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Post by Matthew R on Feb 2, 2014 6:07:06 GMT -5
re,., The blurred vision is what has made me stop Spiriva - just can't stand not being able to see - I read a lot, and do a lot of artwork on the computer, so I had to give it away..it was great for breathing, I found, but blurred vision to the point of losing my temper is not good..used to be every other day and now it's every day - so I'll take the difficulty breathing over being able to pass time a way with reading and creating. Hope this helps someone as I was at my wits end until it became so apparent it was impossible to ignore any more.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Feb 2, 2014 7:31:16 GMT -5
What other meds are you on Matthew?
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Post by Darcy on Feb 2, 2014 13:44:06 GMT -5
Sandy I would recommend that you go to drugs.com and use their Interactions Checker. You enter ALL your meds and click a button it spits out a list of interactions rated as Major, Moderate or Minor. Also don't forget to include tylenol, ibuprofen, caffeine etc. You may need to know the American names for some drugs but these can be found with a quick Google check usually. I checked mine and found 2 major reactions, one for Symbicort and Inderal, and one for Ventolin and Inderal. The Docs and pharmacists either don't know or don't check for interactions when meds are prescribed.
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Post by David on Feb 2, 2014 22:39:36 GMT -5
I was on Spiriva from about 2006 to around 2011. It probably did me good at first but in the end it wasn't helping me at all. I did not realize it the last few years of using Spiriva that it had stopped working. I was using the rescue inhaler a lot. 2 inhalers a month. I thought the Emphysema was getting bad real fast. Then I was taken off Spiriva by another Doctor and put on a Nebulizer 4 times a day. I felt better when I got off the Spiriva. I haven't done any Spiriva for almost 3 years now.
I am on Symbicort and a Nebulizer with a solution of Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate.
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Post by sandy07 on Feb 3, 2014 2:31:59 GMT -5
Darcy....I take no other meds than for COPD related things...acid reflux and Singulair. COPD is my only problem.
David....so the doctor switched you from Spiriva to Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide) and you're getting the rescue (Albuterol) by nebulizer instead of by inhaler. So you are on the same as I am except the Albuterol doesn't work for me, either by neb or by inhaler. We're both on Symbicort. You waited a long time before going to a doctor about the Spiriva. I waited a while to see if it really was seizing up my lungs ...maybe a week...then I went to the doctor and got Atrovent. I'd have been in bad shape waiting a few years like you did.
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Post by hugahusky on Feb 3, 2014 7:35:37 GMT -5
I was taking Spiriva and felt that it was not lasting the 24 hours. Then I started Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide 500 mcg) and Salbutamol every four hours and every six hours if needed. I used this for 2 years until a few weeks ago when I asked the Respirologist about Tudorza Genuair 400 micrograms. It seems to be working well as I use it morning and night. It has a different delivery system and you know if you got your full doze of the medication. If for some reason, you are sick and cannot use the inhaler then you can revert back to the nebs. I must say it is more convenient as I am not always watching the clock for the next neb. I go back to him in March so by then I should know how it is working.
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Post by sandy07 on Feb 4, 2014 9:55:23 GMT -5
I tried the Genuair for a week. I thought it was going to be okay but my lungs started getting heavy and it was hard to breath. I may try it again since my lungs have done the same thing when NOT on it.
hugs.....come back again later and let us know if things are still going good. Thanks.
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Post by David on Feb 4, 2014 22:00:27 GMT -5
Sandy I do have a rescue inhaler which is ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate). Yes the Ipratropium Bromide 0.5 mg and Albuterol Sulfate 3 mg are in one solution together. For me the Albuterol Sulfate works. If I go without it for long I will be short of breath from just taking a few steps.
I did wait a long time to go to a Doctor. I was diagnosed with Emphysema in 1983 but did not go to a Doctor again until 2005. I was put on Advair and Combivent at that point. Then I was sent to Pulmonary Doctor in 2006 and was put on Spiriva and Combivent.
