Do You Carry Your Spacer With You?

So, it’s neat to see all the places people keep their inhalers when they’re out and about. As a guy, I usually keep mine in my work bag or my pocket. But, what about my spacer? It’s not like you can keep your spacer in your pocket when you’re out and about. So, what do you do with it?

My first inhaler

I was given my first inhaler in 1980. Back then it was Alupent. It was a little white inhaler. I kept it with me in my pocket wherever I went. I became a member of the inhaler club.

I was ten-years-old. I was very, very, very small for my age. Like, I was the smallest kid in my class. So, keeping my inhaler in my pocket was embarrassing to say the least.

But, I had to take it with me to school. I needed it -- sometimes A LOT!

When I needed it I would wait until I was out of the classroom. I’d find a corner to surreptitiously puff. Or, I’d go to the bathroom. I was an asthma inhaler hider.

In retrospect, it’s not like anyone was looking at me that close. Plus, as a severe asthmatic, I’m sure the other kids would understand if I used my medicine. I mean, it was, after all, making it so I could breathe.

But, I was a kid. Kids don’t always think rationally. (Well, I suppose, this is true of adults also-- some of us, anyway). Plus, I didn't’ tell anyone I had asthma. I don’t think anyone knew. So, I just kept it a secret.

And then there came this thing called the spacer. I was told to use one by my doctor. He told me it made the inhaler work better. He was right. I used it at home sometimes. When I left home, I left my spacer at home.

Why? You ask.
Like, where was I going to keep it?

Sure, I could keep it in mom’s car. Sure, mom could keep it in her purse. But, what if I wasn’t with mom? What if I was on my own? What if I was at school? What if I was at a friend's?

It’s not like you’re going to stuff that HUGE spacer in your pocket when you go for a walk? Okay? That’s not going to happen. So, it got to be that the spacer just got left behind. This is especially true when you’re trying to be discreet with your inhaler anyway.

So, where do I keep my spacer now?

As an adult, I find it easier to use a spacer. I just keep it in my work bag. This bag pretty much goes with me wherever I go. It’s like my purse if you want to call it that. When I use my Symbicort, I use a spacer 100% of the time. This is because I keep both in my work bag.

But, I don’t always use a spacer with my Albuterol. I wish I would, but I don’t. And the main reason is because you can’t stuff a spacer into your pocket. You just can’t do it.

Some members of our community say they carry their inhaler and spacer in a fanny pack. I could do that. But, nah! I couldn’t do that. I just can’t see myself wearing a fanny pack. And even if I did, I’d probably lose it in two days anyway.

Spacers make inhalers work better

It’s a proven fact that spacers make inhalers work better. It’s been proven by so many studies we don’t even need to mention them here. It’s just a fact.

They also improve coordination and reduce the risk of side effects. Again. This has been proven by so many studies we don’t even need to mention them here. It’s just a fact.

So, you should use a spacer with your inhaler. That’s a given.

But, realistically, we can’t always do that.

So, what do you do with your spacer when you’re out and about? Let us know in the comments below.