I rely heavily on my rescue inhalers due to a birth deformity and malformed lungs, bronchial tubes, and trachea.

If the balloon was to go up right now I'd be shit up a creek after my back up inhaler ran out. Is there any sort of homeopathic or other solution to replace or substitute for Albuterol?

Thanks in Advance.

Tag for answers.

I stocked up on these, before they were outlawed. I probably have 4 full ones with a couple partials.
My condition is not nearly as bad as yours. I only use mine when the seasons change, or sometimes during the winter.

I tried to get my doc to have 4 filled at once, but apparently Walgreens is open 24/7 so there is no reason for me to need more than 1 at a time

Order a good quantity from overseas (online) and rotate the stock throughout the year.

Homeopathic remedy that I've heard helps is hot, caffeinnated (sp?) beverages. Something about the caffeine and hot liquid opening the airways.

Also tagging for more info.

http://www.alldaychemist.com/manufacturer.php?id_manufacturer=37

Look into the dry powder inhaler, not avail in the US. Shelf life...

Sure - Primatene mist is a quick and dirty solution to your problem...  it is available OTC.  The active ingredient is racemic epinephrine so it will have a tendency to give you that "amped up" or "twitchy" kind of feeling especially if you use it in large dose.  If you are a patient with heart or blood pressure diagnoses, consult with your personal physician...  In a pinch it could save your bacon...


The Primatene folks also make Primatene tablets.


Caffeine is a methyl xanthene and as such has mild bronchodilator effects.

You do realize that the company is based out of Panama City, Panama right? Most orders are shipped without script checks, but when your CC has a charge from Panama City, Panama, and ("if") when custom finds prescription meds...you could be in some deep shit with the DEA. Plus Panama has this nasty reputation for CC theft.

YMMV

IIRC, it's India...

I thought Panama City was in the Florida panhandle...   Just a few miles NE of Tyndall AFB...

There servers are based in India, with a registered address in Cyprus (you know, that little island right next to our best friends Syria) and operations out of Panama City, Panama. Does this not seem a bit odd to you?

I'm not trying to start shit, just be careful...you are risking it all for nothing.


I do this all day long../end..OPSEC.

I read some where that you can take 5 or 6 drops of Tabasco in about half a cup of water. Drink it like a shot. I tried it one time. May not be the best for everyone - but it really cleared things up for me that time.

This product ramps your heart rate much more than a regular rescue inhaler will.  It is one of many products that the FDA most likely wouldn't approve today because of its profile.  

epsom salts.

solution of water and epsom salt and you boil it and breathe the vapors.
let me see if i can find the link

linky

here is the link to the wikipedia or epsom salt. there are a bunch of medical uses for it, including as a bronchodialator for asthma

(edited for link)

What are the exact symptoms of your condition? Is it asthma? I know there is a form of inhaler out there that is nebulized. Do you ever use a nebulizer? I am a P1 Pharmacy student in my second semester. If I knew a little more, I might be able to come up with something OTC, but I would have to do some research.

Disclaimer: Of course, this is simply for discussion purposes only and any information containted in this thread is not intended to treat, diagnose, or render medical advice in place of your primary care provider. Please check with your Doctor before following any advice in this thread. Void where prohibited. YMMV

I don't think I would even notice 5 or 6 drops in a glass of water.  I would have to take an actual shot glass full of Tabasco to have it work for me.

And to the OP, I use the Primatene stuff like described above.  It is OTC and you might want to give it a try just to see if it could be used just in case.

How many you can get at one time is frequently determined by your insurance company assuming you have an insurance paying (at least partially) for your medications.  Typically, they will only pay for 1 months worth of medication at a time...  There are usually 200 "puffs" in an albuterol MDI (metered dose inhaler)...  if the directions say "2 puffs every 6 hours" that would be a maximum of 8 puffs per day and 240 puffs per month.  You should be able to get your insurance company to pay for 2 MDI per month (probably).  If your prescription has refills on it, you can get refills even if you don't "need" them so that you should be able to build up a "stash".  In addition, you can get any refills that are left on your prescription up to 1 year from the date the prescription was written.  If you have any refills left at that point, I would suggest getting one (or 2) because they should have later expiration dates (compared to MDIs purchased a year earlier).

