Shortness of breath with secretions

I am a 27 year old female with no history of asthma.  I have had seasonal allergies for several years.  5 days ago I started experiencing a feeling that when I take a deep breath in, I can not catch my breath.  This feeling has been constant the last 5 days, but seems to worsen at night to the point where i cant sleep.  I also have clear drainage that I can feel in the back of my throat, but no coughing sneezing, wheezing ect....

I went to the doctor this morning and was prescribed Albuturol to take every 4-6 hours.  I have had one dose, and no relief.  I was never really given a diagnosis. Is it possible to debvelop asthma as an adult?  Any suggestions on what this annoying breathing is or how long it would take for the albuterol to work would be helpful?   Thanks!

[B_Johnson]

Beta-agonists like albuterol have an almost immediate onset of action.  The problem is that this is symptomatic an not taking care of the cause.

You should have also been prescribed a steroid inhaler.

While the albuterol dilates the bronchioles, steriod inhaler stops the reactivity of your lungs to the allergen which causes constriction of the airways.  Steroid inhalers usually take a week of use before they are effective.

The post-nasal drip you are having is common with allergies, also this can irritate the airways when you are lying down, causing constriction and difficulty breathing.

Asthma is basically the lung equivalent of sinus allergies.