Remembering to Take My Maintenance Inhaler

By Christy Amos

3 min read

I have mentioned in a couple of different articles that I have written, that I really struggle taking my maintenance inhaler. I do not know what the struggle is, but the struggle is real. And it is a problem. I have no issues taking any of my other medications, but this one? I am lucky if I remember to use it once a week.

If you need tips on remembering to take medications, check out this other article that I wrote.

Why is it so hard for me to remember my maintenance asthma inhaler?

I am doing all the things... I keep my inhaler where I take it— in the bathroom. I have a schedule set in mind...first thing in the morning after I have put in my contacts. I have even tried changing it to take my inhaler before I can put my contacts in. But then there are days when I wear my glasses, blah blah blah.

My other hold-up is having something to rinse my mouth out with after using my inhaler. But if I do not have a cup in the bathroom it means I have to use my hands, and the water is cold, and then my hands are cold. So, most of the time, I just skip it. Lazy? Maybe. Just making excuses? 100 percent! I usually do not actually "forget" to take it, it crosses my mind most mornings. And then I just do not do it.

I do not understand why it is so hard. It takes 2 seconds. Okay, maybe 30 seconds, if we are being realistic. That’s a fraction of a percent of the time I have in a day. What gives?

A plan for remembering

So, I have come up with a plan to help me get on track.

First, I am going to put a cup in the bathroom that I can use to rinse my mouth out in the morning after I use my inhaler. Piece of cake. Problem number one, solved. If the cup lives in the bathroom, I no longer have the "but my hands are going to be cold!" excuse.

The next part of my plan is pretty simple too. Maybe too simple. Maybe a little juvenile? Who cares?

I am going to make a sticker chart! It works for kids, right? Potty training? Use a sticker chart. Do chores for allowance? Sticker chart. What is it about using something as basic as a sticker chart to get someone to do something?

I should probably have some good, scientific, psychological explanation since my degree is in human behavior, but we are just going to skip over that for now. If you want to know, feel free to ask in the comments. I still do not guarantee an answer, but you are welcome to ask.

I am a very crafty person. I use Photoshop, bind books, make stickers, do watercolor, etcetera etcetera. So making a sticker chart should be fairly simple. I will probably make it as complicated as I can though...make some elaborate calendar on the computer that is color-coded, create watercolor stickers I can use to mark off the days, make a fancy frame to put around in and hang in the bathroom. Hey! Whatever works, right? If nerding out over my craftiness gets me to use my inhaler, why not?

Do you struggle to take your maintenance inhaler? What tips and tricks do you have to remember to take it? Let me know in the comments!

And come back in a month or two to see how my experiment goes!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Asthma.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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lauren.mullin Moderator
This topic is so important as maintenance inhalers can help keep issues at bay. My son uses a maintenance inhaler, and while not glamorous, on most occasions the inhaler lives on the kitchen island. We have found that when the inhaler is in our site we are much more compliant. Every little trick is helpful in order to keep asthma under control. -Lauren (team member)
Susan J Member
For me, it's association. I associate using my maintenance inhaler with feeding my cat every morning. I even leave in on the counter next to the refrigerator! Lol... Every little bit helps! Great article, thanks! Hope this helps or makes someone chuckle a little. Susan
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention username="Susan J" user-id="4244978"/> - thanks for joining in the conversation here. We are always appreciative when our community members (in this case, you!), share their own personal experiences with the community. (And, I did get a chuckle out of your 'cat' system!) Keep up the good work! Leon L (author/moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
2. Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
 That makes perfect sense, Susan -- like leaving your inhaler on top of your keys, something unavoidable! Remembering to take meds is tricky sometimes and we all have our own system to make it work. I keep mine right next to my glasses on my nightstand. I am blind as a bat without them, so it's virtually impossible to miss my meds. 😀 Glad your cat is well-fed, too! -Melissa, asthma team
Rebecca C Moderator & Contributor
This is a great topic, <inline-mention username="Christy Amos" user-id="3009657"/>, a subject that gets looked over quite often. I too forget to take my maintenance inhaler quite consistently. This article has me thinking I'd better get take control and begin using it before symptoms worsen. Creating a routine around taking your medication, such as associating it with meals or specific times of day, can support one's compliance and ensure that you're consistently receiving the benefits of your maintenance inhaler. It's truly imperative to find approaches that work for you and fit seamlessly into your daily routine; it can make a significant difference for your wellbeing. Hoping everyone takes a moment to think about being consistent and take meds unfailingly. Thoughtfully, Rebecca (community moderator)