Hi All,
Did you have a fast heart rate for the first day? I've took my Spiriva and seemed ok, but as I've walked around heart rate has increased to 100? Is this just as first time trying it or? Was it the same for you?
Could this be just a shock to the system for the first day etc??
Ami40, I've been using the Spiriva handi-haler for years but can't remember experiencing any faster heart rate as a result. I sometimes experience a bit of anxiety when starting a new med and hope that this is what happened for you. After using yours for a few days, if the heart beat continues faster than usual, I'd probably call my doc just to check because each patient is different.
Hi and thank you for responding. Yes I'm just a little anxious but my resting heart rate is usually low... Around 55-65, only just took this for the first time today and it's shot up to 75-80 while resting, I walked around and it went to 100! Hoping that it's just a initial shock to the system and will drop down again to what it usually is, just feel a little shaky with it but that's expected...
How long were you taking it for before you felt a benefit for breathing etc?
I may not take both the doses straight after each other and wait a little while between the two? May not be as bad then....?
I'm not sure about the Covid etc, would I fall into the vulnerable category as on inhalers? I'm only 40 and obviously would expect the elderly to get it first etc with respect...
You specified Spiriva Handihaler. That medicine calls for just one dose each 24 hours. Your mention of two doses somewhat confused me. (if using the Spiriva Respimat delivery system, it is two separate puffs taken together to equal one dose).John
Hi Jocopd,
No I mean, two inhales of the same capsule, as in inhale once and then hold and then again.
I did that yesterday morning and my heart was low at first and then went sky high to 100. I felt anxious all day and could not concentrate on anything really. This morning I awoke and felt like my heart was fluttering and now has seemed to have subsided.
I've decided not to take another dose as it can not be good for my heart?
Will stick to my blue inhaler for now until I can chat with docs.
Did you have any of this when first started it?
Ahh..thanks for clarifying. The second inhale is to ensure you got it all the first time. You are best to ask your doctor. If it were me, I would also ask my pharmacist.Best to you,
John
That's a good point, how are you supposed to know that you haven't taken too much on the first inhale? As surely that could be a problem
Ami, only because you asked!! LOL,,,, The Handihaler capsule has 18mcg (micrograms) in it. Unless you have a difficult time inhaling, chances are you do get all of it on the first inhale. They recommend two attempts on the same capsule because we are all different and some people may not.
At 18mcg, it would take a little over 55 capsules to equal a gram. There are 28 grams in an ounce. So, that equals 1,555.5 capsules to equal just an ounce!!
Obviously, follow the instructions for the Handihaler; just that I have no issues with the inhale at all and I most likely got all 18mcg inhaled on the first "go".
Hope this helped!!John
R1B_John, Not Ami40 but I appreciate your replies to her and especially the suggestion of speaking with her pharmacist. I have found my pharmacist so helpful over the years with questions about specific meds and whether or not one might interfere with the effectiveness of another. Pharmacists are among my group of undersung heroes! Best to all.
You can't possibly take "too much" on the first inhale. It is meant to be alllllll inhaled on the first try. The reason for the second inhale, on the Handihaler, is to just be sure that you got it all. As I previously said, for myself,,,,,NOT speaking for you or anyone else,,,,,I had no problem with my inhale, so I didn't do a second one.
I use Spiriva Respimat, but only 2 puffs once a dayWhen walking, heart rate goes up, don’t think that’s very unusual
Goodness, Ami40, those changes in your heart rate would be concerning. I've been using the handi-haler for several yrs and have never experienced any adverse or discernable side effects from it. I was told to inhale 2 times and only use it once/day.
In fact, I asked my pulmonologist if most patients could tell an improvement with its use and she said it is used more as a maintenance drug rather than the short term, like rescue inhalers that are used for immediate help and short use whenever breathing becomes very labored. I've only used my Pro-Air rescue inhaler twice over the years.
I'm not sure what the other med/inhaler is that you are using? At the time I was prescribed the Spiriva, I was also prescribed Symbicort and told to use both once/day. Interestingly yesterday, the report of my annual visit with primary care doc indicated that "these 2 drugs are the same as others prescribed" for me. I've just put in a call to doc to find out which I should continue/drop because the report just made this statement.
Because of age and several chronic health conditions, including COPD, I was eligible for the Covid vacc. Your best bet is to talk with your doc about both the heart rate increase and when you would become vacc eligible. Hope you'll let us know what you learn from your doc. Smiles
Horrible COPD weekend
Scared to death with copd
Just for laughs..and I hope I don't get kicked off the message boards. :o Smiling a little today. Finally. :)
Induced coma vented and trachea 
