Question:

We would like to take this opportunity to share with you the Nonin Pulse Oximeter. This is a self contained unit weighing about 2 oz. The convenient size and an easy to read LED display provide numerical values for functional SpO2 and pulse rate. Easy to operate: automatically activates with finger insertion, deactivates when finger is removed. It’s just that simple. Making it an ideal choice for suffers of :  COPD, Emphysema, Asthma, Lung disease, heart disease and many others. The Nonin Finger Pulse Oximeter 9500 comes with a full one year warranty  from defects. Each Pulse Oximeter comes complete with an Instruction sheet, a lanyard card and lock,  and two AAA batteries for $395.00 plus $10 shipping. The New Mirco Air Ultrasonic Nebulizer system with choice of mouth or mask piece, thoroughly efficint with a particle size from 1 to 7 microns, lightweight and portable weighing only 8 ozs, 98 medication delivery, operates on 4 AA batteries/Ac adapter for $395.00 plus $10 shipping.  To order  the Nonin 9500 Pulse Oximeter or the Omron Nebulizer call us toll free at 1-800-410-2326 or  our web site at : www. Homehealthworld.com for full color pictures and preview all of our other 3000 Home Health Care Products from aspirin to wheelchairs.  In addition we have several links to associations and support groups.  You might be interested in www. dailylung.com and www.2ndwind.org Thank You, Linda Wilcox, Homehealthworld.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I would like to hear from people who have COPD and how they are coping with it.    I was diagnosed with it in ‘95 after a bout with pneumonia that nearly killed me.  Sence I’m allergic to almost *everything*, the only thing I can use on a regular basis is albuterol, and occasionally serevent, I say "occasionally" because If used twice a day as origonally prescribed it makes me itch as though falling into an ant bed! So I only use it when I have to use the albuterol too often. ( ie: 2 puffs every four hours)    My allergist has tried me on more different inhailers than I can possibly remember, just trying to find something, *anything*, that I’m not allergic, or hypersensative to. The first year was a *REAL* bear !  I also have one of the machines to administer the albuterol breathing treatments. Hate to use it though, such a pain to maintain it. Also have a portable oxygine tank that I don’t use as much as I should cause it’s so blasted expensive! If I pushed hard, might get Medicare to pay for it since I am, and have been totally disabeled for the last 23 years. But I *HATE* dealing with the SSA !!   alt.support.pulmonary has very little activity on it.    Yeah, I noticed that, so I quit watching it. MUCH more info here. Does anyone know of any other support groups for COPD?    Good question!  I’d like to know too… Later…             Ray

Response:

I think they could find a better product, doesn’t work well, when you have a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We would like to take this opportunity to share with you the Nonin Pulse Oximeter. This is a self contained unit weighing about 2 oz. The convenient size and an easy to read LED display provide numerical values for functional SpO2 and pulse rate. Easy to operate: automatically activates with finger insertion, deactivates when finger is removed. It’s just that simple. Making it an ideal choice for suffers of :  COPD, Emphysema, Asthma, Lung disease, heart disease and many others. The Nonin Finger Pulse Oximeter 9500 comes with a full one year warranty  from defects. Each Pulse Oximeter comes complete with an Instruction sheet, a lanyard card and lock,  and two AAA batteries for $395.00 plus $10 shipping. The New Mirco Air Ultrasonic Nebulizer system with choice of mouth or mask piece, thoroughly efficint with a particle size from 1 to 7 microns, lightweight and portable weighing only 8 ozs, 98 medication delivery, operates on 4 AA batteries/Ac adapter for $395.00 plus $10 shipping.  To order  the Nonin 9500 Pulse Oximeter or the Omron Nebulizer call us toll free at 1-800-410-2326 or  our web site at : www. Homehealthworld.com for full color pictures and preview all of our other 3000 Home Health Care Products from aspirin to wheelchairs.  In addition we have several links to associations and support groups.  You might be interested in www. dailylung.com and www.2ndwind.org Thank You, Linda Wilcox, Homehealthworld.com Hi, I would like to hear from people who have COPD and how they are coping with it.    I was diagnosed with it in ‘95 after a bout with pneumonia that nearly killed me.  Sence I’m allergic to almost *everything*, the only thing I can use on a regular basis is albuterol, and occasionally serevent, I say "occasionally" because If used twice a day as origonally prescribed it makes me itch as though falling into an ant bed! So I only use it when I have to use the albuterol too often. ( ie: 2 puffs every four hours)    My allergist has tried me on more different inhailers than I can possibly remember, just trying to find something, *anything*, that I’m not allergic, or hypersensative to. The first year was a *REAL* bear !  I also have one of the machines to administer the albuterol breathing treatments. Hate to use it though, such a pain to maintain it. Also have a portable oxygine tank that I don’t use as much as I should cause it’s so blasted expensive! If I pushed hard, might get Medicare to pay for it since I am, and have been totally disabeled for the last 23 years. But I *HATE* dealing with the SSA !!   alt.support.pulmonary has very little activity on it.    Yeah, I noticed that, so I quit watching it. MUCH more info here. Does anyone know of any other support groups for COPD?    Good question!  I’d like to know too… Later…             Ray

– I keep an open mind, but not so open my brains fall out…

Response:

May I add my two cents worth to this discussion?  My Pulmonologist just told me again today that I now have asthma-COPD. I have had asthma for 25 years.                                 Nyteowl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive: yes I have copd with asthma. The asthma seems to cause the most problems May I interject here that asthma is only one of the 5 diseases that make up the overall catagory of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Thank you Colleen Asthma is not generally considered to fall under the category  of COPD. Quoting ‘The Breathing Disorders Sourcebook’, Francis Adams, MD "COPD is characterized by abnormal expiratory airflows over a  prolonged period. It includes two major breathing disorders:  emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Unlike asthma, COPD is not  reversible" Links: http://www.njc.org/MFhtml/COP_MF.html Management of COPD Excerpt: "What is COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD for short, is a progressive lung disease that affects millions of people each year. COPD is a general term used to describe specific diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema involves destruction of the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. This results in a smaller number of larger air sacs that have poor gas exchange capabilities. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a chronic cough and chronic mucus production without another known cause. A person with COPD may have either emphysema or chronic bronchitis, but most have both. Some people with COPD may also have an "asthma-like" or reactive component to their pulmonary disease."  Ellis:  Thank you for correcting yet another inaccurate posting from Collene Mills.  A few days after Christmas she started making multiple postings on the <alt.support.sleep-disorder news group. At that time she was using the initials CRTT on her signature, and coming off like a medical expert.   She was caught giving "injecting" dangerously inaccurate information then left the ASSD group and took up residence on this news group. I strongly suggest that you take any postings from this person giving medical advise or stating "facts" to be suspect in their accuracy. Let Collene…….Even without your CRTT, you are NOT impressing folks here either with you lack of knowledge. Perhaps you should try "injecting" the Fibromyalgia group next.

Response:

Howdo you know if you have COPD?

Response:

Howdo you know if you have COPD?

Hi Cindy,Well if you cant breath or have some trouble like that,you Dr.should have ordered breathing test to evaluate your problem.Asthma,what ever.Most are lumped into COPD anyway.So if you are having any treatment you got COPD in one form or another.Leona

Response:

I found out that I have COPD when I couldn’t breathe all of asudden. No warning at all, just could not breathe. Took breathing tests and xrays at the hospital and was diagnosed with it. The funny thing about it is that this happened a week after I quit smoking. Glad I did quit. No doubt I woudn’t be here today if I didn’t quit. It’s going on four years since then. Pat

Response:

Howdo you know if you have COPD?

Here’s a link: http://www.njc.org/MFhtml/RCS_MF.html Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Excerpt: "Early symptoms or warning signs are unique to each person.  These warning signs may be the same, similar or entirely different with each episode. Usually you will be the best person to know if you are having difficulty breathing. However, some changes are more likely to be  noticed by other persons, so it is important to share this information sheet with your family and those close to you. A change or increase in the symptoms you usually experience may be the only early warning sign. You may notice one or more of the following:       an increase or decrease in the amount of sputum produced       an increase in the thickness or stickiness of sputum       a change in sputum color to yellow or green or the  presence of blood in the sputum       an increase in the severity of shortness of breath,  cough and/or wheezing       a general feeling of ill health       ankle swelling       forgetfulness, confusion, slurring of speech and sleepiness       difficulty sleeping       using more pillows or sleeping in a chair instead of  a bed to avoid shortness of breath       an unexplained increase or decrease in weight       increased feeling of fatigue and lack of energy that continues       a lack of sexual drive       increasing morning headaches, dizzy spells, restlessness Symptoms do not go away when they are ignored. Therefore, knowing when to call your health care provider is very important in managing your chronic lung disease. It is very important for you to work with your health care provider to determine the appropriate treatment for signs and symptoms of COPD. When to Call the Doctor       Call immediately if disorientation, confusion, slurring  of speech or sleepiness occurs during an acute respiratory infection.       Call within 6-8 hours if shortness of breath or wheezing does not stop or decrease with inhaled bronchodilator treatments one hour apart.       Call within 24 hours if you notice one or more of the  following severe respiratory symptoms:       change in color, thickness, odor or amount of sputum persists       ankle swelling lasts even after a night of sleeping with your feet up       you awaken short of breath more than once a night       fatigue lasts more than one day"

Question:

Can we not have the Buteyko spam group return to their own newsgroup? I don’t think many of us here wish to buy your products. I don’t like these mass invasions by organized spam groups. Boyd — "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." (Ellen Parr- author)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new… I have found a breathing "technique" that I am having a lot of luck with, but my doctor thinks it’s just relieving stress (I disagree).  During exercise I find that if I breath rhythmically, exhaling more than inhaling, I can perform much, much better.   Example:  Inhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, exhale.  I adjust the pattern to the intensity of my exercise, and I can usually work pretty hard (jogging for 45 minutes) without having to stop due to asthma.  Of course, I keep my inhaler nearby, just in case.  Also, I purse my lips and really puff on my exhale. As for more "alternative" breathing exercises (ala Dr. Weil), I have tried but have not seen much difference.  I do find that being experienced with relaxing breathing that emphasizes exhalation can help during an attack. I’m curious to hear if anyone else has had any luck in this area. Yes Wendy I agree!  Breathing can be modified in various ways to inprove

the hydrothermal capacity of the respiratory tract.  I have experimented with many techniques.  Pursed lip breathing

with pressure helps but may not bequite optimal in that the nasopharynx is removed from the cycle.  Although it takes a

little more concentration I find it better to exhale as slowly as possible through the nose.  In this way you get the

added advantage of rewarming and humidifying the nasal surfaces so that they are primed for the next inspiration.

