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Posted 12/2/2008 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
What do you all think of this new inhaler?  It seem mostly the same to me as any albuterol fast acting inhaler, but I seem to get a tad more jittery off of this one.  Any advice or similar side effects?
Posted 12/3/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sam, I use a Pro Air albuterol inhaler when I need it.  My asthma went out of control this summer.  I used to just get asthma when I had a respiratory infection.  Then in July I started having attacks every day.  Used albuterol every day 2 puffs, 4 X a day.  Went to one pulmonologist and had all the lung function tests.  He was a jerk. He said my problem was I needed to lose weight and I didn't have asthma.  Went to 2nd pulmonologist and he looked at my test results and said I definitely had asthma.  I now take symbicort as a long term maintenance inhaler and it has worked wonders.  No jitters, just a a little nausea at first which went away. And I was willing to take it just to be able to breathe.  I only once in a while take albuterol and it does not give me the jitters.  It is a rescue inhaler and you should not be using it every day.  There is another rescue inhaler called Xopenex which is not supposed to cause jitters.  I tried it, didn't get jitters and still couldn't breathe but some people love it.  If you are having asthma everyday you need to see a lung specialist and get on the right meds.  Just wanted to share my experience with you. Let us know how you are doing and good luck.

Aurora

Posted 12/5/2008 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
I use the Xopenex as a rescue inhaler and it works good for me, when I need it...
Lots of soft hugz to you, and keep us posted as to how your doing...
Posted 12/5/2008 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I first time I saw a lung specialist was over thirty years ago when I was a child. My breathing (or lack of:) lol:) has caused increasing anxiety over the years, can't take steroids and this is why I use albuterol prn. It's been that way for all this time now, and I do not abuse it like some people do. My inhaler (200 metered doses) lasts me over a month, and I know some people that use 4+ albuterol inhalers a month. I don't feel like my inhaler is an issue :) Oh, and also, unless there is something life threatening going on with my health, I refuse to guinea pig myself to all the pharmaceutical companies and their new drugs with the 100+ side effects :) I guess that kind of goes along with my health related anxiety :) Thanks for replying to my post. I'm just wanting to hear from people that use Pro Air HSA for their rescue inhaler, now that the old brand is off the market :)
Posted 12/6/2008 11:03 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Green, Just curious have you seen a lung specialist recently?  I think you should see someone who can diagnose you present situation.  Who gives you your albuterol?  Your PCP?  I am asking because I am afraid of new meds but the new one I take, the symbicort is not a steroid.  It is a long acting one but it totally controls my asthma.  Just to be safe I would recommend seeing one of your drs. to be sure you are handling your breathing problems the correct way.  Anyone who is using 4 albuterol inhalers in one month is paying a lot, or has great insurance and is certainly putting their health at great risk.  Too much albuterol is dangerous for your heart.  I hope I have helped in some way, and I do understand you not wanting to  try a new med but please see a dr. to be sure you are safe.

Aurora

Posted 12/6/2008 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I know. I feel the same way about the excess of albuterol. I just hope that things work well for them and their health. I am interested in an inhaler besides a rescue. . . I had tried a few in the past, but they never seemed to work, and had so many side effects also :) One of my biggest problems is the expense. You want to hear something really scary. . . For over ten years I was using Primatene Mist here and there as needed because of the price. With the whole thing of getting rid of the CFC, that is no longer available, Thank God. When I first started using it when I was younger, it did not have many side effects, but they kept increasing over the years :) I guess it is one thing or another when it comes to the meds and side effects :) My best thing I have done is quit smoking and do deep breathing exercises. I'm no where near how bad I was as a child, and I feel I'm handling it well. A puff here and there. I also have anxiety, so when I need to be able to breathe, I can not wait :) Thanks for the advice :)
Posted 12/7/2008 10:39 PM (GMT 0)

Sam, As I mentioned I use a long term inhaler, symbicort.  It is not a steroid inhaler.  I take 2 puffs in the AM and 1 at night but sometimes I don't need the nightime puff.  My asthma is at the moment completely under control.  The only side effect I had from this inhaler was a little nausea but that went away in less than a week.  I have no side effects now and have been on it about 6 weeks.  My insurance covers most of the cost as this inhaler is very expensive if you don't have insurance.  My copay is $26.  I asked you in a previous post if you have been to a pulmonologist recently but I noticed you did not answer that question.  If you are worried about your asthma you really need to see a dr. even if it is just your internist.  You cannot get this med without a prescription. If your breathing gives you anxiety you may need an anti anxiety med to keep you calm.  It is very good that you quit smoking and I am proud of you for doing that as I understand it is very hard to quit.  I have never smoked but still have this bad asthma.  But as I said I  rarely use my albuterol.  I just have it in case I should get an attack.  Please, if you haven't done so do go to a dr. and get checked out.  It is the best way to keep control over good health.  Take care.

