Spiriva

[Solily]

Started on Spiriva a few days ago. Is this an inhaler that takes a few weeks to see an improvement with breathing? Not good with medication... always seem to have side effects. Hope this helps with no issues. Also... I am quite new to this forum with only one other post. I am amazed at all the caring and helpful people. Reading other posts and replies have helped calm some of my fears after being diagnosed with COPD. Quit smoking 27 years ago to prevent this issue!! Apparently it did not.i have days filled with fears and questions and feel quite down. Hopefully theses feelings will become less as the inhaler helps. Thank you to all the kind and wonderful people on this forum.

[madonbrew]

Hi Solily,

Welcome to the forum. There are lots of lovely people who have a great wealth of information and it is a really caring forum & we like a giggle in the process too.

I take Spireva for asthma but have been on it a couple of years now and was started on it in hospital along with a few other meds, so I can’t remember so well the beginnings! I think though, in general, inhalers take a few weeks to build up properly, but if you’re not improving within a couple of weeks I would definitely have a chat with your GP! There might be an inhaler better suited to you?!

We’re not medically trained here but hopefully between us we can help with some of your questions and fears! 😊

Stay safe!

[Jct1]

Hi solily I was put on spiriva, it did not agree with me , infact it made my breathing worse. I now take forstair 200. Which is fine. many people take spiriva with no problems. Remember to update your doctor regularly. Take care best wishes jct1 x

[Lynnetp]

Hi Solily,I take Spiriva. I remember taking my first dose......because I was nervous! It worked instantly for me. Still does 10 years later. It gives an element of instant relief & then has the long lasting effects over 24 hours.

We are all different of course, and our experiences will be varied.

I hope this helps.

Take care

Lynne x

[garshe]

I was put on Spiriva 10yrs ago by my Consultant. Its quite expensive and my GP has tried to change it for a cheaper one many times. I refused and told them my Consultant prescribed it and it agrees with me. Fostair caused me problems . Spiriva I trust and hasn't caused any problems. xxSheila

[ninelives in reply to garshe]

Had same issue GP stopped the spiriva as too expensive.

Respiratory consultant promptly put me back on it.

Certainly works for me alongside fostair.

Good luck!

Please just remember to rinse your mouth out after using .

[garshe in reply to ninelives]

Thanks but I've been taking Spiriva for over 10yrs no problems with rinsing mouth. Fostair is a problem dont take it. xxSheila

[ninelives in reply to garshe]

Bless you been on fostair for a long time -to be honest think my soggy bleeding gums are due to 17 years of prednisolone.Stay safe ,stay well.

[garshe in reply to ninelives]

I am on Spiriva for 10yrs. No problems excellent medication prescribed by my lovely consultant. No problems with sore mouth never have to rinse agrees with me..Ask for Spiriva .. good luck

xxSheila

[Alberta56]

That's how I felt when I discovered this forum. So many kind and understanding people. Whopee! we are not alone. I hope that you find a medication that suits you soon. xx

[Annie31]

Hello and welcome! I am more than happy to be corrected if I am wrong on this, but I understood that it was only inhalers containing a steroid that needed a 'building up' period to benefit from them, and in which case you do need to rinse mouth etc. Other long-term preventers, usually bronchodilators as they are called, offer benefit within minutes of using, last up to 24 hours and no mouth-rinsing is required. I was given the Ultibro Breezehalor (once every 24 hours) in hospital two years ago, found almost immediate effect and do not have to rinse my mouth out. Having said that I do have a sip of water after as sometimes there's a residue of powder in my throat so the water solves that issue. If I am wrong please let me know for future reference.

[Nicholatracy]

So glad you are able to get a little comfort from posts on this site. I was diagnosed with emphysema a little over six years ago. I became a member shortly after and have had nothing but positivity and good advice from this site. Also a lot of humor. Stay strong🐞

[jackdup]

From what I have read it takes 4-8 weeks of daily use to get the full benefit. It is a long acting rather than short acting or emergency inhaler. You may not initially feel much affect from it but over a few weeks there should be some improvement and after you take it each day you may feel a small improvement.

[hallentine47]

I have been using this inhaler for 4 years in conjunction with Symbicort and I believe it has eliminated many of the symptoms I suffered but as part pf a complete regime of meds. I wouldn't do without out it now,

[Hidden]

Under the heading ‘What should I expect’, the drug company behind spiriva state that there is a cumulative effect and can take up to 4 to 8 weeks to see full benefit of treatment:

spiriva.com/asthma/faqs