Re: Inhalers

[Guest guest]

I just re-read the last sentence of your post.....not going to think

about that too much. The damage is done...gonna look at the bright side

of things.

Thanks for your email.

love,

Cindi

FFTaz71@... wrote:

>

> The only inhalers being done away with at this time are the old CFC

> based inhalers, which most of us already are aware of. They are being

> replaced with more expensive (read patented) versions, although some

> will not be the same name you might be familiar with even though they

> are basically the same med with a different type of propellant.

> Supposedly theres enough of us asthmatics out there that use of our

> CFC based inhalers is enough to significantly contribute to the damage

> CFC's do the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Interesting since I would

> think that most of those CFCs are going directly into our

> lungs...hmmm...why did this only become a concern when problems

> started showing up with the ozone??? Wonder what it did to our

> lungs.... (ok...Im on a slight tangent there).

>

>

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[Guest guest]

ok, here it is me again. Will try hard to be careful what I write.

But, when I was in the hospital that week with asthma, when they

" trained " me to do my inhalers....it really frustrated me to no end. I

am one of those people who are " on the go " ...go to work go to this, go

to that. My inhalers require just a little time in my life. You are

right in what you wrote....what they told me to do...and it seemed to

take too long of a time, but I still try to do it. You shake your

inhaler...shake. Take a deep breath and spray one puff in. Wait a quite

of few seconds, shake, and do it all over again. It just is not fast,

but the slow method is more effective. Whatever you got to do to space

the puffs....shaking is good. It gives your body time to absorb what

you just sprayed in there. Every four hours they came and " bothered " me

with this whole procedure that took half an hour. Then they told me to

go and rinse my mouth out. Now all I have to do is twice a day....is

that so much to ask for in my impatient busy schedule? Sometimes it

is.......never want to be in the hospital again....they took way too

long to release me. Maybe that is why I get on and preach....really

sorry! But I mean well.

dunno, but doing it slow...get up 15 minutes earlier if that is what it

took/takes me to do, but it does seem to get in my system better. The

intervals between puffs seemed really important to those technicians. It

became a whole new way of life to me...I cannot explain it, but I know

some of you know what I mean. The trying of patience....wait between

puffs was a learning experience for me. Especially with the

flovent/azmacort things. Oh, and when I get the medicine in my system

the slow way, I pretty much lead a normal life...unless I get the

dreaded cold/bronchitis/flu, and hope to never have pneumonia again.

and they want me to exercise my lungs on top of that? My tricycle is

pretty LOL!!!! It is a BIG tricycle...maybe I should personalize

it...decorate it.

I would love to read that website if you find it again. Please make sure

that you label it in the emails so that I see it instead of overlook it, K?

love,

Cindi

FFTaz71@... wrote:

>

> I have just another comment on the inhalers..the new ones that is.

>

> I had read on a website (forgive me b/c I cant remember what one

> anymore) blog regarding these new inhalers that while we dont feel the

> effects right away from the newer inhalers, they do work just as good

> IF you use proper technique. I also read in a later post, that a user

> found if he/she waited a little bit longer in between the first and

> second puffs, he/she got better results. So...being that my asthma is

> pretty mild and doesnt rear its full vengence on me too often, I

> decided to experiment a little. I made sure I used the proper

> technique of coordinating my inhalation as close to the dispensing &

> direction of the med as I could. Then I waited just a bit longer than

> normal to take the second puff. For me, I found that I DID actually

> get better results by waiting a little longer for that 2nd puff. Its

> interesting, but I think that by waiting you give the medication from

> the first puff a few seconds longer to penetrate your lungs and do

> their thing...which is to open up your airways. In turn, when you

> take that 2nd puff you have more open airway in the initial lung which

> allows more medication to get deeper into your lungs and open you up

> further. I dont know if that is the answer or not, but it is my theory.

>

> I have to say for me personally, this works...and it shows in my peak

> flows more quickly than with the albuterol. I get decent results in

> 10-15 minutes vs 20-30 minutes with the albuterol. Maybe Im just

> lucky in that respect, I dont know...

