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Albuterol long term use
Hi all,
Would you please share your experience using Albuterol long term?
Since my pulmonologist suggested I use it twice a day before
fluttering, that means I will be using it for a long long time. I would like to hear about your experiences. How long have you been using it, and have you experienced any side effects?
Many thanks in advance!
Ling
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So I have used my albuterol rescue inhaler for many years, 2-5 times a day, plus neabs for asthma attacks.
Then cam MAC and airway clearance-nabs at least twice a day . I hated it! Made my tremors so much worse, and took so much time.
About 3 years ago, my primary said "2 puffs of the inhaler are as good as a neb" Now I take 2 puffs, wait 15 minutes, neb saline and do my Aerobika. Saves a lot of time, much less shaky...
Last year my pulmonologist switched my inhaler fro albuterol to Symbicort because I also have asthma. Even better! No flare for a year, and less shortness of breath.
That's my story - an ever changing picture, but if albuterol doesn't bother you, many use it for years.
Sue
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1 ReactionI switched from symbicort to spiriva one year ago and it saved my life. The steroid was fueling a fungal infection.
I like nebulizing albuterol every day. I had tachycardia problems and finally saw a couple of cardiologists who diagnosed super ventricle tachycardia and prescribed metoprolol an it has worked out great.
Thank you so much Sue for sharing your story.I have about a year of experience now, so far I manage it well. Maybe what your doctor said "2 puffs of the inhaler are as good as a neb" makes some sense. That is certainly the case for me. Change is good, science is evolving, our condition changes too. So we need to reconsider and reevaluate from time to time.
BTW: how do you know you have a flare?
I am so happy to be in this resourceful group.
Take care!
Ling
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1 ReactionThank you Rick. How long have you been nebulizing albuterol? My pulmonologist said that there is no side effect for long term use, I hope what he said was evidence based. I value experiences.
I seem to remember that in your past post you mentioned that your eosinophil level was high? Is that right? If so, how do you control it? My eosinophil level spiked twice when I had lung infections last year. It went down after the infection was treated. Because of this, my pulmonologist said that I may have an adult onset of eosinophilic asthma. But no boday can tell me for sure what I have. Because I don't have asthma symptoms. Do you use anything to keep eosinophil level normal?Many thanks again.
Take care!
Ling
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1 Reaction3 years, I use the pediatric dose in the mornings, full dose early afternoons. My eosinophil levels have been normal for my 5 years. I get regular CMP/CBC tests.
Many thanks Rick for sharing your experience. It is great that your eosinophil has been normal for 5 years. So you don't need to take anything, right? Were you diagnosed with something because of this? My primary doctor said I may never find out what exactly I have. The only thing I know is it got high when my lungs had infections.
Thanks again.
Ling
@rstel7272 glad spiriva helped you. I tried it twice. Both times it dried my lung mucus making it more difficult to expel but at first made my breathing better. I have asthma and am using symbicort 1 puff twice a day, sometimes a total of 3 puffs. Budesonide is better than the fluticasone inhaler (Flovent) I used for years. The literature says fluticasone results in more lung infections than budesonide.