If your doc writes your albuterol prescriptions for 1 MDI and no refills - he's nuts!  Find a new doc...  Most docs I know will write albuterol prescriptions with "as needed" refills (as many refills as you want for up to 1 year) because albuterol isn't really abusable and there isn't much of a black market for it...

OBTW - someone mentioned that Primatene might jack your heart rate.  That is true - that's the dirty part of "quick and dirty".  Although, all things considered, I don't think it will increase your heart rate nearly as much as not breathing...  In addition, the increased heart rate, jittery feeling, etc. is a dose dependent phenomenon - the larger the dose (puffs per time) the greater the tendency for side effects...  but make no mistake, if you have albuterol - use it instead of Primatene...  I think of Primatene as a last resort, i.e. better than nothing (and also better than anything other than prescription meds)...

Just out of curiosity, how often to you use your albuterol MDI per day or per week?

I suffer from mild asthma myself. I have some inhalers stocked up, and rotate them as I get new ones. A single inhaler generally lasts me 6 months or more, and they are 30 day supplies..so when my doctor prescribes  5 or 6 a year, I buy them as if I were using them, and keep the extras.

But there are homeopathic remedies that i've found that help. Apple Cider Vinegar tastes horrible..but about a tablespoon a day of it mixed into something you're drinking can help. Fish oil helps, as well as a few vitamins (i'll have to check which.)

The product to use in a nebulizer is called albuterol sulfate.


You can get it prepackaged in packaging like this:



 
 

Isn't that the stuff that ruined everyone's teeth when they (oraly) took it in the '70s?

I used to take Tedral years ago. Used to get it for $2.50/100 tablets. It worked great for me. They stopped perscribing it.

I have used this technique in an emergency, It seemed to work. Place an icy cold wet towel on your bare chest. Your body will produce some adrenaline from the shock, which will help out with the asthma.

This. caffeinated and hot beverages will help your airways. I have been in a bind before with not having any albutarol  (sp?) and this has helped greatly. It is very slow acting and must be used the second the breathing becomes restricted.

Talk to your Doc - there are a lot of other choices out there (RX only) that would probably be an even better substitute.   If your FP isn't up to speed, see a pulmonary specialist..    There's a good chance he'll even have samples on hand so you can try out its effectiveness before you start paying out of pocket for your new RX.

I am long term severe asthmatic.   Diagnosed about 2 and currently 32 years old.

I get 3 months at a time through the mail.   They will let you reorder a few days before you run out.  Over time you'll build up a surplus.  I am currently up to 7 months supply for all my medications.

Their shipments come from India.

All the whois information I can find is out of India.  Where are you getting this?

or she'll . My pumonologist is a very bright she.

I'll try to answer all the questions...

Birth Defects: Only 2 of my 5 lobes in my lungs function. The other 3 are for all intensive purposes either missing or collapsed. Bronchial stenosis (narrowing and collapse of the bronchial tubes) Trachea stenosis ( trachea is the size of a small child's)

Due to that problem when fluid or mucus begins to build up, my blood ox sat rate drops like a russian jet at an air show. Any type of environmental stimulus can set it off, smoke, pollen, stress....


As far as Pulmonary specialists go, I have one who won't see me anymore because I refuse to go on the transplant list.

My FP is a raging bitch with a medical degree. I need a new FP, but I hate going to the doctor.

As mentioned above, caffeine helps a little.  I had asthma (not particularly bad though) when I was younger and usually could tame tightness with some hot tea/coffee.

Short answer = no. Make sure you have a spare or two handy, stored in the proper environment, and watch the expiration dates. Not to pry, but what lobes are functioning and why are you against a transplant?

Just an FYI, the Primatine Inhaler I bought today says on the package, "Primatene Mist will not be available after December 31, 2011." I usually get albuterol inhalers with an Rx, but thought I would stock up on a few of these.

