You don't just pick an inhaler as they were all the same. and interchangeable. They aren't. That's why you need a good pulmonologist, who can review your test results and CT scans and make recommendations based on what you need. Spiriva and Advair are two different classes of meds and do entirely different things with different receptors. There are other meds in both classes you can try. You may have to do some experimenting to see what does work for you, because not all meds work for people in the same way.; However, you do need to give these meds at least a month to see whether they work or not. Then if you want to stop taking one to see if you can tell the difference, do it with the help or your doc. A good pulmonologist will work with you unless you're being totally unreasonable about time frames, etc

You want something that works. So does your doc, if she's any good at all. Sometimes we have to choose to put up with a side effect to get the results we want. Every med has side-effects. We have to decide if the benefit outweighs the negatives, but you can't do that unless you've given a med a good honest try.

i use incruse and symbicort

I use Spiriva and Advair both as well and seem to do fine on them. You do have to rinse your mouth with the Advair. I can't use a rescue inhaler with Albuterol because I am A Fib. Having a Nebulizer really helps when I am feeling tightness in my chest. I hope this helps and Hope everyone is breathing easy.

Thanks everyone for the great answers...hope everyone is breathing easy....

I use spiriva and Symbicort, you also need to rinse your mouth but it works well.