Kristin Chenoweth and counters on inhalers

(http://www.knowyourcount.com/KristinStory.aspx)

I just read a story on Know Your Count about Kristin Chenoweth, who is an amazing singer! She shared her story about singing during rehearsal and shows, and having a difficult time breathing. Well, that's not a good thing if you sing for a living!! 

She went to her doctor and was diagnosed with asthma. Luckily, she doesn't have persistent asthma, so she doesn't have to take medicine every day. BUT, she does use a rescue inhaler. And for all of you that use rescue inhalers, you know that you never want your inhaler to run out! 

She uses an inhaler that has a dose counter on it, so she knows how many doses (or puffs) are left. It gives you a chance to get a refill before you run out. 

How do you know if your inhaler is empty? 

The Know Your Count website (sponsored by TEVA respiratory and Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America) says that: 

".....just because an inhaler is still spraying does not mean it still contains medicine. When an inhaler is out of medicine, it will often spray a “propellant” that is used to help get the medicine to your lungs, even if the inhaler is out of medicine."   

Well, that' scary! If you are having an asthma attack, you need that medicine! I don't want to end up in the emergency room because I have an empty inhaler and I'm having an asthma attack!!! (Two million people end up in the ER each year due to an asthma attack.)

Check your inhaler and see if you have a dose counter. If it does, see how many doses are left. Give yourself time to get to the pharmacy and get a new inhaler.

If there's one thing I NEVER leave the house without, it's my inhaler. My inhaler has been to Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Chicago, Washington DC and Paris. It should quality for frequent flier miles now....

Check your inhaler and make sure it still has medicine in it. And if it's time for a refill, request an inhaler that has a counter on it. 

Just keep breathing, just keep breathing, just keep breathing....