Breathing in through the nose with plenty of turbulence then returns the moist (as vapor) to the deeper lung where it

protects from drying effects.  EIA is reported by many researchers to be due to drying of the airways!  All the more

chronic forms of asthma have a hydration deficit component IMO.  Your Doctor is wrong in my opinion also!  On the other

hand relaxation can not be dismissed offhand, it is a helpful component of these techniques, as is the reduction of

residual volume (trapped air) at end expiration. Training yourself to tolerate an increase in CO2 reduces the respiration

rate when not exercising, and so less moisture is lost by virtue of reduced volume of air respirated and so is a longer

term benefit  No mouth breathing even in sleep – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – will help preserve these benefits. Good luck with your technique! Bill Wendy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new… I have found a breathing "technique" that I am having a lot of luck with, but my doctor thinks it’s just relieving stress (I disagree).  During exercise I find that if I breath rhythmically, exhaling more than inhaling, I can perform much, much better.   Example:  Inhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, exhale.  I adjust the pattern to the intensity of my exercise, and I can usually work pretty hard (jogging for 45 minutes) without having to stop due to asthma.  Of course, I keep my inhaler nearby, just in case.  Also, I purse my lips and really puff on my exhale. As for more "alternative" breathing exercises (ala Dr. Weil), I have tried but have not seen much difference.  I do find that being experienced with relaxing breathing that emphasizes exhalation can help during an attack. I’m curious to hear if anyone else has had any luck in this area.

I don’t know that it has much to do with asthma as such I was taught to control my breathing as part of learning to sing and to act…it helps with cycling too…but it does seem to be very much a case of simply breathing efficiently and staying relaxed…this may affect exercise induced asthma, butI’d have said it was something everyone should learn to do rather than something that specifically relates to asthma — eric "in the beginning was the word, and the word was ‘try switching the damn thing on first’"

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new… I have found a breathing "technique" that I am having a lot of luck with, but my doctor thinks it’s just relieving stress (I disagree).  During exercise I find that if I breath rhythmically, exhaling more than inhaling, I can perform much, much better.   Example:  Inhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, exhale.  I adjust the pattern to the intensity of my exercise, and I can usually work pretty hard (jogging for 45 minutes) without having to stop due to asthma.  Of course, I keep my inhaler nearby, just in case.  Also, I purse my lips and really puff on my exhale. As for more "alternative" breathing exercises (ala Dr. Weil), I have tried but have not seen much difference.  I do find that being experienced with relaxing breathing that emphasizes exhalation can help during an attack. I’m curious to hear if anyone else has had any luck in this area.

Yes Wendy I agree!  Breathing can be modified in various ways to inprove the hydrothermal capacity of the respiratory tract.  I have experimented with many techniques.  Pursed lip breathing with pressure helps but may not bequite optimal in that the nasopharynx is removed from the cycle.  Although it takes a little more concentration I find it better to exhale as slowly as possible through the nose.  In this way you get the added advantage of rewarming and humidifying the nasal surfaces so that they are primed for the next inspiration.  Breathing in through the nose with plenty of turbulence then returns the moist (as vapor) to the deeper lung where it protects from drying effects.  EIA is reported by many researchers to be due to drying of the airways!  All the more chronic forms of asthma have a hydration deficit component IMO.  Your Doctor is wrong in my opinion also!  On the other hand relaxation can not be dismissed offhand, it is a helpful component of these techniques, as is the reduction of residual volume (trapped air) at end expiration. Training yourself to tolerate an increase in CO2 reduces the respiration rate when not exercising, and so less moisture is lost by virtue of reduced volume of air respirated and so is a longer term benefit  No mouth breathing even in sleep will help preserve these benefits. Good luck with your technique! Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wendy

Response:

I dunno. Seems to me the trick is just to breathe some way or your S.O.L. Boyd — "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." (Ellen Parr- author)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new… I have found a breathing "technique" that I am having a lot of luck with, but my doctor thinks it’s just relieving stress (I disagree).  During exercise I find that if I breath rhythmically, exhaling more than inhaling, I can perform much, much better.   Example:  Inhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, exhale.  I adjust the pattern to the intensity of my exercise, and I can usually work pretty hard (jogging for 45 minutes) without having to stop due to asthma.  Of course, I keep my inhaler nearby, just in case.  Also, I purse my lips and really puff on my exhale. As for more "alternative" breathing exercises (ala Dr. Weil), I have tried but have not seen much difference.  I do find that being experienced with relaxing breathing that emphasizes exhalation can help during an attack. I’m curious to hear if anyone else has had any luck in this area. Wendy

Response:

There are exceptions.  According to the principle proponent of one breathing exercise that is "the cure for asthma", it can be harmful if done without supervision: "there is a specific training on how to apply this method to each individual patient.  If this is done incorrectly there could be severe complications and damaging effects on a patient’s health."

