I have been diagnosed with asthma for about 9 years. I have been using albuterol for many of those years. Once I started allergy shots my asthma greatly improved, and I needed my rescue inhaler maybe once every month or two, if that. In August I moved to Arizona, got retested, and had to start building up on my allergy shots again. This spring, my asthma has been worse, and I have had periods where I am using my inhaler a few times in one day. I have never had any problems with my inhaler before. For the past few weeks, when I use it, sometimes it feels like I can't keep it in my lungs. It sort of feels like it is irritating or something, and I get this overwhelming urge to cough. Does anybody have any ideas?

Hi,

Yes, you should as well on an inhaled corticosteroid to keep your lungs in a non-inflammed state. Depending on your rescue inhaler is counterproductive.

I use Pulmicort, and rarely use my rescue inhaler. But, as of the past few days, my asthma is slightly reactive, as well my nose has been stuffier.

You can eventually lessen the corticosteroid once your body gets more used to your environment. If you prefer to not be on the corticosteroid continually, just remain on it during the worst time of the year (which seems to be now for you) BUT, if you get a cold, start it the first moment to keep inflammation down.

Constant use of your inhaler can produce scarring in your lungs. It can also produce a dependency and your lungs lessen reaction on their own. Important philosophy that I learned from a doctor who was pioneering that concept and eventually it was understood through much of the health profession.

It works, and I'm grateful I met her....my lungs have scarring which will never go away, but my goal is to prevent further scarring -- like insurance for when I get old!!!

Just a suggestion and food for thought.
quincy

Hi, this is my first post to this forum, just discovered it today. I've been using a Combivent inhaler for about a year now. Was on Advair as well, but after 3 months discontinued that as it began causing more problems than it was helping, so have used only the Combivent inhaler.

Called the pulmonologist's office this morning to request a refill on the Combivent script. Have an appointment tomorrow, as was told by the NP that there are new meds available on the market to try for a maintenance program vs. only the rescue inhaler for acute attacks.

I have cough-variant asthma which has many triggers, and yes while the inhaler works well to stave off acute attacks, it is somewhat irritating to the throat.

Good luck to you. Will post tomorrow after my appointment on what new meds were offered. :)

You should try using a spacer, that helps a ton, as that gets rid of the big medicine particles. Plus it gets rid of the icky albuterol taste=)

Yeah, I do have flovent, and I took it for a while in April when things were really bad. I should probably start taking it again, but it is hard to remember because if I leave it out the cats will play with it and lose it. I know, that's hardly an excuse for neglecting my health... I thought that a spacer might help, but I absolutely detest them. When I was first diagnosed I had one, and my mom was afraid that it would break in my backpack at school, so she got this big water bottle that I had to keep it in, and it was such a hassle. I'm going to start going twice a week for my allergy shots, because I have been going since October and I'm still not up to maintenance. Maybe once I get up to the maintenance dose things will be better.

Hi,

Well, you have choices, and the decisions you make will alter the consequences....not only for now, but for a lifetime. Commonsense does go a long way.

Take the flovent twice a day as you are supposed to. don't depend on the rescue inhaler unless you need it, and the allergy shots are only for where you live.....they don't help when you get a cold or the flu.

You're young, you'll learn.

quincy

kehorner, I had the big spacer at first. Then my doc gave me a small one that works very well. It fits nicely in a small purse or a pocket if you wear somewhat baggy pants. You may want to ask your doctor to rx one of the smaller spacers. They work very well and keep the nasty albuterol taste out of your mouth.
Barb