In 2006 is when I had my first Pulmonary Function tests. I had another in 2013. I am told by the girl who gives the test I should have it done once a year. That makes sense to me so I reckon I will start demanding the test. I go back to Pulmonary Doctor in April. I will see what he says. I may change Doctors but I really hate doing that. If my Doctor don't improve then I will change.
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Post by sunshine3 on Feb 5, 2014 3:54:47 GMT -5
I use Spiriva & Atrovent & Formoterol (as Oxeze), Budesonide (as Pulmicort) , and Ventolin every day.
I don't get 24hrs from Spiriva, never did, nor 12hrs from Formoterol (as Oxeze), never did, nor 6hrs from Ventolin.
Spiriva has the worst inhaler design, and getting to good deep inhale is impossible when ones bronchia are narrowed, making for a shallow inhale, particularly after a sleep. To cope, I dose my Ventolin 15mins before, ditto with Atrovent & Pulmicort. I also gargle and spit after dosing all inhaled meds to reduce the swallowed medicine in the throat from systemic (blood stream) circulation's adverse harms to my body's organs. Dosing these meds at the same time each day maximizes their potentcy, and makes remembering what and when to dose easier.
Good idea to keep a daily log of meds and timing, plus diet, naps, chores, etc.
Here's to a healthiest new year (^.^)
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Post by hugahusky on Feb 5, 2014 10:11:19 GMT -5
Hi Sandy,
You asked me to let you know how I was making out with the Tudorza Genuair 400. It seems to be working fine and I have also noticed that I am having fewer problems with my sinuses. I still keep the Ipratropium and Salbutamol on hand in case I cannot breathe well enough to use the inhaler and then I would neb. I have been using it about 2 weeks now.
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Post by sunshine3 on Feb 5, 2014 10:51:39 GMT -5
I have severe emphysema, with a multitude of adverse responses to foods, fragrances, fumes (as ammonia, candle wax, stove-burner smoke, etc) as my immune system adversely responds to these. (due to the corticosteroids I take... suppressed immune responses... budesonide and prednisone (short 7 day treatments only, so far.) I always prepare for dosing exhaling as long as I can, to the point of panic. Even a short exhale is better than no exhale. When dosing after a sleep, and my inhales and exhales are weak, I usually go with my Oxeze. If I need more relax my bronchia's muscles, I need only wait 30mins and try my Ventolin, usually 4 puffs.
I dose my Atrovent twice daily, 2 puffs each time, 12hrs after my Spiriva, then 6hrs after that. I prepare for the Atrovent dosing my Ventolin 10-15 mins before, 2 puffs only.
I dose my steroid Pulmicort each 12 hrs, 400 mcg per dosing. I'll use 2 puffs of my Ventolin 10-15mins before, if needed.
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Post by sandy07 on Feb 5, 2014 12:18:32 GMT -5
sunshine...Atrovent and Spiriva are not, as a rule, taken together. They basically do the same thing. Did the doctor prescribe them together? or were you on one and he gave you the other without telling you to stop one. Although, being severe, the doctor may think you need both. You don't seem to be using the Atrovent a lot anyway.
I think there's a debate about whether taking Ventolin to open up our airways before using the other inhalers is what is actually happening. Some think the Ventolin actually interferes. Have you tried using the Atrovent without using the Ventolin first? Give it a try for a day or 2. Maybe you'll find you won't need the Ventolin at all....or only in an emergency. It helps to keep a journal of how we're feeling with new/old meds. Sometimes the old ones turn on us...like Spiriva did with me. If I'd have kept a journal I may have seen it coming.
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Post by sandy07 on Feb 5, 2014 12:20:37 GMT -5
hugs...thanks for letting me know. I used it for a week then things changed. I'd like to try it again but I'm waiting till I feel good,
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Post by me on Nov 26, 2014 21:21:47 GMT -5
stopping spiriva after using it for years can cause sudden severe panic attacks with respiratory failure. This is due to the body compensating for the lack of acetylcholine while the spiriva blocks it. It would have to be tapered for a very long time.
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Post by David on Nov 27, 2014 18:58:55 GMT -5
I was lucky. I had no effects from stopping Spiriva abruptly. I actually experienced relief when changed over to the nebulizer using Ipratropium Bromide and Albuterol Sulfate.
