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Experience with Spiriva?
I am trying to decide whether to use an inhaler with my mild bronchiestases and mild/moderate COPD (+possible asthma).
The specialist recently put me on Anoro, which kept me awake so I stopped using it, then agreed that I could use Spiriva, which I had used for a couple of years in the past. I had forgotten why I had stopped it and started it again recently...only to have the Lung Matters people remind me of the problems taking this kind of medication, interfering with airway clearance, reduced immune function etc etc.
I don't necessarily feel I need an inhaler but I did ask AI if it might help in the long run and it seemed to indicate yes. However with the reminder of all the risks I have now stopped taking it.
Any thoughts please?
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@narelled23 Please DO NOT take medical advice from Lung Matters or any other online group (including Mayo Connect). We are not medical professionals and do not have access to your complete medical records.
Spiriva is only a bronchodilator, which relaxes the airways and makes breathing easier for people with asthma or copd. It does not contain a steroid which may depress the immune system. I wish it worked for me, but I need the steroid to keep inflammation down.
Since it is considered safe for long-term use, why not give it a try?
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3 ReactionsSpiriva is an anticholinergic, which can have a drying effect on secretions, and for some people could potentially make mucus harder to clear. On the other hand, it may be helpful for your COPD. I’m in the camp that it’s worth trying. If it makes airway clearance more difficult, you can always discuss stopping it with your doctor. But it might help, and you won’t really know unless you give it a try. We all have bronchiectasis, but we don’t respond to medications in the same way.
I’d be cautious about taking what you read on Lung Matters as absolute. Now, they seem to be using AI willy nilly and making things sound convincing. The advice is dogmatic, a one-size-fits-all approach. No room for differing opinions, and I know people have been banned for expressing a different point of view. Not a particularly friendly or supportive environment, especially when someone’s experience doesn’t fit their rigid approach.
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1 Reaction@scoop Thank you, scoop.
I agree with regards LM. I have an open mind, and my specialist agreed I could take Spiriva if I found it helpful, but left it up to me. I don't find any obvious improvements in the short term...maybe a reduction in mucus, but at what cost? I checked AI in case it may provide some long term improvement that I am not aware of, and on that basis decided to start taking it, after having it on hand for months. (I had taken it some years back, without obvious side effects). However, I am aware that it can cause problems by drying mucus into plugs (although I am not aware of ever having any) and is associated with dementia (which I do not need additional leverage towards!). I had forgotten the LM stance towards it, and the long list of reasons...which I suspect have some merit, so....on the balance, I have decided for now to stop taking it, since it was left to myself. I was simply interested in other's experiences. So many possibilities...difficult to navigate at times when at a reassessment point in health treatment...and it seems so often left to make the decisions ourselves.
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1 Reaction@sueinmn Thank you, Sue.
I understand what you are saying with regards online groups, and am not taking their input on its own.
I have an open mind, and my specialist agreed I could take Spiriva if I found it helpful, but left it up to me. I don't find any obvious improvements in the short term...maybe a reduction in mucus, but at what cost?
I checked AI in case it may provide some long term improvement that I am not aware of, and on that basis decided to start taking it, after having it on hand for months. (I had taken it some years back, without obvious side effects). However, I am aware that it can cause problems by drying mucus into plugs (although I am not aware of ever having any) and is associated with dementia (which I do not need additional leverage towards!), along with other suspected issues. I had forgotten the LM stance towards it, and the long list of reasons...which I suspect have some merit, so....on the balance, I have decided for now to stop taking it, since it was left to myself and there seems no immediate benefit. I was simply interested in other's experiences. So many possibilities...difficult to navigate at times when at a reassessment point in health treatment...and it seems so often left to make the decisions ourselves.
@narelled23
You might wish to read through past posts since you are interested in user experiences. Maybe you have already.
13 discussions about it in the past.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mac-bronchiectasis/
Also check NTMinfo.org, as there's vibrant discussion there also.
@scoop Thank you, Scoop. It is interesting to read my own comments and refresh my memory on why I did certain things! 😉