Switched from Seretide & Tiotropium inhalers to Anoro Ellipta 55/22

Hi Papote, I don't have a pulmonary consultant, just the nurse-practitioner and my GP.  I do have a urology consultant for my BPH, a haematology consultant for my chronic leukaemia (CLL).  Maybe I should ask to be referred but, as I'm in the UK, the process will take ages as the NHS wheels grind exceedingly slowly, about twelve months (I've been under my urology consultant for well over a year and all that's happened is three tests, one of which got lost in their "system".  As a pensioner I can't afford to go private so I'm stuck in the NHS.

 

Hi Amanda, thanks for your reply.

I really appreciate it.  Are you being followed up after six weeks?  That's what I've been asked to do, use Anoro for six weeks then come back to be assessed.  I've had a "wet cough" for as long as I can remember as my childhood asthma developed into COPD thirty years ago even though I only ever smoked for a year in 1974 so I'm hoping any extra phlegm won't bother me.

Take care.

Yes I was told that but now having to wait an extra 2 weeks as no appointments available with the copd nurse at my local surgery .. I was told that it has very good reviews and that seretide shouldn’t be used for a long period , I’ve been on it 11 years and spiriva for same amount of years .. so far so good , I have had copd 11 years and I’m now stage 3 30% lung capacity , I also have asthma since I was early 20s I used to smoke up until 8 years ago , take care and try not to worry , if you have any concerns before next appointment phone Nhs 24 they are very helpful x

Hi Amanda, I've not heard about "stages", just that my COPD is getting 5% worse each year, hence the change of medication.  I was told by my COPD nurse that steroid inhalers can lead to pneumonia and "have been introduced too early" (her words not mine) so umeclidinium/vilanterol is the recommended treatment. I was given the choice of four inhalers, all the same cost to the NHS.  One was far too complicated - pull, twist, press a button and inhale, another was a complicated mist, the third was a "breathe and listen for a click and then check a red/green indicator" to see if it worked.  I chose the Anoro because it's mechanism was similar to Seretide, simple as that.  What a palaver!

Hi Grunthos I was told that it had amazing reviews so that’s why I accepted what I was told .. I had a very bad chest infection for 14 weeks and was sent to hospital for more breathing tests that’s how I found out I was now stage 3 I had mild copd when diagnosed 11 years ago , despite stopping smoking i have now gone to stage 3 ..  take care x

In the UK we don't have a choice under the NHS I'm afraid.  My doctors won't even discuss my copd or any issues coz 'They haven't got time and the respiratory nurse knows more than we do anyway'.  You might get referred to a consultant if you are at a severe level but not always then.  x

 

Hi Hypercat,

I don't think the new 55/22 inhalers are generic. I was shown 4 different inhalers that cost the NHS around £32 each. There may be more expensive ones of course but I doubt if surgeries would go down that route.