~ Asthma ~ ??????

Question

Is 10 puffs of ventolin through a spacer really as effective as having a nebuliser?? Im not convinced.

This was on advise from my gp!!!

Answer 1

I have asthma too and I take Becotide (brown inhaler) & Ventolin (blue inhaler). When Im really bad with it I have to be prescribed predsoline tablets which i take eight in 1 go daily also to begin with i have to go to the surgery to use the nebuliser but the GP said that using the nebuliser too much is very bad for your lungs, she said that it actually scars the lungs! So i reckon 10 puffs into a spacer then gently breathing in & out is probably very much like being on a nebuliser but isnt as damaging. I was shocked to hear that the nebuliser is so damaging - it works so well!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

A nebuliser just delivers the medicine slower, but you tend to get a better dose of it. A spacer is really a way to hold the medicine for you to breathe deep. I believe both are effective as long as you breathe deep. A nebuliser makes you sit to do it, though so you may relax more.

Answer 4

i use Advair twice a day and have Combivent as my rescue inhaler. I haven't used a nebuliser or Ventolin.
But my recommendation is to do what your doctor has suggested. If you're not convinced it's working, than talk to him. You don't want to start screwing around with this stuff. and there are many more options out there.
Good luck and happy breathing.

Answer 5

Never take more than the recommended dosage. I can't take more than 4 puffs of albuterol in an hours time without shaking so bad it scares me. I have a nebuliser and it does work best, and if you have insurance is almost always free with a prescription. Talk to your dr if you're having that much trouble.

Answer 6

A spacer holds the medicine so you can inhale it all. it is totally different than a nebulizer which some of the meds can escape. an inhaler sometimes leaves some in the mouth. so the spacer will let you take more into your lungs therefore needing to take 10 puffs to inhale the same amount you may use in 2 puffs of and inhaler. but more meds get where they are going. so read the following and see what they have to say. Good luck.

http://www.pharmacy.umaryland.edu/faculty/rdalby/textonly/Research%20Web%20Pages_textonly/Shailaja_Somaraju_textonly.htm

Answer 7

albuterol and ventolin are the same just different names

i think 10 puffs are too much!!! i tell my sister to only use 2 puffs (she sometimes does 3).

as for your question about the inhaler versus the nebulizer. they have the same dosage. one reason why your inhaler is not working is that it could be that you are doing it incorrectly (nebulizer is easier) or you have to change or buy a new spacer. the albuterol in the inhaler is much more concentrated when it comes to dosage so it is very important that this is done correctly. sometimes when done incorrectly, the medication ends up in your throat and you swallow it down, instead of it ending up in your lungs. how do you know when it has reached your lungs? you feel the urge to cough (but try not to for the first few seconds).

if you feel that the nebulizer is much more effective, i suggest you stick with the nebulizer instead of using the inhaler. i suggest that you bring your inhaler with you wherever you go, just for emergencies since you cannot bring the nebulizer with you (too bulky)

Answer 8

a nebuliser is better, it tends to get into your lungs quicker, if I were you and I had to take so many puffs in so short a time, I would go back to the doctor or asthma clinic to be re-assessed, you may need steroids. hope you find this answer helpful

Answer 9

I sure hope you're not taking 10 puffs at 1 time.
2 puffs every 6 hours is the normal dose.
Taking more puffs than that or using it more frequently can actually make your asthma attack worse.
Besides it's kind of hard to carry a nebulizer around with you everywhere you go!

Answer 10

No, i have asthma and Albuterol is way better and you only need t take 2 puffs 15 to 20 mins before exercise.