....

Bottom left and top right. There's enough empty space in my thoracic cavity that my heart shifted to the middle and my pulmonary arch is backwards.

Protein or something of the sort in my blood makes rejection much more likely. Plus I'm just not really in the mood for having my chest cracked and being put on a damn bypass machine only to be followed by months of rehab and pain. Did I mention I'm allergic to all narcotic pain killers. So the pain alone would make it pretty much unbearable.

Vaya con dios my friend...

Hot coffee.

Your bottom lobe must be putting in a ton of overtime my friend. I can understand your feelings about the transplant though.





 

It's a constant source of pain. I'm constantly out of breath, and my heart pounds away all day. Doctors say I'll be dead by 45 without a transplant.

Guess i'll try to get an extra or two filled out of my remaining refills.

When looking for a new primary care physician, consider an Internist, too (not just FP).

Switch doctors.
Use ADVair 150 or 250. You have built up a resistance to the albutoral.
After you start the ADVair program you must exercise everyday to avoid weight gain and build up your resipritory system.
Things like black coffee,vinegar and tabasco may work on a small scale but will not come close to Albuturol.
Once you go on the ADVair  you should only need the Albuturol on rare occasions and it will have a stronger effect.

Tried advair before and picked up 40lbs in a year. I can't exercise vigorously enough to keep the weight gain off.

Thanks for all the help.

Okay, a couple of general points about some the things discussed here.

Regarding Primatene Mist:
This is one of those old medications that has just been around long enough to be over the counter.  If it were invented today it would not likely be on the market still, due to side effect profile.  Not only does it "amp" you up more than albuterol, but there is a risk of rebound bronchoconstriction.  In other words, it may help at first, but there is a chance that afterwards it will make you worse off than you were before taking it.  It is ironic that this medication is over the counter when albuterol, which is much safer, is prescription only.  If at all possible, I would avoid this medication, in both its inhaled and its oral forms.

Regarding Oral Albuterol:
While there are oral formulation of albuterol available, these are not recommended for basically anyone.  Before you get enough effect on the lungs, the side effects on the heart are pretty bad.  It is also going to be slower in action than anything you directly inhale.  And when it comes to a rescue medication, fast action is a requirement.

Regarding Nebulized albuterol vs.  MDI (or inhaler/puffer):
While some patients swear that the nebulized treatments are more effective for them than their inhalers, the studies show that there is no difference.  I will say from experience that there may be some cases where the nebs seem to "work" better and that is when the asthma attack is so severe that the patient can't take a deep/strong enough breath to correctly use the inhaler.  Nebs take 10-20 minutes to get the medicine in, inhaler a few seconds and you can keep using it ever few minutes.  The other downside to the nebulizer is that it requires electricity to run the machine.  So if the situation is bad enough that you can't find albuterol inhalers then you will likely have trouble with the nebs as well.

Regarding caffeine:
Reference for caffeine  Basically, it does provide some bronchodilation, but I would not consider it a "rescue" medication in the case of a real asthma attack.  Not enough effect and not quick enough.

Regarding Advair and other inhaled steroids:
This may not be exactly relevant to the OP's situation because his is not "vanilla" asthma, rather it is a chronic structural lung disease.  For asthma the basic approach to therapy is one or more "controller" medications with a back up "rescue" medication.  For anyone having symptoms with any amount of regularity, they usually qualify for needing a "controller" medication.  Inhaled corticosteroids are  considered the most effective controller and are usually given twice daily.  By doing this you reduce the number of "attacks" and thereby do not need the rescue inhaler as much.  Ideally, you would like the be controlled enough to get to zero need for the rescue medication.  Advair has two medications, in addition to the steroid it has a long action bronchodilator.  Basically a medication like albuterol but slower to start working, but lasts longer.  The advantage of inhaled steroids over oral, is that there is generally a lack of systemic effects from the steroid and you can avoid the side effects of long term steroid use.  The advair doesn't replace the albuterol however, albuterol is still needed in case there is an asthma attack, because it works right away and is a strong bronchodilator.

