# Five years since I last used my inhaler **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 18, 2001, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-since-i-last-used-my-inhaler/62348 "2001-04-18T00:19:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-since-i-last-used-my-inhaler/62348/1 "2001-04-18T00:19:34Z")
I was reading about the new [asthma medication dispenser](http://www.azcentral.com/health/0417asthma17.html) 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_. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-since-i-last-used-my-inhaler/62348/2 "2001-04-18T00:35:55Z")
Good to hear that Strainger. I never needed asthma meds until I moved to Phoenix but I’m doing okay now. I could have used them during a bout of bronchitis after the flu this season but it was over by the time I got the prescription filled. Looking forward to cajun food this weekend. I hope no one is allergic to shellfish or cayenne pepper. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-since-i-last-used-my-inhaler/62348/3 "2001-04-18T00:56:17Z")
Cool Strainger! Must be the drier air of AZ? ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-since-i-last-used-my-inhaler/62348/4 "2001-04-18T04:57:54Z")
I thought of that at first, **techchick** , but I haven’t had any problems when I’ve gone back to Georgia, regardless of pollen count, etc. **Padeye,** I was worried that I’d need to use the inhaler during my wicked bout with bronchitis this past winter, but I did fine without it (other than the fact that I had bronchitis). ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2001, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-since-i-last-used-my-inhaler/62348/5 "2001-04-18T10:49:55Z")
I must be weak willed. Heigh ho.