The ipratropium isn't really appropriate for asthma per se. It'll cause a lot of drying in the lungs, and if she doesn't have a lot of secretions to begin with, that may be problematic.

How much does albuterol cost in the US? Up here (we call it salbutamol) it's $16 for an inhaler. Has she checked to see if insurance will cover it given the circumstances?

How often does she need to use it?

Okay, I'm sorry, the inhaler will cost $50US? That's fucking insane.

Isn't it just? And no, they won't cover another one in a given time period. She did find an old one with a little left in it, but probably she's just going to have to suck it up and buy another.

If she's in a real pinch she can use the Combivent as long as she hydrates really well.

But if she's using the albuterol more than twice a week her asthma is officially uncontrolled and she should be put on a steriod and a long-acting bronchodilator.

I think she does take some sort of long-acting something or other, but I'm not really sure. I know she uses an inhaler more than a couple of times a week.

Hmmm... Might be time for her to be treated more aggressively. She might want to talk to her doctor.

Oh, there's a thought. She she check to see if her doctor has any samples he can let her have.

Or, another thought, if it's really an insuance issue, she can see if her doctor will write her a prescription for a different short-acting bronchodilator, like fenoterol or terbutaline. That should be doable.

Good idea. I'll pass that along - she's gone out to the movies now.

Excellent. Hope things work out for her.

Smell and taste gone again. Going back to ENT next week (I just called and I got in for next Tuesday which I find AMAZING.) Also have prescription for more prednisone (blah) which I'll wait to start taking until after ENT appointment. At least that will get me through Xmas.

Oh Megan, not again! Poor you. On a cheerier topic, I own Nightmare Before Christmas on DVD, if you still want to borrow it.