Respimat to replace Handihaler

[cocojax]

No problem, I said that in a previous post, then when I read your earlier post, my worries were put aside. I don't know if I will be a candidate for this trial, I have read where others were asked to take part in trials where they would have had to go off all their medications. I can't do that, so I will wait for her reply.

[LindaNY]

Wishing you the very best, Ellen.

[cocojax]

Thanks Linda, I know Bear takes Spiriva and I think Jackie does too, not sure who else on here from Canada....your knowledge from being in the medical profession, sure comes in handy on this site. Thanks so much for sharing...

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Ellen; I think this could be great for you consideriang you have trouble inhaling deeply with the current metod of delivery for Spiriva. I've always wondered about the unhalation part for some people with meds. Matter of fact hubby has even asked me what happens if I can't breathe deep enough since both the Symbicort and Spiriva requie deep inhalations.

I hope it all works out for you.

[the bear]

Me too! Hugz, b

[cocojax]

This is the reply I got back from Boehringer.

Thank you for your interest in taking part in a study, we always appreciate people who are so keen.

The study is on a new inhaler called the respimat inhaler. As with many studies you do not know if you will be on the study medication (spiriva) or a placebo. Since you are already on spiriva you would be taken off of it for 4 - 5 weeks and given atrovent to use or depending on your puffers increase some of those medications for those 4 - 5 weeks.

At this time with your double lung transplant in your future, it would not be in your best interest to come off of spiriva at this time.

Also, I am not aware of your medical history and it is possible you may be using oxygen day and night. The use of oxygen during the day is one of the restrictions for this study.

I wish you all the best.

Cheryl McIntyre
Research Coordinator


Good news is we know they are at least doing a study in Canada, how long it takes after that to hit the market, I don't know.

[Ed Barrett Australia]

larrynz, Symbicort, is basically like a combination of Oxis and Flixotide, and is very good. Spiriva (Tiotropium) is is the best thing since sliced bread, but I understand that Respimat is even better, and I start a Respimat trial in a month. Good Luck

[larrynz]

Yes Ed symbicort is very good I have been on it for some time, it does more for me than spiriva, which helps, just not as much.