>

> If I can ever find that site again, Ill post it b/c there was some

> good informational exchange...unfortunately I didnt save it. (And

> even if I did, I started completely fresh with both computers this

> week (long story).

>

> Ann

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Do you breathe in as deeply when you use the spacer?

My son has a spacer, and when he tries to use it, it makes a whistling noise...we are not sure he is doing it right...

Re: Inhalers

you need a spacer or some call them chambers. It is a small chamber about 6 inches long that has a mouth piece on one end and on the other end is space to put your inhaler in. The medications goes into the chamber and then you breathe the medication into your lungs. I love mine and would like to get another one for a spare.

Hope this helps,

Lo

> >

> > > Are they going to completely do away with inhalers after

> December as I

> > > heard??? I pray this was misinformation....

> > >

> > > Also, how in the world do you get Proventil to go in like

> Albuterol does?

> > > It does not spray hardly at all! It all ends up on my tongue!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> > "Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have

> enough to

> > worry about today."--Jesus

> >

>

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[Guest guest]

If it whistles he is breathing in too fast.

Re: Inhalers

you need a spacer or some call them chambers. It is a small chamber about 6 inches long that has a mouth piece on one end and on the other end is space to put your inhaler in. The medications goes into the chamber and then you breathe the medication into your lungs. I love mine and would like to get another one for a spare.

Hope this helps,

Lo> > > > > Are they going to completely do away with inhalers after > December as I> > > heard??? I pray this was misinformation....> > >> > > Also, how in the world do you get Proventil to go in like > Albuterol does?> > > It does not spray hardly at all! It all ends up on my tongue!> > >> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > -- > > "Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have > enough to> > worry about today."--Jesus> >>

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[Guest guest]

thanks

Re: Re: Inhalers

If it whistles he is breathing in too fast.

Re: Inhalers

you need a spacer or some call them chambers. It is a small chamber about 6 inches long that has a mouth piece on one end and on the other end is space to put your inhaler in. The medications goes into the chamber and then you breathe the medication into your lungs. I love mine and would like to get another one for a spare.

Hope this helps,

Lo

> >

> > > Are they going to completely do away with inhalers after

> December as I

> > > heard??? I pray this was misinformation....

> > >

> > > Also, how in the world do you get Proventil to go in like

> Albuterol does?

> > > It does not spray hardly at all! It all ends up on my tongue!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> > "Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have

> enough to

> > worry about today."--Jesus

> >

>

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[Guest guest]

Here is a somewhat informative link, although it is not the one I was looking for. This IS information that pharmacists SHOULD be telling us in the event that we dont already know.

Important to note...It specifies that we SHOULD expect a seemingly less forceful dispensing of the medication. We are also supposed to be made more aware fo the fact that the new HFA inhalers have different requirements regarding cleaning of them.

MOST Importantly though, especially to those who cannot afford an increase in cost, there is a direct 1 800 number that people can call for assistance.

http://www.ctpharmacists.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3488

Since I feel the cost factor is really important to some folks here, I copied and pasted that part of the webpage...

HFA Inhaler Cost and Assistance Programs

If your patients currently have prescription drug coverage through their employer or through Medicare or Medicaid, they will need to confirm the copay that applies to the HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler. If they self-pay for prescription drug coverage, the cost of HFA quick-relief asthma inhalers may be higher than what they currently pay since there are no generic versions of HFA quick-relief inhalers.

Patients in need of financial assistance should contact The Partnership for Prescription Assistance by calling 1- or see their Web site for more information.

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[Guest guest]

My instructions said if it makes a noise when you inhale you are inhaling too fast. Try to get him to breathe in slowly and see what happens.

Lou>> Do you breathe in as deeply when you use the spacer?> My son has a spacer, and when he tries to use it, it makes a whistling noise...we are not sure he is doing it right...> > > Re: Inhalers> > > > > > > > > you need a spacer or some call them chambers.?? It is a small chamber about 6 inches long that has a mouth piece on one end and on the other end is space to put your inhaler in.? The medications goes into the chamber and then you breathe the medication into your lungs.? I love mine and would like to get another one for a spare.> > Hope this helps,> > Lo>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was switched from Proventil to a generic a few years back when my

insurance changed. I have not any problems with them.

