Alternatives to asthma inhalers?

Indie_Kid

I have ventolin and it's the L shaped one you push down.

I can't get to grips with this. I can't push it down enough and I always end up with most of it on my tongue / in my mouth. It's pretty disgusting.

Are the different types of inhalers any easier to use?

ALIBOBSY

I have had Asthma since a child and have had all different kinds of inhalers/drugs.

Ventolin is in fact a brand name for the very best type of salbutamol inhalers. I deliberately get my prescriptions at one of the two local pharamacies who still give these "proper" inhalers as they work so much better than the cheap, smaller "other" branded salbutamol inhalers. These lower quality one often block up and/or don't produce a decent "puff" and end up in your mouth. Boots usually do the "good" ones.

As a child I was shown the correct way to take an inhaler, but noone seems to get these lessons now. Basically stand or sit upright with the inhaler ready. Lean your head back to open up the throat. Then take a deep breath in and all the way out, raise the inhaler to your mouth and clamp your mouth fully around it. As you breathe in again press the button, hold the breath in for as long as is comfortable. I was told to practice in front of a mirror and watch out for any drug leaking out the sides.

I think they used to do a powder version of salbutamol where you suck the powder down rather than a squirt, but it takes a little longer to work.

Other option would be a "spacer". Think a sort of wide plastic tube that the inhaler fits on one end of and your mouth goes around the other. You puff the inhaler and just breathe in and out until you have taken the dose in. Often these are given to children or the elderly, but anyone who is having trouble with the squirting or aiming of the inhaler can find them useful. They are also good when you have a bad attack and can't breathe a long way in.

Hope that helps

Ali x

Torry_Quine

I think the best thing is to speak to your pharmacist and get your technique checked as that may be the problem. As said above it isn't always taught now.

chocdonuty

There are different inhalers out there, it's probably a good idea to make an appointment with the asthma nurse so that she can show you the different inhalers out there, they should have demo ones you can try out too, some pharmacies offer this service as well plus you shouldn't need an appointment.
My dd uses a bricanyl turbohaler, which you twist and then kind of suck in, different technique all together, something like that may work better for you? Also there's spaces and auto halers which may help.
Best if luck

heartbreak_star

Speak to your doctor - are you due a review any time soon?

HBS x

Indie_Kid

Thanks.

Not sure when review is due. I went to the doctors about my chest on Wednesday. I was given an inhaler and she thinks it's exercised induced asthma. I've got a spirometry booked for 2 weeks time.

I amy leave it a few more days or so and see how I get on. I was shown on Wednesday by the pharmacist how to use it. They're going to phone next week and see how I'm getting on.

Christina1982

Go and speak to dr or asthma nurse explain problems I use an air chamber as the inhaler without it triggers my asthma! Very sensitive to change etc

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I use a "volumatic spacer". It is designed to be used with Ventolin inhalers or any of the L shaped inhalers.

I use mine with both Ventolin and my steroid inhaler. Ask your GP or asthma nurse if you could have one.

Christina1982

Also I used to use symbiocort few years ago it's a completely different inhaler might also be an option but best to make appt with asthma nurse

Indie_Kid

Thanks for the advice. I went back to the pharmacist today and they checked my technique. They phoned my GP to get me a spacer.