Can anyone help me, Im mildly asthmatic, so far the doctor has changed my inhaler 3 times each time I read the leaflet it says the medicine cotains ethanol, can anyone whos in my situations suggest and inhaler they are using which doesnt contain ethanol ..... thankyou
I have used Asthma Inhalers for several years now, and to go back to a year ago, when it was annouced that they were changing the Formulary (in the United States it is a new strick law).The old formulary was supposedly bad for the atnosphere, that was the reason behind the change.
Well just like you dear, I was so panicked, saved up some money and stashed maybe 10 of these inhalers before the change. I even wrote to the company in Germany, and endless conversations, about my being allergic to alcohol.
I was told by the manufacturer and my COPD doctor too, that the ethenol is a tiny amount, (still did nothing for my fears of it triggering a waking up of the sleeping gorilla), I call my Disease that has been arrested for 19+ years.
I am writing this to you to say that I hope and Prayer that you will take a deep breath and completely RELAX.....
The day came where I simply had no choice, I have had asthma for many years, and have to use the inhalers twice, 4 times a day......that started when the new Law went into effect January 1, this year.
And, I have NEVER EVER EVER smelled or tasted any alcohol, if I had I had the option of switching over to a pill Thelophelene....but I was aware of how this medication makes you feel, so I never had to.....everything is fine.
It simply never triggered anything. So in my opinion, for me it is a completely safe drug to use, as the ethenol is only the tiny amount pushing the medication out of an inhaler.
If you had been on this site over a year ago, many even longer, I had got some good advice, even had a Pulmonary Nurse that never writes on this board, send me a lot of stuff regarding the ethonol....
I had a really horrible bottom in this Disease, and truthfully, and even God knows this, I would rather be dead and gone, before I ever pick up a drink....
But all my fears are completely gone, and you will probably hear from some others here, I know two people on this Board that has Asthma and use the inhalers also.
I looked at your sign in to see if you lived here in the U.S. and I could not tell by the name, thought maybe it was a city in England possible too.
Sure hope this note helped a little.
A Big Hug to you and Welcome to MIP, if you would like to stay and join our wonderful family here, we would love to have you. Tons of Love and support to any and all alcoholics, no conditions.
I think Toni is correct that the ethanol is only to push the medicine out. I think all sprays use ethanol. Altho my ex BF used to use the inhalers to get high. He used them like 6=8 puffs each time. I've never had to use one but my son does.
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Rheinhold Niebuhr
thanks for your message, was very helpful, when I was in re hab, the councelours were strict on what you could take and what you couldnt, what you should eat and what you shouldnt, ie nothing cooked with alcahol, well thats something I dont do, but with medicines its difficult to know, surely a medicine cant trigger the obsession.
Im from The United kingdom, have updated my profile, but its wounderful to speak to people all over the World.
Im coming up to my 3rd AA birthday, never thought it possible, but , with guidance and support this this site well one day at the time we all get there.
Well, I believe that it can. Also, there is the notion of switching addictions. I know several alcoholics who sobered up and then got hooked on pain medication. So, yes, we have to be very careful of switching addictions when we sober up.
In the United States, no you can no longer purchase any "Rescue Inhalers" that do not have the new formulary in them.
However you stated you live in the United Kingdom, do not know about the Laws that govern medications in your area.
Seems to me that your Doctor should be able to answer that question, he would know if it was now mandated there as well.
Also, don't know if you have a good pharmacist, I do, and a question like that could be easily answered by a knowagable Pharmacist, it is a requirement that Pharmacist know the interaction of medications, also any laws that govern any drug they are prescibing.... always.
Of course there are an endless list of medications that can trigger a relapse, like any pain med, benzos, the list goes on.....I am just talking about the Asthma Inhalers....that is what I personally researched for several months here in the United States, before the new law went into effect... I do use them daily, and I have been able to calm down and relax with this medications. And holly cow, what Tessa wrote, using 6 or 8 puffs to get high, I did not understand that one at all. The one thing that the new inhaler does is slightly make someone just a little hyper.....dont care for that feeling, so I take the time to not do the two I need to do at the same time, I give them a one hour interval before inhaling the second one that I need, and it helps me to do it that way.
By the way Carmela, there are some wonderful people that are regulars here that live in the United Kingdom, hope so much you will stay on the MIP board and get to know us. We are recovering Alcoholics, and use this board to get and give support to any other Alcoholic that is signed in.
Again, Wecome!
Toni
-- Edited by Just Toni on Saturday 13th of March 2010 03:14:16 PM
you know it never occured to me to use medicine to get high, and I never would, takes alot for me to take a medicine anyway so its not in me to over do it or abuse a medicine,
Ive certainly heard some stories while in re hab about addicts drinking perfume or mouth wash again that wouldnt have even entered into my head, its amasing what extremes some people will go to, the power of the addiction itself.
I just think its amasing the p eople around the world can chat to each other, AA is certainly a fellowship thats incredible, im going to Italy in August and my aunt is finding out meetings in that area imstaying in.
I know very little about this, so like what Toni said, my biggest word of advice is to talk to a pharmacist. But I have used rescue inhalers my entire life and eventually learned that I need a daily medication, which I now do and it has worked wonders. So maybe a pharmacist/doctor can talk to you about all options, not just alcohol-free inhalers. Just a thought.
