Albuterol Problem, and I'm looking for your advice!!!
Question:
I agree with all the above people who replied, Jim. Been there done that, myself! Until I got the medications I am using, I too was using the Proventil often like you were and now I am on Advair and use Proventil only when I need it, if at all. Started out after Proventil, using Flovent and Servent and Sudifed, and allergy shots every month, then last January switched to Advair. What a difference! Also, have Hepa filters in my home, use vacums with an Hepa or allergy filtered bag, also air conditoner/heater 3M High Proficiency filter that I replace every first of the month, or if the outside pollens are bad, like mt. cedar,mold, every two weeks. Just my opinon that works for me. as I said, Been there, done that! Good Luck! Get thee to a doctor that will help you! Michelle
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi there… >I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think >I might be hooked on my albuterol. >Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I >get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am >about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me >through the weekend is making me panic. >What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung >out. >Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the >weekend without it? >Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? >I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. >It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even >more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my >life.
I don’t think it is addictive in the true sense. However IMHO you should go to a doctor that has a better understanding of asthma than the current one as most people needing Albuterol several times a day usually do much better on an inhaled steroid, which is now the generally recommended treatment. If you respond to it as most people do your breathing will be much improved. Two important points though: 1) what on earth are you doing letting your medication run out? Get organised and make sure you have a spare (or two) for whatever the new better doctor prescribes. 2) there is nothing like not treating asthma for shortening the life. >Please reply. >Jim Hutchison
– Five Cats
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>Again. The man takes a half dozen puffs of albuterol per day and >perceives it as excessive. And a dozen alarming posts, mostly with good >advice, pop up from well meaning and knowlegeable writers. >My point is this. If he needs albuterol two or three times a day and >nothing else, he’s not in really bad shape. >He needs to see a doctor, for sure. But he also needs the assurance he >is doing the right thing for now: relieving his symptoms with safe, >effective albuterol.
If he needs albuterol this often – his asthma is badly out of control. You seem to be forgetting that albuterol only treats symptoms. — "What Sept. 11 did was remind us that there are times when we must fight for our country, that, indeed, there are things – our liberty, our democracy, our belief in human rights and human dignity – worth fighting for." Newsday.com editorial – 27 May 2002
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> with Atrovent being my rescue.
I believe that the brochure that comes with Atrovent cautions you not to use as a rescue inhaler. to use Atrovent as a recue inhaler.
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I am not a dr but to me it sounds like you need to be re-evaluated and your meds changed because you are not responding to them. Have you asked or told your dr of this problem? I am fortunate that the singular really helps me and I am pretty much in control taking the singulair and when I remember or feel like it advair and very seldom my proventil cfc and beconaise for the nose which really helps too. The Becanaise on I have is a aerosol with steroids in it and it helps open the nasal airways all the way to the throat. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi there… > I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think > I might be hooked on my albuterol. > Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I > get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am > about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me > through the weekend is making me panic. > What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung > out. > Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the > weekend without it? > Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? > I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. > It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even > more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my > life. > Please reply. > Jim Hutchison
Response:
Again. The man takes a half dozen puffs of albuterol per day and perceives it as excessive. And a dozen alarming posts, mostly with good advice, pop up from well meaning and knowlegeable writers. My point is this. If he needs albuterol two or three times a day and nothing else, he’s not in really bad shape. He needs to see a doctor, for sure. But he also needs the assurance he is doing the right thing for now: relieving his symptoms with safe, effective albuterol.
