how much ventolin is ok in 24hrs?

[olivo]

i have a really heavy cold and for the past two days, have been very wheezy and struggling to breathe at times. I have mild asthma but rarely use an inhaler, although i have one blue and one brown (though i think it might be out of date, its so long since i used that one!). The only thing that is relieving it at the moment is my ventolin inhaler, but how much is safe in a day?
TIA

I think you can use quite a lot before it's a problem but tbh, if your asthma is so much worse than usual. I'd get checked out with the Health Services. There may be some helpful advice on the Asthma website

thanks suedonim. i will probably phone in the morning for a dr appt, although i fell a bit of a fraud with it being the side effect of a cold! just need something to get me through till then, it's been ages since i felt this bad.

until you start shaking and palpitating lol

whats your peak flow then?

I have no idea about my peak flow tbh, i havent had it tested for about 8 years, my dr just gives me new inhalers when i ask for them.
i shae immediately after taking the ventolin but it settles down after a mintue or two and then i get relief for an hour or so.

agree with suedonim - you can have quite a bit in one go.

When dd was first diagnosed (aged 2) the hospital said we could give her up to 10 puffs at a time if she was having an attack (10!!!!)

DS1 is 3 and we were told 10 puffs every 2 hours max, any more then A&E. Maybe NHS direct can give you a guideline

I was always told that you couldn't actually od on ventolin, bit obviously if you're taking it that much more than you usually would you probably need to get checked over. Don't feel a fraud with it being the side effect of a cold, those are the times that 'episodes' tend to be triggered.

coupla puffs every hour or so will prob not do you any harm overnight, but remember asthma can get worse at night so be v careful and ring nhs direct if in ANY doubt. ?double the dose of your brown inhaler in the meantime. eg take it again tonight if you usu take it in morning.

oh, thank you all of you - i'm nowhere near 10 puffs in one go but will dig out my brown one and see how i am overnight. i'm not in the ukso not sure if we can access NH direct, but wil ohne my dr tomorrow if in any doubt by morning.
thank you all for your help.