Should I be using my inhaler proactively even when I feel well? Had a flare up in April after a prolonged bout of sinus problems and a cold. A PA at Urgent Visit at my health center gave me a Nebulizer treatment and I was amazed at how quickly after the treatment started that I felt great. When I asked my doctor for a nebulizer to have on hand for such situations as stated above, I was told by her nurse that nebulizers were only for asthmatics. They gave me Combivent Respimat to try instead with one refill. I tried and used the CR, but feeling well already, can t say if it was better than my Proair (albuterol sulfate). I have been using my Proair 3 times a day for the minor breath shortness that I get from stairs etc. Comments please on the proactive use and nebulizer use for copd.