COPD & Emphysema Support Group

Hi Katie

If you cant tell by puffing it into air/room, the canister when removed from casing will feel really light and you won't hear any movement inside the canister when you shake it.

Also lungs usually tell me when the medicine is not being received.

Hope that helps some xoxox

You know, I once had an inhaler that actually kept track of the puffs taken and the numbers would drop with each puff. It was a great way to keep track, and I wish all inhalers would have this.

The only way I know of is to float them in a bowl of water and if it floats, it's empty. Also, I understand it is not really that good to be using it all the way until it's empty for in the last puffs you will be getting more propellant than anything else.

Hopefully, someone else will also have a way to know that they can share.

Hi Jams do you think propellant is still present with CFC free inhalers?

It would be great if other members could offer some more input for Katie.

My new HFA inhaler counts for me..
Before I had a small notepad and made a mark each time I used it when I got to the number of doses the inhaler had I would throw it away..
Hugs Ev

thanks everyone for your suggestions.......the best thing would be an inhaler that kept track for you.....but, I will utilize all your ideas....you're the best! thanks again....love, katie

I keep my inhalers in the box they come in, mark inside the top flap with date for Day 1 and figure the refill date based on the number of puffs and how many times a day it is prescribed. I markthe refill date early by 1 week in case I use some extra puffs. Plus it allows me time to call the drugstore to refill.
Hope this helps. Have a good day. Hugs Marie

I use the same method as Marie for my Advair and Spiriva which I consider my everyday maintenance meds but I have a couple of questions.

GrannyEv, what is the brand name of your HFA meds with the counter?

What I call my rescue inhaler is the Ventolin HFA, (albuterol sulfate) that does have a counter. Is the "puffer" that Katie is referring to the rescue or the maintenance meds? I am still learning the shorthand of describing this disease so bear with me, please.
Thanks,
Anna

Hi Katie, My maintenance inhaler, Asmanex, has a counter. But the emergency inhaler, ProAir HFA (albuterol) doesn't. I use a spacer with the ProAir, and I can tell by the taste when it is getting low. I also use the water bowl as Breathes described. My doctor is kind enough to order as many as I need.
(The ProAir, which is expensive, is the same thing as Ventolin HFA, which is cheaper.)

Hi again....please tell me what is the difference between a maintenance inhaler and an emergency inhaler? I use spiriva once a day and the combivent as needed - in between using the nebulizer with albuterol and pulmicort plus oxygen at night.....xoxox katie

Hi again Katie I will do the best I can -
UK has slightly different names for same medicine as you have in the UK but I will try and describe to you the best I can.

The Salbutamol which I believe is your albuterol medicine, is what is known in the UK as :

'Reliever Medicine' that which helps when your airways are closing (it relieves your discomfort). I think this is likely to be your 'emergency medicine'.

In UK 'Preventer medicine' (as in inhaled steroid) helps prevent respiratory problems developing - this is likely to be your 'maintenance medicine'.

Hopefully some of the US members can explain some more for you.