01]

Do u get a lot of weasing with coughing wot is best to do I’m so bad at the moment

[Durcot in reply to Redrum46]

Yes, I use to when I only used Spiriva and Albuteral. But the VA doctor put me on Symbicort also and the weasing has stopped..... so far.

[pegbl]

Hi Durcot,

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is what was mentioned earlier, don't know if you have it in the US. It's very good usually have about 16 sessions over the weeks lasts 2hrs used in educating you about your illness and how to manage it along with advice on exercise and diet. Xx Peg

[Durcot in reply to pegbl]

I'm suppose to start I think next week.

[pegbl]

Good luck with that you really will get a lot of benefit from it, plus meeting and chatting with others in the group. Let us know how you get on.

Xx Peg

[Hidden]

Been taking both of this for seven years. Please try it.

[jamorro]

I’ve been using spiriva and Symbicort together for the last 13 yrs without any problems. I take them together in the mornings and Symbicort at night. As well as Azithromycin 3x a week. At the start 2004 I was having exacerbations every two to three weeks. I could not climb a flight of stairs. Now I exercise at least 3x a week in gym. Exercise is one of the best ways, coupled with medication, to keep copd at bay. Best wishes.

[Durcot in reply to jamorro]

Thank you

I'm starting today the Symbicort, hope it's worth it.

[jamorro]

At the beginning Symbicort was my go to inhaler. I have always had it near by, but nowadays my copd has lessened (or not advanced) and I use it as it has worked and I'm not going to change now. But the azithromycin (antibiotic) has kept chest infections at bay. The biggest help has been exercise, regular workouts. If you have pulmonary rehabilitation nearby try to go as it will help. But that is if you can get around walking. The PR will give you loads of help and advice as well as start up exercises. Best wishes, and it can ease off.

[grannyk3]

Hi, I have been using them together for several years. I live in the States and a Respiratory Therapist explained to me that Symbicort and Spiriva work together. They have been fine for me, won't give up Spiriva. Everyone is different so you might not have the same experience. 🙂

[Corin1950]

My husband was on symbicourt and spiriva for several years but was changed to Trimbow about a year ago. He hasn’t noticed much difference but finds the Trimbow easier to take as it is just one inhaler.

Let us know how you get on

Corin

[Durcot in reply to Corin1950]

I dont know about any other inhaler, I'm very pleased at what I use. Spiriva and Symbicort with back up Albuteral. I trust my VA doctor as I feel there more up to what's going on, thinking they get first notice.

So I trust my doc plus I read up on everything I can get before I use it.

Good luck

[NancyUS]

I have been taking Symbicort and Spiriva together since 2016 for COPD. Albuterol as needed. This is an exceptional plan for maintenance of COPD patients. It works, and i am as close to normal as a lung cancer survivor can be. (Dx jan 2016.) Alive, functioning, and really close to normal living. Stay out of dust, don't smoke, avoid irritants.

[Durcot in reply to NancyUS]

That's great, I use the same and feel much better. Life goes on.

[paintbusters]

Take them. No problem