General Chat

I am slightly asthmatic and have to use an inhaler morning and night. Today I picked up a new prescription and the pharmacist in our local Sainsburys said do you gargle after using this? I said no, should I?
Apparently if you use the inhalers directly into your mouth and don't gargle afterwards with plain water, you can get thrush!

Never been told that before. Why not, I wonder?

I explained I use a spacer to take the medication and he said that sort of dilutes it so probably why I haven't had thrush.
Phew, as if I need to remember to do something else first and last thing at night but I definitely don't want thrush in my mouth.

Lizx

I was using an inhaler a few years ago for slight asthma, but I didnt get thrush. I have given up using the inhaler as I decided I was no longer asthmatic. I havent had any problems since, so perhaps I just 'grew out of it'.

Huia.

Thanks folks.
When I said I used the spacer he said rinsing my mouth wasn't necessary unless I started getting thrush, so will continue as before, and yes I do sometimes inhale before brushing my teeth.

I hadn't been bothering too strictly a year ago, to use the inhaler but the asthma nurse told me that if I don't use it and get wheezy which I do when walking sometimes, it could put a strain on my heart so I am more careful now. I had run out tho as last time was only prescribed one, and so thought I had a spare when I hadn't.

I am ok now for the next couple of months as I got two this time. I just wonder why no one has ever mentioned the thrush before.

Lizx


(Got my mammogram results back and all is well, thank heavens.)

GoodMorning all from nice sunny day here in Holland
Liz my son Michael got thrush and it was from the inhalers docter gave him cream to put on the back of his throat
xx

Hi Purple, i've used inhalers for a geat many years now and have learned over the years that the side effects of using the inhalers are many and varied, if you inhale correctly the powder from the inhaler should be ingested into your throat and airways, thus doing the job it is intened for , but if you are a 'lazy' inhaler the powder can sit in the mouth and on the tongue which can increase the occurence of thrush, rinsing the mouth can also decrease the possibility of gum errossion which can be another effect of prolonged inhaler use, particularly steroid based ones, so best practice is to rinse well after use, some of them have quite nasty after taste as well, so rinsing will take the yuck effect away.
x Izzyx

Thanks Izzy and others, I do have problems with my gums but not sure if it's linked as I definitely don't taste much after use, presumably because using the inhalant with the spacer sends it more easily where it should be.
I think I will definitely start rinsing after use tho altho it might be shutting the door after the horse has bolted .

Lizx