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I have been rescribed Spiriva respimat soft mist inhaler and terrified of taking it

Posted , 4 users are following.

mandy4711
mandy4711

I hate taking any medications as i always seem to get bad side effects. Now ive been told that i need to take Spiriva respimat mist inhaler through an aero chamber but i am worried about the side effects. My trouble is i read to much on the internet then this scares me so much. I am going to Spain in 2 weeks and don't want my holiday ruined by nasty side effects. So any advice on using this inhaler would really help me whether you have had a good or bad experience with this. Thanks Mandie

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • josephine_30311
    josephine_30311 mandy4711

    Posted

    I've been taking it for 4 years, and I've never had any side effects whatsoever. In fact, the 'mist' is so pure it feels like breathing in air. In fact there are times I've even wondered if i've breathed in anything at all!

    If it's been prescribed, then it means you will benefit from it (I certainly did)  and so therefore you should take it.

    Jo

     

    • mandy4711
      mandy4711 josephine_30311

      Posted

      hi Jo,

      Thank you so much for your positive answer. You have really helped me a lot. I know we are all different and some people tolerate medications differently but reading your post has reassured me and now i will definitely give it a try. I heard you can get a dry mouth and upset stomach but considering the benefits of using this inhaler definitely out weighs the possible negatives.

      Thanks

      Mandie

    • josephine_30311
      josephine_30311 mandy4711

      Posted

      Meant to mention too, that my readings haven't worsened since my diagnosis 5 years ago, and in fact the lastest ones showed a marked improvement . My doctor told me it was down to regular exercise and .. the Spirival Respimat.

      So God Bless BOTH! lol

      Good luck, and have a great holiday!

    • mandy4711
      mandy4711 josephine_30311

      Posted

      Hi Jo,

      So sorry to trouble you again but my inhalers where delivered last night and i thought i had listened to the nurse when she was explaining on how to use them.  Obviously i wasn't as i thought i needed to use the Spiriva Respimat with the aerochamber and the rescue inhaler with a different spacer. Well i only had the aerochamber . I just phoned up the pharmacy to find out what was happening and she told me the chamber was for the rescue inhaler as the Spiriva you use like a pipe. Do you just use the Spiriva like this as all this conflicting info is doing my head in. They had trouble with my prescription from the start as one of my other meds had to be looked at first to make sure it was safe.The rescue inhaler ive been prescribed is Salamol  a salbutamol inhaler. I cant keep pestering my doctors surgery but they should have explained things better to me.

      Thanks

      Mandie

  • degb
    degb mandy4711

    Posted

    Hi Mandy, I also am on spiriva, used to be the capsules, now the new hooly Dooley one with the mist, no side effects, have been on it for over 5 years, it has a different function to the other medications, but I have found it to be helpful, and I. Doing a hospital trial of a new drug, spiriva was also perscribed to assist, I am now stage four, would have been at this stage sooner if not for the medications, and now oxygen, take heart, it is a good one, you can travel anywhere and be confident you will not suffer any side effects, good luck, have a lovely time away. Degb
  • ladyjack51
    ladyjack51 mandy4711

    Posted

    Mandy5711

    Yes ma'am, you are reading too much. They give spiriva to almost all COPD patients so that should tell you something. I've used both the inhaler and the respimat and the respimat way is best bc it comes out slow so im surprised that they are telling u to use a spacer? Is that right? Or the inhaler? Either way its very mild and you cant even tell you took it except you can breath!! I've been on it over 4 yrs. Thats my 2 cents...ladyjack51

    • mandy4711
      mandy4711 ladyjack51

      Posted

      Hi ladyjack51,

      yes i do read to much big mistake.I misunderstood the nurse when she was explain the inhalers and spacers as i honestly thought she said use the spacer with the Spiriva respimat so i phoned the pharmacy today to check and was told that the spacer was for the rescue inhaler. Good job i did phone as i would have done it wrong. Im going to record all future consultations as i forget as soon as i get out of the surgery.

      I so pleased you have said that the inhaler works well as going to take my first dose tomorrow just hope i do it correctly. Anything to help my breathing is worth it.

      Mandie

  • Vee2
    Vee2 mandy4711

    Posted

    If you read the information leaflet that comes with the meds apart from listing possible side affect (that not everyone will get) the leaflet also tells you how to use the inhaler what you should do after using it etc.

    Personally I have found spiriva respimat even better than spiriva handihaler.

    In brief I take it, I get relief, it helps me breathe easier and be more active.  The leaflet that comes with the medicine advises how to take it, when to take it, to brush your teeth and rinse mouth after taking to avoid thrush in the mouth etc.  etc.  Just read the info leaflet.  You may find a NHS video on you tube how to use the inhaler.    If you are still unsure if your technique is correct check back with your doc, respiratory nurse, or pharmacist.

    2 weeks away, better to try it out now before you go to spain, the flip side is you will have trouble breathing travelling and on holiday if you do nothing.

    Have an easy breathing happy holiday.

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