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Problems with meds

Posted , 7 users are following.

kelly44447
kelly44447

I have been diagnosed with mild COPD ad have bee prescribed two inhalers Symbicort and Combivent Respimat.   I started taking Combivent Respimat first and after about a month I quit because I didn't notice any improvement. About three months later I had testing done and was diagnosed with COPD. At that point my Dr. Prescribed the combination of Symbicort and Combivent Respimat.  I used them as directed for a month and noticed a decline in my respiration and my voice was raspie at best. I stopped using both and within two days my voice was back to normal, my respiration was better, and over all I felt better.  I went back to my Dr. and advised him of what I had experienced and he said I had not given it enough time.  I am back on both and am getting worse everyday. I don't know what to do.  Any help here?

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • jude65855
    jude65855 kelly44447

    Posted

    Are you sure you're using them EXACTLY as prescribed?   I don't know anything about Combivent but Symbicort can cause problems if you don't rinse your mouth very thoroughly after every use.   

    I've never heard of any inhalers prescribed for COPD making the condition worse, quite the contrary until one deteriorates and needs different medication or it's too late for anything to help, and you're a long way from that category.

    I assume you're not smoking?  Because if you are NOTHING will improve your condition until you stop - also applies if you're exposed to other airborne pollutants, including other peoples' smoke

  • Ada555
    Ada555 kelly44447

    Posted

    Hi Kelly. I also have recently been diagnosed with mild copd overlapped with mild asthma and am on Symbicort Turbuhaler. Are you taking both meds every day and if so I'm wondering why because that makes for an awful lot of bronchodilator for a mild diagnosis. That may be what is causing your hoarseness. Also, have you been taught how to use them correctly so that all the med is getting to the lungs? Many people use a spacer with inhalers to ensure the mist gets down far enough. I hope you are rinsing and gargling well each time too....that helps prevent thrush and hoarseness. Are you being cared for by a lung specialist?
    • jude65855
      jude65855 Ada555

      Posted

      It's not possible to use spacers with Spiriva or Symbicort, I've checked, they're essential for the Ventolin type inhalers though.
    • Ada555
      Ada555 jude65855

      Posted

      Jude its true that in its documentation Symbicort Inhaler doesn not recommend using its Inhaler with a spacer "at this time" but many docs and rt's do recommend the spacer be used with it . Of course the Symbicort Tubuhaler which is a powder cannot be used with a spacer. The following quote from someone in another group sheds some light on why officially the company does not recommend it. "Just spoke with a representative at AstraZeneca. There was a discussion here about spacers and their being used with inhalers. Someone mentioned that according to the instructions, Symbicort was not to be used with a spacer. When I called the company, the person I was speaking to said that this was correct. She pointed out the instructions in section 16 of their prescribing information. It's under the storage and handling section. She said that the FDA had not approved it to be used with a spacer. However, and this is important, that we do what our doctors suggest. If for some reason she/he thinks we need a spacer with our medicine, then we need to listen to them."
  • kelly44447
    kelly44447

    Posted

    I was not told to wash out my mouth or gargle after use of Symbicort but on a later visit I told my Dr. about problems and he advised me to gargle after use. I also read the included instructions after that and it also said do not swallow.  My Dr. is a Family Dr. And I ask him for a referral to a pulmonary specialist and his response was why.  They will just give you the same meds.  I had mild COPD which consisted of a productive cough that was not that bad.  I had shortness of breath but had had that for years due to heart problems.  Now everything is much worse.  I think I am going to go to a Pulminary Specialist on my on and discuss this.  Help
    • jude65855
      jude65855 kelly44447

      Posted

      As you've found out, that information is on the manufacturer's leaflet that comes with the inhaler and on their website.   I agree with your GP:  the pulmonary specialist I went to prescribed Spiriva and my gp added Symbicort.  Pulmonary specialists can't prescribe anything different to a gp.

      In my experience the most knowledgeable people are practice nurses who've specialised in pulmonary conditions, especially the ones you'll find running rehab groups, which I strongly recomment you get yourself to ASAP, that's where you'll find the most help, but you do have to take some responsibility for managing the condition, which includes reading info leaflets before you start using new medication

    • Ada555
      Ada555 kelly44447

      Posted

      Kelley like you my gp was somewhat taken aback when I asked to be referred to a pulmonologist and in fact when I saw the specialist he changed me from Advair which the gp had put me on to Symbicort. My diagnosis of ACOS...Asthma COPD Overlap Syndrome also came from the pulmonologist. Especially because you are not getting relief as hoped from the current treatment seeing a specialist is a great idea.
  • Patsy43
    Patsy43 kelly44447

    Posted

    Hi Kelly, I have mature onset Asthma and mild CoPD. my inhalers are symbicort as a preventer and Salbutamol aka Ventolin. My inhalers really help especially if I take my reliever Salbutamol first and then a minute after my Symbicort.  My doctor told me to do this as the reliever opens the bronchial passage and lets the preventer do a better job.  Don't know if this is any help or not. Regards Patsy43
  • steveso
    steveso kelly44447

    Posted

    I've been using both Symbicort and Combivent for over 3 months for COPD with asthma and it has absolutely no effect on my breathing.

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