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Can albuterol be used alone without a maintenance inhaler?
When first diagnosed with asthma I was prescribed an albuterol inhaler by my PCP, without talk about anything more needed. Then I saw a lung doctor who prescribed Symbicort twice daily, which I took for 10 months until I was told it was no longer available through my insurance. So I was put on 500 mg of Wixela instead, which I took once a day for 6 months when I discontinued on June 6 because of side effects. At that time my asthma was pretty much in control. At least I had lost the cough, even though I still had chest tightness.
Side effects included thinning of the skin. I would get red blotches on the extremities without bruising. At one time I had three blood spots on my ankle, causing it to be sore. The cataracts in my eyes have worsened, and I noticed some blurring, of deep concern because I only have central vision in one eye and have had surgery for glaucoma in the past. I was also having a problem with high BP.
I am 88 years of age. I read on a Mayo Clinic site that geriatric patients are more likely to develop high BP and osteoporosis from corticosteroids.
After discontinuing the Wixela I met with the lung doctor to see if I could use the albuterol if and when needed. She told me that if I used it without a maintenance inhaler it would be life threatening. She was unwilling to work around my side effects or prescribe anything different. And refused to treat me further. The problem is that no one in her UBMD Pulmonary division is able to take me on as a patient because of this. This is a group of University of Buffalo medical providers that works with the Jacobs School of Medicine here in Buffalo. And their lung practitioners, at least on paper, seem to be the most knowledgeable about lungs in Western New York. I unfortunately chose the wrong person to treat me and now I'm blackballed.
Before I started the Symbicort treatment I was diagnosed with "moderate persistent asthma." Then, 16 months later, after the corticosteroid treatment they are saying it's "mild, intermittent asthma."
But my central question is: Can someone explain why using an albuterol inhaler without Symbicort, Wixela, or other maintenance inhalers is dangerous? Albuterol is nonsteroidal, which I think is to be preferred over the long term with someone my age (at least that's what I've been reading). And why would a PCP prescribe albuterol alone?
I apologize for taking so much time trying to describe my problem. And I'm grateful for any help I can get in understanding this.
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Yes I do. I was on a bit of albuterol (needed to inhale 1 puff a day) for a couple of months. I used a "space chamber" to inhale the albuterol. I got off of it by developing a personal protocol, primarily consisting of breathing exercises, inhaling aroma of thyme, drinking tart cherry juice, moderate exercising, and eliminating a few things from my diet. Eliminating ginger was very helpful for me. We are all different, but that's the crux of my story. I dislike meds, so I'm always searching for natural cures that work for me.
Regards,
Sagan
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Please please go to Cleveland clinic I live in update New York never had Anya issues with breathing in KY and moved here and oh my goodness. The doctors here are not educated enough to realize that you cannot give someone steroids after steroids and ignore them for 9 years when they say something is wrong.
I had to advocate for myself at Cleveland they found I have cortisol insufficiency and put me on steroid hydrocortisone therapy but I was already taking prednisone. I came to the ER in Lewis county I told them why I wasn’t getting better one the air quality two my son vaping in my car 3 prednisone ( haven’t started the meds from Cleveland yet) and augmentin. That my body was fighting. the antibiotics and steroids are canceling each other out. I mean come on I laughed he asked me why I was laughing and I told him this is why I came. I was sick nested on too many steroids and antibiotics and I wanted to know why I was getting worse not better. The idiot told me something I already not trauma informed, not patient centered, just over worked people who have a bias against people who had to go to ERs to get treatment because their primary care couldn’t get them in for 6 months. I am so grateful for Cleveland clinic and if I could I would love to move back to Ohio. I was originally born in Hamilton Ohio. I wonder everyday how in the world I ended up here where they have the worst medical and mental healthcare system but tax everyone to their breaking point.! Cleveland has clinics in Ontario, Canada, Cleveland Ohio, and Florida. My husband took me from Lewis county 3 times to Cleveland, but it was a 15 hour round trip or 7.5 hours down. It’s totally worth it. What it took doctors here to never figure out for 9-10 years they figured out in 3-4 months. I was not ignored or treated like a fool. I am 47 and in graduate school to become a LCSW and they act like I am the idiot. It’s embarrassing when my husband works and I have to come alone. There is a stigma towards women. Eight out of ten Women have an autoimmune disorder a usually it’s more than one. Yet, doctors still ignore us. Just pathetic.
I’ve been on Advair / wixela for 48 yrs . I’ve always taken at nite before bed . In addition I’ve been on albuterol for 53 yrs . And now use as a maintence inhaler during the day . Everything affects anyone with breathing issues . From temperatures inside to outside , dust , scents , animals , wind even helps and hurts . Scents from washing sheets , blankets scents , etc .
For many years of having had an albuterol inhaler prescribed as a rescue inhaler only, I had no idea it was a maintenance inhaler. For as many years, I have been on theophylline and singulair for maintenance. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am aware that theophylline has been replaced by inhaled corticosteroids as the preferred maintenance med.
I am a steroid dependent asthmatic- doing better and more stable than I have been. I am on Prednisone daily, which affects everything in my body. I do Albuterol Neb twice a day - and also Arformoterol (Brovana) after the Albuterol. The Brovana is not a steroid, but a long acting form of Albuterol. At one point I was on Budesonide nebulizer as well (steroid), but finally got off. It helped as I went down on the Prednisone. I was on Theophylline, and finally got off of that after more than 30 years. Be asthmatic is not easy. Look into taking Magnesium Glyconate (at least 500mg per day). This does help with asthma. Drink fluids as tolerated for any other medical conditions. It will help to thin secretions which will help. Also, check out your heart, as heart failure can give symptoms of asthma with the shortness of breath. Feel better and good luck.