Regarding Oral Steroids:
Oral steroids like prednisone, is currently mainly used after a moderate to sever asthma attack for a short course (less than 7 days usually).  This is to help reduce the inflammation in the airways.  Some patients (I only have one) require prednisone on a daily basis because of the severity of their asthma.  This is definitely the exception rather than the rule and it used to be done more frequently.  There are a lot of side effects of long term steroid use and the potential for adrenal insufficiency if you come off of them suddenly.  So in general, good for sure term, infrequent use, but bad for long term use.

Bottom-line for the OP:
While there may indeed be some homeopathic solutions out there they may or may not help alleviate some of your symptoms, you are likely still going to need the albuterol.  Explain to your doctor that you feel the need to keep a good supply of inhalers at home in case of emergency because you feel (and rightly so) that your life depends on them.  If your doctor cannot or will not understand this concept, and will not help you out, find another doctor.  As a doctor, the two medications that I never ever want my patients to run out of are insulin and albuterol.  I will write for tons of refills on both of those because running out of those meds can be a matter of life or death at worst or atleast a matter of being at home or having to be in the hospital.

Disclaimer: As I've said before, take this advice for what it is.  This is an internet forum, not a doctor's office.  :)  For all you know, I'm Barak Obama, not a doctor.

All good info/advice Sharn, but in regards to using a nebulizer and not having electricity, there is a unit that runs on batteries (I have one) and it works extremely well.

Looks like we are talking about a pretty serious pulmonary condition here for the OP.
However, a common folk remedy for asthma and other consumptive symptoms is marijuana.
Preferably as a tea but also smoked or vaporized.

I hope this is on topic, but didn't I read that these could be used as a replacement/supplement to an epipen for anaphylactic shock? I have some family members who are bad sensitive to bee stings and was looking for something to 'go in the bag' to treat such.

Most Doc's would be pretty understanding and write a script for an epipen if you explained the situation.

My pulmonologist gave me some literature re: lung transplant and I looked up some additional information on various medical websites.The probablility of not recovering from the surgery was pretty high...MUCH higher tham most other operations.IIRC 1in 10 did not recover.And the people who are accepted for the transplant must meet some pretty stringent standards.My pulmonologist said she had never had a patient accepted for transplant surgey.I did not even apply...........

That was tetracycline that stained the Dentin in teeth during gestation.

Talk to your doc, they can give you a script for it where you get it two at a time (I use proair).  Most docs are good with this since it lets you have one at home and one in the car.  Then I just stock up and rotate through eventually.  I don't need it too often (1 - 2 times per week), so I've been able to put over a year away in reserves.



Does anyone know the shelf life on an inhaler?

  I have used generic ALBUTEROL inhaler  12 years PAST pull date.
 ( expired 1997, still  functional in 2009 )
I could tell that the  potency was reduced  a little, I think it took  3 hits to  give  results, spray was a little weak, but it was not a  fresh, full   refill, maybe a third or half full.

I would advise that you attempt to refill a few scripts early due to "loss" at your local pharmacy.  If you have a relationship with your pharmacist/pharmacy they will be happy to refill those scripts so you aren't without and when you run out of refills they will contact the doctor on your behalf.  Obviously your insurance is only going to let this happen once, maybe twice a year but most have a provision for early refill due to loss or vacation.  Beyond once or twice a year you will be forced to cash for the Rx.  All these things require your pharmacy/pharmacist to actually give a shit about you which is much more likely in an independent pharmacy than a big box chain.  

Grove

This.   It is what I do also.  

Generally the ones I get expire 1 to 1.5 years from the date I get them.  Just depends on what the pharmacy's stock is.

Currently I have one in my desk at work that is 3 years passed the expiration date.  I use it from time to time and it works as expected.  

I have never found an albuterol inhaler past date that wasn't effective.  I have used some that were even older than the one in my desk with no problems.

Sames goes for the nebulizer solutions of albuterol.  For awhile the only ones I had were 2-4 years past expiration.  No problems with the 60+ doses I went though.

YMMV