[Gypsy]

Ok I'll chime in, not from a scientific perspective of course but as a patient.

I have asthma which evidently developed after a particularly evil bronchial illness about 5 years ago. Probably developed in tandem with the fact that I was working in a basement of a building and I'm sure mold count didn't help.

At first they thought it was just a virus, but I continued having problems so they put me on steriods. I hated them, they made me feel crazy. Several appointments later, they said it was asthma. After trying several inhalers (preventive) and having some severe or interesting reactions my doctor prescribed Pulmicort and I've not had an ounce of trouble (nor an attack) since. Matter of fact, I can't even remember the last time I needed to use the albuterol for "quick relief", though I do keep it with me just in case.

As far as a med holiday, my guess would be no for asthma sufferers but that's based on personal experience as I once went out of town for a long weekend and forgot my preventive....by the third day my lungs were feeling heavy etc.

Interestingly, my only trigger seemed to be hot and/or humid air. Still bothers me if I'm extremely active in that type of weather condition.