the reason to use inhaled steroids is that they don't cause the side effects of oral steroids. And the steroids prevent the edema from the allergic process that contributes to deaths in asthmatics.
If you wheeze without allergic componant, don't use steroids. If you have mild asthma with an allergic component, use Singulair to block this secondary reaction (due to leukotrienes).
But if you use your inhalers more than twice a week, you need to use something to prevent wheezing.
I only use Serevent, and agree with you there. But during hayfever season, I add local steroids since anti histoamines and even Singulair make me sleepy...(I even get sleepy with Clariten). So I use steroids as a first line during allergy season, but the rest of the year, I don't, I only use singulair when it's bad, and Serevent when I wheeze, since I can't tolorate the jitteryness from Albuterol.
I don't wheeze too much anymore (did when i was a kid, but not now). Mine is more of contriction of my airways & being allergic to dust, I have allergey problems all year. Have had some improvement w/ the allergy shots I just finished.
Singlar had no effect on me. I'm taking accolate right now, but I haven't notice really any difference w/ the accolate or with out it. :-)