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Is anyone having a normal life using Spiriva? How do you rate it?

Posted , 15 users are following.

richard79965
richard79965

Can you explain how Spiriva has changed your life.

0 likes, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • margaret90
    margaret90

    Posted

    Hi Richard

    Been on spiriva about four months now and the difference is amazing. I don't get breathless as easily, can walk further and hardly need to use my blue inhaler. The only downside for me is a dry mouth and l don't think l sleep as well. Small price to pay for feeling so much better.

  • richard79965
    richard79965

    Posted

    thanks Margaret

    Hope you continue to feel a lot better.Have to go back to doc and see if she will prescribe.

  • margaret90
    margaret90

    Posted

    Certainly worth a try, from what l have read on other forums it either works extremely well ( as in my case ) or doesn't have any effect at all. Good luck with the gp.
  • Chikin62
    Chikin62

    Posted

    What type of spiriva are you using the handy disc / capsule inhaler type where you suck it in as an inhaler or the respair inhaler which you suck and press a button the device issues the correct dose.

    I did have the second type and thought I was doing good . My doctors change me to the second and now it is as if I'm wasting my time using it nothing changes

  • richard79965
    richard79965

    Posted

    Hi Chickin62

    Not using any type yet.Using fostair which is not having any effect.Heard Spiriva has had good reviews.

  • margaret77788
    margaret77788

    Posted

    Hello everyone - i have had COPD for 9 years now and use spiriva and symbicort - these are often the drugs prescribed for COPD here in Canada - the spiriva is taken once a day and lasts for 24 hours, i believe - the specialist told me that symbicort is the best thing to come along in decades - the symbicort is taken twice a day - the combination of the two drugs means that we can have a relatively ordinary life - if that is possible with a disease impairing one's breathing!! i am 62 and smoked like a fiend for 40 years - the only reason i quit was they stuck me in the hospital , slapped the patch on and after a week , i had quit!!! no will power involved which is good as i had none - would love to hear from anyone and everyone on this forum - so glad to have found it!!!
    • Cubbie23
      Cubbie23 margaret77788

      Posted

      Also in Canada. We sound somewhat similar except instead of Symbicort I use Advair 250 twice a day
    • natalie3333
      natalie3333 margaret77788

      Posted

      Hi Margaret ! I just read your story and it is very similar to mine! Smoked for 42 years I am 57 and have been diagnosed with COPD 5 years ago! Just yesterday started oxygen at nite b/ c find myself short of breath a lot! I am using spiriva and symbicort and prednisone pills right now! This exacerbation was caused by constantly being exposed to the flu this month- I am a school nurse! So I got the flu and couldn't breath! Before this happened I was feeling great and was having a cigarette every now and then! I now am chewing some Nicolette gum! I do not want to go back to smoking but although I don't want to smoke I feel I miss it and it makes me sad! How crazy could I be to miss it! Any words of support or thoughts of I could feel better than this will help! Thanks! Natalie

    • Cubbie23
      Cubbie23 natalie3333

      Posted

      Hey Natalie.   Personally if I could go back to smoking - IF it didn't harm me or others around me and it didn't cost so much... I'd probably go back.  I think I liked the social aspect of it. (knowing what I know now, I'd never go back to it)  Nor will I 'rag' on people who are still smoking.  I remember all too well what that was like when I was smoking.cry  Anyway my story is just too long to put down here, but we do have a lot of similarities,  I think I will just try and fill in my profile when I get a little time...  wishing you well

      Pete

    • natalie3333
      natalie3333 Cubbie23

      Posted

      Hi cubbie23,

      thanks for your words your of support... I definitely don't want to smoke anymore and I won't , sad I ever started!!

      anyway I hope this was just a episode and my breathing gets better and I think I will start my health kick now!! 

      Have a great nite,

      natalie

    • Cubbie23
      Cubbie23

      Posted

      Hey Margaret,

      Hoping you are doing well.  As you may have seen I too am now on Symbicort (no more Advair)

    • Cubbie23
      Cubbie23 natalie3333

      Posted

      I'm thinking that probably your best shot at physical success is if your involved with other people who have similar goals.  I'm fortunate that in my health region they have classes an hour and a half long (twice a week) that teach about copd for half the class and then the second half is physical exercises.  It's really good.  I'm fortunate to have a treadmill at home which I try to use three times a week along with stretch band exercises.  If you don't have a treadmill... there's always stairs.   Go  at it gradually but don't stop.  Try to find someone to walk with when it's nice outside, but if the weather isn't good...  There's always mall walking.  Making it a social thing really makes a difference.  The temptation is always to slack off but don't!  Keep looking for excuses to DO stuff.  Hope you do well at this Natalie confused

  • pam57316
    pam57316

    Posted

    Glad that others are doing so well on Spiriva - I found not only a very dry mouth, but also night after night of laying awake, but the worst thing of all is an almost complete loss of taste and sense of smell. Its horrible not being able to taste!! Have been changed now to Onbreez but still the symptons relating to smell and taste continue!! Does anyone know anything about this problem.

    Pam, Essex

  • Outhwaite
    Outhwaite

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I have used Spiriva for a good few years now (first prescribed by an elderly very competent Consultant at the Chest Clinic who also suggested Serevent as well).... Upon returning to the Chest Clinic after many years, as GP referred me as he wanted me on oxygen (it didn't happen), I was told by a very young (arrogant) "Consultant" that it was a complete waste of time as I am taking Serevent. Phoned my GP for information and he said, if I was comfortable using it, then keep with it (sitting on the fence? I don't know) However, I have continued to use it nightly and I think it helps. However, I agree with Pam, I get a very dry foul tasting mouth and blocked nose for which I use NeilMed nasal wash, recommended by GP but not on the NHS, but my GP tells me this is because I suffer from IBS and Gastric Reflux, so don't think it's totally down to Spiriva. Also I was told to rinse mouth and gargle after use. Don't know if this will be helpful or not, but I'd give it a try. By the way, Pam, have never heard of Onbreez, am going to look it up.

    Regards, Val.

  • rizla01
    rizla01

    Posted

    Hi All.

    Only been diagnosed around 8 weeks but was put on Spiriva around 3 weeks ago and the only noticeable effect is a very dry mouth (Particularly at night).

    Hasn't helped me at all.

    Still using the Bronchidilator 3-4 times daily. Apparently I am at 62%.

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