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I Am An Asthma Patient. I Have Been Using The

Posted on Tue, 9 Apr 2019

Question: I am an Asthma patient. I have been using the "Asthalin inhaler" from past 7 years regularly. Now I have a strong urge to get rid of this or at least to control this. please guide me.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can stop the inhaler if you do not have symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr XXXXXXX

Welcome to Ask a Doctor Service.

If you no longer have the symptoms of asthma, you can stop taking the inhaler and use it only when you get symptoms.

Meanwhile, I would strongly urge you to identify the trigger (the material that you are allergic to, like dust or pollen) and avoid exposure to that allergen at all costs.

And I would also prescribe to my patients a course of Motelukast+levocetrizine for a period of 3 months and see how they respond.

Please discuss the same with your treating physician and take his/her opinion.

But, you must always remember to keep the asthalin inhaler close to you as you can never predict when you might require it.

I hope this answers your query.

Wishing you good health.

Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (1 hour later)

I have not been in touch with any doctor since I started using the inhaler. Now I am feeling like I am overusing it, like 5 times a day. I always feel the shortness of breath and end up using it. I am allergic to smoke, a strong odour like paint and change in weather and exercise. But I don't know the reason for my frequent use. and I just can't stop using it. Should I consult a doctor immediately?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You probably are overusing it as no doctor has suggested it.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX

Welcome back to Ask a Doctor service.

If you constantly feel you need the inhaler, you might be having an unrelated or completely different issue.

These medications should not be used without a doctor prescribing them to you.

By your description, it appears as though you started using it without proper guidance from a doctor and now you seem to addicted to the medicine.

I would request you to visit a pulmonologist and get yourself examined and evaluated completely to see if you really have asthma or any signs of asthma.

Then, this inhaler can be stopped gradually over a period of 2 to 3 months.

You must consult a local doctor to get examined, that is extremely important as we do not know if you have very severe asthma, or if the breathlessness is due to any other serious underlying cause like heart failure.

I hope this helps you.

Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (4 hours later)

Thank you very much doctor, for your suggestions. I have asthma since birth, and I was prescribed the inhaler by Kasturba hospital, Manipal when I was diagnosed with pneumonia and I was 15 years old then. After that, I never had any major issue since I was using the inhaler regularly. so I never thought of visiting the doctor again. Now I am 22. I will surely visit the doctor and get the proper guidance.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Happy to be of help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr XXXXXXX

Thank you for consulting me here on Ask a Doctor.

You are most welcome.

Please do consult your doctor again and see if you really need to continue the inhaler.

Wishing you good health.

Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar