Question:

Do people carry their spacers around?  I couldn’t imagine doing so… but it seems to be the advice of the doc. I tend to think that I’m using my inhaler correctly, and if so, I don’t think a spacer would really add that much value.  That said, check with your doc.

Response:

Do people carry their spacers around?  

I certainly carry my Aerochamber, in my briefcase. Along with my prescription meds and my cough lozenges. Why do you find that so unimaginable? — Steven D. Litvintchouk                  

Response:

my cough lozenges.

Good Idea. I always have sucrets (spelling?)available.

Response:

I have had asthma for most of my life, but only recently heard about a spacer. What exactly is it and what does it do? I asked the pharmacy if they had one so I could see it and they said it’s available only by a doctor’s prescription. So what is it, exactly. The pharmacist also indicated it was mostly for kids and old people, as if I wouldn’t really need or want one. But I thought I heard somewhere that they were good for anyone with asthma.

Spacers can be useful for anyone.  The biggest benefit they offer is that they catch the parts of a medication spray whose droplet size prevents them from making it to your lungs. Here are some links that discuss it in more detail. http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/asthma/spacer.htm http://www.peds.arizona.edu/allergyimmunology/southwest/devices/space… "The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I have had asthma for most of my life, but only recently heard about a spacer. What exactly is it and what does it do? I asked the pharmacy if they had one so I could see it and they said it’s available only by a doctor’s prescription. So what is it, exactly. The pharmacist also indicated it was mostly for kids and old people, as if I wouldn’t really need or want one. But I thought I heard somewhere that they were good for anyone with asthma. Spacers can be useful for anyone.  The biggest benefit they offer is that they catch the parts of a medication spray whose droplet size prevents them from making it to your lungs.

My doctor told me that it prevents the steroid effects going straight into the blood stream and this is how we are supposed to inhail, through a spacer. It is a big ugly plastic thing … Here are some links that discuss it in more detail. http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/asthma/spacer.htm http://www.peds.arizona.edu/allergyimmunology/southwest/devices/space…. html "The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise."   General Colin Powell

Jules There are two respites from the miseries of life – music and cats.

Response:

A prescription requirement seems to vary by locality and pharmacy.  I’ve used two different ones.  The first was just a plastic tube with a mouthpiece at one end and a whole for the inhaler at the other.  You still had to time your inhalation right. but there was more leeway.  The other one had a one-way valve at the mouth end, so your timing could be way off. Kid’s ones include a mask at the end to make it easier for them.  My aerochamber included a whistle that would make a noise if I inhaled too hard. Primary benefit is that more medication ends up in the lungs, not in the mouth.  With oral steroids (flovent, etc) this reduces likelihood of thrush. Standard recommendation is anyone using MDI corticosteroids should use one, but it isn’t mandatory.  Your doctor may have a sample available. Good luck Liam

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had asthma for most of my life, but only recently heard about a spacer. What exactly is it and what does it do? I asked the pharmacy if they had one so I could see it and they said it’s available only by a doctor’s prescription. So what is it, exactly. The pharmacist also indicated it was mostly for kids and old people, as if I wouldn’t really need or want one. But I thought I heard somewhere that they were good for anyone with asthma. Can someone enlighten me on this subject?

Response:

I have had asthma for most of my life, but only recently heard about a spacer. What exactly is it and what does it do? I asked the pharmacy if they had one so I could see it and they said it’s available only by a doctor’s prescription. So what is it, exactly. The pharmacist also indicated it was mostly for kids and old people, as if I wouldn’t really need or want one. But I thought I heard somewhere that they were good for anyone with asthma. Can someone enlighten me on this subject?

Response:

I have had asthma for most of my life, but only recently heard about a spacer. What exactly is it and what does it do?

A spacer is an overpriced cheap plastic or paper tube.  Why this trinket needs a prescription eludes me. It includes a chamber and a mouthpiece. It connects to the inhaler.   You get a puff from the inhaler, which fills the chamber.  Then you inhale the medication from the chamber via the mouthpiece. This intermediate step makes it easier to suck all the medication into your lungs. Without the spacer, you can aim the inhaler incorrectly and end up shooting the puff into the back of your mouth rather than into your lungs. I own an AeroChamber, and I use it with both albuterol and Flovent inhalers. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                  

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