I have a question. I feel fine but lately have had a horrible cough. The cough at times is so violent it is making me vomit. Well my PCM pretty quickly diagnosed me with "bronchitis" and wanted to put me on antibiotics. He proscribed a couple days of a pill and I am supposed to take 2 puffs of an inhaler 4 times a day in addition to an extra puff during any coughing fits. I hate medication but the coughing has got to stop so I agreed.

My question (and I feel really dumb asking this) is, what should the inhaler "taste" like?? I have never used an inhaler and have no idea if I am doing this correctly. Honestly is just seems like I am blowing bitter air in my mouth. The doctor gave me instructions and I read the little pamphlet but I just want to be sure that the "taste" of bitter stale air was normal.

ETA: In case it matters the inhaler is Combivent. Thanks :) 

yes it is ..they taste yucky to me..almost fishy like lol.. 

It's gross - and for me, it even burns my throat a little. 

I have 2 daily inhalers and a home nebulizer for my asthma.... quite familiar with inhalers.

did they give you a spacer with your inhaler? (the plastic clear tube that the inhaler attaches to on one end?) if not, the BEST way to get the most out of your inhaler is to not actually put it in your mouth. hold it an inch or so away from your mouth. Puff, breath in deep, hold for 10 seconds. exhale. and repeat once more. If you stick the inhaler directly into your mouth the medicine goes to the back of your throat, instead of being inhaled as intended. I've seen a few asthma specialists and this is the proper technique. no PCM ever told me that. the absolute best way though, is with a spacer. but I'm not certain if they'd give that to you for a temporary illness.

as far as taste, it is bitter. albuterol is one of the 'ickiest', which combivent has albuterol in it. it actually is not good for the enamel on your teeth so make sure to take a swig of water after you've done your puffs. It'll 'wipe' the medicine off your teeth and get rid of that bitter taste. also, the more you use it, the more you'll get used to it. I have been on albuterol for almost 10 years and it has no taste to me anymore. not that you'd be on it that long, obviously.

one of the side effects of this inhaler is it might make you dizzy after a treatment. so if you feel that, it is very normal; just sit down and it should disappear in 15 minutes or so.

I hope you start feeling better soon! 

Thanks Ladies. That makes me feel better. Mrs Smitty that's great information, I had no idea how to actually use one. I felt really stupid :(

Now if I could stop coughing long enough to get some sleep (it's almost 11 pm here). 

My question (and I feel really dumb asking this) is, what should the inhaler "taste" like??

Stale beer. Thats what I always think it tastes like. 

To me it tastes bitter and yucky.