I have a problem with albuterol (ventolin) as well. It actually causes reverse bronchospasms in my lungs. We did a pre and a post spirometry to note the difference percentagewise and then I switched to levalbuterol (more commonly known as Xopenex) which is the left-sided isomer of albuterol and more pure. I don't have problems with it. The only annoying thing is that Xopenex is only available (at least in the US) in nebulizer form. The inhaler is in its third stage of FDA testing. There is also maxair you could try out. Atrovent does not yeild as much help as most bronchodilators. It is mostly used for COPD patients.

I had the same problem with albuterol. My dr suspected a sensitivity to the propellent, & switched me to maxair, which is working fine for me. I would suggest asking your dr to try another one asap, for me, once the albuterol started making me cough more, it got a lot worse each time I tried to use it.