Sue: I'm grateful for your reply. I am working on this from a number of different angles. Your explanation of albuterol really helps. When I was taking Symbicort, and then Wixela, I had hardly any need for the albuterol because the ICS seemed to take care of everything. I have never used it every day and would not. So I'm thinking of possibly using it infrequently (they say no more than two or three times a week) only if I need it, since it's all I have right now until I get to see a pulmonologist again.

I stopped the Wixela on June 6 and I was perfectly fine for about three months, after which symptoms started showing up. Maybe an on again, off again ritual would work.

I guess if I have to take a corticosteroid again I'll have to. But I've read about the danger for people my age. And I'm trying to stay alive a little longer.

Thanks again!

Jackie Trace