The difficulty I have is that, when I really, really need the inhaler, I need it non-stop for days or weeks (three months is the longest period). When I'm really sick, I'll actually wake up every 4-6 hours as my breathing gets worse.

I think that I could tolerate albuterol for single dose issues, the times when I've been out in the cold too long or have been exposed to a perfume or smoke or whatever. Those don't come up very often because I'm careful.

I do take Singulair every day. It's supposed to decrease my vulnerability to the prolonged attacks, and I think that it does work. I've gotten colds while on it without having them get into my lungs. I'm just afraid of not having options when a cold gets past that defense.