It's just that I have not had to use my HFA yet, so I don't know what

will be. I keep telling myself -

they will work just as well -

because that's what I read in one of the news stories.

But, the fact is, I don't know.

Alana

>

> Alana,

>

> I think it was allowed to happen because drs really seem to think

that

> regular Albuterol inhalers and Proventil inhalers are the same and

> therefore should be easily interchangeable. Asthmatics who have used

> both know otherwise. I am on the other side of the equation in that

I

> have always had to use Proventil inhalers and could never tolerate

> regular Albuterol ones. The drs always " humored " me by giving what

I

> asked for while explaining Proventil was Albuterol and there was no

> difference at all. I know that is impossible because Albuterol

> inhalers make me cough and feel shaky and make my heart race.

> Proventil never did that. So whatever the difference is, the

> propellant, or an ingredient or something IS different about them. I

> feel for you guys that are being forced to change to a medicine that

> you do not feel works as well for you, I know that I would hate to

be

> forced to switch from Proventil to Albuterol.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Marty,

I'm not sure how the whole thing escaped me.

I don't think I was active on list then.

Also, I probably was not aware there could be any problems with them.

(not working as well, etc.)

I wish I had been -

I would have written anyone and everyone.

Is there anything we can do now?

Thanks,

Alana

-- In asthma , Martha wrote:

> I tried to get people on this list to write their Congress members

more

> than a year ago about the absurdity of this, but nobody seemed

> interested. --marty

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

I hope you are right -

it is hard to believe if there are tons of people complaining, that

nothing would be done.

Do you have any suggestions what we can do?

Thanks,

Alana

>

> I think if enough people

> complain, maybe they'll do something.

[Guest guest]

OK -

maybe I am stupid or naive or something,

but -

do inhalers really have any effect on the environment?

I don't see as how this could be -

although I probably should not be talking about that part of it,

because I don't have knowledge on the subject.

Alana

legislators get to claim they're doing something for the

> environment

[Guest guest]

Proventil does not work for me I have to use ventolin.

Subject: Re: InhalersTo: asthma Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008, 6:23 AM

Hi ,I was switched from Proventil to a generic a few years back when my insurance changed. I have not any problems with them.It's just that I have not had to use my HFA yet, so I don't know what will be. I keep telling myself -they will work just as well -because that's what I read in one of the news stories.But, the fact is, I don't know.Alana>> Alana,> > I think it was allowed to happen because drs really seem to think that> regular Albuterol inhalers and Proventil inhalers are the same and> therefore should be easily interchangeable. Asthmatics who have used> both know otherwise. I am on the other side of the equation in that I> have always had to use Proventil inhalers and

could never tolerate> regular Albuterol ones. The drs always "humored" me by giving what I> asked for while explaining Proventil was Albuterol and there was no> difference at all. I know that is impossible because Albuterol> inhalers make me cough and feel shaky and make my heart race.> Proventil never did that. So whatever the difference is, the> propellant, or an ingredient or something IS different about them. I> feel for you guys that are being forced to change to a medicine that> you do not feel works as well for you, I know that I would hate to be> forced to switch from Proventil to Albuterol.> > >

[Guest guest]

Hee hee, love the cherry flavoured idea!! I use Qvar, and that I can't really taste. My main prob with the one I was using before was teh strong taste that made me cough really bad as soon as I took it, and made my throat sore. ATM I am coughing lots anyway, so even my Qvar is hard to take...

Jenn

Tha can tek t'lass outta Yorkshire...!

Don't brand me, don't classify me, don't tell me what to wear. I'll be who I want to be, and I'm proud to be me.

>

> I do not think Proventil sprays as well as Albuterol, or maybe mine

> is messed up since I cannot get it to spray to the back of my throat

> no matter what I do. Even though Cindi told me what I laready know,

> I spray it at the back of my throat and inhale deeply (like I didn't

> already know that), but it still does not spray as well as the old

> Albuterol inhalers. I KNOW how to use an in haler, but this new

> Proventil one just does not work as well.

>

> I agree, this kind of crap annoys me too! :-)

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > Are they going to completely do away with inhalers after

> December as I

> > > heard??? I pray this was misinformation....

