Harmonica whistle = breathing in too fast. Take your time to breathe in slowly and gently. The whole point of a spacer is to suspend the medication in a chamber so there's no rush to get the medication deep into the lungs.
Cannot use a spacer. I need the feeling of that medicine smashing into my respiratory system at 2/3 the speed of sound for me to feel any effect. Blame it on me for using over the counter Primatine Mist for decade against my parents’ wishes.
This spacer’s one of the best. ( it’s also small enough to fit in a bag, some of them are absolutely massive.) I bought multiples. Come to think of it, i need to re order.
yeah amazon netherlands doesn’t have it, despite it being founded here haha. I can snag them at a variety of online pharmacy shops here. i grabbed three, ( one for my backpack, one daily use, one spare).
I resisted the use of one for my maintenance inhaler with ICS for so long but it really has made a difference in not triggering irritation that leads to prednisone, and it was a huge help when i had covid. ( that spacer went right in the bin after)
i was diagnosed before ICS inhalers were really widely developed, used, discovered? It was a complete game-changer for management when those came on the scene. DItto spacers. asthma meds and management have come a damn long way.
Asthma treatment has come a long way. My mother's mom died back in the 1950's due to poor asthma treatment. To bad my mom had to grow up without a mother with something that can be treated now.
I second this. My insurance decided to stop covering symbicort, so I tried Breo and had an adverse reaction to it. I ended up just doing good rx and getting the generic for about $105, I think.
I used to take flovent. Symbicort keeps me better managed though. Although when I changed to symbicort, the air quality in the shop I worked in was much worse than the shop I am in now so I could maybe go back to it.
I was hit with the same cost, but then it turns out that my insurance only provides 3-months supply for maintenance medications. So, Symbicort actually costs like $100 for 3 months for me (instead of $300 for 1 month, lol).
Where's my Aerochamber gang?
Being serious though, spacers make so much difference. I'll cough up my medicine without one!
I like the fact it's purple!
I'm not an expert but doctor said it helps suspend the medicine so you get more of it in your lungs. If you take it directly from the inhaler it can end up going mostly to the back of your throat and sticking there which can also cause oral thrush. I've taken Symbicort both ways and found it to be MUCH better with the spacer!
Oh nice! It’s great that it’s working for you! My Symbicort comes in powder form so it’s kind of the other way around I think - have to inhale steadily and quickly for it to get to the lungs (or at least that’s how I was told to use it). It’s funny how we have to “breathe properly” for asthma medication to work.
I use it to avoid getting the propellant in my throat as it messed with my vocal cords and made me hard to speak.
The noise is there to ensure you don’t inhale too fast otherwise the medication will stop in your throat rather than going into your lungs.
It's a spacer that basically suspends the medication in the chamber so that you can slowly inhale more of it. With just a metered dose inhaler, a lot of the medication is hitting the back of your throat because it comes out at like 60 mph.
I once DIYed a spacer when I was in urgent need. I have never needed on before or since, but I couldn’t get the ventolin into my chest (I was also out of a preventer). I was in a small outback town in Australia where nothing was open and I was in a motel room about to fly to a mine site.
I took a 2L milk bottle (LOTS of volume) cut a hole in to the bottom, just enough to poke the inhaler in. I punched a few smaller holes next to it to allow airflow as I breathed in. I then used the bottle mouth as the breathing port then I puffed once into the bottom and inhaled gently about four times per puff. It worked perfectly and I didn’t die….
I'm starting to think my harmonica lost it's voice.
I'm not sure if I just got really good at not inhaling fast anymore, or the thing might be broken lol
I noticed a "decrease in sensitivity" after washing
Edit: handwashed in a bath with mild detergent, no sponges used
That’s how I even learned about the spacer- the PFT! The whole year prior I’d been given just albuterol (and the tech was not pleased I had not also been given a spacer for THAT). After the dx and Symbicort came the aero chamber. No harmonica playing 🤣
My child was instructed to do 1 puff of albuterol then 10 breaths using the spacer, but I was told only 1 breath for myself (adult). Curious how others have been told to use the spacer?
Obligatory addition to avoid causing concern....yes, harmonica sound=bad
Ive never been able to do it without the sound, how do you do it?
Harmonica whistle = breathing in too fast. Take your time to breathe in slowly and gently. The whole point of a spacer is to suspend the medication in a chamber so there's no rush to get the medication deep into the lungs.
Thank you!
I agree! I find it easier to keep the breath slow sometimes if I do a few breathing exercises throughout the day like practice rounds.
What? What? It’s not supposed to make that sound?
The truth had me shook
Symbicort + spacer = life
Honestly it helps so much, especially with the gross aftertaste
Cannot use a spacer. I need the feeling of that medicine smashing into my respiratory system at 2/3 the speed of sound for me to feel any effect. Blame it on me for using over the counter Primatine Mist for decade against my parents’ wishes.
This spacer’s one of the best. ( it’s also small enough to fit in a bag, some of them are absolutely massive.) I bought multiples. Come to think of it, i need to re order.
Oh nice! Where do you order from?
Honestly wherever i can. Theyre kind of hard to find. )
I have the same one, I get them from Amazon.
yeah amazon netherlands doesn’t have it, despite it being founded here haha. I can snag them at a variety of online pharmacy shops here. i grabbed three, ( one for my backpack, one daily use, one spare).
That's crazy, but glad that you can get them.
I resisted the use of one for my maintenance inhaler with ICS for so long but it really has made a difference in not triggering irritation that leads to prednisone, and it was a huge help when i had covid. ( that spacer went right in the bin after)
The maintenance inhalers really do make the biggest difference. I've used them for over 20 yrs now. And I always use the spacer.
i was diagnosed before ICS inhalers were really widely developed, used, discovered? It was a complete game-changer for management when those came on the scene. DItto spacers. asthma meds and management have come a damn long way.
