Help, how to use inhaler?

[Cantthinkofausername20]

Feel like an absolute idiot here! Does anyone have any advice for using a turbohaler symbicort? I’ve been following the instructions on the packaging and I watched YouTube videos- I think I’m doing it right but the number on the inhaler isn’t changing from 120, has this ever happened to anyone else? I can’t phone the Gp for advice because they’re closed today and I’m trying my best to stay indoors because my asthma isn’t great - if worst comes to worst I’ll go to the pharmacy and ask but just wondered if anyone on here had any advice or a similar problem? I’ve never had an issue with my prev inhalers but this a new type for me x

Perhaps it’s faulty? Take it to pharmacy perhaps they can help. Does asthma uk have any videos? I used them for my sons new inhaler.

You have to click the bottom. There are videos on YouTube and some instructions here. https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/How-to-use-a-turbuhaler

if I remember correctly it’s more than one twist to prepare the dose. Try several and see what happens. You don’t have to suck unless you are sure.

Can you taste medicine?

The pharmacy is the best place to go to sort this out.

Turn the bottom until it clicks, the turn it back. The deep breath out, and then suck and hold. It has to click.

That’s what I’ve been doing but it still just says 120 unfortunately. X

Did you 'prime' it? I've copied this from the link, but it needs to be clicked before each use - once you've primed it in the first place, which you may not have done.

When you first get your Turbohaler, you need to get it ready to use. First, twist off the cover and hold the Turbohaler upright with the coloured base at the bottom. Turn the coloured base as far as it will go in one direction and then all the way back again. You should hear a click on one of these turns. It doesn't matter which way you turn it first. Repeat the sequence once more. Your Turbohaler is now ready to use for the first time. When you use your inhaler again, you don't need to repeat these steps. To use your inhaler, first twist off the top cover. Check there's nothing inside the mouthpiece. Check the dose counter to make sure the inhaler isn't empty. On some Turbohalers, the dose counter is here and shows the number of puffs left. On other Turbohalers, the dose counter is here.

Hold the inhaler upright. Turn the coloured base to the right as far as it will go and then to the left until you hear a click. Your dose is now ready. Sit or stand up straight and slightly tilt your chin up as it helps the medicine reach your lungs. The next steps all happen smoothly in one action. Breathe out gently and slowly away from the inhaler, until your lungs feel empty and you feel ready to breathe in. Hold the inhaler horizontally but don't tip it upside down as the powder may fall out. Put your lips around the mouthpiece to make a tight seal, then breathe in quickly and deeply until your lungs feel full. Take the inhaler out of your mouth and hold your breath for up to ten seconds or for as long as you comfortably can. Then breathe out gently away from the inhaler. If you've been prescribed a second puff, repeat these steps. When you've finished, twist the cover back on.

https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/inhaler-videos/turbohaler#:~:text=Put%20your%20lips%20around%20the,gently%20away%20from%20the%20inhaler.

You need to twist it and then twist back to release the dose, that should move the counter. To test it do the double twist then turn it upside down into the palm of your hand, you should notice a small amount of white powder.
Give the pharmacy that you got it from a phone and ask them to talk you through it. They really should have talked you through it when you were collecting it when it's a new medicine for you. They are the best people to advise.

Yeah it’s definitely clicked and primed, I’ve heard it clicking each time x

Wait I’ve just noticed something- in the link provided above by TiredArse, there’s a photograph of the counter going from 100-80, wondering if it maybe counts down in 20s rather than individually like my old inhaler did?

Slightly ridiculous (and not in anyway from my own stupid experience) question - you have taken off the lid?

It did take a while for the dose counter to move when I had them, so the only way I could tell (as you can't taste the things) is that I felt an improvement after using it.

I think this must be it- I can see in my inhaler it says 120 and I can just about make out the next dose which is 100. I googled it but it said it counts down from 120 which is what made me think it counted down individually like my last inhaler. Panic over!

I don't notice mine going down tbh. If it's clicking, it's working.

Yes, it's not obvious that it's going down and the scale is in 20s on mine.

It does not count down every dose but in larger increments. I click it back and forth before each dose.