Albuterol Sulfate HFA and prescriptions

Wow am I glad I found this page. I thought I had a brain tumor or something.

I had taken an albuterol inhaler years ago with good results. I saw a doctor recently and mentioned I had been using an OTC epinephrine inhaler to control my asthma. He recommended I go to something... gentler? So he gave me prescriptions for Singulair and Ventolin HFA.

Two days later, I got the worst headache of my life. I thought I was going through withdrawal from caffeine or sugar (which I began as a result of seeing the doctor). FIVE DAYS LATER I was still fighting it. Not withdrawal, not for that long. Since I'd taken Albuterol before, I suspected the Singulair.

I was fine for a couple weeks, until the headaches inexplicably came back. They were focused around the sinuses, so I was popping decongestants, antihistamines, snorting Afrin, using a Neti-Pot, you name it. I got periodic relief but nothing lasting.

Finally I decided to go off the Albuterol, thinking that because I was older, I had maybe developed a new sensitivity. Within 24 hours my headache cleared, and it hasn't come back. Only then did I start searching the internet for side effects, and I can only conclude that I am sensitive to the new propellant.

Thanks for posting your experiences. You can also tell the FDA about this problem by going to ******