I have albuteral or whatever they are calling it now but it doesn't really help. What I get relief from is Ipratropium Bromide and Albuteral Sulfate that I use in my nebulizer. I believe these are the ingredients in combovent.

Hi Shell - I use XOPENEX because albeuteral runs mt heart rate up to 170-180 for a short time . . . it's scaaaarrrry . . . . was on Ventolin and I liked it because of the immediate feeling of a surge but couldn't take it for the same reason . . . XOPENEX is subtle feeling but effective with fewer side effects /hank/

Thank god it isn't just me. I took a squirt of albuterol b4 bed 2 nights ago, turned out the light and I swear I thought the end was upon me. First time it's done that to me. I'm not going to use it 4 times a day like doc says anymore. Just if I need it which is rare.

Just did my AM symbicort and I got a dizziy type zoning out feeling. I sometimes get it from my spiriva and albuteral. I always make sure I'm sitting when I use them. If been feeling that for years so I guess it isn't fatal.....just a momentary heart racing.

I just got a nebulizer last week. I use what Ilovethekitties uses. What a difference! I love it.

I use combivent, and have no problem, but I really seldom use the rescue inhaler, instead I use the nebulizer (same med) maybe once a day, and other wise just my inhalers.
Albuterol is a stimulant, which can cause the heart raceing, and raise blood pressure in some folks.
I would say ask his doctor to find him another inhaler, since that one is not doing him any good.
(I never use my nebulizer 4 times a day, even when the doctor says so !! Twice a day at the most, and only when bad conjested and my symbicort does not seem to loosen it up.)
BJ

wow....you people rock....i was wondering about my inhalers for the do not much for me at times either...some time i think its just in my mind i need this stuff for when i had my test in the small breathing room before and after test..they said inhalers did not help me...what gives with that?
anyone using pot, marawanted for their copd? or other health stuff that is working for you?
thanks....steve

Steve to answer your question about the use of inhalers during a PFT I copied this:

The PFT Before and After Aerosol Bronchodilators

Patients are almost always tested twice - once before bronchodilators are given and once after one is administered. This is a nice way to evaluate the amount of bronchoconstriction that was present and how responsive the patient was to a bronchodilator medication. This assesses the degree of reversibility of the airway obstruction. The drug that is nearly always used is a Beta-2 selective sympathomimetic because it is a drug that causes bronchodilation but which does not stimulate the heart to any great degree. After the drug has been administered, the PFT is repeated. If two out of three measurements (FVC, FEV1 and FEF25% - 75%) improve, then it can be said that the patient has a reversible airway obstruction that is responsive to medication. The amount of improvement is variable between clinics but some standards are presented below:


1.FVC : an increase of 10% or more
2.FEV1 : an increase of 200 ml or 15% of the baseline FEV1
3.FEF25%-75% : an increase of 20% or more

Whenn I was diagnosed in 2008, the FDA was replacing inhalers containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) with inhalers containing hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) in an effort to support the Clean Air Act. The phase-out upset a lot of people because they felt that CFC inhalers were inferior to HFA inhalers in terms of medication delivery and symptom relief.

Earlier this year, Boehringer Ingelheim jumped on the "clean air" bandwagon by phasing out the Combivent metered dose inhaler (MDI) and replacing it with Combivent Respimat, a propellant-free inhaler that uses a slow-moving mist to deliver the same active ingredients as found in the Combivent MDI. Distribution of the Combivent MDI ceased in May, but supplies of the product may still be available. Once those supplies run out, the Combivent Respimat will be the only Combivent product available.

I use Ventolin (albuterol) for a rescue inhaler and HFA Advair for the twice daily corticosteroid. The other inhaler for the airways used once daily is Spiriva.

I have emphysema and have had the worst case of mucus ever and almost impossible to cough up no matter what I took in RX meds or OTC or the other comfort remedies we sometimes.

When I saw the doctor Monday, I was told that my chest was clogged with mucus and it tends to lay somewhat dormant in some people and if that happens, Use the rescue inhaler 3 to 4 times daily. The reason being that it activates the airways and can help move the mucus. Tried it and it is slowly working. But this is the worst exacerbation symptoms I have ever had so shouldn't expect overnight miracle.

I hate to think what my poor lungs must be thinking about now. Just got to take better care of them. :)

Luck to all and remember "different strokes for different folks." What works for one may not work for another. Just have to use your noggin and figure it out , I suppose

but they said their was no improvement once i used the inhaler...i should bug my dr about this i guess..? i keep using the stuff in hope it will help me when i get sob..i still have to stop and wait to get my breath back....dang me and copd..
thanks

I've been unsure as to what to expect from a rescue inhalers. I've never felt a jolt of instant relief, but I convinced myself that the effects could very well be only realized through testing. However, seems if the test proves no improvement then it's time to try another type. Also, I re-read the instructions now and then to confirm I'm following instructions to the letter.

I continue using Ventolin prior to performing some action that stresses my breathing especially since the testing by my Dr. proves positive results.

Hi all: The docs gave me the Albuterol/resbivent a year ago and my pulse O2 went from an aver. of 94 to 78 and of course, I was sob. I went immediately and told them and they prescribed a motorized nebulizer which I use 3x a day and am back to 94-95 and comfortable. Please note, it is a battery operated piece of equipment with a rechargeable battery, with the little plastic viles of albuterol. The mist takes about 12-14 minutes, but gets deep down into the lungs. It's just a great system and I don't know why they didn't put me on it years ago.
So tell your doctors that's what you want and need. Good luck!

We have a few different topics going on here and I apologize to Shellsbel if we have not fully answered your question.

It seems that one answer leads to a different question and I remembered that when I had my last PFT, they were unable to do a complete test because I had used my emergency inhaler about 4 hours before the testing. I believe that the diffusion wasn't able to be completed but afterwards I looked up some information and I found the paragraph below.

~~~" PFT is pulmonary function testing that evaluates the lungs capacity before and after bronchodilation,. All bronchodilators and
corticosteroids must stop 6-12 hours before the test, get a baseline reading and then give bronchodilators and retest"~~~~

Don't think mine has ever worked this way. Has this been a procedure for anyone else? Doctors always tell us not to worry about the numbers and I think I understand why now.

I do know that test results greatly depend on whether a patient is having a good or not so good breathing day. Got enough rest the night before and nothing stressful happens just before testing something temporary such as an overload of pollens could cause the tests to vary and only give an approximated number value.

Guess that explains why we are all different in symptoms but have the same disease.

"All bronchodilators and corticosteroids must stop 6-12 hours before the test."

Yes, that is the procedure when I have a PFT.

Don't worry LilEllie, these days my mind does enough "bird walking" that changing topics in midstream seems normal - lol. As always, the responses to my original post have been quite helpful and I'll share them with my hubby. Thanks everyone!