<human>: I have had mild asthma for 20+ yrs until the past couple years I haven t used medication other than an allergy tablet. The past 2 yrs I have tried inhaled steroids (lower resp. Infection occurs w/in 7-14 days each time so my Dr told me not to use them anymore ) I just moved out of state & the doctors here just want me on steroids with no other options. Using the albuterol inhaler has my blood pressure way up, I still feel short of breathe, My O2 levels are 100%, chest xrays clear. Tight heavy feeling in my chest (cardiac work up was clear) scratchy irritated feeling when I breathe, no mucus, dry cough. Hot steam from the shower helps a lot but I can t live in there so is there something else I can try.
<bot>: Hello, Thank you for asking at Chat Doctor. I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:1. As you are not comfortable with inhaled corticosteroids, I would first suggest you regular montelukast. If you have nose symptoms also, I would prescribe my such patients' levocetirizine + montelukast.2. I would also suggest you spirometry testing with post-bronchodilator reversibility, which helps to know your lung capacity, condition of airways and type of obstructions you could have. It also helps to decide whether you need regular medications/inhalers or using Albuterol inhaler on as-and-when-needed basis would be enough.3. If you require regular medications and you don't want to use inhaled corticosteroids, other options (apart from montelukast) are inhaled geotropism bromide, oral theophylline, etc. However, they can be less effective than inhaled corticosteroids and/or can have some side effects. Also, they are prescription Chat Doctor. 4. As you have 