I use it and have never had a problem with it.

I also might add It is my Rescue Inhaler for Asthma. I only do 2 puffs as needed.

Hi there :) Since I have been on and off the forum virtually the entire day today guess I will jump right in and give you my .02. Try one puff.

Just one. Sit down while you're doing it. See how you feel. It can make you a bit jumpy and your heart race a little.....but don't THINK about that. If you feel okay, go for the second. Then gradually work up to four. I thought two was the limit, but if that is what your Dr told you, heck I'm going to try four! Double check on that though.
Don't Fear the Inhaler, you might find it to be a very good friend.
Nobody here is going to laugh at you either. :)
Good luck :)

Ha! Grannie beat me to the punch coz I am so long winded...typing that is :)

So what is the correct way to use them? The instruction says to place between lips while ive read that it should be held a few inches away from mouth....

I use ventolin as my rescue inhaler,I take spireva first thing in the morning along with a puff of symbicort,and I use the ventolin as I need it during the day,then,before bed,I take another shot of symbicort.I haven't experienced any difficulties with ventolin or any of my other inhalers,perhaps I was lucky I don't know,just my experience though,welcome to the group,have a blessed day friend,
Hugs,
Scott xx

I have it for my rescue inhaler but don't use it very often. Just don't need it. But I have never suffered any side effects from it at all. Can the side effects be worse than not being able to breathe?

And welcome to this forum! It's a wonderful place to be.

I use it. The only side effect I have is it helps me breathe.

Ventolin is a rescue inhaler. Normally you take it only as needed.

Gwapo, I use a spacer for all mist inhalers. A spacer gets the medicine into the lungs better. I use a Monaghan AeroChamber spacer.

Susan

I, too, use Ventolin HFA as my rescue inhaler i.e. as needed which is prior to my starting something which will sap my breathing extensively. I don't have any noticeable side effects - if anything sometimes I just feel it's not working.

Side effects? As Imarighter said, there's a balancing act where you ask yourself if the side effects are worse than not breathing. When I search on the side effects of most meds, I go nuts. Oftentimes we don't know the negative effects until we give it a try - so many individual factors involved.
I think doctors attempt to prescribe something that fits our medical history, but how complete is our history? Through no fault of our own or the doctors, we just don't have the complete picture.

I have emphysema so my Ventollin inhaler has the same prescribing information as yours, BUT in addition it indicates "...every 4-6 hours as needed."

You didn't mention if you have emphysema in which case you probably have other meds. I don't know about meds for other COPD-types so I need to tiptoe here.

Take care....

I use it and have had no side effects that I know of. I also have emphysema Ventolin is my emergency med. Welcome to the board :)

Thank you all for your input. The truth be told, I'm not sure what is wrong with me, I just know I'm having great difficulty breathing. Some days it's hard to get from one room to the other. I don't have health insurance, I'm 65, alone and this Ventolin inhaler was given to me by a neighbor who has emphysema. My Dad died of emphysema, my grandpa of COPD. I still work at home doing medical transcription and asked one of the doctors I work for about this med. He said it wouldn't hurt me. I have to do something because I've reached a point, I can do little for myself. Again, thank you for all your answers.

Hi, and welcome to our group. I do not use that type rescue inhaler, but ALL inhalers have some type of side effects or cautions, as well as the meds we use.
Do not be afraid to try your inhaler, and like a few others have mentioned, it may be only as needed. But that part you need to go by what your doctor says. You can ask to be sure.

I very seldom use my rescue inhaler, which is combnivent. They are for quick acting help but do not last but a few hours.
Do you have another inhaler to use with it?
Anyway, none of us would ever take a pill if we read the side effects and let that scare us. Of course it pays to be cautious, but just try it,and see.
Peter, the way I was taught in pulmonary rehab was to hold it a few inches from my mouth, inhale at the same time I sprayed it, hold it in a second, then exhale.
Even the close to the mouth method can be used, but both delivers more spray in your mouth and throat than in your lungs. I use a spacer also, and they are great.
Oldandbroken, try the inhaler, and give it a few minutes to work. It will help your breathing so much.
Hugs
Brenda

And just to keep things in perspective, I don't think there is anything that doesn't carry some side effects. I think the list of possible side effects from an aspirin are three pages long. There are apparently some people that have been killed by one peanut.

Doctors are *usually* pretty on the ball about what common side effects you might expect. Not that they're always right; I think we've all probably got a story to tell there. But, especially giving how long Ventolin has been around and been used, I don't think there is too much risk from it. Maybe just don't suck down the whole inhaler right out of the chute!!

Oh Wow, oldandbroken, you just scared me. You're not sure what the problem is - inhaler from neighbor? Oh No!

You may have pneumonia or who knows. Many people on here do not have insurance and have come up with innovative ways to get help and pay what they can.

You need to get to emergency and get started in the right direction. Payments can wait - your health is foremost.