Tiotropium for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 2)

• Fal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2015

"I have been taking 18 mcg caps every morning for almost sixteen (16!) years. It, along with 4 inhalations of 160/4.5 Symbicort, 2 with the S. in the morning, and two in the evening, have helped manage my mid-level emphysema all that time. Emphysema can and does kill, of course; and it does not really improve much, if at all; quite the contrary. But my physicians and my personal discipline (rare, usually!) have helped me do rather nicely into my 86th year. (Cost depends on where I am in Medicare Part D. $45/mo until donut hole, then closer to $250/mo.)"

• WTa...
• February 17, 2020

"I was taking Spiriva for over a month. It gave me hoarseness, swollen gums, and sores in my mouth. The worst cough ever, that's why I'm hoarse. I cough like I have TB, and so much phlegm it feels like I'm drowning. I thought I had double pneumonia until I read up on Spiriva side effects. My mouth has sores, it hurts to eat and swallow. I'm taking my rescue inhaler constantly because I'm choking on thick phlegm. I stopped taking it 4 days ago, and I'm the same. I may go to the hospital in the morning. I'm miserable and so sick. Never again will I take that stuff. My head hurts too, and I get dizzy and feel like I'm always low on water."

• PG2...
• September 1, 2016

"I have taken Spiriva, more so in hot, humid weather than in cooler weather, for 2 years, and after 1 year did notice a substantial difference in halos around lights, especially driving at night, so much so that I stopped driving at night. Last eye exam in March of this year indicates I have cataracts. I looked at the full Spiriva pharmaceutical description, and in lab tests, this drug did cause cataracts in dogs. So, now I am up for cataract surgery. What does the FDA protect?"

• 42m...
• September 24, 2016

"A prev smoker, I started on Advair 500 twice daily in 2010 after almost dying from being unable to breathe at all. After no serious improvement and being unable to hardly walk, I went on Spiriva in April this year. Almost immediate results...a HOME RUN!!! I now can walk at a fairly good pace and for a reasonable distance. I also continue on with Advair 500 morning/night. Finally, I am living almost a normal life...and NO EFFECTS!!"

• gms...
• December 29, 2011

"Started using Spiriva in 2003 and noticed much improvement in breathing and endurance. As my emphysema has worsened and flare-ups occurred more frequently, my pulmonologist added Onbrez and it too is very helpful. The combination is effective for me, FEV1 went from 37% to 52%. My principal side effect is dry mouth, but a sip of water now and then beats shortness of breath or worse."

• Hoo...
• April 15, 2019

"I have COPD, and in reality, Spiriva does nothing for me, and my Medicare insurance does not cover it. I do breathe better when I use Proair HFA. But in my experience, Spiriva is snake oil with a hefty price tag. I had been taking Spiriva for about 6 months with no beneficial effect whatever."

• ths...
• November 3, 2009

"I have Homogeneous/Diffuse Emphysema, my doctor put me on Spiriva back in 2002 before it came into the US. I got it from Europe. This drug has helped to contract the hyperexpansion of my lungs so they can function better, and by doing so, has taken my functional vital capacity from 30% to 50%. I only take Spiriva, nothing else, one capsule every morning. I do not know why more doctors are not prescribing it. For me, it has been the closest thing to lung volume reduction surgery without the surgery."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2021

"I was fine on this drug for a while. After six months, I began to notice dry, flaky skin and eye hemorrhages, with migraine-type headaches with flashing halos in colors. Then my blood pressure got dangerously high. I checked the side effects of this drug, high BP is rare, but it is one of them, as are eye problems and headaches. Very bad for people with heart conditions, 52% mortality. Having to get used to living without it. BP is normal again, and I don't have red eye all the time. As is, skin getting back to normal, it was like cardboard dry, no matter what I did. Plus, one big red hive on my cheek."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

"At first, lung function was markedly improved, then I started having rapid and irregular heart problems, along with high blood pressure. Because I was also taking Atrovent, my doctor told me that I shouldn't take both. He decreased the Spiriva, and my heart problems subsided. Unfortunately, I have lost some lung function, my activity level has decreased probably by 70%, and I am living on inhalers every 3 hours. I feel like an elephant has parked himself on my chest! Quality of life is minimal, so I'm ready to resume taking Spiriva."

• Doo...
• August 22, 2018

"It seems every box I received I had at least on the average 3 out of 30 that are either empty, or when I try to use my HandiHaler, the capsule breaks all apart and the plastic does show up in the HandiHaler. Also, when they are empty, I can tell they are empty, when you put them in your HandiHaler and you try to draw the medicine out, it is hard to suck on it to get your medicine due to the breakage. I'm not sure what causes that, as expensive as it is, we should not have to deal with empty and breaking capsules."

• Mr ...
• January 8, 2016

"Was prescribed Spiriva dry powder capsules in May of 2015. This was during a bout of atypical pneumonia, which I had weeks before being prescribed Spiriva and lingered for weeks after. As a result of the illness, I suffered pulmonary exacerbation, which brought about COPD symptoms to the point that now, 8 months later, I have to use oxygen [2 LPM] 24/7. It has been taxing and shocking, but the Spiriva, along with Symbicort [80/4.5], does help. I measure my O2 blood saturation several times daily. I have experimented with halting one and both medications over small periods of time and have realized that I can do without the Symbicort with not much variation in the O2 saturation, but when the Spiriva is halted for 48 hours, the O2 saturation drops."

• Tin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2020

"Been using Spiriva for a little over 7 years. Never could tell any difference. I used to have the problem with empty capsules, but when I started making sure that the larger half of the capsule was inserted first (at the bottom) of the device, they started working right every time. No more empty capsules."

