counting inhaler use

[Deleted]

I have a hell of a time knowing how much is left in my salbutamol containers.
The reason being that I may go a week and not touch it.
And along with that is there a time limit on their effective use.
I'm thinking of some type of pocket counter like and umpires pocket meter.

[John]

Deestk ; I use pro air . & there is no counter on it .When that & conveient were the only meds I used it was a real problem .It says there is 200 doses in it . I tend not to believe that . But that I'm off convient & on advair & sprivia . I only use it once a day or so .

[aero63]

Is there a type of template chart with expiration date you could make up for it. Place it somewhere and check off when you use it. Like if you use it twice while out, check off numbers one and two, etc.

[Deleted]

Thank you John and aero63 for your input and concern.
Sometimes we don't appericate what a positive effect any response has.
You two are keeping this question 'open' for me and I can persue it further.
After some looking it seems to me that golfers use a little pocket counter.

[chrisw]

There is a little counter that is designed for the job and fits right on the canister. Each time you take a puff it counts down from the original total, and also counts how many puffs today! The downside is that it dies (by design) after 365 days and then you have to buy another one, it is called "The Doser" and is available from www.doser.com/ for US$27.95.
I had one and it worked but I am too cheap to buy something designed to die in a year!! ;D

[Deleted]

TY Chris, I'm surprised that you haven't come up with your own design.
Some sort of micro switch inside the bottom of the canistar that would be actuated each time you pushed the puffer.
How design a micro meter and translate the switch action to the meter could lead to a patent.
Something to do on your snowy days
Good luck on your check up ..... the best to you and Gwen and thanks again for your intelligent, caring vigilance.

[crusty]

I use albuterol, VENTOLIN by Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK). which has a counter built in. Pretty neat!........crusty

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Hi Crusty, we have Ventolin/Salbutamol here in Canada but; no counter. Why; I have no idea.

Deetsk. May I ask you (any anyone else) to delay ordering (if you're thinking of it). I'd like to contact thm first if you don't mind. You probably have figured out why.
Thanks, Jackie

[Deleted]

thank you Jackie you 'operator' you.

[chrisw]

Purely by chance I came across this today:

www.trudellmed.com/consumer-health/aerocount-dose-indicators

Even Canadian Made!!

I have written to them to find out whether it available for consumers to attach to their own MDIs.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Thanks Chris; please let me know when you hear from them.

[Deleted]

I wonder if it would be 'biting off too much' for our group to become a retailer to carry the various speciality products we use.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

An ambitious idea Neil, but..... it opens up a whole billywhack of things since we're a charity (not to mention...... MORE WORK!

However; an "independant", as in "entrepeneur" could always look at something like that.

[Deleted]

I felt the embarrsement as I hit the send ...... I realized I was asking Jackie to to change her 'plate' into a gigantic platter.
But you may be right; there could be an entrepeneur amongst us with great smarts and enegry

[chrisw]

Well, I heard back from Trudell - they only make the counters for manufacturers to attach to their MDIs. Obviously another "medical" company that is a lot more concerned about profits than actually helping patients!

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Thanks Chris..... I'll touch base with the other company.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

This isn't a good place for thyis topic but it's gone this far here so what the heck....

I did contact the "company" ; back and forth e mails and finally a phone conversation with the fellow that owns, runs it.

Botom line; I don't think this is a company that is suited for the Network. We'll leave it at that.
If you want any additional info, please feel free to e mail me.

[maryaz]

In the USA the ventolin does come with the counter. Sure would be nice to have but I cannot afford it. It is more expensive. I buy mine elsewhere.
www.ventolin.com/

deetsk, We all have to find something that works for us. Since I cannot afford my meds and I buy them cheap out of the country, I can afford to do what I do. I usually have 2 inhalers going at once. I keep the box for one and it is my 'out' inhaler. I use it when I am out of the house only. When I get back, I mark lines on the box to keep track of how many times it has been used. I also put the date on the box when I open it.

This guarantees me to have a good inhaler when not at home. In the event that I have missed marking a date and not sure, it can be my 'at home' inhaler for a few puffs or just stop using it when nearing the end. Mine are inexpensive enough that I can toss with a few puffs in it. They probably are around longer than they should be anyway.

I figure if the 'at home' one seems to be getting empty or the usually the date is over 3 months and I toss it and get a new one and it become my 'out' one and switch.

In other words, I just start working two at time and put dates on them.

I had some kind of paper things you mark but did not work well at all. Good luck

[susanny]

I mark the date opened on my box, too, Mary, but that's a good idea to mark them when you use them. Mine is Proventil, though, and no room on that little box for all that. I wonder if I might not attach an index card to the box though. I just don't know how diligent I would be at keeping track.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

There is "manual" kinda counters (dial) that you can buy and slip over or attach sort of and click each time. At least that's what I think I saw when I was looking up some things.

[zar]

www.epill.com/dosedial.html

www.tallycounterstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=007

www.epill.com/doser.html