Asthma - what meds are working for you?

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:58 pm

I've used Advair for the 3 years that I've had asthma. As long as I use it faithfully, I don't have any problems. Albuterol didn't help me either. When I was first diagnosed, I went it and was given a nebulizer treatment which didn't work either. The albuterol only works when your brochial tubes are closed up. It helps open them up. Advair (or any other sterioid inhaler) keeps the inflamation down. When I still have a little bit of problem because something is flying around the air and making me have symptoms despite my use of Advair, I add in a little steam inhalation along with it. It helps a lot.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:07 pm

Babs,

One other thing you might ask the pulmonoligist for is a workup to find out why you have asthma. Most asthmatics have it because of allergies. I found out I don't have allergies (except to cow's milk???). My asthma is environmentally caused. It started from jacuzzi chemicals. Now I can't spray anything chemicals without a reaction. Strongly scented candles to to me.

I never knew I was allergic to cow's milk. I never noticed a problem. I did switch to vanilla soy milk. I still don't see any difference in using it instead. But I do just in case.

I really emphasize inhaling the steam (for 10-15 minutes) with the steriod inhaler if albuterol doesn't help. You might ask for a nebulizer treatment before buying one. If albuterol doesn't help, a nebulizer might not either unless it has sterioid in it too.

I use a facial steamer to get my steam. It's more convenient than putting a towel over your head and a boiling pot of water on the stove or counter.

Thren · Post by **Thren** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:31 pm

My athsma is mainly cold weather related- cold air does me in like anything, and being in Canada, that's not really a good thing-, though it's also set off by cigarette smoke and most perfumes/strong fragrances. Sometimes I stand next to someone who used loads of fabric softener or very smelly shampoo, and I start gacking away.

My doctor put me on Alvesco (a steroid), which has helped tremendously, though once it gets warmer out I'm going to ask to be weaned off of it since steroids + family history of glaucoma and bone density problems =/= worry-free usage. I remember the albuterol not working when I was a kid, but I never really got the hang of the inhaler so I'll just have to give it another whirl.

le_wif · Post by **le_wif** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:50 pm

Babs,
My son has asthma, and when he's really bad, Albuterol actually makes him worse! The Dr. finally switched him to Xopenex, which is a highly refined form of Albuterol. He uses a bit less of it, 2 puffs instead of 2-4. Works like a charm, and also doesn't make him jittery. Bonus: The ins. co-pay on it is LESS than Albuterol. They recently changed the formulation of Albuterol and so the co-pay went sky high on it. I asked my Dr. to switch me over to it as well (I have minor asthma). Weird, but true, and I get a petty satisfaction from paying less for the drug that's more expensive to produce! It might be worth checking into--if it works for you, it'd be great.

Hope you are feeling better!

Le_Wif

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:42 pm

WOW! Albuterol is cheaper than bottled water where I'm at. I get so much of it with my mail order pharmacy, I can't possibly use it all. I share it with a relative who is underinsured.

Steam helps me, too. I like to take long hot showers. Plus hot drinks in the AM. The coffee is more about being hot than being caffeine.

What's the connection between steriods and glaucoma? Is that only for abusive steriods, like the athletes use? I have enough eyesight problems without having to worry about THIS!

Carol, we're clearly related. Ask your Mom about a man named Don back around the time you were conceived.

LOL,
Babs

Thren · Post by **Thren** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:05 am

Oh, it's one of those fine print things- people taking high doses of inhaled steroids for prolonged periods of time are at a higher risk for glaucoma and cataracts, as well as bone thinning. I'm not taking high doses, but glaucoma is such a thing in my family that I have to get checked for it every time I go in for new glasses, and I'm only in my 20s. So I'd just rather not risk it.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:41 am

I live in Missouri and like Babs the Albuterol is cheap here. My doctor has it figured if I use it on a regular basis I need 1 and 1/2 inhalers a month and so the last time I purchased them I used the mail order that our insurance used at the time and I got 4 or 5 (can't remember) for a $10.00 copay. I need to get a refill to have on hand as I am down to my last canister.

I tend to get complacent and don't always carry it with me and the last time I had an attack was at WalMart and I knew if I could head it off before it became a full blown attack I could stop it (usually). Thankfully a sales associate was handy and I had cough drops in my cart and so explained I was having trouble with my asthma and the cough drops would help soothe the cough and MIGHT prevent a full blown attack if I could stand quietly in one location and use the cough drops. She was kind enough to let me open them and use them prior to paying.

I have the Xopenex and that is what I have on hand for my nebulizer -- couldn't think of the name. Do they make an inhaler with it? If so I would like to try it and see if I could get away from the nebulizer -- although I don't use it very often.

Babs did your dad travel?

I was born and raised in Missouri. My friend that lived in Bremerton was a good pen pal and her parents even vacationed in Missouri so she would stay with me for a week during high school!!! We started writing to each other in 6th grade.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:34 pm

Carol, my father got around. I was the secret daughter his "real" family never knew about until I crawled out of the woodwork 26 years later.

Hmmmm.... Wonder what "prolonged amount of time" might mean. Might have to put that on the list of things to discuss with pulmonary doc. Have no idea if I'm taking "high doses," either.