This is only to drum up business.  The guy is a fraud. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

Response:

I’m new… I have found a breathing "technique" that I am having a lot of luck with, but my doctor thinks it’s just relieving stress (I disagree).  During exercise I find that if I breath rhythmically, exhaling more than inhaling, I can perform much, much better.   Example:  Inhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, exhale.  I adjust the pattern to the intensity of my exercise, and I can usually work pretty hard (jogging for 45 minutes) without having to stop due to asthma.  Of course, I keep my inhaler nearby, just in case.  Also, I purse my lips and really puff on my exhale. As for more "alternative" breathing exercises (ala Dr. Weil), I have tried but have not seen much difference.  I do find that being experienced with relaxing breathing that emphasizes exhalation can help during an attack. I’m curious to hear if anyone else has had any luck in this area. Wendy

Response:

Just exercises in deep breathing and using the diaphragm. I was shown them when I was in the hospital. No big deal, but I think it has increased my lung capacity. Boyd — "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." (Ellen Parr- author)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – what kind of breathing exercises? I don’t see where breathing exercises could do any possible harm. It seems that the breathing exercises I do helps me considerably. I don’t consider it <snip

Response:

I don’t see where breathing exercises could do any possible harm. It seems that the breathing exercises I do helps me considerably. I don’t consider it a "treatment" and am certainly not expecting a "cure", but just as exercise that is within my capability helps, so does breathing exercise, and for the same reasons. I don’t think the poster was talking about one of the alternative medicine/cult programs.

So you do not remember the B-word shills? "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

Response:

I don’t see where breathing exercises could do any possible harm. It seems that the breathing exercises I do helps me considerably. I don’t consider it a "treatment" and am certainly not expecting a "cure", but just as exercise that is within my capability helps, so does breathing exercise, and for the same reasons. I don’t think the poster was talking about one of the alternative medicine/cult programs. So you do not remember the B-word shills?

Could you help me a little here, Colin? I’m not sure where you’re going with your objection to exercise, and I don’t understand this reference.     Larry

Response:

I don’t see where breathing exercises could do any possible harm. It seems that the breathing exercises I do helps me considerably. I don’t consider it a "treatment" and am certainly not expecting a "cure", but just as exercise that is within my capability helps, so does breathing exercise, and for the same reasons. I don’t think the poster was talking about one of the alternative medicine/cult programs. So you do not remember the B-word shills? Could you help me a little here, Colin? I’m not sure where you’re going with your objection to exercise, and I don’t understand this reference.     Larry

VERY good! The group is exonerated.

Response:

So you do not remember the B-word shills? Could you help me a little here, Colin? I’m not sure where you’re going with your objection to exercise, and I don’t understand this reference.

There is a group of people who promote a ‘breathing treatment’ as an ‘asthma cure.’  They use a lot of misrepresented data as their ’scientific evidence’ and every so often send a shill here to in an attempt to gain more customers.  They also keep track of this newsgroup in such a manner that if the name of the treatment is mentioned they will show up with their sales pitches (this is why we call it the ‘B-word’).. I gotta admit that they are very slick in that they use just enough lingo and ‘proof’ that it is real easy to fool somebody who does not take the time to independently review all of their references. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

Response:

Breathing exercises have been used for a long time in asthma management. They work for a variety of reasons ranging from psychological to physical. If you practice breathing techniques (most respiratory therapists can instruct you on proper techniques) when you are not having an attack they can help when you do. One – focusing on breathing helps over come the helpless feeling that often comes with a severe asthma attack. It works in much the same way as breathing techniques do during childbirth to control pain. Two – forcing air through already narrowed airways can further irritate already irritable airways. Controlled breathing such as slowing down the rate and depth helps get the trapped air out without increasing the bronchoconstriction. Three – it is thought that exhaling through pursed lips or other techniques helps create positive pressure that keeps the smaller airways open. Hardly anything sinister or foolish about using breathing techniques. If breathing techniques can help prevent an attack from escalating and thus reduce use of rescue inhalers, than what is the harm? Notice carefully, I did not suggest stopping medication or that breathing techniques can cure asthma. Everyone is different and some get better results from using breathing techniques than others. Personally, they are my major method of treatment. This is with my doctor’s blessing as I cannot use regular asthma medications on a long term basis. My asthma is anything but typical and I have had to pretty much figure out how to live and survive with it. The doctors did not have a clue. Both they and I realized it after a point, so they provide supportive care when needed and say do what works for me. I suggest that anyone interested in breathing techniques, try them and see if they work. Do not stop taking your asthma medication or decrease it without your doctor’s supervision. If approached in this manner, I hardly see where trying breathing exercises is harmful or foolish. Betty Bridges, RN Fragranced Products Information Network http://www.fpinva.org http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/fpin.htm I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Only the fools.

Response:

Hardly anything sinister or foolish about using breathing techniques. If breathing techniques can help prevent an attack from escalating and thus reduce use of rescue inhalers, than what is the harm? Notice carefully, I did not suggest stopping medication or that breathing techniques can cure asthma.

The usual disagreement is not the techniques.  There has been presented on this newsgroup dozens of ways to live with asthma through ‘better’ breathing.  And there’s nothing (really) wrong with this. But one might apply "sinister or foolish" to any method that is said to be "the cure for asthma". There is no cure for asthma.  Yet. Do not stop taking your asthma medication or decrease it without your doctor’s supervision.

Yes.  There have been various near-death posts from people who ignored this. If approached in this manner, I hardly see where trying breathing exercises is harmful or foolish.

