I do have one and I use it.......but don't use it very often.............I had a friend who says her's contributed to her A-Fib...............I also have heart problems and some of my meds are contradicted.................so............thats my story and I am sticking to it..........LOL.

But I do use in every now and again:):)...........and it seems to help:)

I use mine as needed and couldn't get by without it. I do try not to use it more than 2 puffs/4 times per day but if I have to than I just do. I usually always take a puff just before bed and find the coughing during the night isn't so bad. Mine is Proventil. I don't notice any side effects from it.

I believe medications, although necessary, have their own side effects and therefore avoid using it unless necessary.

I have not used mine (combivent) for several months because my inhalers work very good at keepping me open, and if I feel tight and it is not time for inhaler, i do an inhalation treatment,
The rescue inhaler should not be used more than 2-3 times a week according to some doctors, because it is for emergencies when you really closed up suddenly, or nothing else helps. The ingredients stimulate the heart, And it works so fast, to me, it is like jump starting your heart!!
My dupneb inhalation has the same meds as the rescue inhaler. I carry it with me at all times,(the rescue inhaler) but never use it more than 2-3 times , if that much . I am still drinking coffee and trying to wake up, so forgive this rambling comment!! lol

I used mine twice in two years for an Asthma attack. However, I carry it every where I go.

I may be way out in left field here, but I've always believed that given enough time and the opportunity, the body will find a way to compensate for internal problems. Unless it's an exteme and acute bout with SOB, I would rather take a break for a few minutes and let the lungs catch up to the rest of what's going on inside than to hit the Ventolin looking for the "instant relief".
I haven't used the Ventolin or my O2 concetrator for about 2 months now and have found that allowing myself to recover from being short of breath without them helps lessen the anxiety that comes with being SOB.
Maybe I'm just a closet naturalist, holistic self help whack job that would rather fall over in my tracks than be dependent on drugs to maintain my daily routine. Twisted is not just an attitude, it's a way of life.

Really great replies. Gives me stuff to think about. I reach for mine at least a couple of times a day, more when the grandkids are here. It has become pretty automatic for me.

My Pro-Air inhaler (Albuterol) doesn't seem to do much. If I'm just having a bit of tightness or wheezing, I will use it, but it usually takes 3 puffs with me to do any good. If I'm really having sob problems, then I will use my nebulizer. But I never leave the house without my rescue inhaler in my purse or pocket.

Albuterol can cause heart palpatations, and I was getting a "fluttery" feeling with my regular albuterol nebulizer solution. So my pulmo had me try the children's dosage in my nebulizer. It's only 1.25 mg of albuterol, but it seems to work very well.

Hugs, Sue

I use ProAir also. Sometimes it provides relief and others times it doesn't. Call me crazy, I've been called worse, White Zinfandel wine has helps me. Two swigs of that, versus two puffs on the rescue inhaler or nebulizer treatments, I'm good to go. Breathing easier. Last night I strugged with my breathing and all this morning since 3am. I drove to the store SOB, on the verge of hyperventilating, got home, took a couple of swigs of White Zin and my breathing is back to normal. I'm not advocating drinking. We are all adults and what you choose to do is your business and choice however, White Zin works for me. Don't know why and really don't care! It's refreshing to feel normal. Not drunk, maybe buzzed, but NORMAL! I may be in denial but I shall repeat, don't know and don't care, I feel normal. I will catch the bus to an interview or work. I can't get or keep a job, if I can't breath. Reasonable Accommodations aside. There is only so much anyone can do to compensate for the inability to breath. GOD Bless P.S. CHEERS!

I have Ventolin as my rescue inhaler but it doesn't help so I don't use it. I'm going to ask my dr for a different one at the next visit I didn't realise so many of you used your rescue inhales as frequently as you do.

Now I am confused, my Doc give me these rescue inhalers for Asthma, (I carry one all the time) certain things makes my throat start to swell shut, not for COPD...What does it do for COPD? My Plumy says my SOB is not because of COPD and my Heart Doc says, nothing with the ticker..so now they are questioning my Ulcer.

I only take one Med and it for the Heart, the rest of my pills are vitamins (except Insulin and been doing that for 45 years).

Any suggestions what else could cause SOB?

Use Advair 250/50 and Spirvia once daily as well as Albuterol as a rescue inhaler.
I have used it only 3-4 times in 4 years. Have not really felt the need to use it. When I feel I need it and use it, I never got the impression it did much except burn the hell out of my throat.

Grannie, I have an asthma component along with emphysema.
I also have been treated for an ulcer and I now have GERD. Withe the doctors knowledge, I had to stop any of the meds that I was given because they seemed to make the condition worse. I finally just gave up and tried to control it with diet.

I use the inhaler at times to open the small airways in the lungs prior to inhaling the steroid, Advair. I have no heart problems, take no other medications but I am severely short of breath.

My next step is to go back and have the gastroentrologist take another look at how my digestive tract is working. I am beginning to believe that when your belly is messed up it causes a problem with the diaphragm resulting in it not being able to push the lungs to operate at their best capacity.

Just my thought but I would sure let the doctors test that theory.

Best of luck and let us know if they do determine a connection.

I don't know why I resist using my inhaler, I think I want to make sure that it helps when I need it. I also have lupus and some heart and kidney problems, so I try not to take anything unless it's essential.

my pulm doc told me to never use it more than twice a week because it can make it worse, not better. I just listen to him. I only use meds when I absolutely have to. Maybe good, maybe bad but that's me. I feel like if I put too much artificial stuff in my body it will do more harm than good.