Are you actually needing your ventolin 4 times a day? It's just that using ventolin more than a few times a WEEK is one of the signs that your asthma is poorly controlled. I'm hoping that you aren't waking at night and that your peak flows are behaving themselves?????? If you don't need the ventolin, then you don't have a problem, but you still may be better off on something like serevent, this is a long acting bronchodialator, like ventolin but lasts for 12 hrs so you'd only have to take an inhalor twice a day. If you are needing the ventolin then you should really see your doctor and discuss with him what extra treatment you could add in, I know you aren't keen on the idea of steroid inhalers (personally I don't agree that inhaled steroids could make you put on weight, the science of it just doesn't work, but anyway) there are other options available like the serevent or something like singulair or accolate or inhaled non-steroidal anti inflammatories if you aren't sensitive to them.
I hope you are aware though, that this type of treatment dooesn't treat the underlying inflammation which causes the breathing problems, it merely treats the symptoms, which leaves you much more vunerable to allergens and triggers. I really hope that you have thought this through properly and have done your research. I think maybe you need to have a good think about your priorities... breathing v's weight gain.... hmm... I know which one I'd choose. However, I guess if you are still managing fine without it in a few weeks then good luck to you!!! We were all wrong!
Take care
x x x