A hot dog sized plastic thing made me laugh! It’s a great description. They are also called spacers. I’ve used one since the start of my lung journey because I got thrush in my mouth and they also help with that. You can buy the aero chamber one (my personal fav) at this site without a prescription: https://www.activeforever.com/monaghan-medical-aerochamber-plus-z-stat-valved-holding-chamber

I use Symbicort for maintenance and rescue. I have to purchase rescue because even though studies have shown this is a great option the FDA hasn’t approved it yet so my insurance won’t pay. Worth it to not feel like I’m breathing out of a straw all day.