I usually remember to take my albuterol before exercise, but it worries me that a very light ride would give me an attack. Like I said, my commute home is short and mostly downhill. I suppose I will have to start taking the albuterol before any exercise at all, even the easy stuff.

As far as meds, my favorite of all time has been symbicort, and I think I will try to go back on that instead of advair. I'd tried pulmicort, and it didn't do anything for me; it appears I need the combo inhalers. When I first tried symbicort, after my asthma had taken a major turn for the worse about 3 years ago, it was amazing. I suddenly felt like a normal, breathing person again. I guess that feeling is worth the $216 it costs every months...

Thanks again for all the comisseration and suggestions and advice! It's nice to have some other options to check out and things to ask my doctor about.