Ventolin inhaler question

[Nadalsballs]

Is ventolin cumulative?

I ask because I've been suffering from a shortness of breath. Some days are good and some (like today) are dreadful. The doctor has given me an inhaler and I took it for the first time earlier but it hasn't done anything. Are the effects cumulative? Should I bother taking it again?

Did you take it properly - hold your breath for 10 seconds after? Do two puffs?

It should offer relief immediately. Take as many puffs as you need to though to feel better. I think 7 in a row is the equivalent of a nebuliser.

If it's not doing anything go to A&E and ask your doc for a preventative.

and make sure you clamp your teeth around it and squirt it down your airway - if your tongue gets in the way it won't do much

It's a reliever not preventer so fine for acute problems but less so as ongoing treatment.

You may need a spacer.
Inhalers can be quite tricky to get the hang of, and if they're not used properly, don't work as well.

Book a session with your asthma nurse who will run through how to use it and answer any questions you have - in my experience, the asthma nurses are really superb at the practical stuff that doctors often gloss over when prescribing inhalers.

She'll run through how much to take and what to do if it isn't working.

As a reassurance, the equivalent of a nebuliser is the ENTIRE CONTENTS of an inhaler in one go, so if you need to use it more frequently then go for it. If after 10 mins of sitting quietly after a couple of puffs though and your shortness of breath hasn't improved at all, you really should seek further medical assistance.

As others have said, technique is really important, otherwise most of the dose isn't getting into your system.

If you're finding that you're having to use the inhaler frequently then it may be worth going back to the doctor and looking at getting a preventive inhaler.

I can highly recommend www.asthma.org.uk for advice, tips and info as well, btw.

If you feel your pulse quickens after you've taken quite a bit of ventolin - don't worry, it's normal

Inhalers are great but it is hard to get the technique right. I use a spacer and get a far better result for it. You can buy spacers as well as get them prescribed, I use an Aerochamber Plus, having tried several others and find this one the best for me.

One of the biggest mistakes is breathing in too fast. The drug is propelled out of the inhaler and it needs a deep, gentle breath to inhale it, not a giant gulp. Don't rush for more medication too quickly, you need to get the use of this inhaler right before considering anything else.

I have been told that a strong coffee can help with wheezing too in a pinch.

Thanks, the doctor isn't sure it's asthma but suggested the inhaler to try. She's also booked me for a chest scan. It comes and goes so don't think it's an infection. I just feel like I can't breathe deeply. It makes me yawn all the time and I try to sigh constantly and I feel weak. Does that sound like asthma?

Yes it can be like that. But it affects everyone differently. An infection can spark it.

Mine 's a bit like that . I was changed to a preventer inhaler that can also be used as a reliever instead of , or as well as, ventolin . No obvious cause but put down to being triggered by a viral infection causing an oversensitive reaction to certain things like colds or smoke .

I'll add to Edward's instructions, if you taste the ventolin you need to improve your technique.

If you find it hard to hold your breath try swallowing, but KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

You should have a spacer - the asthmas nurse told use that EVERYONE should use one for maximum benefit.