Make Your Treatment
Plan With Your Doctor and Follow It
Talk with your doctor
about your different asthma medicines. Some medicines need to
be taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms (inhaled
steroids and cromolyn sodium). Other medicine can relieve
your symptoms once your symptoms begin (medicine that opens
your airways).
Complete the "My
Asthma Medicine" forms with your doctor (see below).
Be sure to tell your doctor if you do not want
to take a medicine. Also, call your doctor if you have any problems
taking a medicine. Your doctor can often find something else
for your asthma.
Ask your
doctor to show you how to use an inhaler. Then at each
visit, show your doctor how you use your inhaler. Ask if you
are using it the correct way. If you have trouble using an inhaler,
ask about a spacer or holding chamber.
Remind yourself
to take your medicines. Here are some ways to do this.
-
Take your medicine
at the same time as one of your daily routines. Take it
at meals, when you brush your teeth, or some other time
you choose.
-
Put a sign on
the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator to remind yourself.
-
Ask your family
members to remind you.
-
Always carry
your inhaler that contains the medicine to open your airways.
Always have it within reach.
Ask your doctor
the questions below. Write down what your doctor says for each
medicine prescribed to you.
My
Asthma Medicines
-
Name
of medicine
When
and how much you should take
How long
to take it
What
does the medicine do and when will you feel it working
What
to do if you forget to take it
Side
effects and what to do about them
When
to call the doctor
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If you need to take
more than one medication, print out additional
My Asthma Medicines forms and take them to the doctor's
office with you.
[Return
to the Asthma Document, next part.]
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