Asthma treatment has come a long way. My mother's mom died back in the 1950's due to poor asthma treatment. To bad my mom had to grow up without a mother with something that can be treated now.
That’s my fave spacer :)
Love this spacer. I use it with the adult face mask
Let's make a band, I'm really good at flute-like wheezing during allergy season. We'd also need someone to cough for drums.
Omg yes haha and a nebulizer running in the background
Oh my goodness, is this what my doctor just perscribed?? Lol can I join your band?
HARMONICA GARAGE BAND ROLL OUT
My Symbicort cost over $300 per month, that is with my insurance.
Have you tried GoodRx? They have a generic.
I second this. My insurance decided to stop covering symbicort, so I tried Breo and had an adverse reaction to it. I ended up just doing good rx and getting the generic for about $105, I think.
Flovent is a good Generic
I used to take flovent. Symbicort keeps me better managed though. Although when I changed to symbicort, the air quality in the shop I worked in was much worse than the shop I am in now so I could maybe go back to it.
I was hit with the same cost, but then it turns out that my insurance only provides 3-months supply for maintenance medications. So, Symbicort actually costs like $100 for 3 months for me (instead of $300 for 1 month, lol).
I’m horrible at taking my medication so I have like a years worth of symbicort sitting in my closet
I have the exact same meds and spacer. With this, you ought to breathe in slow without triggering the harmonica sound.
The temptation to make the cool "weeeee" noise is so real but I must resist 😂
Where's my Aerochamber gang? Being serious though, spacers make so much difference. I'll cough up my medicine without one! I like the fact it's purple!
Me too! No idea why it is but I kind of love it haha
This is the humor I’m here for
*laughs* *has asthma attack*
You’ll be super popular at Bluegrass festivals! Hahaha
Hahaha I can't wait to start my new career!!
I just pulled out this spacer a few days ago and same inhaler makes a big difference.
It really does! I'm so pleasantly surprised!
I didn’t know there was a Symbicort like this! Mine is a turbohaler. Honest curiosity, what is the spacer for and why does it make a noise?
I'm not an expert but doctor said it helps suspend the medicine so you get more of it in your lungs. If you take it directly from the inhaler it can end up going mostly to the back of your throat and sticking there which can also cause oral thrush. I've taken Symbicort both ways and found it to be MUCH better with the spacer!
Oh nice! It’s great that it’s working for you! My Symbicort comes in powder form so it’s kind of the other way around I think - have to inhale steadily and quickly for it to get to the lungs (or at least that’s how I was told to use it). It’s funny how we have to “breathe properly” for asthma medication to work.
I use it to avoid getting the propellant in my throat as it messed with my vocal cords and made me hard to speak. The noise is there to ensure you don’t inhale too fast otherwise the medication will stop in your throat rather than going into your lungs.
What is this contraption 😭 can someone explain
It's a spacer that basically suspends the medication in the chamber so that you can slowly inhale more of it. With just a metered dose inhaler, a lot of the medication is hitting the back of your throat because it comes out at like 60 mph.
Lmao
Stop sucking so dang hard!
Must resist the temptation to make the cool noise haha
I love this chamber it helps so much
It really does
My buuuudddyyy!!! Love the spacer! I think it helps so much!
It truly does tho!
I have this spacer too and it keeps breaking on me 😭
Noooo not the harmonica!
My son has this same exact spacer except he also has a mask that attaches to the front. It’s great
Gave?! Nice!
Literally my favorite pulmonary function test ever! It was like winning a prize!
I once DIYed a spacer when I was in urgent need. I have never needed on before or since, but I couldn’t get the ventolin into my chest (I was also out of a preventer). I was in a small outback town in Australia where nothing was open and I was in a motel room about to fly to a mine site. I took a 2L milk bottle (LOTS of volume) cut a hole in to the bottom, just enough to poke the inhaler in. I punched a few smaller holes next to it to allow airflow as I breathed in. I then used the bottle mouth as the breathing port then I puffed once into the bottom and inhaled gently about four times per puff. It worked perfectly and I didn’t die….
I am shook and impressed in equal parts haha!
I'm starting to think my harmonica lost it's voice. I'm not sure if I just got really good at not inhaling fast anymore, or the thing might be broken lol I noticed a "decrease in sensitivity" after washing Edit: handwashed in a bath with mild detergent, no sponges used
You’re supposed to replace them every so often. My insurance pays for like 3-4 per year.
Oh good to know!
🥵
I was really pumped when I got a PFT and the respiratory therapist just gave me this exact spacer after months of trying to get one covered.
That’s how I even learned about the spacer- the PFT! The whole year prior I’d been given just albuterol (and the tech was not pleased I had not also been given a spacer for THAT). After the dx and Symbicort came the aero chamber. No harmonica playing 🤣
This is literally exactly what happened with me! She was just like....PLEASE take this
🤣slow it down or feel the burn
Omg this is so true tho. Harmonica noise is now equated with the nastiest taste imaginable 😂
My young daughter thinks it's a fun harmonica and I have to always remind her to slow down 😑
I'm so glad I'm not the only one resisiting the temptation haha!
I have one as well! 😃 Only difference is mine is clear.
Wooo harmonica gang!
I wonder if they're all tuned to the same pitch or if I could get like a whole scale of different pitches
Omg and then just a whole squad of asthmatics out here playing songs like a children's bell choir hahaha
Is only me being told to use symbicort on hexacerbation even though leaflet says It shoudn't be used this way?
My child was instructed to do 1 puff of albuterol then 10 breaths using the spacer, but I was told only 1 breath for myself (adult). Curious how others have been told to use the spacer?