Aurora

Posted 12/8/2008 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Aurora,

I have not been to my lung specialist for a long time due to cost because my insurace will only covers so much, and not enough :) I can not afford an inhaler like Symbicort, either, because again of insurance not paying scripts. . . Don't you just love insurance in the great U.S.A.? LOL Anyway, I have a standing script (prn) for my albuterol, and I just really do not use it much. After being on inhalers for over 30 years, I know how to handle them :) Back when I was younger, the different inhalers (some yanked off the market now) had long term side effects that were not known then, but many of us victims are paying for them now. My attacks come on sudden and fierce. Since I was a child, when I can't breathe, I get my dose of anxiety like 90% of other asthma sufferers experience through their lives. I do take anti-anxiety meds for the long term side effects that I am suffering, but that is just life :) Too many drugs out there with unknown side effects, and us humans are the perfect guinea pigs :) The rats in the labs don't live as long as us humans, and just can't communicate how they feel. . . lol. . . That's what makes us invaluable to the pharmeceutical companies. . . ohh. . . And the almighty dollar of course:)

P.S.  I'm pretty much really just asking a old inhaler VS. new inhaler question. . .  I should have put up a poll :) tongue

Posted 12/8/2008 3:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sam,  I know how hard it can be with insurance companies.  I pay a huge premium every year and then have to pay $4000 before my insurance kicks in.  I am on payment plans to every dr. I have seen this yr which is approx 6 and then I have a payment plan to the hospital for ER and all my tests. I have to take the money out of my retirement account which is supposed to be for my retirement not drs. I only pay each one about $10 or $20 a month.  Tough luck for them - I guess someone won't be getting a new Mercedes or BMW this year.  At least my insurance does cover all my meds.  It's too bad you can't get to a dr. because they often have samples of meds that they will give you when they know you are not able to afford them.  My pulmonologist gave me samples to get me started so that saved me for at least 1 month.  I am getting all the rest of my dr. appointments out of the way before Dec. 31 as my insurance is paying 100% now.  Then I am going to keep away from drs. until I can get these bills paid off.  I am 63 so have 2 yrs left & then I will have medicare.  I tend to talk alot, Sam, so sorry because you wanted to know about the old inhalers as opposed to the new ones.  The old albuterol with CFC worked the best.  The new one I take is the Pro Air HFA and it still works pretty good, but nothing works as well as the ones with the CFC now banned by the government, probably the EPA.  Only thing is when I have talked to my drs. they have all said that the small amount of CFC was not enough to hurt the environment.  That is why you have people on these more expensive inhalers like symbicort and Advair.So as long as you are careful about using your albuterol you should be fine.  Just really try to stay calm and if you are starting to feel difficulty breathing it is best to use the inhaler so the attack doesn't get bad and you can clear up faster.  The healthcare system in the US is a mess and I hope the new administration will start to do something so people can get the care they need. Take care of yourself, Sam and post anytime and I will try to help.

Many Hugs,

Aurora

Posted 12/8/2008 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello again, I agree with you Aurora, when proventil (albuterol) had the cfc in it , it worked so much better
than the newer cfc free and we asthmatic's don't really contribute that much harm to the enviroment, but they
had to pick somebody as a fall guy...
Sam, tell them at Krogers and Walgreen and ask about their newer lower cost prescription plans, plus sometimes
if you let the doctor know it's hard paying for a medicine, they might give you some free samples that way if you have a reaction
to the medication it's not such a huge waste of your money if it was a free sample, your not alone in having a hard time paying for medications
even the mail order medicine prices have gone up. I pay over 200.00 in co-pays on all my meds for a month supply, it gets hard sometimes,
plus physical therapy costs, anyways wish I knew of other solutions for you as you really should be on a better asthma control medication.
Lots of soft hugz for nows and keep us posted okay, we'll do our best in listening......
Posted 12/9/2008 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. . . Thanks for the kind words Aurora and Chartreux :) The more I hear about the insurance companies, the more it upsets me. I agree that we need a drastic change in this country. And I also agree about the old inhalers being better :)
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