There are exceptions.  According to the principle proponent of one breathing exercise that is "the cure for asthma", it can be harmful if done without supervision: "there is a specific training on how to apply this method to each individual patient.  If this is done incorrectly there could be severe complications and damaging effects on a patient’s health." // "A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience." Oliver Wendell Holmes

Response:

I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma?

as something worth doing in their own right yes…as far as managing asthma goes not directly since the only function is in making it easier to cope with attacks — eric "live fast, die only if strictly necessary"

Response:

what kind of breathing exercises?

I don’t see where breathing exercises could do any possible harm. It seems that the breathing exercises I do helps me considerably. I don’t consider

it <snip

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I find that aerobic exercises have made a definite improvement in my health and thus my lifestyle.  In my case, this means walking at a good clip for 40 to 60 minutes, four or five times a week.  I also do yoga stretching exercises for 25 minutes three times a week.  While it doesn’t cure my asthma, I feel that it makes my body stronger to cope with it better.   Another thing that I find helpful is relaxation techniques … as the name implies, it helps me to relax and deal with the problems better. This is important as asthma is affected by attitude.  I also feel that there is a place for deep breathing exercises, but have not tried them as yet. In retrospect, any technique that helps to keep your respiratory system fit and your mind at ease helps.  Don’t let the nay-sayers discourage you … go for it! Al Fisher

Response:

kinda judgemental of an answer dont you think??  maybe the questioner can elaborate by what she meant in her question.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma? Only the fools. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

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Aren’t you glad you found this group?

I don’t sugar-coat things.  If it is a bad idea, then I am going to say so. Asthma is a serious illness that kills with grim regularity.  And just about all of those deaths are preventible with current medical treatment. When the people promoting the breathing treatments can demonstrate that the technique is ’safe and effective’ (per current scientific requirements) then it may be worth discussing – until then it is nothing more than quackery. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

Response:

I don’t see where breathing exercises could do any possible harm. It seems that the breathing exercises I do helps me considerably. I don’t consider it a "treatment" and am certainly not expecting a "cure", but just as exercise that is within my capability helps, so does breathing exercise, and for the same reasons. I don’t think the poster was talking about one of the alternative medicine/cult programs. Boyd — "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." (Ellen Parr- author)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – kinda judgemental of an answer dont you think??  maybe the questioner can elaborate by what she meant in her question. I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma? Only the fools. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

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I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma? Faith Wallace

Response:

I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma?

Only the fools. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

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Aren’t you glad you found this group? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this group. Does anybody use breathing exercises to help mamge your asthma? Only the fools. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

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Question:

Having trouble achieving my potential in squash due primarily to lack of "wind."  After several years of working to increase my wind and working with my doctor to manage the asthma meds, I still get winded like a beginner at times. Anyone know of a good source of information for managing asthma in the context of sports like squash and/or increasing lung function? Christopher

Links on EIB: http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/06jun/dis_pa.htm  Your Guide to Exercising With Asthma http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/jan_96/rupp.htm  Diagnosis and Management of Exercise-Induced Asthma http://www.runnersworld.com/injuries/asthma.html  ASTHMA, EXERCISE-INDUCED http://asthma.miningco.com/health/asthma/msub5.htm  Sports and Exercise [links] Ellis

Response:

No  but i have just looked at the internet and it is amazing how many articles come up on a search  For me th eo pposite of looking at the internet is reading food labels  eg mustard has to be mixed with cold water onlyand left to stand before use in the kitchen , to release its natura loils :the wate rin this case acts as a catalyst !!  marvellous food labels are  i noticed for the first time that parmesan cheese is made from unpasteurised milk  Now  pasteurising milk is very important  but does it have the corollary that pasteurising milk might be removing not only germs but also friendly bacteria which might even ward off asthma attacks??? Parmesan cheese  is maybe an aquired taste but it can be mixed with beaten butter and seasoning to make quite a nice cream cheese eg  So maybe you might improbve your exercising by inclusion os parmesan cheese in your diet  -From Fliveya

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No  but i have just looked at the internet and it is amazing how many articles come up on a search

And how many of these articles are reliable? "It must be true – I read it on the internet." ??? There is no ‘Army of One’ in the word: ‘Team’

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These are great articles on EIA diagnosis and treatment, but I need to go the next step. I am already on inhaled steroids, and use ventolin prior to exercise.  I still get winded, and can not run more than about half a mile without having to stop — this after a concerted exercise program (squash 4-5 times per week; warming up on treadmill for 1/3 to 1/2 mile prior (and stretching); plus generally active lifestyle which includes hiking, skiing, swimming, etc.).  I am in excellent physical condition, but the EIA is limiting my ability to go any further.  Besides medications, are there any training regimens which specifically address the issue of increase lung function? Thanks, Christopher – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having trouble achieving my potential in squash due primarily to lack of "wind."  After several years of working to increase my wind and working with my doctor to manage the asthma meds, I still get winded like a beginner at times. Anyone know of a good source of information for managing asthma in the context of sports like squash and/or increasing lung function? Christopher Links on EIB: http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/06jun/dis_pa.htm  Your Guide to Exercising With Asthma http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/jan_96/rupp.htm  Diagnosis and Management of Exercise-Induced Asthma http://www.runnersworld.com/injuries/asthma.html  ASTHMA, EXERCISE-INDUCED http://asthma.miningco.com/health/asthma/msub5.htm  Sports and Exercise [links] Ellis

