My pulmonologist ordered it for me and I think it is a pretty standard treatment. However, I could not tolerate it and had to quit using it after trying it.
Liked by Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor
Hi Gayle & @gej53 – If you do not tolerate albuterol well (shakiness, etc) ask your doctor if you can try levalbuterol (brand name Xopenex.) It is buffered somehow to alleviate some of the side effects. Albuterol gave me such shakes & tremors that I would wait to use it until I could barely breathe. Although I get slight symptoms from levalbuterol, I would say it is 90% better. Since it used to be brand name only and very expensive, many docs don't usually prescribe it. Now that the generic version is available the price is similar to albuterol and is on the formulary for most insurance plans. It comes in both nebulizer solution and rescue inhaler.
Sue
Liked by Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor
Gayle, My wife has asthma and has used Albuterol as a "rescue" inhaler. Other than a generalized shortness of breath during exertion, bronchiectasis (or MAC) apparently hasn't become sufficiently severe to cause concern about catching my breath. I suppose that's why my pulmo hasn't ever suggested it.
I got asthma 18 yrs ago after inhaling a poisonous gas at work and have been on wixela – twice a day with albuterol as my rescue inhaler. After seeing my bronchiectasis dr he told me to stoop taking the wixela and use albuterol as needed. I've been able to get by with 3 puffs a day. Dr said that even with all the tests and blood work I've done – he's still not sure what is causing by shortness of breath and coughing – we are taking it one day at a time
The albuterol gave me shakes but I thought I would work thru it. It then gave me the sensation of a horrible "lump" in my throat with painful swallowing. That went away fairly quickly once I stopped the Albuterol. I wonder if Xopenex would do the same? Will mention it to my pulmonology doc. So far the saline does seem to be working and once he started me on the percussion vest I had much better results with a productive cough. Thank you for the suggestion!!
@baz10
Hello gaylesunflower1 I use Alvesco twice daily for bronchiestatis and asthma along with nebulizing Brovana twice daily. Alvesco replaces albuterol for me due to other health issues. I have used it for about 5 years. Sure beats having to use antibiotics every few weeks as I used to have to do before finding an asthma/allergy specialist who tested me. Best of health to you.