> > >

> > > Also, how in the world do you get Proventil to go in like

> Albuterol does?

> > > It does not spray hardly at all! It all ends up on my tongue!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> > "Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself.

You have

> enough to

> > worry about today."--Jesus

> >

>

> ------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

If you google CFC based inhalers (that term) you will get a boatload of websites that have links to different petitions and stuff to keep the CFC based stuff Alana. There is actually a good amount of info out there, but you really have to sort through all the different sites to find it. Im still looking for the one I mentioned last night....Ill know it when I see it...(hoping they didnt change the home page...lol).

AnnMcCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

What is Pro-Air?

Thank you,

Alana

>

My former

> Albuterol was replaced with Pro-Air (once my doctor was phoned)

[Guest guest]

Alana, there is a web site called "the National Campaign to save CFC asthma inhalers." The site is http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveCFCinhalers/

Lou

> >> > If you google CFC based inhalers (that term) you will get a > boatload of websites that have links to different petitions and stuff > to keep the CFC based stuff Alana.? There is actually a good amount > of info out there, but you really have to sort through all the > different sites to find it.? Im still looking for the one I mentioned > last night....Ill know it when I see it...(hoping they didnt change > the home page...lol).> > > > Ann> >>

[Guest guest]

In the 'for whatever it's worth' department - - - I wrote to my US Senators about this issue. Asthmatics are not one of the stronger advocacy groups, but I think I need to do whatever I can and encourage the rest to do the same.

Mike

To: asthma Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 6:32:17 AMSubject: Re: Inhalers

Alana, there is a web site called "the National Campaign to save CFC asthma inhalers." The site is http://www.ipetitio ns.com/petition/ saveCFCinhalers/

Lou

> >> > If you google CFC based inhalers (that term) you will get a > boatload of websites that have links to different petitions and stuff > to keep the CFC based stuff Alana.? There is actually a good amount > of info out there, but you really have to sort through all the > different sites to find it.? Im still looking for the one

I mentioned > last night....Ill know it when I see it...(hoping they didnt change > the home page...lol).> > > > Ann> >>

[Guest guest]

Signed.

Cheryl Burton ncicheryl@...

To: asthma Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 9:08:07 AMSubject: Re: Re: Inhalers

In the 'for whatever it's worth' department - - - I wrote to my US Senators about this issue. Asthmatics are not one of the stronger advocacy groups, but I think I need to do whatever I can and encourage the rest to do the same.

Mike

From: walkinglou2002 <walkinglou2002@ yahoo.com>To: asthmayahoogroups (DOT) comSent: Friday, October 24, 2008 6:32:17 AMSubject: Re: Inhalers

Alana, there is a web site called "the National Campaign to save CFC asthma inhalers." The site is http://www.ipetitio ns.com/petition/ saveCFCinhalers/

Lou

> >> > If you google CFC based inhalers (that term) you will get a > boatload of websites that have links to different petitions and stuff > to keep the CFC based stuff Alana.? There is actually a good amount > of info out there, but you really have to sort through all the > different sites to find it.? Im still looking for the one

I mentioned > last night....Ill know it when I see it...(hoping they didnt change > the home page...lol).> > > > Ann> >>

[Guest guest]

Me too..........

Lou> >> > > > > > > > > > Thanks, Ann.> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I signed also.

Re: Inhalers

Me too..........

Lou> >> > > > > > > > > > Thanks, Ann.> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I started this "inhaler" thread and it was because I cannot get any relief from my Proventil inhaler like I could my Albuterol inhaler. I stated it was not as good, but had nothing other than my experience to back it up with. I now see that many of us are not pleased with the change!

I am glad we got this started so maybe we can make a difference. I doubt it, but maybe.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Lou.

I will check it out.

Alana

>

>

> Alana, there is a web site called " the National Campaign to save CFC

> asthma inhalers. " The site is

> http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveCFCinhalers/

> <http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveCFCinhalers/>

>

> Lou

[Guest guest]

Mike,

I agree with you 1000%.

Alana

Asthmatics are not one of the stronger advocacy groups, but I think

I need to do whatever I can and encourage the rest to do the same.