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Post by Vic on Mar 30, 2014 12:11:35 GMT -5
Hi Folks -- Just before I went into the hospital, I finished a 15-day run of Tudorza that my Dr. gave me. I still have another 15-day supply. During the trial run I found that:
1. It is more convenient to use over the capsule-form of Spiriva. 2. It is more inconvenient having to use 2x a day. 3. Most important of all, I can't use it at all. It seems to run out before the second (PM) dose, while Spiriva has a half-life of 36-hours. I guess I need that overlap.
I figure that like Spiriva, Tudorza has different results on different folks. -- Vic
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Tudorza
Mar 31, 2014 5:30:26 GMT -5
Post by jim on Mar 31, 2014 5:30:26 GMT -5
Thanks for posting Vic, the more we learn, the more we can take care of ourselves. You are so right, we each have our own unique chemical profile and what works for one may not do the same for another.
Take care mate.
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Tudorza
Mar 31, 2014 6:42:43 GMT -5
jim likes this
Post by hugahusky on Mar 31, 2014 6:42:43 GMT -5
It does appear that some meds work for some of us and some do not.
I found after taking Spiriva for 2 years it was not lasting 12 hours. I was switched to nebulizing 4 times a day and if I was very ill to 6 times a day with an Ipratropium/Ventolin mix. This definitely was inconvenient even though I have a portable nebulizer to use when I go out.
In January I started Tudorza and it took a while for the side effects to settle but it seems to be working for me. I like to think that the longer I am on it, the better I am feeling. I go back to my Respirologist on Thursday of this week, so I am hoping he will see an improvement.
I realize too, that everyone is different, but for now, I give this drug a thumbs up!
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Tudorza
Mar 31, 2014 10:23:09 GMT -5
Post by susanny on Mar 31, 2014 10:23:09 GMT -5
I've been using the Tudorza for about 6 mos.or more and I really like it. I like the twice a day usage and to be honest, I never had any side effects from it. No complaints from me other than the flavor of the taste which I cover up with a life savor.
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Tudorza
Apr 2, 2014 22:29:43 GMT -5
Post by LindaNY on Apr 2, 2014 22:29:43 GMT -5
I'm with you, Vic.Just can't use it and went back to Spiriva.
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Post by David on Apr 3, 2014 8:55:47 GMT -5
I started using Tudorza 2 days ago so it is a little early to tell. It feels like it helps. Time will tell. I have gotten to where about 50 yards is all I can walk before panic starts to set in and I have to stop and rest.
Did a walk test 2 days ago and it shows I don't need oxygen 24/7. I only use oxygen at night. Doc says I lost the ability to exercise my lungs. What ever that means. I know how I feel. I feel like I have lost the elasticity in my lungs. I reckon I need to exercise more but I hate the Dyspnea.
I will do the Lung Function test tomorrow and have an x-ray done. Both ordered by me, not the Doctor. All the Doctor tells me is I need a lung transplant. He says He already knows what those test will show because I have had them in the past. I will see the Pulmonary Doctor again in 6 months.
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Tudorza
Apr 3, 2014 10:50:32 GMT -5
Post by sandy07 on Apr 3, 2014 10:50:32 GMT -5
I tried the Tudorza for a week. Then my chest started getting tight and I quit taking it. Waited 2 weeks then tried again. Same thing. I haven't taken it for months now but the tightness in my chest still comes and goes. SO...maybe it wasn't the Tudorza tightening my chest after all.
Hugahusky...what side effects did you have?
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Tudorza
Apr 23, 2014 21:20:53 GMT -5
Post by David on Apr 23, 2014 21:20:53 GMT -5
Well I reckon I will not be using Tudorza any more. The Doctor gave me a sample and said to call in if I want to get a prescription. I used up the sample and called the Doctor and he called in a script to the Pharmacy. Pharmacy called me and said I had a script ready and it was $285. Oh my, I can't afford that every month. The Insurance would not pay for that. So I went back to the Symbicort where I pay $45 and the Insurance covers the rest. For some reason the Symbicort seems to give me cramps in my feet. Doctor says the Nebulizer medicine would do that but when I quit the Symbicort the cramps disappear. I really don't know what is happening
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Tudorza
Apr 24, 2014 13:24:09 GMT -5
Post by stoker55 on Apr 24, 2014 13:24:09 GMT -5
Holy smokes David that is an ungodly amount to pay for an Rx that actually helps you. I feel for your pocket book. I am not sure how it works for you in the US but here we have pulmonary rehab classes that don't cost (I think it is in the BC medical premiums we pay as nothing is ever free). I am just finishing up on my classes I have 2 more weeks to go and found it so very helpful. I have learned to breath again (know that sounds funny but it is true). I am not panicing as badly as I was & have learned that I just have to slow down. I am breathing better and so sleeping better when I do sleep and it all helps. I do get SOB when exercising but I am learning to control it so my panic levels go down. Hope you find something that will work for you.
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Tudorza
Apr 24, 2014 20:21:13 GMT -5
Post by David on Apr 24, 2014 20:21:13 GMT -5
I went to the Pulmonary classes back in 2006. I really did enjoy it and learned a lot from it. Ours was not free though. It cost $1500 and I had to pay $500. Insurance payed $1000.
The way my Insurance works is they put drugs in Tiers like Tier 1, Tier 2 and so on. Tier 1, I pay $6 copay. Tier 2, I pay $15 copay. Tier 3, I pay $45 copay. Tier 4, I pay $95 copay and Tier 5, I pay 29% of the cost.
Most of my drugs like Symbicort and ProAir fall in the Tier 3 category. My Nebulizer medicine falls in the Tier 1 ($6 copay).
After I got home I looked in my Formulary book and Tudorza is not in there but I can't always go by the book. I really don't know until I go to the Pharmacist.
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