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it might beimportant to make sure you are breathing good fresh air and not traffic fumes From Fliveya

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Dear Chris: I found this resource which I think might give you some ideas.  Jackie Joyner Kersee (Olympic athlete) and Chad Brown (Seattle Seahawk) both have asthma and both of them discuss the ’sports and asthma’ issue.  Might give you some ideas.  The second link is a link to ‘managing asthma’ which also might be able to answer some questions.  I certainly hope you are able to find a way to enjoy and excel at squash – Good Luck http://www.healthtalk.com/aen/pathfinders.html http://www.healthtalk.com/aen/toc/managing/index.html Chia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having trouble achieving my potential in squash due primarily to lack of "wind."  After several years of working to increase my wind and working with my doctor to manage the asthma meds, I still get winded like a beginner at times. Anyone know of a good source of information for managing asthma in the context of sports like squash and/or increasing lung function? Christopher

Response:

These are great. Thanks! Chris

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Chris: I found this resource which I think might give you some ideas.  Jackie Joyner Kersee (Olympic athlete) and Chad Brown (Seattle Seahawk) both have asthma and both of them discuss the ’sports and asthma’ issue.  Might give you some ideas.  The second link is a link to ‘managing asthma’ which also might be able to answer some questions.  I certainly hope you are able to find a way to enjoy and excel at squash – Good Luck http://www.healthtalk.com/aen/pathfinders.html http://www.healthtalk.com/aen/toc/managing/index.html Chia Having trouble achieving my potential in squash due primarily to lack of "wind."  After several years of working to increase my wind and working with my doctor to manage the asthma meds, I still get winded like a beginner at times. Anyone know of a good source of information for managing asthma in the context of sports like squash and/or increasing lung function? Christopher

Response:

Having trouble achieving my potential in squash due primarily to lack of "wind."  After several years of working to increase my wind and working with my doctor to manage the asthma meds, I still get winded like a beginner at times. Anyone know of a good source of information for managing asthma in the context of sports like squash and/or increasing lung function? Christopher

Response:

Question:

I have had asthma for 53 years.  I just last year moved to an all electric apartment.  It was just accidental that I  moved into all electric, but where I lived before there was a wall heater, and a water heater, both breathing out semi burned exhaust fumes. It is strange that scientists are so slow in listing all of the things causing asthma.  I guess it is a matter of money.  

Actually, this is because so far there has been no demonstrated ’cause and effect’ relationship.  Go do a medline search and you will find tons of actual research where different things have been investigated as potential causes of asthma.  (BTW, the evidence is almost overwhelming that the ’cause’ of asthma is genetic.) If I fry something, and I burn it, I can get asthma from the smoke, or asthma from the burnt food.  A six year old can not tell you too much about what caused the asthma.

These are asthma symptoms – not asthma.  The difference is subtle but very important to somebody with asthma. If your doctor prefers steroids to asthma medicine you might have problems also.  Asthma medicine is to stop asthma attacks. Steroids are used for all kinds of things.  Steroids are not designed to stop asthma attacks.  Even a non prescription asthma drug will begin stopping an attack in one hour.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways.  The various anti inflammatory medications (such as steroids) are indented to control the disease itself and not just counteract the symptoms.  These medications are known as ‘long term control’ medications and are designed to prevent asthma attacks from occurring in the first place. The introduction of these medications have revolution asthma treatment and resulted in dramatic quality of life improvements (and lowered fatality rates) for asthmatics. The other type of asthma medications is the ‘quick relief’ medications.  An example of this is albuterol.  These medications will quickly counteract asthma symptoms but will do nothing to control the underlying disease. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

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There are all kinds of things that cause asthma.  I had an allergy test once, and they came up with dust mites.  But there were many many things they did not test for.  It would have cost a small fortune. I have had asthma for 53 years.  I just last year moved to an all electric apartment.  It was just accidental that I  moved into all electric, but where I lived before there was a wall heater, and a water heater, both breathing out semi burned exhaust fumes. It is strange that scientists are so slow in listing all of the things causing asthma.  I guess it is a matter of money.   If I fry something, and I burn it, I can get asthma from the smoke, or asthma from the burnt food.  A six year old can not tell you too much about what caused the asthma. If your doctor prefers steroids to asthma medicine you might have problems also.  Asthma medicine is to stop asthma attacks. Steroids are used for all kinds of things.  Steroids are not designed to stop asthma attacks.  Even a non prescription asthma drug will begin stopping an attack in one hour. Rugs are good to get rid of also.  There is a lot of good literature available on managing asthma, but I don’t trust them on steroids.  God Bless.  Good luck.   Lester – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our six year old girl is getting hit hard by something:  the allergist suspects allergies (yeah, she tested positive for molds, etc.) and/or cough variant asthma, but somehow I suspect either viruses and/or sinusitis. She gets it bad several times a year.  We live in Pennsylvania and are considering moving to a "better" climate for her (and the rest of us, who get coughing illnesses occasionally too), if we can FIND a "better" climate. The problem is that a couple of years after moving she is likely to become allergic to something in the new environment.   I doubt it’s that simple.  Climates and allergies differ.  I would suggest checking with your allergist (you have one?).  And getting other contacts from him/her.  Some allergies can be helped by moving. some cannot.  Generally, dryer climates are better, but you have to check into what else is in the new area.  Some research is necessary, but doable.  It is worth looking into. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans. ???