• bos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

"I have been on Spiriva for a few years. It has helped my COPD. I have noticed that I have suffered acid reflux more recently this past year. I have also complained to my eye doctor that my eyeballs feel swollen and must blink constantly because of some fluid in my eyes causing blurred vision. The doctor said he doesn't know why I am suffering with these symptoms. Last January 2016, he did discover glaucoma in one eye. My next appointment is April 2017. I will see what he has to say regarding my taking Spiriva. I am waiting for my PCP to get back to me. I never realized you must keep your eyes closed when taking this medication. I pray it is not permanent damage to my eyes."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2016

"I have been on Spiriva Respimat for about a year now for my COPD, and it is still working very well! I do have to take my rescue inhaler more than I did when I first began the drug, but I am still receiving great benefit from this medication and am so grateful it continues to improve my quality of life."

• Cha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 2, 2020

"Yeah, I tried it for 3 months. It sucks, it gives me an automatic headache. The doctor recommended that I go back on the HandiHaler, and once I went back to it, I didn't have all the headaches and other stomach complaints that I had with the Respimat mist. Sorry you failed at it, give us savings cards towards the HandiHaler. It will save money."

• Spu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 6, 2017

"I've been on Spiriva for about 15 years or so. At first, it helped my breathing a lot. Now, not so much. I've constantly battled the capsule not working. After contacting the mfg years ago, they eventually reimbursed me for a box of the medication. They told me the amount of medication in the capsule would fit on a pinhead. One day this week, it took 3 capsules before finding one that worked. The plastic capsule sometimes seems to explode when you squeeze the lever to poke the hole in it. When it makes 'that sound' of loud popping, after I try to use it and it doesn't work - I can open the handihaler holding the capsule, take the capsule out and hit it on my palm, and tiny pieces of plastic fall out in my hand!"

• cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2019

"My pulmonologist gave me two sample dispensers (28 puffs each). I had dramatic negative effects. I didn't realize the problems were Spiriva, however, until finishing the first sample and two days into the 2nd. I started having dramatic dry mouth, infected sinuses, and a very sore throat. My dry mouth was so severe I had to see my GP. His first question was, 'Have you used any new meds?'-and bingo. He told me to immediately stop using. I called my pulmonologist and reported what my GP told me. She agreed. It's been over a week since I stopped, but I still have terrible dry mouth and a sore throat. Bummer!"

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2019

"I have been on Spiriva Respimat for over two years, and it works well. I have severe COPD, and it definitely helps. It's easy to inhale because the medicine is under pressure, so it flows out of the device easily, meaning I think I get more in my lungs. My insurance company is playing doctor again and won't cover it any longer. Now I have to switch. Oh well..."

• bli...
• October 2, 2010

"Living in the UK. My specialist prescribed this medicine 2 days ago, and I can't believe the difference it has made. I feel about 70% better already. I just can't believe the difference already, it's fantastic."

• Pee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2017

"I have been on Spiriva about 2 months now with considerable improvement in lung function from my COPD. My problem is the actual inhaler - it is definitely flawed. Many capsules are empty and I have seen specks of blue plastic on the device. Sure hope I have not inhaled any plastic particles. I am considering calling the FDA because I cannot reach anyone at the drug company that makes this drug. Quality control failed in the dispensing method of this product. Used 2 capsules today before it would work properly! Getting concerned that those blue specks are coming from the device. Has anyone else noticed this? Be aware, I have seen them twice. Feeling concerned!"

• Dav...
• November 10, 2014

"Was diagnosed with COPD Emphysema several years ago. Have been using Spiriva since but still cannot say that I notice any benefit. My GP's, chest nurses, and consultants (9 different ones over the years) maintain that I am benefitting from using it. Do suffer from leg cramps, so will be trying potassium supplements to see if they help."

• key...
• December 19, 2017

"I used Spiriva Respimat for four weeks, and after two weeks, my voice started to go hoarse. I stopped after four weeks, and it is now five weeks that I have had no voice and can barely whisper. I initially benefitted from usage, but it made very little difference. I am desperate to know if I will ever get my voice back. My doctor is arranging for me to see an ENT specialist."

• Ros...
• January 29, 2020

"I've just been diagnosed with mild/moderate emphysema. I have only one symptom: shortness of breath once in a while. I have been using Spiriva for 5 days and have the deepest, most congested cough. It's so bad it gives me headaches. I just emailed my doctor with my symptoms and said I couldn't take this any longer. I asked why I have to treat at this time. I'm worse now than when I used the Spiriva. The cough makes me sound like I have T.B. I sure hope it goes away."

• adn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2017

"I was recently given this inhaler to try by my doctor. I smoked for 47 years. Four years ago, I quit, and I used to exercise a lot, was a dancer on weekends and free time. Maybe my COPD did not get as bad because of it. Oxygenation is greater when you do cardiovascular exercise. I am also an asthma patient since I was a kid. I developed polymyalgia rheumatica, a very painful illness that can only be treated with prednisone. I got so fat I had to quit dancing. I noticed I was getting very tired and short of breath every time I had to walk long distances or climb stairs. For two months, I used this medicine. I was so happy I could finally breathe while climbing stairs and doing cardio. The only problem is it is too expensive and medical insurance does not cover."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2011

"My doctor put me on Spiriva a year ago for my COPD. It has helped me to be able to breathe so much better. I used to be sick all the time and had bronchitis every 2 months that went by. Since Spiriva, I have not been sick but a few times. It is a blessing to me."