Spiriva question.

[Shazza59]

I was put on Spiriva Inhaler on Monday after COPD diagnosis. This morning nothing seemed to come out of capsule and didn’t ‘rattle’ as should, I took another one which seemed ok but does this happen and worried that I might have given myself double dose, maybe powder in first but couldn’t feel it. Anyone else have this happen thanks??? Plus getting headache on waking could this be because of Spiriva? Thanks.

[Roysieboy]

Hello Shazza. I have never taken that drug, so do not know anything about it, sorry. I always ring the Drs if I am concerned about anything or see the chemist. Hope this is helpful. Good luck.

[Shazza59 in reply to Roysieboy]

Thanks Roysieboy, GP not sitting today as bad snows. Seems we are at a standstill in Dublin!! Still battling with diagnosis as all so new to me but noticing breathlessness way more since diagnosis too. When snow eases and can get back out hope to get life back on track as at least distractions then. You have been a great help so far thank you.

[Roysieboy in reply to Shazza59]

Thank you for the reply. One thing I do find is that the excessive cold or heat can make my breathing worse. There is no happy medium, I don’t think. Anyway good luck and hope you can get out and about soon. Best wishes. 👍🤓

[Shazza59 in reply to Roysieboy]

Thanks for response, prob the cold weather then, although warm indoors. Still think just now more aware of everything since being told what I have. Take care

[Dgtheel]

You can't always tell if something is coming out, you shouldn't do second one, you can check capsule and make sure it punctured but they say not to do another.

As for headaches, are you on oxygen at night? If not ask dr to do overnight oxygen test to see if your level falls when sleeping, mine does so I'm on oxygen at night. And low oxygen can cause headaches.

[Shazza59 in reply to Dgtheel]

Thanks, not on oxygen at night, just diagnosed 6 days ago. Bought oximeter and check oxygen when wake up and is around 95 so think ok but will mention when next at doctors.

[Danielmystar]

Hi shazza59 I used to be in spivra not sure by spelt it right but I found a lot of times the capsules were empty also when I was doing pulmonary rehab some of the patients found theirs were the same & asked their nurse or doctor if they could change into different inhaler I done the same I'm no way in good health but changing inhaler is helping me plus I allways feel the powder is inhaled hope this helps you ask Dr or nurse if they will change you to different inhaler .

[Shazza59 in reply to Danielmystar]

Thank you for reply, will mention to doctor as convinced nothing came out as have been feeling it breathing in every other time.

[Danielmystar in reply to Shazza59]

Yeh I'm sure if you talk to your Dr explain about it as at pulmary rehab nurse said lots of complaints about them being empty so u can tell Dr if you want good luck x

[Sandra1944]

Like they said tell your Doctor, and I had the same problem, but never a headache.

[Shazza59 in reply to Sandra1944]

Thanks Sandra, will do.

[Msp1]

That's common. If there are holes in the capsule, you can assume you got the dose. Sometimes it rattles and sometimes it doesn't

[Jocopd]

You can tell by looking at the capsule after you take the dose - there will be little holes where the disposer punctured it. Sometimes you won't feel or tastes the powder but just be sure to still rinse out your mouth after taking the dose. There are generic versions of most copd drugs from ADC which cost a lot less and those come in capsules that you can see the powder.

[Gary12345]

I had the same problem, sometimes I would take it and go to work and struggle to get thru like there was nothing in the capsule. I had heard that the company would skip filling some, more profits for them. I switched to a different brand.

[BgertieH]

I've used Spireva for a couple of years, if there's no rattle, I immediately stop and throw it away and get another capsule. This happens a time or two with each box. Be sure to open the inhaler and tap it after every us. Also to rinse it out weekly and leave open to air dry.

[Shazza59 in reply to BgertieH]

Thanks will do that.

[ken2pen]

on the side of the there is a push green button push in and the take deep breath in and then out then breath in speriva it works great

[Shazza59 in reply to ken2pen]

Thank you Ken. New to an inhaler so takes a bit getting used to.

