@A MyCOPDTeam Member, I also have a Combivent respimat inhaler that I can use every 4-6 hours, but as you said, it isn't real effective for me either. When I use the liquid with my nebulizer, its much better and Medicare pays for it. I did use the inhaler the other night just before bed because I didn't want to be bothered with cleaning the nebulizer after use. It didnt seem to help, but I had terrible leg cramps that night that were hard to stop. That can be one of the side effects.

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A MyCOPDT...

I need to talk with my pulmonist about a rescue pack. She has never discussed one but did give me a prescription for Combivent Respimat inhaler to be used every 6 hours for wheezing and SOB (Ipratropium/Albuterol). Use it at night before going to bed but it's not too effective.

A rescue or emergency pack, comes from your pulmonologist.
You have to call or message the Dr's office and they send out the order to the pharmacy. Sometimes they will have you stop by the office or go get a CT scan to confirm exacerbation.

When I start to notice a worsening of symptoms and know an exacerbation is starting I will message my pulmonologist. He will ask a few questions and send out a rescue/emergency pack to get stated as soon as possible. It is important that you keep in close and open communications with your pulmonologist so that he will send the emergency pack out. The sooner you start treating an infection the quicker you get over it, hopefully before you have to go to the hospital.
But this is not for newly diagnosed people. I have been seeing my pulmonologist for years. You can have the discussion with your pulmonologist to have it set up for when you have an exacerbation, you can call for it. It is designed to keep us out of the hospital and start treatment sooner than later.

Interesting, never heard of the Rescue Pack. It's amazing the info the Dr's don't tell us. Most of them only care that they are getting a paycheck!