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Well said!!!!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was using Albuterol too much, too, and, it got to where it didn’t relieve > symptoms very well. I now use it as rarely as possible, depending on > Flovent/Serevent, with Atrovent being my rescue. > Albuterol is easy to get into a habit of using every time you have a bit of > hard breathing, but, I doubt you can get addicted, just badly trained in its > use…
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I was using Albuterol too much, too, and, it got to where it didn’t relieve symptoms very well. I now use it as rarely as possible, depending on Flovent/Serevent, with Atrovent being my rescue. Albuterol is easy to get into a habit of using every time you have a bit of hard breathing, but, I doubt you can get addicted, just badly trained in its use…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi there… > I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think > I might be hooked on my albuterol. > Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I > get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am > about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me > through the weekend is making me panic. > What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung > out. > Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the > weekend without it? > Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? > I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. > It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even > more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my > life. > Please reply. > Jim Hutchison
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<snip> >then you also need to look at lifestyle changes…this is slow and is >something you have to do for yourself…you need to work out what triggers >attacks and where possible avoid it…it may be worth having allergy >tests…though in my case I got 100% so that was a bit of a waste of >time…dust is often a trigger…so over time replace curtains with blinds >and carpets with laminate flooring or better still real wood, something >that can be wiped down easily to remove all the dust >it may be worth getting a good HEPA air filter…you may also need to look >at things like ventilation in your home or the temperature and humidity
Unless the dust is a trigger the above measures will be a waste of time and money. Whilst his medication is not correct it’s hard to tell. >but first get to see a specialist and get the medications changed towards >prevention rather than rescue
Absolutely. >good luck with it
– Five Cats
Response:
Hi there… I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think I might be hooked on my albuterol. Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me through the weekend is making me panic. What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung out. Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the weekend without it? Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my life. Please reply. Jim Hutchison
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi there… > I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think > I might be hooked on my albuterol. > Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I > get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am > about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me > through the weekend is making me panic. > What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung > out. > Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the > weekend without it? > Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? > I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. > It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even > more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my > life.
OK Jim…stage one…take a deep breath then go and make a cup of tea or coffee (both also contain bronchodilators like Proventil but not nearly as effective and with worse side effects, but much nicer tasting) if you are relying entirely on a "rescue" inhaler then you need to completely revamp your treatment…you are spending a fortune dealing with attacks after they happen when you really need to concentrate on dealing with the condition itself and the triggers for the attacks this is a long and complicated job but worth the effort (I recently had a rescue inhaler go past its use by date, thus achieving an ambition I’ve had for many years)…you need to look at two main areas medication…see your family doctor ASAP and try to get an appointment with an asthma specialist…think of it as an investment in saving on inhalers…you will in the long term from the sounds of it you need to look at preventative medication…usually that will be a steroid inhaler like Beclamethasone, and possibly something else such as Singulair…I’d guess you’ll also get prescribed a long acting bronchodilator such as Serevent…sounds like a lot…but you’ll use each a couple of times a day and hopefully hardly ever need the Proventil…from the amount you say you are using it this will save money overall…and it will certainly be far better in terms of side effects and avoiding damage from the asthma…but discuss it all with a specialist if you can then you also need to look at lifestyle changes…this is slow and is something you have to do for yourself…you need to work out what triggers attacks and where possible avoid it…it may be worth having allergy tests…though in my case I got 100% so that was a bit of a waste of time…dust is often a trigger…so over time replace curtains with blinds and carpets with laminate flooring or better still real wood, something that can be wiped down easily to remove all the dust it may be worth getting a good HEPA air filter…you may also need to look at things like ventilation in your home or the temperature and humidity but first get to see a specialist and get the medications changed towards prevention rather than rescue good luck with it — eric www.ericjarvis.co.uk "I am a man of many parts, unfortunately most of them are no longer in stock"
