To ask about steroid inhalers?

[santaclothes]

If you use a steroid inhaler do you take yours through a spacer?

I’ve used inhalers since I was a kid, been on steroids since I was about 20. I only realised last year that not using a spacer was contributing to how yellow my teeth were! Also inhalers are more effective when you use a spacer. I always use one now. I keep my inhaler in the bathroom cupboard and use it before I brush my teeth.

Its also important to rinse mouth out after. Loads gp dont mention that

It depends on what style of inhaler you have whether you need a spacer.

If you have the most common type - aerosol in a plastic tube - then a spacer makes it so so much easier. In my experience people with poor technique = all people when stressed/unwell.

I can teach inhaler technique to other people, but doing it myself, forget it. Spacer any day.

DD is 20 and went back to using the spacer regularly after 2 severe asthma attacks last year which were A&E visits but not admitted. She’s following the advice of the asthma specialist and says it makes a difference.

Is she’s needed ventolin and at home she’d use the spacer but doesn’t carry it around with her.

I've used one for years, I've got good inhaler technique but I've been told that using a spacer ensures more of the dose goes into your lungs, rather than your mouth.

No, I don’t use a spacer. I use a spiromax type inhaler daily with correct technique, then I brush my teeth & rinse. My asthma is very well controlled.

No.

Asthmatic for 37 yrs. Had a horrible big spacer when I was young, the smell when you opened it to clean it used to make me gag.

The new type makes a ridiculous whistle when you breathe in and it makes you breathe too slowly. I don't have time to be faffing around breathing in slowly.

I have three inhalers and sometimes double puff for efficiency.

Never been in hospital, occasionally get a chesty cough that necessitates steroids about every 4yrs.

I've only had oral thrush about 3 times also. So clearly I'm doing something right!

OP
Salbutamol is not a steroid inhaler, it is a Beta2 Agonist.

@EmpressCixi

OP Salbutamol is not a steroid inhaler, it is a Beta2 Agonist.

I don't know how to say I know without sounding rude: but I do know this. I was asking about steroid inhalers because nobody told me what to do with it whereas with the salbutamol I was told it was optional.

My cat uses a steroid inhaler via a spacer.

I have had asthma since I was about 5 years old. I take fostair via a spacer, but use ventolin if necessary without unless I am at home.

A spacer makes a massive difference. It makes the drugs much more effective irrespective of technique. Because it spaces the dose between a few breaths rather than it all going into your mouth at once.

I was told that it reduces risk of throat cancers too but not sure if that’s true

No. I’m on three inhalers but none can be used with a spacer. But I was prescribed one, despite it not being compatible.

I work in an asthma service. All MDI steroids (puffer) inhalers should be used vis a spacer. We often find patients who exacerbate Don't do this and due to poor technique Don't get the right dose . Practice nurses have often allegedly said they have great technique and dont need them. As most steroids are used only twice daily you can leave them.at home with a spacer. You can use with a salbutamol to. It's helpful if you are breathless to do this as it's unlikely your technique will be effective.

You should be breathing in slowly with any inhaler, even if not using a spacer.
Doubling up for inhaled steroids is fine, but not for combined inhalers with a long acting Beta 2. Spacers shouldn't whistle if used correctly.
Practice nurse.

My inhaler doesn't fit a spacer

Ds is 12 and been on inhalers since 6 months and always uses a spacer for the preventer and reliever inhaler. Big volumatic spacer when at home but (unless he is mid flare) just a smaller aeromatic spacer when out

Just started using a spacer this year as my asthma was awful and it has made a huge difference. I've been using inhalers for 30 years and only just discovered spacers.

Also didn't realise the like with oral thrush. Since using a spacer I realise I haven't had thrush, which I used to get regularly

Yes always. They're so much more effective with a spacer because more of it gets to your lungs.

No, but my inhaler is powder so that wouldn't work well!

@cptartapp yes but that's my point - I can't be bothered with the faff of sitting breathing in slowly every time I use it and if you go quickly then it whistles.

If I breathe in my inhalers slowly, the drug escapes up the side.

With the qvar which is an odd shape I already block the sides of the mouthpiece with my fingers or the drug escapes from the corner of my lips. And qvar doesn't fit the space either.

@Forion

My cat uses a steroid inhaler via a spacer.

Please send a picture, htf do you manage that with a cat??

Yes always use spacers, have done since a child when my parents made me and I continued. I do think the doc saying it will make my teeth go yellow is the reason I started as a vain teen, so interesting to see someone else post this as I did wonder if it was a lie.
Agree to nurse check to watch you are doing them right.

Not my cat
I use a spacer, but didn't when I only had ventolin. It's a lot easier to use when you're unwell

Best to use a spacer whenever possible, with both inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Without a spacer it’s almost impossible to be the timing of breath and pressing the inhaler coordinated (even in trials with trained healthcare professionals). Even if your technique is unusually good, without a spacer, you still get less medication to where it needs to be in your lung. Great info on the asthmaUK website www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/