COPD & Emphysema Support Group

thanks for letting us know! i appreciate the info. margaret

ohhhh . Why were placebos used on patients was it voluntary?

...I think drug companies have far too much control over physicians but then its good in a way and bad in another patints are being helped far too much statisticly rather than addressing the individuals problems . Its both good and bad sigh

I have been on Spiriva since it was released here.(Canada)
Having been without it on a couple occasions,I will take my chances with the slight increase in danger of a stroke TYVM!

I have not been on DS in a while and was searching the net for spirvia updates and saw yours. One of the reasons I had to quit getting on was that I had begun to have small stokes and lost my eyesight. I have always been a healthy person until my diagnosis of a damaged airway in 2005...I took spirvia regurlarly and considered it a miracle drug until I started having all of these other problems. I now am no longer taking it ...not breathing as well and hope I am no longer having strokes...will know in June when i do my six month follow up. I also got to where I can't even scratch and itch or it bruises. Being off of it I have already lost 10 pounds in a week and 1/2...I always had a gut feeling on this med as it just seemed to be a miracle cure and I know that nothing can affect one part of your body without affecting another part...finally they have decided to do long term studies...the results out in June ..yet I really don't think they will be that accurate as most don't know how to tell the fda and doctors are to busy to take that time! I thought I would post to you as to possibly help some others having problems they aren't connecting to this med. I think I would rather wear oxygen than be bed bound from a stroke. I hope this helps someone!!!

jr - Thank You for sharing your experience with us. May your health be restore to you soon.

My doctor has me take Spiriva only every other day. He said that it takes at least that long for the drug to leave the body, and that this way I would get the benefits with fewer side effects. Right now, after reading this, I'm grateful he's cautious. (I mark my calendar, so I can remember when to take it.)

But Spiriva has been VERY helpful to me. I now longer feel like I'm trying to breath through a water-logged sponge.

Jr, thank you for sharing your experience with us. I wish you healing. I'll be anxious for further news down the road.

I've been on spiriva for about two years. Don't think it prevented copd and don't have a clue on hoe much it may have helped. As of 60 days ago, the last ultra sound and ekg, no strokes that were visible.

I've been on Spiriva for about a year. Tried Albuterol and started eating every-thing in sight and didn't feel as good. My doc. is very much in favor of Spiriva.

I wish you regained health and healing, also.

Spiriva has been good to me .... I hate to think it could make me have a stroke.It seems the best treatment for me along with advair 500/50 and albuterol 17 mc every 4 hrs as needed.