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Experience with Spiriva?

Posted by narelled23 @narelled23, 3 days ago

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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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 1 day ago
In reply to @narelled23 "@scoop FWIW? I do have COPD, but hopefully not emphysema. It doesn't seem to do much..." + (show)
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@scoop
FWIW? I do have COPD, but hopefully not emphysema. It doesn't seem to do much else for me, other than possibly reduce sputum. Thank you, Scoop.

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@narelled23 There is also the "invisible " benefit of reducing inflammation, which can reduce the progression of COPD and Bronchiectasis as well as the incidence of exacerbations.
This was my reason for trying it ( then I had to move to a "bigger gun" because it was not enough)

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narelled23 | @narelled23 | 1 day ago

Thank you Sue...this was the kind of reason I was endeavouring to address. Despite my mucus being free flowing (with more coughing than I would like!), I didn't want to add risks with dementia/mucus plugs. Difficult to balance the possibilities, isn't it. Suppose I should go back on turmeric powder! Are you on Spirolo now? Anything else you could suggest to address the inflammation?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 1 day ago
In reply to @narelled23 "Thank you Sue...this was the kind of reason I was endeavouring to address. Despite my mucus..." + (show)
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Thank you Sue...this was the kind of reason I was endeavouring to address. Despite my mucus being free flowing (with more coughing than I would like!), I didn't want to add risks with dementia/mucus plugs. Difficult to balance the possibilities, isn't it. Suppose I should go back on turmeric powder! Are you on Spirolo now? Anything else you could suggest to address the inflammation?

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@narelled23 I am on Symbicort, which includes a steroid, because the Spiriva wasn't enough.

I would suggest the you address the inflammation issue with the doc who suggested Spiriva.

And remember, a supplement like turmeric/curcumin isn't necessarily "safer" than a prescription medication. I cannot take it because it interacts with other drugs I must use for my health. You can check for any interactions here:
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

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narelled23 | @narelled23 | 19 hours ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@narelled23 I am on Symbicort, which includes a steroid, because the Spiriva wasn't enough. I would..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@narelled23 I am on Symbicort, which includes a steroid, because the Spiriva wasn't enough.

I would suggest the you address the inflammation issue with the doc who suggested Spiriva.

And remember, a supplement like turmeric/curcumin isn't necessarily "safer" than a prescription medication. I cannot take it because it interacts with other drugs I must use for my health. You can check for any interactions here:
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

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@sueinmn
Thank you Sue.
These are notes taken by my friend at my appointment with a respiratory specialist this March, which indicate a lack of TH2 inflammation. Would this indicate I don't need to worry about this aspect..or the possible chronic airway inflammation might need something to manage it...despite my not being able to tolerate the Anoro (sleep disturbance)? It was me who suggested the Spiriva to him, (because it used a different drug to those within Anoro) as I had taken it before.

"- HRCT (high resolution CT) results very mild variations – hasn’t changed since 2023. Sinuses clear. Lung function improved from previous results.
- Diagnosed as Non-allergic asthma…however
- No Th2 (Type 2) inflammation - could be non-atopic asthma (ie. chronic airway inflammation).
- Moderately severe - airflow obstruction 59%.
- Oesophagus a bit dilated.
- Airway disease – moderate and inflamed. Mild Bronchiectasis (caused by an infection?) – not a major factor.
- Lung parenchyma (ie. functional tissue of the lungs involved in gas exchange) look pretty good. Nothing specific showing the cause for the flareup. Can be a whole series of factors, eg. Indoor/outdoor pollutants. (Narelle advised that trigger was burning sugar cane.)
- Steroids (eg. Symbicort) more effective for Th2 inflammations. Steroids increase risk of pneumonia.
- He recommended to stop Symbicort and change to a LABA (ie. Long-acting beta 2 agonist inhaler – relaxes muscles around airways). Prescribed Anoro Ellipta medication (30 puffs per unit & may cause constipation/dry mouth) – 1 puff per day & shouldn’t need Ventolin. Then repeat spirometry testing in 3 months time.
- He confirmed a diagnosis of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonday Disease).
- Lung function is 58% (in Feb) 78% (in March) of baseline. 30-40 ml loss per year. Haven’t lost any lung function in 9 years."

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 17 hours ago
In reply to @narelled23 "@sueinmn Thank you Sue. These are notes taken by my friend at my appointment with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for narelled23 @narelled23

@sueinmn
Thank you Sue.
These are notes taken by my friend at my appointment with a respiratory specialist this March, which indicate a lack of TH2 inflammation. Would this indicate I don't need to worry about this aspect..or the possible chronic airway inflammation might need something to manage it...despite my not being able to tolerate the Anoro (sleep disturbance)? It was me who suggested the Spiriva to him, (because it used a different drug to those within Anoro) as I had taken it before.

"- HRCT (high resolution CT) results very mild variations – hasn’t changed since 2023. Sinuses clear. Lung function improved from previous results.
- Diagnosed as Non-allergic asthma…however
- No Th2 (Type 2) inflammation - could be non-atopic asthma (ie. chronic airway inflammation).
- Moderately severe - airflow obstruction 59%.
- Oesophagus a bit dilated.
- Airway disease – moderate and inflamed. Mild Bronchiectasis (caused by an infection?) – not a major factor.
- Lung parenchyma (ie. functional tissue of the lungs involved in gas exchange) look pretty good. Nothing specific showing the cause for the flareup. Can be a whole series of factors, eg. Indoor/outdoor pollutants. (Narelle advised that trigger was burning sugar cane.)
- Steroids (eg. Symbicort) more effective for Th2 inflammations. Steroids increase risk of pneumonia.
- He recommended to stop Symbicort and change to a LABA (ie. Long-acting beta 2 agonist inhaler – relaxes muscles around airways). Prescribed Anoro Ellipta medication (30 puffs per unit & may cause constipation/dry mouth) – 1 puff per day & shouldn’t need Ventolin. Then repeat spirometry testing in 3 months time.
- He confirmed a diagnosis of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonday Disease).
- Lung function is 58% (in Feb) 78% (in March) of baseline. 30-40 ml loss per year. Haven’t lost any lung function in 9 years."

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@narelled23 I'm not a pulmonologist, so cannot comment on which medication may be best for you. But it seems like the notes indicate you have some inflammation going on. What options did the doc offer other than Anoro?

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