COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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Spirivia

sunny5368
sunny5368
I have been on spiriva since March. Pulmo dr said it was ok to use every other day instead of daily. Can no longer see him due to insurance,so I found a new primary, he says it should be used daily. So that is what I am doing. For the last two weeks I have been having a lot more congestion and mucous production. Now I'm taking prednisone and omnicef. Has anyone had the excess congestion using spiriva and or any depression symptoms?
Imarighter
Imarighter
Sunny, I've used Spiriva or it's generic every day for more than 2 years and haven't had a problem with congestion or mucus production. As for depression, I suspect that's caused more by the illness than by the meds, but that's just my opinion.
LankyYankee
LankyYankee
Sunny, I see you live in an are that has lots of vegetation and this time of year is rife with allergens. I recently started using Spireva without issues. I suspect you may just have some sensitivity to vegetation that is letting off pollen before it goes dormant. I am NOT a doctor and hope you check in with yours to see if your new med is under suspicion.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Sunny,

I have used Spiriva every day for three years now without any problems. Pollen season creates some extra congestion but I take Mucinex Expectorant every day as well and it all helps.

Depression is very common with COPD or any chronic disease. I take Zoloft for that.

I hope your new Dr is a really good one and that you get the meds working in the best combination for you.

Hugs, Cindy
jarca
jarca
i also use spiriva every other day.
we had a discussion about this once & someone described the half life & more about how long spiriva stays in your system.
if i do it daily i get too dried out & a couple of other mild, but annoying side effects.
the benifits of spiriva for me outweigh the side effects, but with my dr's approval doing it every other day has given me the benefits without bad side effects.

it sounds like you were doing well on what you were doing & a new dr is changing things? --- my theory is why fix what aint broke & maybe the new dr needs to check your history & charts from your last dr before he changes too many things.

i also assume you are in a "flare up" with the prednisone & antibiotic (omnicef) being added, so excess congestion could be because you are sick???

but no, 1. spiriva hasn't caused me excess congestion--it dries me out more if i use it daily. & 2. i have not had any problems with depression with my spiriva
debib399
debib399
Sunny,
I have been on spriva for years and I'm with Jarca that it dries me out, but I take it daily. I'm with imarighter on the depression I think it's more the illness than the meds.
You sound like you are in exacerbation being on the prednisone and antibiotics. Hope you can find another Pulmonary Dr. to see you.