Could my albuterol inhaler be causing this? Anyone Know?

Question

ive been using my albuterol inhaler almost every day for 2 years its only thing i have for my asthma i know i need something to get it under control and not just a rescue inhaler.i havnt had a problem it always helped once i used it..but about 6 weeks ago i started getting tightness in my chest a little bit after the tightness went away i wasnt wheezing or having any breathing problems for like 3 weeks which is the longest ive gone without any problem in 2 years..then i started wheezing again and have some problems so i started using my inhaler again now about 2 weeks after using it again i have tightness in my chest again.sometimes i might use it more then i should but i have no alternative right now its all i got with no insurance i cant get anything right now to get it under control so is it at all possible that the albuterol inhaler is causing the tightness in my chest i havtn used it in 2 days since an attack i had and i got the tightness still

the albuterol is all i have i was never given any steroid med..its hard right now with no insurance so when i went to the hospital i tell them i have to use ti every day and they just say ok continue to do that when i know damn well and i told them that its not under control i shouldnt have to use it everyday its called a rescue inhaler for a reason..so tomorrow im going to a regular dr and dishing out a good amount of money to hopefully get some new medication to treat this..i need something to get it under control and proably an allergy med wouldnt hurt either

when i had the tightness in my chest orginally a few weeks ago prior to this time i went to the er and had a chest xray and blood and urine done and everything came back fine

its not the only symptom i have its the only thing going on right now the reason i use the inhaler is cause of shortness of breath and wheezing

Answer 1

You need to be evaluated by a physician again. You may need a different inhaler than using the albuterol all the time.
Are you on any steroid inhalers?

As a fellow asthmatic and a Respiratory therapist......I wouldn't dink around with it. See your doctor for a pulmonary function study again. Your asthma symptoms can change as you get older.

Answer 2

I have severe breathing difficulties and use Salbutamol (Salamol although they're all basically the same formula) in addition to other inhalers and I use it whenever I feel I need it, sometimes 4/6 times in an hour.

My brilliant doctor had to come out to see me a while ago when I was very ill and puffed 10 doses into a spacer for me to inhale because I was barely breathing. The point is that not breathing is more likely to kill you than taking "too much" inhaler!!

The steroids will obviously take a little while to kick in so use your Ventolin whenever you need it until you're breathing is better. Just use your own common sense and don't be scared to use it if it is helping.

If the steroids don't clear the problem, do get back to your doctor in case you need another lot and maybe an antibiotic as it sounds like you have an infection of some sort.

Hope you feel much better really quickly.

http://www.brownsmed.com

Answer 3

You really do need to be on a maintenance program. Your inhaler is for emergencies. Try contacting any associations or clinics to see if you could get help with medical bills. You will feel so much better once it is under control - the albuterol is short lived and does not keep the symptoms from coming back - just knocks them for the moment and that becomes ineffective when you continue to have the attack or if you get a respiratory infection. Perhaps your doctor could get you started on free samples - find a doctor for yourself not just the emergency room, they are only good for sucking chest wounds and heart attacks.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you contact an allergist and have an evaluation of your sypmptoms. Your asthma may be better controlled by a steroidal inhaler like Azmacort or Flovent. You will still need to have the rescue inhaler around for emergencies, but the steroidal inhalers can really make a difference in the severity and frequency of your attacks.

Answer 5

After using albuerterol for awhile I started having a bunch of problems, I now use albuterol only as a rescue inhaler

I use spiriva as a once a day thing and asmonex as my steroid

Answer 6

If you have a full physical exam this would be sorted out.
Inhalers are not the answer if you are unfit, and looking at it as a way of getting more oxygen.
You have only touched on one problem that you are experiencing.
Chest tightness can come from certain medications and being unfit. Do a thirty minute walk, and see how you feel.If alarm bells ring, the inhaler is not your solution.

Answer 7

there are several low cost clinics that pays their payment on how much you make. The one in my home town charges me $10 a visit because I have no insurance and do not qualify for state help. Many have their own pharmacys and low rate meds. If one is not available in your area try one of these programs
www.freemedicineprogram.com
prescriptionsforfree.com

or call 1 888 812 5152

My son is on 6 different meds for asthma so if you have any asthma questions IM or email me

Answer 8

I know what it's like to have to over use albuterol and how frustrating that can be.
It sounds like you need a drug like advair, a combination of a long lasting beta agonist and a steroid to control your asthma, then perhaps moving on to just an inhaled steroid. There are safety questions about long term use of beta agonists

Answer 9

she may need a spacer as she is inhaling into her stomach and not her lungs. she may need a steroid inhaler, but will need the albuterol as it is a rescue inhaler, xopenex is a purer form of albuterol and not as jittery, may need to use nebulizer machine instead of pump inhaler.

Answer 10

You should see an Allergist asap. Perhaps a chest X-ray too. What about a Nebulizer for therapy? I have the horrible curse of Asthma too.