Your inhaler

Hi, I use Ventolin 200 micrograms Accuhaller and Seretide 500 Accuhaler for Asthma and Spiriva Respimat 2.5 micrograms for C.O.P.D. I seem to be alright on them.

I was first taken ill September 1952 when I went with my mum and dad hop-picking in Kent, South East of England. After some visits to Great Ormand Street Hospital in London. I then was diagnosed with Asthma and was put on Rybarvin which I used one of the old black pumps with a mask on it. That didn't help me much and I am most grateful medication has greatly improved.

I know a lot of people go off a lot about medications, especially steroids! but where would WE be without them? they are our life-line. And, I sometimes think if people only new how we who suffer with our individual illnesses, how they would feel if they had anything bad like us. I fully appreciate people who suffer more than myself because I know how bad things can get as I have had so many near misses with severe Asthma Attacks myself and, a Cardiac Arrest in 1975 brought on by a severe Asthma Attack which made me realise how lucky I am to be alive today and, a few C.O.P.D. flare ups over recent years which wasn't as bad as the severe Asthma Attacks.

Best Wishes to everyone!

I was only diagnosed in May and started off with steroid pills and then Spiriva with Ventalin.  I have sine been on 3 different steroid inhalers they work for the first month or so then they stop. I need to go back and get my latest one changed now (DuoResp) but my doctor always  makes me feel I'm wasting their time!

I use:-

Qvar (beclometasone) - the preventer / steroid inhaler  it stops my lungs getting inflamed  I always use a spacer when taking this medicine, I find the spacer help me get the medicine deeper into the lungs

Oxis Turbohaler 12 hour bronchodilator, this works quickly within 15 mins good to take before the Qvar, I was prescribed 1 dose twice a day but that gave me terrible periferal cramp, so I just take one doe daily now and this is fine, no cramps. 

Spiriva 24 hour bronchodilator, helps exercise tolerance, easier breathing and bending forward.

 Ventolin preventer medicine this doesn't work well for me but I do use it as a back up when airways narrow if air quality is poor and prior to the evening dose of Qvar.  If I have a cold or lung infection I will use a spacer for this medicine also.

During winter months I require all of these medicines as my airways and lungs don't cope well with cold damp weather, during good air days in spring and summer months, I may leave off the Oxis and reduce dose of Qvar, but as soon as my lungs start to complain or breathing becomes more difficult due to high pollen, humidity excessive heat I resume normal dose of medicines.  Its only been in the last 3 years I have been managing to do this (been on the meds for 11 + years) I've exercised 3-4 times a week at the gym up until last August when I had a problem with my foot and walking due to arthritis, just been doing tai chi and walking since then.  My doctor thinks I manage my lung condition really well, I have been stable for about 9 years.