Just FYI, nothing I say can be taken as professional medical advice, as I am not a doctor. I do, however, work with a bunch of them, and I'm familiar with asthma.
If you're having THAT much trouble, you should be on a steroid inhaler, or medicinal steroids. Also, I don't think a nurse at the ER can tell you what's wrong with you, legally.
If you overuse anything, there's a risk of psychosomatic withdrawal. That is, your mind causes your body trouble because psychologically, you need it. I seem to remember having trouble with an inhaler similar to Albuterol when I was little - it made me dizzy. It might just not be the right inhaler for you. There ARE other options, and your doctor should be open to switching you.
However, the symptoms you're describing really don't sound like withdrawal to me. They sound like your body not getting enough oxygen. Therefore headaches, therefore chest pain, and therefore numbness. The headaches could be, but they could also be from oxygen deprivation...you know? These symptoms you're experiencing should ABSOLUTELY NOT be overlooked, and even though you clearly overused your inhaler, these should not be brushed aside as withdrawal.
What other inhaler are you on? If these two aren't working for you, prednisone might be the way to go. The stimulant will help open your airways.
Here's my advice:
You MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST talk to your doctor, and ask about steroid treatment. Like, call the place where he/she works the second you wake up tomorrow. If your doctor isn't available to talk to, tell them to page him/her because you're having some serious problems with your medication and need his/her advice, like, yesterday.
If the other inhaler you're on is a steroid inhaler, ask about prednisone. This problem you're having is SO not okay, and your doctor needs to manage you better. But he/she can't do that unless he/she knows what's going on with you. So open up the lines of communication, and get yourself some help!!!

Siren

Thank you. I'm on symbicort now, and my doctor said it could just be panic attacks brought on by the steroids in it, but to go in if it doesn't get better. So, hopefully that works. I've been on prednisone before, for a different issue, and I couldn't handle the side effects.

I'm a laid-back 26 year old with a Psychology BA, starting my MA program, and working my way into the field as quickly as I can. It took me an extra Bachelor's degree (in vocal performance and creative writing) to figure it out, but I was put on this Earth to help, to heal, and to love.

I have made the decision to dedicate my life and career to helping others. I am here to do just that.

I've been a member since 2004, and since I signed up, I've gone through quite a lot and learned quite a lot from it. I'm here to give guidance where I had none; no one should have to go through the difficulties I went through alone.

Feel free to visit my website/blog, if you want to read my experience with domestic violence and my thoughts on it.

***While I do tend to answer mental health and other health-related or medicine-related questions, I am by NO MEANS a licensed physician or practitioner of any sort. Any and all advice I give for these questions is from my own experience or studies.***

If you need to get a hold of me quickly, my screen name on AIM is SirenCytherea. Just let me know you found me here.

I'm a strong believer in the idea that there are no stupid questions except the ones left unasked, so, please, keep an open mind, heart, and mouth.

Siren

Website:
Gender:
Age:
AIM:
Member Since:
Answers:
Last Update:
Visitors:
Main Categories:




Favorite Columnists