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Buying a new spacer for COPD

Posted , 2 users are following.

jonah23
jonah23

Can anyone recommend a good spacer/inhaler for COPD? Any suggestions, tried and tested? He has had his present one for a number of years now. We worry it's not as effective as it should be. How often should they be replaced?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Vee2
    Vee2 jonah23

    Posted

    Hi jonah23, not sure who 'he' is your are referring to so will refer to He, him, his.

    If you are living in the UK 'his' doctor or respiratory nurse can prescribe a new one.  Normally I change mine every 6 months.  I use the ~Aerochamber myself. But whatever 'he' was prescribed with or recommended to use I would stick with that.  Of course not all our inhalers can be used with a spacer,  I would advise 'he' checks in with 'his' doc or respiratory nurse for checks and advice on this.

    They should also be washed out weekly and left to air dry.

    • jonah23
      jonah23 Vee2

      Posted

      Sorry Vee2. A line was missed out or deleted and not entered again. When I wrote 'He' I was talking about my husband. The one he has is an optichamber. He knows which inhalers are to be used with the spacer. Just thought 

      I would ask about suggestions. He was never advised what to buy, nor how often to change it. However his spacer is washed regularly. Thanks for your help.

  • lill83898
    lill83898 jonah23

    Posted

    Hello Jonah

    Glad to know your husband is using a spacer...they are very beneficial in giving full delivery of the medication they are meant for.

    I use the blue Aerochamber. I do not believe it makes a difference which brand you use, as the intention of use is the same for all of them...to buy time to give a full dose, protect the throat a bit etc.

    I usually wash mine as well, although I am not as diligent..doing it less often as I do not use my 'emergency' inhaler as much.

    I am not sure where you are, but where I am, a person does not need a prescription for one; just going to your pharmacist/chemist and they will set you up with one according to your husband's inhaler use.

    As long as it is cleaned, I do not think they will wear out and become less useful...as long as the seals are secure and the plastic is not cracked then I don't see why it wouldn't work well. But sometimes it is nice to have a new one just the same.

    I am interested to know if there is something in particular that is making the pair of you suspicious it is not working well. Can you elaborate a bit?

    Lill

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