General Chat

Sandra, you MUST keep using it even you feel better. If you go on feeling better you can go back to your doctor and discuss trying a slightly lower dose, but do not stop on your own. I have used the orange one twice a day for years now, ever since I had pneumonia and it sent my previously mild asthma completely berserk! So first lesson, have your flue jab every winter and a pneumonia jab (only needed every 10 years I think). I foolishly let myself run out a few weeks back, and thought I could manage for a couple of days until my new prescription arrived. WRONG! After 24 hours I felt really bad. Shan't do that again. Use a spacer (sort of like a goldfish bowl) to breathe the inhalant in through, its better for your mouth. The only side effect I have found is that it has affected my vocal chords, so that I can no longer sing and my voice is always slightly husky. It's a cheap price to pay, though. It took 6 months to get me right after the pneumonia and I never want to go through a time like that again. Weight is a problem for me - but I think it is more to do with my unhealthy lifestyle than the medication. If I lose weight, I need less medication. That's a lesson in itself! So why have I not learnt it! Above all, don't fret over it. Really not worth worrying about. Tina

hiya ann thank you, i will let you know tomoz, what it is called. went to the manchester meet up today. i tried to get my medicine there . but they were one short . so i will get next week in my town x

Sandra, you need to use the steriod inhaler every day, as directed by your GP. Ann, do you mean a peak flow meter? M.

Sandra - what colour/brand is it? Some are preventatives and to be taken daily. Ann

Bob - interesting what you say about taking the blue inhaler (Ventolin first) I have a grey inhaler (combivent) must try - have never taken them in any special order. However - about a year ago was told to use a spacer with the inhalers as this would be more effective and I believe it is. Then only yesterday I was told to throw away spacer after 6 months and use a new one even if I have been cleaning and maintaining it properly. (This was a Russian locum in our surgery). Any one got a blower at home which gives readings and which is your best reading and worst? Ann

hiya all thank you. do you think i should use that steriod inhaler even if i feel well , and what are the benifits x

I have a red steriod one 2 times a day and the blue up to 3 if needed. If you can manage to keep up the exercise I guess you shouldn't put too much weight on. I have put over a stone on in 12 month but had been poorly ages and had gone really thin so am prettty normal now lol!! (if that is possible) I shouldn't worry about the steroids as there are different ones and I believe these are don't add the weight too much (according to my brother who has had every lung treatment going) Germaine x

Sandra, you won't put weight on with a steriod inhaler, you put weight on with steriod tablets. M.

hiya everyone, sorry about shooting of but didnt realise it was late. well i stopped smoking 10 yrs ago. cos i was breathless. not knowing it was the start of asthma. i have a blue inhaler, which i might need about once every 3 mnths. i have had 2 bad ones(ambulace job) the first one was my fault cos i took a nurafen(didnt know not to have antiflmeries) bad spelling). the other when i had a bad crisis in my life.i needed a new inhaler cos my sell by date had run out. then the asthma nurse asked me to come and see her. she has come to the conclusion, that i have lung damage.not from the smoking she said , cos i was a chesty kid. she thinks i have had my asthma donkeys years.as i feel very well ,i am a bit bothered about this steriod one (i dont want to put weight on) and i think if its not broke dont mend it xx

We all do in our house. My hubby isn't so bad, he uses ventolin, my son used a nebuliser six times a day until he was six, now takes one tablet at night and ventolin, my daughter takes a steriod inhaler twice a day and ventolin and I take a steriod inhaler four times a day, ventolin and a tablet at night. M.

Sandra There are a lot of us about so don’t think for a minute that you can’t live a normal life. I have had it for 30 years and still work full time with less time off sick than many of my colleagues. My mother has had it for over 50 years. Here are a few tips from my own experience: Learn to use the inhalers properly Don’t worry that the steroids will have nasty side effects – they are low doses and pretty safe for most people. If you get better then on no account stop taking the brown inhaler. The effect takes days to work so it is important to take your daily dose. Use the blue inhaler about 5 mins before you use the brown one – this makes it more effective Have your free flue and pneumonia jab every winter If you get a cold or feel chesty then increase the dose of the brown inhaler. I have no evidence for this but I think the brown inhalers lose their effectiveness after a while so I always start a new one every month even though the old one isn’t used up. Get your doctor to prescribe two of each inhaler not one to save money on the prescriptions. Good luck Bob

yep sandra i am astmatic.it was a shock when they told me that i ahd it 13 years ago but if you take your medication properly then it will be fine.i have two inhalers now taht work well for me.i would say that seeing the asthma nurse regular does help as they can monitor it.love and hugsxxx(:

my husband has suffered for years and has just been for his latest check-up, he has been told he is in the early stages of lung failure, he is 50 years old and has been told to go and live abroard if he wants to live longer, i would like to get my hands on the doctor who told him this he sounds like a right t****r.

thanks stel, but everyone knows,your just after my body :o) glad your all feeling well. bryan.

I know you're an angel Bryan! LOL Glad you don't suffer yourself...or your daughters! Things are under control at the moment for us both.... As you know.....I am calm, cool and very ready for any emergency...(my hubby panics)!!!!!!! Bryan....... You do a great job.......I will tell you that every time!! Takes a special kind of person to do what you do. Stel.xx

hi stell, ime lucky...i dont suffer myself,nor my daughters. but as a medic,i have been called to people in distress,and have every sympathy with them. bryan.

Thats great Stel, so he should be. My middle son has it . It started when he was a teenager, has it pretty much in control now, a few worrying nights when he was young, Wendy.xx

I was diagnosed when I was 19....... before that it was just....... 'another chest infection' or 'antibiotics I think' It was only when I begged doctor for help that I got it!! Now he is most attentive to me.........and my child! Stel.xx

Do you have asthma Bryan? (just curious........e-mail if you want) Stel.xx

My grandparents were both heavy smokers when they were younger (my dad reckons the air was literally blue in his house when he was small!!) When my grandmother was about 60, she fell down the stairs and broke her leg. Whether it was just found out whilst in hospital for her leg I do not know, but it was discovered she had very bad asthma.She gave up smoking straight away - my grandad didnt until he was diagnosed with cerebral ataxia ten years or so later. She is 86 now and suffers really badly with it. Poor old lass had an attack the other day after eating apple sauce (the acid in it set her off) This can happen at anytime in your life. Natalia x