If you have asthma please read this.

[plutojudy]

I have asthma and would like to know if other people are having the same problem as I am having. My ashtma used to be well controlled by the use of several inhalers. My current problem stems from the fact that as I understand it, the EPA has determined that those meds are not important enough to allow the manufacturers to use the propellents they once used. (And I understand that the drug companies do not want to spend the money to develop better delivery systems) I am now stuck with using inhalers that are powder in blisters that when inhaled do not reach into the lungs as well as the mists did. My Pulmonary doctor is wonderful and keeps giving me new products to try but so far it seems more medicine stays in my mouth and throat than gets into my lungs.
Are you having this problem too? And what are you doing about it?

 

[momtoce&j]

My DS (3) also has asthma, the doctor has him taking Intal 3x a day. My girlfriend whose kids also have asthma was telling me about the trouble she has in getting inhalers because of that new EPA thing. Now I don't know what I would do since DS is only 3, I don't see him being able to use one of those disks and 'sucking in' the meds instead of breating in them with a spacer.

So far, we haven't had any problems having his perscription refilled.

Don't know if any of this helped you, just wanted to let you know we are facing the same problem too.

 

[Christine]

I don't know what specific inhalers you are talking about; however, my DS (9) has just been switched to Pulmicort. He has been on Flovent and the doctor felt that he was doing "good" not "great."

Personally, I am not a big fan of this powder stuff and my son did not do well on it when he was younger. I, too, felt that most of it was staying in his mouth. Now that he is older we are giving it another try. For the first two weeks he had to use his rescue inhaler a lot, but now it seems to be working. Not sure it is any better than the Flovent though.

Also, my doc has never discussed the propellant problems with me. This is the first I've heard of it. Can you elaborate on the problem and what the affected inhalers are?
Christine

 

[Jeafl]

My asthma has never been in better control since I started using Advair and Singulair. I know with Advair you have to be extremely careful to completely exhale before you inhale the medication, and make sure it goes deeply into your lungs. I did have problems with the Advair until I started taking their warnings about rinsing seriously. Once I started rinsing well, I've had no problems at all. Good luck--I hope you find something soon to control your asthma.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

We have exactly the same problem over in England. All 3 of us are asthmatic and now have the powder based inhalers which are breath actuated, i.e. you suck on the inhaler and the valve opens and the medication goes into your lungs. Much preferred the old type. It seemed to get the attack under control quicker too.

 

[Amy]

My DS has asthma, and this is the first I've heard about it. Which inhalers are affected?

 

[Denine]

If you use the powder inhalers correctly, you will not be left with powder in your mouth. You have to forcefully inhale, not just breathe in easy like with the mist inhalers. Also, make sure with any inhaler that you breathe out completely before inhaling and rinse your mouth after.

 

[Lars624]

I have been using the Advair inhaler for a few months now & I have NEVER felt better. I rarely if ever use my rescue Albuterol inhaler anymore.

 

[C.Ann]

I've heard about the porpellant inhalers too and I think it may cause problems because the other inhalers (Advair, etc.) are NOT rescue inhalers so there is no immediate relief..

My DH has numerous inhalers he has to use now - some are still the propellants (at least until they're banned altogether) and some are not.. He could NOT survive without the immediate relief from the propellants, so I'm very concerned how all of this will pan out for him..

I myself had to begin using a propellant - as well as Advair - after a terrible bout with pnuemonia in February.. If I remember to use the Advair faithfully, I really don't need the propellant unless I do something very strenuous or get near something that triggers an attack..

It seems to me that considering the propellants are the only inhalers that can provide IMMEDIATE relief, they should be able to have special circumstances for medicinal reasons.. What will happen to all of these people having a sudden, severe attack - and no immediate relief?

 

[Lorix2]

I read about this but my DD's doctor hasn't mentioned anything to us about that. I have to refill her Flovent and Albuterol soon, I hope there won't be a problem refilling them at the pharmacy.

 

[Kimnicki]

My DH uses Clarinex (pill) and Advair as his everyday meds. He also has the albuteral "rescue" inhalers. I do find him using the albuteral more and more lately, and I don't know if it's because of the Advair or not. I hadn't heard anything about the EPA and the propellants. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Judy...


Kim

 

[jacksonsmom]

This is very interesting for me
My 4 yr old son has just diagnosed with asthma two weeks ago (although we have been suspecting it for some time)

He is on advair for daily medicine & has albuterol for "rescue" medicine.

I have been concerned about him getting all of the advair in his lungs, although he has been GREAT improvements, he actually has been able to make it through a day without coughing!!!! YEAH!
We go back to see the asthma doctor next month to see how he is doing with everything.

