"as needed" inhaled meds

[Scarlett81]

For the past few days, i've been having alot of reactive airway issues, so I've been using my inhaled meds more/as needed. I wanted to ask you all about how much you use your meds if you're not up to par. How much is too much as needed?
Right now I do my regular meds in the AM, then a shot of albuterol in the afternoon if I need it, then PM therapy. And before I go to bed, I do Pulmocort again. Last night I got up at 3:00 am and needed it again. So I've been using pulmocort 3-(4 max) times a day.

I just wanted your opinion. I've been told to use pulmicort and albuterol increased if I need to. I just don't want to do it too much.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[anonymous]

"as needed

I've been known to use 3X the dosage if I really really need it. After all, the only other option is no control of symptoms.

 

[coltsfan715]

"as needed

Not trying to contradict ya Amy, but I wanted to put out there that my docs have told me as needed for Albuterol - but try to go no fewer than 4 hours between. They do the same thing for me at the hospital and when I do my breathing tests. They may just want the extra hour for good measure who knows, but that is what my script has on it (2 times a day or as needed - every 4 hours).

As for how often I actually use it. The worst I had was last year when I had several blockages I was using the alubterol 4 times a day in waking hours - pretty much EVERY 4 hours on the dot. Normally when I am sick I tend to use it 3 times a day. When I am well it is 2 times a day - as prescribed with an occasional 3rd dose in there if I just feel like doing that and the vest extra that day.

I would maybe think about calling the doc if you are having that many issues. Not to scare you - but I had the same problem last year for about a month and when I went to the doc for xrays and such - I had several blockages some of which were starting to lead to a lung collapse. I was feeling tight in my chest - like I couldn't get a deep breathe and was also really tired (lack of O2). I just say that cause I would hate to see there be a more serious problem going on.

Take Care and hope you start feeling better,
Lindsey

 

[gsplover]

"as needed

I just picked a script of "as needed" nebulized albuterol and it says every 4-6 hours. I got a 3 month supply and I receive 900 does. The inhaler of albulerol my have different allowances.

 

[fourkidsmom]

"as needed

When my son is sick we do albuterol every 3 to 4 hours, our doc's say no sooner than 3 hours without being in the hospital. We do them around the clock. We also put in his normal 2 times of pulmicort and they usually up the pulmozyme to twice a day.

Fourkidsmom

 

[Scarlett81]

"as needed

Ok, then I guess the 3, 4 times a day I'm using it is ok. I think what is going on with me is a sinus infection combined with allergies. I have fall allergies. I was away for vacation for a few weeks, and I came back just as the leaves were turning, when my allergies usually start. I came back, was tired from travel, the allergies started, and I caught a cold at the same time.
During the day I'm fine-I just blow my nose more and cough out the nasal drip. At night I feel more tight. Don't know why-maybe that's the allergies? But it seems like every year, my allergies get worse and worse in fall.
The good news is, my sputum is white and thin, and for me that's a sign of no infection. Of course-I want to keep it that way.

Any thoughts or input would be great. I am keeping in touch with the doctor on this, and of course will run in if I get worse. But I still would like input from you all.

 

[LouLou]

"as needed

sinus rinse with saline would be good. I don't have CF sinus problems so I've never been instructed on how to do the rinses. I'll leave that to someone else. I will say though that the last time I had an sinus infection I took my vials of hypertonic saline (3%) and snorted them while blocking one nostril. I then let go both nostrils and hung my head in the sink, mucus flowed out and I exhaled through my nose to help it along. I repeated this a few times a day. It never made it to my lungs which is remarkable for me because ever since I can remember every head cold turned into a lung cold. Until a few years ago when I realized sniffling/snorting back mucus in my sinuses propelled the germs into my lungs. I no longer sniff at all when I have a cold - I use a ton of tissues...blow, blow, blow. these are my thoughts. hope something is helpful to someone else.

 

[Scarlett81]

"as needed

thanks Lauren-
I'll blow!
And I'm going to irrigate my sinuses too-good idea. That should help. I totally forgot about that.
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