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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Nov 28, 2012 12:46:04 GMT -5
Is anyone on this med? First time I heard about it was today....
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Post by skate4life on Nov 28, 2012 17:50:45 GMT -5
That's a new name for me so I did a 'search.' Merck got approval in 2010 in the USA and it is called "Dulera." Canada gave approval in 2011. It is a metered dose inhaler of Formoterol (LABA) and Mometasone (Corticosteroid) so basically just a reworking of their other maintenance meds for asthma/copd where bronchospasm is not well maintained on other meds.
Couldn't find a cost online except that Canada is 50% less than USA.
Most of us are familiar with Formoterol (Foradil, Performist, Oxis, Oxese, Duova, Symbicort.
Not sure what advantage this med has over older version.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Nov 29, 2012 8:58:59 GMT -5
Thanks Skate. I appreciate it. Advatage? Maybe cheaper; as in a generic?
The reason I asked......A lady had called me y'day and happen to mention her hubby was recently put on it. I told her that was a new one to be so while on the phone with her I googled it quicky as well.....
I guess I'm just surprised that I'd not heard of it.....
Surely there's other folks on it or are familiar first hand with it?
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Post by genemom on Nov 29, 2012 9:09:00 GMT -5
My Dr. gave me a sample to try sometime ago and I really liked it unfortunately it is not yet covered under Alberta Blue Cross - I am waiting for the day - I really like it. The only problem is that one really needs to keep track of the number of doses because being the same type of inhaled as Ventolin - it is hard to know when it is empty and my pharmist tells me the water test is not accurate.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Nov 29, 2012 13:08:15 GMT -5
Good to see you Carolyn!
Was it prescribed as a "replacement for" something or a new addition?
And; was it for your asthma component?
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Post by genemom on Nov 29, 2012 14:47:02 GMT -5
Hi Blossom - it was given to me when they chaged my inhaler - I came off Symbicort and because it is a corticosteroid and bronchodilator it was felt that it might work better without the severe hoarness and clearing my throat. Because it is not recognized yet by AB Blue Cross it is quite pricey. When that day comes I will be - I ccan bet ya on that!! Currently the Switch has bee made to Oxese and Alvesco and of course ventolin when I need it - I do keep the Symbicort on had just in case an easperation flares.
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Post by skate4life on Nov 29, 2012 16:01:34 GMT -5
Symbicort also is a bronchodilator and corticosteroid (budesonide.)
There are different variations of the steroid in various combined meds. Some people have a terrible thrush problem with Advair but do fine with Symbicort. It may be trial and error - we are all different.
The mometasone component is also known as Asmanex (NOT Asmacort....)
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Post by peter on Dec 12, 2012 16:57:22 GMT -5
Has anyone used Zenhale in place of advair or Symbicort
It is from Merck Canada Inc
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Post by Deborah on Dec 12, 2012 19:17:08 GMT -5
Can't say that I have but I'd be interested to hear how you find it.
Deborah
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Post by peter on Dec 12, 2012 19:22:25 GMT -5
My Doc. Just gave me this inhaler, There is a Counter in bottom back of the Blue holder.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Dec 13, 2012 7:40:57 GMT -5
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Post by peter on Dec 13, 2012 21:03:51 GMT -5
Well the first day on Zenhale was not to good. I take my inhalers @ 8:00am & 8:00pm.
I was getting ready at 12:00 noon to take my garbage up to the compactor and pickup my mail. I became very SOB, had to stop my Rescuer inhaler did not help. So I waited and took shoot of Symbicort, then around 2:00pm I went up and got done what I wanted to do. The mail lady was coming with todays mail so went back and pickup that mail at 3:00pm. with no problems.
I will not take the Zenhale tomorrow as that is my shower day. Then I will try again on Saturday or next Tuesday, maybe the Zenhale has to buildup in my system. I did not give it good chance I took the first dose last night @ 8pm and then 8am this morning.
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Post by peter on Dec 13, 2012 23:24:55 GMT -5
Well My new Respiratory Doc. Did not tell me correct use of this med. He told me 2puffs twice a day.
What he did not tell me was that the inhaler has to be primed with 4 puffs before use. Which is why the counter starts with 124 puffs. The Doc. did not even give me the box my daughter picked it up off the desk on the way out. So i decided to read the consumer information to see if there was more info for what happened today.
Hopefully the next time things will go better since I have now primed inhaler.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Dec 14, 2012 8:53:01 GMT -5
Good to hear you read the directions Peter and that you're giving it a go again!
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Post by sandy07 on Dec 14, 2012 9:35:17 GMT -5
I know there are a lot of inhalers that need at least one shot into the air or a second twist before you use it. I'm used to doing that. But I wouldn't be doing 4. A good example of why not to dismiss new meds too soon. Good for you Peter for catching it.
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Post by susanny on Dec 14, 2012 10:02:46 GMT -5
I am so glad you thought to read the directions, Peter. Good going! Shame on your dr for not giving you the directions in the first place. I hope that you find relief now. Will you still be waiting until tomorrow to try it again, since you have your shower today?
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Post by peter on Dec 14, 2012 11:10:24 GMT -5
Hi Sue, Yes I Will start again tomorrow to be safe.
One more thing with this inhaler it says to inhale, hold your breath for 10 sec. then exhale through your nose keeping your lips closed.
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Post by peter on Dec 15, 2012 18:57:02 GMT -5
I started the Zenhale again this morning and every thing seem OK, I did some walking in the trailer as it is white stuffing out side, and I did a little weight exercising with out any sob. I did get a little antsy this afternoon but I think i just needed a snack. So far so good.
