Tiotropium for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2021

"Since my insurance would not cover my Anoro, my doctor put me on this Respimat covered by my insurance. This was the worst contraption I had ever seen in an inhaler -- impossible to use. My son had to put it together as I couldn't figure it out, and it took him a couple of minutes to do it! I have not been able to use it because I am wasting the medication! I am 73 and still have my wits about me but not able to use this inhaler! I feel very sorry for those seniors who have mental problems trying to use this inhaler! I don't know who invented something like this, but they need to go back to the drawing board! I am now without an inhaler!"

• Hat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2019

"I was put on Spiriva over 4 yrs. ago. I noticed a change in my urine output pretty quickly, but the worst of it came out this week after being given Baclofen as well. The 2 together have had me dealing with sore throat and swollen glands. Difficulty swallowing, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, UTI, dry mouth, weird taste and smells, tremors, and insomnia."

• whi...
• March 24, 2008

"I also found pieces of the capsule in my mouth and wondered if I was inhaling them. Also, I found it was easy to breathe during the first week, and now it is labored breathing. Lemme know if anyone else has such symptoms. Thanks."

• bla...
• April 21, 2008

"I have been using Spiriva for 1 year now, and I have been breathing far better and not having as many attacks as before I began using Spiriva. I find the product very easy to use and also more effective than most other drugs I used before. I have never had a problem with bits of capsule in my mouth or anything."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2009

"I have been using Spiriva for a couple of years now and find it to be a lifesaver. I have had no problems whatsoever. It is very convenient to use. No side effects. I can tell the difference in my breathing if I miss a couple of doses."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2018

"Been on Spiriva 1 1/2 years, and first day saw fantastic results in breathing. I am 68. Thought retirement was going to be better. But last 6 months, blood pressure has risen, so I have to start taking meds for that. I also feel like Spiriva is not working as well. I am also on Advair twice a day and Albuterol as needed. I might try to go without Spiriva for a couple of days. I, too, had empty capsules, or so I thought. Called the company, and they said to put the large end of the capsule in the inhaler first and gently tap the bottom of the inhaler on the sink or cabinet, then press the button to make holes and keep the inhaler level and suck in not real fast. He was very helpful and caring. He said there is very little medicine in the capsule. He had me return the rest of the box on their dime and sent me a new box (at the pharmacy). I haven't had any trouble since. My prayers to all."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

"Doctor prescribed Spiriva for COPD. After 4 days, I had to quit it because of the horrible rash that was breaking out all over my body. I never took it again, and that was 5 years ago. I still break out in a rash from it once in a while. That stuff is horrible. Try anything else but that."

• Lpi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2017

"Took this for about 4 years and had throat swelling, feeling like something wrapped around my neck, swallowing issues, and hoarseness. Blamed it on an operation to remove a cyst in my neck, but the symptoms were not from that procedure according to my ENT. I stopped using it for two years, and as my COPD worsened, my doc put me back on it. Bang, those symptoms came right back. I am now on Tudorza and doing better without those side effects."

• Ser...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2016

"I was prescribed this because of asthma, and I have difficulty taking other inhalers because of side effects. I noticed within a few minutes that my throat started to burn after using this med. It seems to irritate my throat. I also have chest pain in my left breast and difficulty sleeping. Because of these side effects, I am going to stop using it. I am beginning to suspect inhalers aren't going to work for me."

• Wel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 26, 2015

"Ease of use is great. I used the capsule type for many years and hated it every morning. Removing the capsule from the package, inserting the cap into the device. It was difficult because I have tremors in my hands."

• Way...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2016

"This is my second day with this drug, and I can already see improvement in the quality of my life. First thing every morning, out of bed, I had to go to the nebulizer in order to breathe after removing my CPAP mask. Today, I didn't have to use it at all. I haven't noticed any side effects and don't expect any."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2020

"Was given alongside my regular Symbicort too. Felt great breathing two days that I used it, but then had a thud in my chest. I have long QT syndrome. I can't use Spiriva now... it's an anticholinergic. I also peed more frequently, and it gave me cold/flu symptoms for the two days I took it. I thought I had COVID. I will have to find another maintenance inhaler."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

"Important! Please keep a watchful eye on the side of the Respimat container. When the orange area with the arrow shows at the end, please do not try to continue using the container vs. opening a new one. Why? Because I tried seeing how many dosages more I could get and, on one attempt, the second I pressed the grey button, the container bruised my lip, and on the next attempt, the container shot a piece of metal out along with mist, so I discarded the container and opened a new box. This issue needs to be fixed, as I'm lucky I kept the container away from my mouth the second try or that metal shooting out would have hit my throat, causing possible injury."

• KMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

"I started taking Spiriva a month ago for chronic asthma. My doctor said I wouldn't notice much of a difference until about the third week. I actually felt like I was feeling better right away, a little bit better more and more every day. However, this week, my fourth week, I'm feeling worse. I don't have seasonal allergies, I don't have a cold, I'm just short of breath and coughing a lot. I'm not sure if it's the Spiriva or not, and I'm wondering if anyone else had a similar experience. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow to get an appointment."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 25, 2019

"I have been using the Handihaler since 2008 for my pulmonary fibrosis. I believe the benefits outweigh the side effects, per my experience. The only negative thing I can say is the cost of this medicine. In addition to taking this medicine, I make myself active by doing cardiovascular exercises to get my heart and lungs working, either by walking outdoors or working out in the gym or at home. My pulmonologist reviews my annual breathing tests and chest scans, and he always tells me that my condition stays the same and encourages me to keep doing what I am doing. PF does not have a cure, and the average life expectancy is 5 years. I will stick with Spiriva and continue my workouts."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

"My problem is not with the medicine, but rather the inhaler itself. The Spiriva Respimat. Hate it with a passion! I've had to make three separate trips to the pharmacy to get a replacement. After the first time, I was so careful to use it both properly and carefully. Did it help? NO! And it is a waste of time, money, and I'm unable to use the thing until I go to the pharmacist and get a replacement! Apparently, Kaiser insurance doesn't want to pay for any other Spiriva inhaler. I am currently trying to find where I can leave a formal complaint."

• ang...
• August 7, 2016

"I have been using Spiriva Respimat for several months now for COPD. Why is it important not to cover the vents on the mouthpiece, which I have been doing ever since I've been using it? My doctor never told me not to, I just read about it recently. I really don't think that I have been benefiting from the inhaler that much. Could this be the reason? I am not covering the vents any longer. The information I read says not to, but why? Maybe people are using the same as I did, hopefully, this will help several people. Thank you."

• Pro...
• December 7, 2016

"I have been using Spiriva since 2009. It was okay for the first 4 years. Lung function improved, but not great. My bladder is suffering terribly, so I gave up Spiriva last week. The bladder side effects are worse to me than the lung function. Have suffered several bouts of UTIs while being on Spiriva as well. Also, sometimes the capsules are empty. I reported this to the FDA twice, with no results. Spiriva is expensive, so to have 1-5 capsules per box empty is very costly. Now, a week Spiriva-free, my bladder function has improved, but my breathing is becoming more labored. I will try my albuterol inhaler, but will use it sparingly as well because it causes bladder problems too."

• VEW...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2022

"I find it helps my breathing, but it often runs out a day or two early. My pharmacy sets it up and wastes the four doses as instructed. Why waste four doses when there aren’t 30 days' supply left? This makes no sense and leaves me without medication at the end of the 30 days, which is not helpful. I cannot accurately rate side effects since I am on other medications that have similar reactions."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2017

"I had a parathyroid removed the end of May. One of the complications I was having was shortness of breath. A month after surgery, a pulmonologist followed up with tests and said I have beginning COPD. She recommended Spiriva. The first two weeks I started feeling better. Then I started feeling tired all the time, my eyes seemed puffy, my weight was going up, peeing frequently with urgency, dry mouth, cuts healed slow, developed heartburn, my joints all felt achy, sleep was poor, and I was retaining fluid and needing Lasix at least twice a week, and having tearful moodiness. Labs showed high glucose. I have never been a diabetic. Now, regular testing the last 4 days shows I am prediabetic. Apparently, 1 in 10,000 can become prediabetic."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2017

"Spiriva and Advair HFA have been very beneficial to myself. Was not expecting this wonderful feeling of not using a rescue inhaler so much. It's a true blessing: cleaning my house, doing my treadmill. I'm a very, very active person. Am enjoying this, but keeping my exercising daily. Thank you, Spiriva!"

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2021

"I have only been using this inhaler for over a week. I can't believe the difference. I can walk up a slope and not be panting for breath. It is so easy to take, as the mist comes out slowly, it's easier to breathe it in. It is better than other inhalers to take. I was shown how to take it by my respiratory nurse."

• Bre...
• November 11, 2019

"I've been on Spiriva for at least 8 years. I went from lung spasms from armpit to armpit to relief. Of course, the empty capsules were a big problem, and the Respimat solved that problem with a hefty price increase. I thought I couldn't live without it, but once on Medicare, I had to quit buying it due to the high price. I also had noticed that I had to urinate infrequently and could go long stretches without. Plus, I was on high blood pressure meds with diuretics, so I became aware, as lovely as having great bladder control seems, that possibly this was a problem. So I quit taking it a month ago, and yes, things have changed. I must urinate much more frequently and urgently, and I am hoping this is temporary and hope it subsides. But it was proven to me that Spiriva interfered with my bladder signals, and I'm hoping there won't be problems later from that. I did go blind also and had cataract surgery; caused and quickened by high blood pressure, but don't know how much was affected by the inhaler."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

"I was short of breath, and tests showed I have 55% lung capacity. Pulmonologist increased Advair and added Spiriva. I have had dry mouth, sore and red tongue (I rinse afterwards always), constipation, worsening of tremors."