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A prominent asthma specialist, Paltiel Weiner, seems to address just this same problem. He talks about excessive bronchodilator consumption, not actually getting hooked on anything. He recommends SIMT (specific inspiratory muscle training). Conventional medication treatment is based on wyfiwyh = what you feel is what you have, this meaning that if you are tight chested, this is due to narrowing of the airways due to asthma. According to Weiner and others this is wrong in one critical respect and although a bronchodilator may be needed to actually save lives, strictly speaking the feeling of being tight chested, which is likely to be the basic reason for using a bronchodilator, is due to other causes than airway narrowing, as can be shown by putting an asthmatic on a ventilator which does the extra work of breathing for him, without, be it noted, easing the feeling of tightness. So if a bronchodilator reduces the feeling of tightness, this apparently is not due to its basically intended effect (opening up the airways) but to some other property. But since a bronchodilator has to have this lifesaving property of overcoming an asthmatic spasm as well, the situation becomes complex. Weiner’s method of abating tightness is to use breathing exercises to increase the suction force on an inhale. He shows that medication consumption can then be reduced and recommends 6 months of training for 30 mins a day and five days a week. Manufacturers of SIMT devices (see my posting headed "Buteyko quackery again") may recommend only five minutes a day and still claim worthwhile results for asthma. Dr. Alison McConnell, the inventor of one device working at Birmingham University, goes so far as to say that inspiratory muscles may be weakened by disuse occasioned by medication: use it or lose it, as the saying goes. Regards, Richard Friedel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi there… > I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think > I might be hooked on my albuterol. > Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I > get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am > about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me > through the weekend is making me panic. > What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung > out. > Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the > weekend without it? > Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? > I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. > It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even > more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my > life. > Please reply. > Jim Hutchison
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi there… > I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think > I might be hooked on my albuterol. > Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I > get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am > about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me > through the weekend is making me panic. > What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung > out. > Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the > weekend without it? > Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? > I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. > It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even > more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my > life. > Please reply. > Jim Hutchison
Psycological dependency is very real, if your getting upset about it and can’t get to a doctor or ER coffee , Primatene mist, light sedatives, will help but may have drawbacks and should only be used in an emergency. Also oral predisone can help within a few hours. Albuterol will not shorten your life unless you forget to keep it with you. Make sure you see an asthma doctor as soon as possible. And be honest about the albuterol. Lane
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"Hooked" is being habtuated to a fun drug, more specifically a narcotic like heroin or opium. You’re using albuterol to breathe. Nothing to be guilty about there, is there? (I daresay most of the readers of this newsgroup use more than you do. So what? You ought never to allow yourself to run out of your albuterol. Your very life may depend on it. As far as quitting, we’re all going to be quitting everything oneday. Take care of yourself and maybe that day will be later rather than sooner.—jack
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>Hi there… >I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think >I might be hooked on my albuterol. >Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I >get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am >about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me >through the weekend is making me panic.
You do not become ‘hooked’ on this medication. What is happening is that your asthma is dangerously out of control. Albuterol is a medication that only relieves asthma symptoms – you should be on medication that are designed to control the asthma and prevent the symptoms from occurring. You need to see your doctor. Better yet, ask your doctor for a referral to an asthma specialist. — "What Sept. 11 did was remind us that there are times when we must fight for our country, that, indeed, there are things – our liberty, our democracy, our belief in human rights and human dignity – worth fighting for." Newsday.com editorial – 27 May 2002
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You failed to mention if you are taking any other drugs for treating you asthma. If you are using only abuterol inhaler then you are doing yourself an injustice. There are so many alternative treatments and drugs that make using a albuterol only for an emergency. I use mine about an average of twice a week, if then. You need to get on a treatment program that can treat your asthma without the use of the high doses that you are taking now.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi there… > I am an asthmatic (and have been since about age 12… I’m 25) and I think > I might be hooked on my albuterol. > Is this possible? I have been using Proventil HFA for about 7 years, and I > get so that I use it several times a day. For example, right now, I am > about 2 doses from being empty, and the thought of not having it to last me > through the weekend is making me panic. > What do I do? Is it possible to get hooked on this stuff? I feel so strung > out. > Is there anything I can do other than albuterol to make it through the > weekend without it? > Any home remedy tricks or secrets you could tell me about? > I am asking for your help, and I appreciate your time. > It’s a really crappy feeling to not be able to breathe comfortably, and even > more crappy to think I am hooked on something that could prove to shorten my > life. > Please reply. > Jim Hutchison
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