I've had asthma since I was a kid. Started treating it in my late '20's with the old standby Albuterol inhaler. I had those stupid things with me all the time everywhere. Forgetting one was a nightmare. Always thought it was such a reactive way to deal with asthma. I was even hospitalized because of it twice when I got serious respiratory infection from the flu. I had allergy induced asthma, exercise induced asthma, and cold induced asthma. Doesn't get much worse than that.

Then, one day, my pharmacist told me to try Advair (look it up). The doctor wasn't keen on it but I kind of pressured him until he prescribed it. The stuff is wonderful - you take a puff in the morning and one in the evening and that's it. I haven't used an albuterol inhaler for 10 years. The stuff is really great, and the best part is it really controls it so very well. I don't have to be reactive anymore, asthma really isn't a part of my life anymore. Cold doesn't bother me, exercise doesn't bother me, pollen doesn't bother me (at least with asthma).

You can totally get over the top on asthma. The trick is finding the medication for you that controls it. Asthma can kill you but asthma controlled gives a mortality rate that is exactly the same as the general population. The whole game is control BEFORE you get an asthmatic attack.

J.