I was reading about the new asthma medication dispenser when it occured to me: it’s been five years this month since the last time I used my asthma inhaler. It was at the mid-point of a weekend bike ride that went from Prescott to Crown King, then from Crown King to Lake Pleasant. Evidently the attack was caused by all the road dust I had inhaled during the first leg of the trip. I figure it was the dust, as opposed to the exertion of the bike ride, because asthma attacks due to irritants tended to cause a congested feeling in my lungs whereas attacks due to strenuous activity tended to create a tight sensation in my chest. I first felt the attack when I arrived at the campsite at Crown King, but I fought it for a while until I finally gave in and used my inhaler. That was the last time.
Up until the summer of 1994, I used my inhaler at least once in the morning and once at night. Then I went on a trip with my girlfriend to visit her parents. As I lied in bed the first night at her parents’ house, I got my nightly urge to use the inhaler. However, it was nowhere near me; it was still out in her Blazer. I really didn’t feel like going out to get it, so I just waited to see if the urge would pass. It did! The next night I got the same urge. Again I decided to wait. Again the urge passed. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, thanks to my own laziness I was able to get over my inhaler addiction! After that, I used my inhaler rarely–only when I really needed it. April, 1996 was the last time I needed it. I think the main thing that helped me get over my asthma was time; I just grew out of it.
I know this is very mundane, and sounds like a goofy thing to celebrate, but I’m pleased about it.
By the way, if anyone is worried, I do keep an inhaler in my house just in case.