change of medication

[MINNIEthecat48]

Been on seritide, spiriva, and ventolin for five years under two different specialists. My new specialist has taken me off all three stating they could be harming me and put me on ultibro breezhaler only. I have copd exstensive emphesema . All this was done with a letter to my gp. ???

[stone-UK]

Hi

I would make appointment with your GP for clarification, or go through process of gaining access to the correspondence.

[MINNIEthecat48 in reply to stone-UK]

Seeing GP friday, but he always says you have to go by what the specialists say. Even though two specialists have made wrong diagnosis in the past. MY CHEMIST WHO I KNOW WELL SAYS IT IS PART COST CUTTING.

[letys]

Hello, like you I have had my medication changed from Spiriva and ventolin to ultibro breezhaler by my consultant. I was very septical at first as I found I coughed a lot when actually breathing in the new breezhaler and it aggravated the back of my throat. However, I persevered and now, a month later, I am feeling the benefits. I am breathing easier and my chest is not as congested and as long as I drink water before and straight after inhaling the powder, do not cough as much. I am 78.

I am off for a CT scan later today to see if the condition of lungs have improved and post the result when I know. Letys x.

[MINNIEthecat48 in reply to letys]

To be honest i have got worse, but that could be to do with a recent diagnosis of pulmonory fibrosis. And not ultibro.

[Mooskie]

Hi Minny: My doctor also switched me from spiriva and Onbrez to Ultibro

(he said the Ultibro was a combined drug so I only had to use one inhaler.

I tried it but felt strange so went back to spiriva and onbrez. i went

in for a visit and explained why i switched back and he told me he wanted to get me off spiriva because it causes kidney problems!! a few months ago my gp discovered microscopic blood in my urine...did ultra sound..all good!

but now I can see that it is probably the spiriva working underground 👿

Seems a drug can help one organ and do it's best to attack another!!

I am starting to lose my,hair quite quickly and found out it is from

the blood thinner (warfarin) and a heart med metoprolol! seeing gp today and going to change meds....heck, this copd has stripped away a lot of my activities, eaten my muscles, aged me and hinders my travel (i am very very severe). i am not going to lose my lovely hair next!! Anyone agree??

[MINNIEthecat48 in reply to Mooskie]

Hi Mooskie: My specialist said Seretide raises blood sugar and could be doing me harm, also stated no need for spiriva as my problem is oxygen transfer and not airway obstruction which is only mild. Also these are steroid based meds which can be harmful. Totaly contradicting my first two specialists. Now diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which my specialist missed on ct scan. I was coughing up blood and went to A&E who gave me tests and a ct scan and discovered pulmonary fibrosis. Waiting to see specialist again. Not good all those side efects you are having. Good luck.

[Mooskie in reply to MINNIEthecat48]

hahah...doctors!!! 🤔. just got home from gp visit and this is so stupid! i told him I thought the Warfarin was causing my hair loss and he jumped right in and said "I didn't put you on that!". I said "well if you didn't i don't know who else would do it." so he reads my file and says "oh yes, i see it here". 🙀. then i told him how my lung specialist wants me off spiriva because it can cause kidney problems and maybe that is why i had blood in my urine. He scratches,his head and says "oh I don't think so....the lung guy is just saying that because there is a new drug that needs to be promoted!!! and they say the health care here in Canada is so good??? no one cares...just push the pills! i am very discouraged. whom do you trust!! ! 🙄

[tamariki]

I was changed from Spiriva and Symbicort to Anoro Ellipta, 1 puff a day, and QVAR 2 puffs a day. Hardly use my Ventolin now.