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Our six year old girl is getting hit hard by something:  the allergist suspects allergies (yeah, she tested positive for molds, etc.) and/or cough variant asthma, but somehow I suspect either viruses and/or sinusitis. She gets it bad several times a year.  We live in Pennsylvania and are considering moving to a "better" climate for her (and the rest of us, who get coughing illnesses occasionally too), if we can FIND a "better" climate. The problem is that a couple of years after moving she is likely to become allergic to something in the new environment.  

I doubt it’s that simple.  Climates and allergies differ.  I would suggest checking with your allergist (you have one?).  And getting other contacts from him/her.  Some allergies can be helped by moving. some cannot.  Generally, dryer climates are better, but you have to check into what else is in the new area.  Some research is necessary, but doable.  It is worth looking into. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

???

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Question:

Many drugs have not been extensively tested in pregnant women, so it’s hard to say.  Most Drs. look at benefit to you vs. risk to baby.  When I became pregnant (I have relatively severe asthma), my OB (working with asthma Dr.) dropped my oral meds and increased Flovent from 110 to 220 (took serevent and albuterol inhaler and neb too) to compensate and added a nasal inhaler (inhalers are considered to be much safer for baby than oral meds).  Wasn’t the greatest solution, but I could live with it.  As you probably know, the first trimester is the time with the baby is most sensitive to many medications.  My OB did let me have some oral meds back when I reached third trimester. As far as breastfeeding, my bottle of accolate has a sticker on it from the pharmacy specifically recommending against breastfeeding while taking it. Hope this helps… Nikki

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all!! I’ve been a somewhat semi-regular poster here, and have another question I take Accolate, 20 mg/twice daily for my asthma.  I’ve had wonderful results with it, so I am going to continue.  The question I have is this : My hubby and I are trying to have a baby.  Can I still have a healthy baby/pregnancy while on the Accolate?  I know that it can seep (for lack of a better term) into breast milk.  Willa ll i have to do is not breat-feed? TIA for any responses. Frances.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all!! I’ve been a somewhat semi-regular poster here, and have another question I take Accolate, 20 mg/twice daily for my asthma.  I’ve had wonderful results with it, so I am going to continue.  The question I have is this : My hubby and I are trying to have a baby.  Can I still have a healthy baby/pregnancy while on the Accolate?  I know that it can seep (for lack of a better term) into breast milk.  Willa ll i have to do is not breat-feed? TIA for any responses. Frances.

On the one hand Accolate is a Class B drug, meaning relatively safe as far as asthma drugs go. On the other hand it’s a new drug and an oral one; many doctors prefer to stay with older drugs with long term histories of safety, and with inhaled drugs do to lower doses and just to lungs. Drug info at rxlist.com  Here’s another link: http://allergy.mcg.edu/advice/pregnasth.html Managing asthma and allergies during pregnancy Ellis Ellis — Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all!! I’ve been a somewhat semi-regular poster here, and have another question I take Accolate, 20 mg/twice daily for my asthma.  I’ve had wonderful results with it, so I am going to continue.  The question I have is this : My hubby and I are trying to have a baby.  Can I still have a healthy baby/pregnancy while on the Accolate?  I know that it can seep (for lack of a better term) into breast milk.  Willa ll i have to do is not breat-feed? TIA for any responses. Frances.

Hi Frances, My name is martin and I’m a 4th year pharmacy student graduating this may. I’m glad to hear that accolate is working so well for you.  I searched the WWW for the answer to your question.  The best place to find information about accolate is at http://www.accolateinfo.com a website provided by the manufacturer.  The following is pulled from the package insert for prescribing : "Pregnancy Category B: No teratogenicity was observed at oral doses up to 1600 mg/kg/day in mice (approximately 160 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults on a mg/m2 basis), 2000mg/kg/day in rats approximately 410 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults on a mg/m2 basis), and 2000 mg/kg/day in cynomolgus monkeys approximately 120 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults based on comparison of the AUCs of total drug exposure). At an oral dose of 2000 mg/kg/day (approximately 410 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose in adults on a mg/m2 basis) in rats, maternal toxicity and deaths were seen with increased incidence of early fetal resorption. Spontaneous abortions occurred in cynomolgus monkeys at a maternally toxic dose of 2000 mg/kg/day. There are no adequate and well-controlled trials in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, ACCOLATE should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers: Zafirlukast is excreted in breast milk. Following repeated 40-mg twice-a-day dosing in healthy women, average steady-state concentrations of zafirlukast in breast milk were 50 ng/mL compared to 255 ng/mL in plasma. Because of the potential for tumorigenicity shown for zafirlukast in mouse and rat studies and the enhanced sensitivity of neonatal rats and dogs to the adverse effects of zafirlukast, ACCOLATE should not be administered to mothers who are breast-feeding. " As you can see the answer to your question is basically a question mark, even though these animals have reproductive systems very similar to humans. So really the decision is up to your docter and determining how badly you really need the medication for the time.  My opinion is to take no chances even if they are relatively slim as they are in this situation.  And as far as the breast feeding is concerned you are exactly correct.  If i can be of sincerely, Martin K. Chan, Pharm.D. Candidate Nova SE University

Response:

Hi, all!! I’ve been a somewhat semi-regular poster here, and have another question I take Accolate, 20 mg/twice daily for my asthma.  I’ve had wonderful results with it, so I am going to continue.  The question I have is this : My hubby and I are trying to have a baby.  Can I still have a healthy baby/pregnancy while on the Accolate?  I know that it can seep (for lack of a better term) into breast milk.  Willa ll i have to do is not breat-feed? TIA for any responses. Frances.