If anyone has any more info on this I would really appriecate it. Asthma is still new to me but I am trying to find out all I can so I know how to help my son.

 

[msdznyduck]

DD (13 yrs old) is on Advair 2x day, with albuterol as needed. (which right now is every 4 hours since she is getting over a cold.) Right now she is on Prednisone for a minor wheezing attack she had at the Pulmonologist's office (good place for one). She seems more under control than just the albuterol, since that is a "rescue" inhalant. We shall see, as the weather is getting nicer, softball season is almost here, and will be outside more.
I was on Advair for a time also, but it made me nervous, jittery, and couldn't sleep well at night. Dropped to the lower dose, and was fine. Only use albuterol when needed though.
ELaine

 

[dizmomof2]

I live in Canada and we have propelent inhalers here. They changed them from the propelent that was used two years ago. Between my daughter and myself we have a "rainbow of inhalers". (that's what my husband calls them ) I could not use the powder inhalers as a rescue inhaler. It's funny but I was talking to someone about this just the other day. With the powder you have to inhale deeply for it to go into your lungs. If I could inhale deeply I wouldn't need the inhalers!!!

Maybe they'll just change the propelent in the inhalers. Otherwise, if worse comes to worse, there are some Canadian pharmacies that will ship down to the states.

 

[kilee]

I have to agree w/ an above poster. I have been taking Advair and Singulair for about 10 months now. The BEST I've done in years. I mean for almost 2 years I was hitting my fast acting inhaler regularly!! It was getting so bad I was using it daily a couple times a day. This was w/ my past daily inhalant med. Now, I can say (knock on wood) I've only used the fast acting inhaler twice since I started the combo and the last time was almost 9 months ago!!! So, I for one found these new meds to be great. I could understand the issues w/ kids though. You do have to be correct and exact in how you take it, to have it work right.

 

[kilee]

One more thing. I am under the impression they are not doing away w/ all propelent inhalers. Just the daily ones. They will continue to have ones such as Albuterol. Some people though, take a daily does of a propelent inhaler. It is these that they are replacing w/ the powder inhalers. Now, the big kicker is Advair w/o Insurance coverage can run you $300-900 a month depending on where you live and the dose/strength!! It's expensive!!

 

[CyranoJones]

Here's some info on asthma inhalers FYI. The old propellant is not dangerous to anyone. It is a chloroflorocarbon (CFC) which damages the ozone. By an international agreement called the Montreal Protocol, all nations will eliminate all use of CFC containing aerosols. This includes the CFC aerosol in all the asthma inhalers (until recently). This will be in full effect I believe in the year 2007.

Pharmaceutical companies have three options. 1) get out of the inhaler business 2) use powder inhalers - common in europe for decades or 3) use a new propellant called HFA which is FDA approved and has no effect on the ozone.

The rescue inhaler albuterol is now available with the new HFA propellant as Proventil HFA and Ventolin HFA. It is a rescue inhaler and for most, will work just as well as plain old albuterol.

The steroid inhalers used for maintenance can also be obtained with the new HFA propellant if you like to use aerosols. This is Qvar 40 or Qvar 80. Same as the old Vanceril and Beclovent but with the HFA aerosol.

The powders are a good substitute and penetrate the lungs just as well as the aerosols if used properly. For you older folks, powders were used years ago as "Cromolyn Spinhalers" and in the Ventolin Rotocaps. Now you can get maintenance steroid inhalers in powder forms i.e. Advair and Pulmicort. Also, the long acting bronchodilators Serevent and Foradil are available in powder form. There are no "rescue" inhalers in powder form yet. I don't think they make the Ventolin Rotocaps anymore.

One last option is Pulmicort steroid spray available as a liquid that can be used in a nebulizer for those kids who can't use a powder inhaler or a propellant inhaler.

Pardon my rambling.
CJ's husband

 

[BWVDenise]

Thanks for sharing all of this, I wasn't even aware of it. At least now I'm informed!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Thank you for the information, Like I posted earlier, I am still new to asthma.
We suspected my son might have asthma, but it was just offical 2 weeks ago, so I am still researching & learning!

 

[crazelion]

Advair and Singulair have been blessing for me. I use to stay in the doctor office all the time. You have be faithly taking them. Wash out the Advair inhaler twice a day.

Before I started taking those meds my asthma was out control. Now it under control. I don't have used my resue inhaler unless some has strong perfume on use strong chemicals.

Best learn your triggers and stay away from them.