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Post by jim on Nov 27, 2014 20:21:27 GMT -5
Thank you for starting this thread Sandy. I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that when I take the Spiriva in the morning, my breathing goes down. I haven't taken any today and will see how I go over the next few weeks.
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Post by skate4life on Nov 28, 2014 11:07:28 GMT -5
Jim - I have heard of some people taking the Spiriva in the evening. You might try that. Others also are so sensitive that they take it every other day. As has been discussed much over the years about the sequence of meds, are you taking other meds that might be interfering and blocking the receptors where Spiriva needs to go to be effective??
I lasted about 2 months on Spiriva when I started having a really severe bronchitis type cough that was exhausting. At the same time I started having trouble urinating, which is a common side effect of anticholingerics.
Then after that, Duoneb (albuterol + ipratropium) would start to narrow my trachea making me work hard to breath. Luckily it would only last about 4 hours. So we also tried Tudorza Pressair. Lasted 3 1/2 wks on that one. Same problem.
I wish we could find something that would help as triple therapy seems to be recommended by all the pros these days.
Let us know how you make out with the Spiriva or start a new thread....
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Post by izzie on Nov 28, 2014 19:20:45 GMT -5
I had been on Spiriva for 6 years and had trouble with it from time to time, especially if my throat was a little sore or sensitive.........but I found it was best to take it in the morning and at least 2 hours from any other medication. I would stop and start it all the time, or just take it every second day when it caused me increased breathlessness or made my throat even more sensitive that it already was. My Doctor insisted that I take it though because it would help with the scarring that was on my lungs. I found I had less trouble with it if I rinsed my mouth and gargled with plain warm water several times after inhaling it.
Then, at the beginning of this year I was taken into the ER due to a bad respiratory infection and the ER Doctor gave me a prescription for Atrovent and said to stop taking the Spiriva....as they both do the same thing and help with scarring in the lungs. I get such tremendous relief from the Atrovent..........it's just been a great bronchiodilator for me. I take 2 puffs, 3 or 4 times daily and I found it will actually bring me out of an attack....but that's just me. I'm not sure if it's called Atrovent in other countries, but it is Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Aerosol. I still have to rinse my mouth and gargle my throat really well but because of it, I rarely use my Ventolin HFA inhaler anymore.
Something else that has been a big help with dry mouth are the Biotene products of toothpaste, mouthwash and mouth moisturizer which are PH correct.
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Post by mary57 on Nov 28, 2014 22:11:30 GMT -5
Biotene products have been recommended for the dry mouth caused by many medications.
I find this conversation on Spiriva to be enlightening.
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Post by jim on Nov 29, 2014 5:19:15 GMT -5
Thanks guys for your input, thumbsupde1 I'll come back to this, it's day two without taking it, but I'm too tired and brain dead to write about it.
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Post by izzie on Nov 29, 2014 16:03:40 GMT -5
jim......sorry you are experiencing so much tiredness and I hope you can share your experience with Spiriva a little more. I think it's helpful to all of us to understand some of the medications we are prescribed for our COPD. Most days I was o.k. using the Spiriva, but it took me a long time to figure how it was affecting me and how was the best way for me to take it. Given that everyone is different, it can become a very individualized thing.
But..I always say to never stop searching for the things that will best help you in your life.
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Post by jim on Dec 1, 2014 6:14:23 GMT -5
On the first day without Spiriva I breathed better up until about 3:30 in the afternoon, so I took one puff of Bricanyl and did better, then my Symbicort that night. Since then I haven't taken the Spiriva and I'm doing a lot better. I'll be talking to my doc about this and what other alternatives are available in Australia.
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Post by stoker55 on Dec 3, 2014 15:16:11 GMT -5
My pulmy Dr explained to me that any meds we take react differently on each individual. Sometimes something we have been taking for a long time no longer works for us and we need something else. Going back to the Dr is the only way to find out what is going on.
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Post by David on Dec 3, 2014 20:21:03 GMT -5
I agree with that Stoker55. That's the way it works with me. When something stops I have to find something new.
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