I just did a little vacuuming picking up kitty litter in the kitchen and living room with my electric broom, with very little sob. I may get the big Dyson vacuum cleaner tomorrow and see how that goes.
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Post by sandy07 on Dec 17, 2012 10:43:40 GMT -5
Nice to hear things are working better. Hope it continues for you.
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Post by peter on Dec 17, 2012 16:46:40 GMT -5
I had my first shower since using the Zenhale, I did not have to use a rescue inhaler. I had very little sob and what I did have past very quickly. I still have to use my vacuum. But we will try do that tomorrow because the Boss does not like sound but it is to cold for her go out on the deck. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny so we will see.
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Post by susanny on Dec 17, 2012 21:26:59 GMT -5
Wow, Peter. That sounds so good!!!!! I am too out of breath during a shower to use my rescue inhaler, but to not get so SOB that you need it is amazing. Can't wait to hear how it goes from now on. Do you get the shower on Mon.'s only? Are you using the spiriva, too, and the zenhale, both of them?
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Post by peter on Dec 17, 2012 22:10:01 GMT -5
Hi Sue, I have a shower Mondays And Fridays. I normal do use my rescue inhaler before I go into the shower, but today was a new girl to me and was not sure how I like to have my shower. So I was helping me and forgot to use the rescue. I did not realize I had not used it, while she was making my lunch.
Yes I use The Zenhale & Spirva and Either Bricany Turbuhaler or Salbutamol as my rescue.
That's because the hospital kept changing my inhalers so I use then up saves money as they are no good to anybody else.
( I use a spacer with the Zenhale & Salbutamol )
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Post by sandy07 on Dec 19, 2012 8:58:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the update Peter. Something has quit working for me and I haven't quite determined what it is yet. I'm going to keep Zenhale on my list of things to try.
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Post by lennie on Jan 13, 2013 12:47:49 GMT -5
Wow I sure wish Doctors were more up to date on new meds! I am on both advair and spiriva and recently came down with a touch of that flu and it has left me with a deep racking cough. Even my rescue inhaler isn't helping me and its so scary when you can't get your breath. (Thank goodness for pursed lip breathing). Something is giving me a horrid sore throat and I keep telling my dr its the inhalers and she says no grr. I asked if there were any new things out and she said no. Can't switch dr's as there is a shortage in Grande Prairie so feel really stuck but she isn't helping and every day its harder and harder to get through the day. I quit smoking 4 years ago and that really helped and am fairly active its just this awful feeling that I can't breathe and the cough that drops me to my knees. I just turned 60 but doubt its old age yet! I am thankful I have found this forum and will be keeping a close eye on it. Take care . Lennieeveryone.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jan 13, 2013 13:22:13 GMT -5
I'm really glad to see your post Lennie; just jumping right in; way to go!!! And also; it's a good reminder for us to check and see how Peter's makingh out with it and if Genemom sees this post; her as well. I hear the comment a fair bit.... "touch of flu" as you mentioned. Although there's no such thing, perhaps you're currently experiencing a flare up (exacerbation)? Sure sounds like it dear... Do you have Chronic Bronchitis in the mix of your COPD? It's pretty darn scary isn't it though when we get into that "can't catch your breath" feeling...... As for Dr's; guess it's kinda like Ann Landers saying.... they all didn't graduate from the top of their class.  I think too that each Dr (GP) has a field they're comfortable with. For many; it's not COPD  ! |
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Post by peter on Jan 13, 2013 14:19:09 GMT -5
I found that something had stopped working for me. So I went back to my Symbicort 200/6mcg Turbuhaler as I can use that 4x a day if required.
I am going to wait until the weather warms up to try it again. As you have to Prime the inhaler with 4 puffs before using and if you have not use it for a week. Which can be expensive. It does have a built in counter that tells you how many puffs are left.
I found it seem to work OK for a while and the problem I ran it to may not be from the Zenhale.
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Post by alex stmaurice on Apr 24, 2013 21:24:45 GMT -5
My new GP gave me a sample of zenhale. It's the best inhaler I have had in many years. Before Zenhale I would take my 200 puff of Brycanyl in 20 days or so . With Zenhale I did 2 months with the same Brycanyl inhaler. I know that not everyone will get these results but for me Zenhale worked magic!!! Now I just have to call my GP and get him to give me a prescription at 150 $ an inhaler I need to verify if my insurance will cover it.
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Post by jim on Apr 25, 2013 6:43:40 GMT -5
I've never heard of it before, so I'll ask my doctor if it is available in Australia next time I see him.
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Post by sandy07 on Apr 25, 2013 11:11:52 GMT -5
Peter...are you still using Zenhale? How's it going? or why did you stop.
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Post by genemom on Apr 25, 2013 18:26:24 GMT -5
My Doctor has not given me anymore samples - but I found it very effective when I used it - No horseness which was the big problem on Symibicort (constant feeling of breathing through a straw) - Zenhale was great and controlled my breathing big time bonus being no hoarseness - AB gov't doesn't pay for it and I can't afford to pay for it. However the Alvesco and Oxese seem to be doing the trick along with my a.m. Spira and my Cpap at night. Can only manage CPAP if I take a sleeping pil otherwise it is a wakeful night. (hot, sweats, wake up, etc.) O2 rather low at night and not sure exactly where but I am waiting for another sleep test. It has been ordered . Big problem right now is Post Nasal and Allergies - snow mold and leaf mold - but Aerius seems to be controlling it. Thankfully snow mold just about gone!!!! I hope
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I think too that each Dr (GP) has a field they're comfortable with. For many; it's not COPD 
!