Thanks all!
B.

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:10 pm

Hi Babette! I've had asthma all my life and I take the following:

Proventil HFA
Flovent HFA
Spiriva Inhalation Powder
Zyrtec
Singulair

I take these every day and I have for years. I do not use a nebulizer.

In addition, I take Prednisone (cortisone/steroid) for my arthritis and I get the added bonus that it helps with the asthma inflammation, too.

I do have multiple allergies, including cat (I have 2 and have had them for years), mold, and I avoid dusting and peeling potatoes. They make me sneeze and wheeze (but not the cats, lol).

I don't skip any doses because then I'll pay for it later when I can't breathe. Hope this helps.

Deglorious

kornazoo · Post by **kornazoo** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:15 am

Hi All!
I have adult onset asthma and silent reflux.
I use advair, singulair, and zyrtec for the asthma and nexium for the reflux.
The allergist said I have no allergies, but I react to "irritants"......

I just went for a physical and I was wheezing like mad. My doctor, who is great, asked me what I was taking. The asthma doctor took me off the advair because my asthma was improving and the reflux doctor put me on less nexium every other day because my esophagus had healed and I was feeling great.

My doctor freaked out and told me that they were all interrelated and put me back on advair, nexium, singulair and the zyrtec. He also said he would take care of me and stop going to all the separate doctors. I feel much better now.

I, too, am worried about all the side effects, but even with acupuncture I still need the meds. I've already had cataract surgery (what a miracle!) and I have osteopenia.

Also, even with a prescription plan I pay $150 a month for these meds!

I just celebrated one year with my CPAP and I use it everyday.
Thanks to all of you for your support in the past.

Shelley

KansasRT · Post by **KansasRT** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:20 am

Forgive me, because it may have already been discussed, but do you have any symptoms of GERD? I worked for a pulmonologist for a long time who would say that people only have one airway. If it is aggrivated by GERD which can show a cough. It aggrivates their asthma. With a lot of people you treat the GERD, you help the asthma. My son is a very unclassic asthma patient. He takes Advair, Singular, Claritin, Nasonex, Albuterol and an over the counter GERD pill. He also takes allergy shots once a week. Since we added the shots he is a new kid. So much so that you find yourself wondering where the quiet kid is who obviously didn't feel good, but was too sick to object or fight back. He is doing better in school and actually loves to go. I feel horrible. You would hope that if your mom is a respiratory therapist she would be able to help you. Unfortunatly it is all about finding the right Doctor. Babs-- please go find a GOOD asthma and allergy DR when you feel better. It can make all the difference in the world. With your asthma, sleep apnea and all around health. I have seen with my own eyes what the proper treatment can do for a person.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:09 am

I have went to two different allergist and have tried the shots. From both doctors I received two shots per week. Each time I tried the shots for approximately 3 years each time. The first time it was in the early 90's and the second time it was in 2000 (initial visit).

I was told by both doctors I have severe allergies and the last doctor said on a scale of 1-10 I would be at least a 12. My arms were swelled and inflammed, red, and blistered for several days after the pin prick tests. I have both had the blood work up for allergies and then the pin prick tests.

I am allergic to the following foods wheat, corn, legumes (including peanuts and bean families), cantaloupe, soy, milk protein, eggs, beef, pork, chicken, lemon, coconut, shellfish, and a few others.

I am allergic to mold, dust mites, dogs, cats, horses (not been around them so don't know where this came from), all trees and grasses, ragweed, many chemicals, etc.

The shots made me feel worse for approximately 3 days after injection. Both arms would swell slightly and be warm, itchy, and I would feel like crud. On retesting for the allergens no improvement would be detected. I figure why torture myself for something that isn't seemingly working. I have tried twice with two different doctors. Don't think I will try a third time.

I know many people swear by the shots I maybe the exception don't know.

At different times I have needed the inhaled steriods to help but at the present time my asthma seems to be under controlled with my current regime thank goodness. I do take Prevacid for reflux so that may help. I tood Prilosec for a couple of years but the syptoms returned and so doctor switched me.

girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:27 am

My breathing cocktail is advair and proair when I need a rescue inhaler. I've found that I only need the proair when I'm having what seems to be bronchospasms. It knocks it out very quickly for me. <Mental note to discuss the bronchospams with the pulmy next visit>.

Just overall tight chest and hard to breathe these days. Ah, the slow suffocation...

girlsaylor

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:27 pm

Thanks for the well wishes guys. I am healing slowly but surely. just one day at a time. I will need physical therapy for my leg, and at least one surgery on my arm and another on my face. Good times. Luckly the other guys insurance is paying for it all. I still have to worry about getting a new car, but wont be able to drive for a while, so not going to worry about it yet.

Babs....my daughter is the secret that her fathers "real family" doesnt know about. I hate it, and worry every day that she will end up resenting me for my own bad choices. Of course when I got pregnant I had no idea that he had a "real family".

Anyway...the nebulizer is still working really well for me. I got lazy one day and didnt use it, and I could tell the difference.

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:56 pm

JM -- more good vibes coming your direction!!!!
Hope you have an excellent recovery!!!

Take care!!!
cheers
goose

Asthma - what meds are working for you?

advair and proair here