[welllaners]

Hi Shazza, Spiriva capsules gave me depression and took the lining off my stomach after two weeks. People have different side effects to inhalers, I hope you are able to live with this one as its one of the best I have tried and I have been trying for over a year to find one without side effects. At present I am on Spiriva respimat, ok so far, but not the kick of the one you are trying.

Take care

Steve.

[Mandie4711 in reply to welllaners]

Hi Steve,

I am about to be put on Spiriva respimat and a bit apprehensive of side effects. Have you experienced any with this inhaler as Dr only says possible dry mouth.

Thanks

Mandie

[welllaners in reply to Mandie4711]

If its the mist inhaler, I have found that to be ok. just make sure you brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out after using the inhaler. That should stop you getting an upset stomach.

[welllaners in reply to welllaners]

The powder version took the lining off my stomach and gave me depression so far none of those side effects on the mist version.

[welllaners in reply to welllaners]

Just remember everyone has different reactions to them if you get any tell your doctor/resp nurse and ask for a different inhaler. You can usually tell after a week if its not for you!

[Mandie4711 in reply to welllaners]

Yes it is the soft mist inhaler but as i cant inhale much i will be using it via an aero chamber. Thanks for the tip of brushing teeth though even though i didn't know it could upset your stomach.

[welllaners in reply to Mandie4711]

Its a long stream of mist, if you can inhale slowly for say 5 seconds you should be ok.

[welllaners in reply to welllaners]

Have you seen the inhaler in action? Try it in the air when you get it and see if you can inhale for as long as it lasts.

[Mandie4711 in reply to welllaners]

Thanks Steve, I will try that but im sure i can inhale for 5 seconds as that's not too long. Hopefully i will get on with this inhaler and then my breathing should improve. Im going to Spain in 2 weeks so hopefully all be will be well and i cope with this inhaler as would hate it to ruin my holiday.

[welllaners in reply to Mandie4711]

I managed to stay clear of infections this winter so this inhaler and flu/pneumonia jabs all seem to work for a change. I hope you get some benefit from it, but change to another if not.

[Jensmom]

Hi shazza. I've been on spiriva for a long time but mine is the respimat, just like a regular i,haler, no capsules. Maybe you can ask dr to change to that. Same med, just different delivery system. Hope you figure it out, let me know.

Jensmom

[Shazza59 in reply to Jensmom]

Thank you, will see how I go and let you know.

[Mandie4711 in reply to Shazza59]

Hi Shazza59,

Did you change to Spiriva respimat as i am waiting for this to be delivered to help my breathing problems. I just wondered if there are side effects to this inhaler as i have bad experiences with lots of different medication before and have now been put of taking anything.

[Shazza59 in reply to Mandie4711]

Still on the powder Mandie and seem to have got more used to it although do still get a high pulse from time to time and definitely get high pulse rate if take Ventolin. I just persevered with Spiriva and all settled down.

[Jocopd]

Something else - the rattle everyone refers to is just the sound of the capsule "rattling" around in the dispenser. It rattles around because you are inhaling and forcing air thru the dispenser. If you do not have a good inhale then you might not hear the rattle - nothing to do with if the capsule has any medicine in it at all. Your sucking in the powder with that breath too.

Also you mentioned checking your oxygen when you wake up - just a precaution that this is no indication of what it is during sleep. We all slow down during sleep and the only way to check that is with an overnight sleep test with a doctor ordered oximeter wrist device. However you have excellent reading (95) when you read it during the day!

[Shazza59 in reply to Jocopd]

Thanks Jocopd, I have heard/felt the rattle every other time just that once I didn’t but was new to it so might not have been inhaling right, it will prob become second nature to me.

Thought if did oxygen sats when woke that it would tell me what I was sleeping, now I think about it, silly really. Thank you for clarifying. I grind my teeth at night so think I could have some sleep apnea. Wssn’t too sure about sats at 95%, sometimes 96 or more rarely 97% but happy you think this is excellent. At some stage I will ask about overnight oximeter. Take care.