When I was in pulm rehab we were talking about the rescue inhaler (mine is Ventolin) and after I stated that it doesn't seem to do anything for me, they gave me a spacer to use with it. One of the therapists told me I'd be wise to use it 3 or 4 times a day.

Frankly, I rarely use it more than a couple of times a week, if that often. I still don't feel it does anything for me.

General information on rescue inhalers:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5084728_types-metered-dose-inhalers.html

This is my rescue inhaler:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbutamol

yvegas, shiraz works for me. cheers.

I take Spireva every morning, and use Albuterol as my rescue inhaler. I seldom use Albuterol, maybe twice a week, and only when I'm doing something strenuous (like having to bend over when cleaning house). I found that if I take the Albuterol BEFORE I do something strenuous, I breathe a little better than I do without using it. I kind of feel that if I use it too much when I don't really need it, then when I do need it, it won't help me as much.

Dee, I will be honest I didn't use mine for the longest time because I felt I was giving in to the COPD, but I was stupid!. I now have a rescue inhaler close by all the time. And I use it as I need it, like you mine is Albuterol. Take care -- Bill

I had Albuterol as my inhaler a couple of years ago, but it was recently changed to ProAir because of insurance. Last February a doc I saw in urgent care, said I also had asmatha and prescribed Flovent, to be used 2X daily.

Then actually I've cut down the Flovent to 1X daily. I use the rescue inhaler almost never, and I'm thinking of stopping Spiriva. I just feel that the less medications that I have to use, the better off I'll be in the long run.

I too, use my Albuterol inhaler minimally, but there are times, early spring and early fall when I use it more often, I added an antihistamine each night and that seems to keep the coughing at bay.

to those who have issues with their inhalers...have you asked your doc. what they would or currently use for themselves.

I had to fight with my insurance co. to get them to help pay for my Xopenex (for the nebulizer), they wanted me to continue with Albuterol, but it makes me to nervous and makes me really shaky for hours....anyone else have this issue with Albuterol?

lillymarlene - I too am slow to medicate (most of us are), but I don't have the knowledge to experiment with dr's orders and medication instructions. What I have learned is that some of these meds take days to become effective so that you lose valuable time when you stop and start (for those of us "using" rescue inhalers, these are designed for stop and start). Just sayin', make sure that you're treading lightly when you change what is recommended by your dr. to give you some relief.

Virginialady, I have the same issue with Albuterol. After I use my inhaler, I'm shaky and nervous for a couple of hours. In fact, I rarely use my inhaler because of that issue. My Pulm told me once to hold my inhaler just a little further away from my mouth to use it. She said that would help with the shakiness. I tried that, but it didn't help, so I just don't use the inhaler unless I know I'm going to do something strenuous.

I've had emphysema for years. I use Spiriva, ventolin & 2lp's of O2. I always follow Dr's directions, otherwise why have one?

Oh I carry a pro air one in my purse just in case....haven't use it that much in a few years...but I feel secured that I have a back up just in case.

I use ProAir (Albuterol) inhaler, in order to avoid Combivent. I was able to get off of the Combivent for years like this. Now, since I am having some problems, I am back using Combivent.

The Albuterol doesn't interfer with your other inhalers. I have to sequence the order of use on my Symbicort inhaler & Combivent inhaler to get good results.

i just got an inhaler after being "no treatment" other than O2 for 2 years (while i went from mild emph. to mod/severe & pulm fibrosis now in both lungs)
my new dr gave me ventolin (albuterol) last month while i was treated for latest exacerbaton.
WHAT A HELP!!!
he said to use it when i needed.
while sick i used it a couple times a day.
i found that if i used it at night i couldn't sleep.
now i carry it with me, but rarely feel the need to use it.
i am glad to finally have Options at least, whether i need it daily or yearly, it at least makes me feel that i can do something when needed other than just let this disease own me.