Braltus plus ventolin

[Spoticus]

I am using braltus once daily plus ventolin when sob , they don’t seem to be helping much still sob with a wheezy cough. I haven’t seen posts about Braltus and wonder if there’s something better out there that I can mention to my Doctor as I’m still only getting telephone calls with them & still no idea how bad my copd has become as I hadn’t spoken about it let alone any tests on it for at least 4 years previous to these problems & a nurse I had never seen before & only had a quick chat with put me on Braltus with no explanation at all . Any tips or recommendations x

[Troilus]

I’m sure there are others on here who have better knowledge that me, but I thought I’d just share my experience.

I too was on Braltus but when I needed it most I found it hard to take. I needed to be able to take a good in breath to “ suck “ it out of its capsule. It seemed to end up on my tongue!

The nurse at the surgery changed me to Spivira Respimat which is more of an aerosol mist, which I find much easier to inhale.

[Spoticus in reply to Troilus]

Mine seems to end up on the roof of my mouth , I shall ask about that Thanks Troilus x

[Bkin]

I don't have experience of Braltus, but if you look to the right under Related posts (scroll up) you will see other people have posted about Braltus.

If you are unsure of the technique (which is important to get the best benefit from the med) this video explains:

youtu.be/1ZscKEkjQuY(Not working as expected?)

I use Spiriva Respimat which I find very helpful.

[Spoticus in reply to Bkin]

Thanks Bkin I shall check those out x

[CDPO16]

I have Braltus and found that it helped when I first started using it as an add on to my steroid inhaler. I'm not sure it is as effective now. It was given to me by my respiratory nurse on the basis of 'try this and see' as many inhalers are. We all react differently to different inhalers. Give your nurse a call and report back to her on your findings. She may suggest an alternative for you to try.

[Spoticus in reply to CDPO16]

That’s the thing it doesn’t seem to have made a difference, I thought perhaps it took time to work but I actually seem to be getting worse . I will get hold of the nurse . Thanks.

[CDPO16 in reply to Spoticus]

It is possible. I have had inhalers in the past that definitely made me worse and others that had no effect at all. Report back to your nurse and I hope that you get an opportunity to have a good phone consultation with her.

[Hidden]

Braltus is a class of drug called a LAMA, a long acting muscarinic antagonist, and ‘only’ works as a form of longer acting bronchodilator. It will help keep your airways open, but has no bearing on any symptoms that are being caused by underlying inflammation, which can include wheeze and sob for some people. For any symptoms driven by inflammation, these require a steroid based inhaler, of which there are many different ones, usually prescribed combined with a LAMA or a LABA (long-acting Beta2 agonist, another form of bronchodilator). Does the ventolin help much when you take it? If not, then it could well be you actually need an inhaled steroid to settle things down.

The Spiriva respimat mentioned is exactly the same drug, just delivered differently, so if the Braltus isn’t helping it may not be of any use. That said, if you’re finding the powder is part of the problem, the alternative format may help more of the drug reach your lungs rather than the roof of your mouth. Tiotropium can take a while to be effective (manufacturers say 4 to 8 weeks), but if it’s been longer than that and you’re not seeing any benefit, then it’s definitely time to have a conversation with your gp.

[Spoticus in reply to Hidden]

The Ventolin doesn’t make much difference either so I will ask about a Steroid inhaler, hopefully I can get a phone appointment tomorrow & get more information. Thanks Charlie

[Hidden in reply to Spoticus]

If ventolin isn’t helping, that alone would suggest to me that your current inhaled therapy definitely isn’t right. It’s a bit of a long read and sometimes wordy, and not everyone likes to get too in depth, but NICE have COPD guidelines that document best practice from diagnosis right through to managing exacerbations:

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng115/...

It suggests anyone not stable on a short acting bronchodilator (eg. just ventolin) and that has no asthmatic features should be given a combined LABA+LAMA inhaler in the first instance, not just one or the other as you currently are. From there, if the person is still not well controlled, you look at including a steroid inhaler. However, only your doctor will be qualified to determine if you have asthmatic features or symptoms suggestive of ‘steroid responsiveness’ that mean an inhaled steroid is currently appropriate. Either way, though, definitely get that appointment and get sorted - no need to be struggling when there are lots of other things you can try that will hopefully make you feel better. Good luck.

[Meme50 in reply to Spoticus]

Also good to use a spacer with your puffers....medication gets down into your lungs.

[Hidden in reply to Meme50]

Absolutely right, but you can only use a spacer with a metered dose inhaler like ventolin. Any inhalers like Braltus that are dry powder unfortunately can’t be used with a spacer.

[Spoticus in reply to Meme50]

I saw that mentioned on here a while ago so I asked for one of those & have been using it,hasn’t seemed to make a lot of difference although after a massive coughing fit this morning and a struggle to breathe I did bring up some mucus and it felt like a blockage in my throat which is where all the wheezing is . I used the ventolin again but not sure if it was that or clearing my throat that helped. I’m waiting for the doctor to call, fingers crossed x

[Meme50 in reply to Spoticus]

Good luck glad you are talking with Doctor today. Ventolin does help to open airway. I also find when I drink a hot ginger drink it helps mucus clear from my throat I buy from an Asian Supermarket.

Take care x

[winabago]

What I would like to know if you are in the UK.

[Spoticus in reply to winabago]

I am Winabago , I’m assuming you’re not going by your Name 😁

[Med75]

Request your doctor refer you to the hospital respiratory clinic & don’t take NO as an answer. There are so any new meds on the market & respiratory doctors specialise in these, after all the time you’ve suffered you certainly need a second opinion from a specialist.

[Spoticus in reply to Med75]

I will, would be good to speak to a Specialist x