Response:

Hi, all!! I’ve been a somewhat semi-regular poster here, and have another question I take Accolate, 20 mg/twice daily for my asthma.  I’ve had wonderful results with it, so I am going to continue.  The question I have is this : My hubby and I are trying to have a baby.  Can I still have a healthy baby/pregnancy while on the Accolate?  I know that it can seep (for lack of a better term) into breast milk.  Willa ll i have to do is not breat-feed? TIA for any responses.

This is really something you should discuss with your doctors.  They may decide to change your medications while you are pregnant and they may not.  Generally the medications are considered to be less risky for an unborn child that the asthma. No electrons were harmed in the posting of this message.

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Question:

Hi! i don’t really remember of any mood swings but i do vaguely remember that i’m always in a daze back then. And do feel a sense of memory loss ?? Perhaps i were down with so many inhalers and meds that i’m taking that had resulted in me feeling so down or it would have been other problems that i myself do not know how to explain. I were taking Serevent 2puffs 2 times a day, theo-24 2 300mg of theo-24 capsules and flixotide 125mg 3puffs 2 times a day. Back then i did some medical checks and discovered that my blood pressure was 144/72 and there were traces of protein found in my urine. Before i were on this meds, my blood pressure was very normal (120/80 ?) and there were no traces of proteins found in my urine. I’m not very sure if it’s related to the meds that i’m  taking . Anyone with such problems? With regards,

| I’m taking 300mg. of Theophylline 3-4 times a day. This has caused me | to become jittery (I only consume non-caffeine sodas) and especially | moody. I’d asked my doctor if I could cut down on it or be off from it | but she said that it was essential for me to have a steady "theo-blood" | level. Anyone has problems with mood swings taking Theophylline? | | | * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * | The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free! |

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i don’t really remember i’m always in a daze back then. And do feel a sense of memory loss ?? Perhaps i myself do not know how to explain. Back then

Typical.  Eventually everyone experiences "CRS" (Can’t Remember Shit). Sheldon On a recent Night Court rerun, Judge Harry Stone had a wonderful line: "I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out."

Response:

The individual body response to this drug is so very very varied. There are some people who could tolerate this dose, breathe better and suffer no consequences. I am NOT one of them. I swear that if I even touch a tablet I can become hyper have shaky hands become mean and quite intolerable. As far as you are concerned..the answer is a most decided yes…….I would discuss this with your physician and see if an alternative  could be found. I hope this is helpful BOB

Response:

I’m taking 300mg. of Theophylline 3-4 times a day. This has caused me to become jittery (I only consume non-caffeine sodas) and especially moody. I’d asked my doctor if I could cut down on it or be off from it but she said that it was essential for me to have a steady "theo-blood" level. Anyone has problems with mood swings taking Theophylline?

Theophylline used to be the main asthma drug; now it’s usually used in Low Dose as an additive drug to steroid inhalers like Pulmicort and Flovent. You are on a High Dose of theophylline, which tends to have several side effects including headaches and mood swings. On high dose, periodic blood level checks are needed; on low dose, not needed (per my doctor). The NHLBI Expert Panel Report 2 recommends a usual maximum dose of theophylline sustained release (SR) of 800 mg/day or blood level of 5-15 mcg/ml. Usually 12-hour sustained release version is used; the 24-hour version tends to have wide variability in blood levels in many people. The object is to maintain a fairly constant blood level of theophylline. I would suggest adding or increasing inhaled steroids and cutting back on the theophylline SR to stay within the 800 mg/day suggested limit. Link: http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinGuide/AsthmaIM/comp3/3-5a.html Asthma Education: Interactive Guidelines:  Component 3: Pharmacologic Therapy Figure 3-5a: Usual Dosages for Long-Term-Control Medications "Theophylline Starting dose 10 mg/kg/day up to 300 mg max;  usual max 800 mg/day " "Adjust dosage to achieve serum concentration of 5-15 mcg/mL at steady-state (at least 48 hours on same dosage). Due to wide interpatient variability in theophylline metabolic clearance, routine serum theophylline level monitoring is important. " Ellis

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I have periodically had real mood swings while taking theophylline.  I see from your previous post that you are taking 3 bronchodilators and a topical steroid. I suspect that your topical steroid is not strong enough, if you have to be on 3 different bronchodilators. Serevent and albuterol and theophylline all cause jitters. If I took all these, they would have to get me off the ceiling with a paint scraper. Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m taking 300mg. of Theophylline 3-4 times a day. This has caused me to become jittery (I only consume non-caffeine sodas) and especially moody. I’d asked my doctor if I could cut down on it or be off from it but she said that it was essential for me to have a steady "theo-blood" level. Anyone has problems with mood swings taking Theophylline? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I’m taking 300mg. of Theophylline 3-4 times a day. This has caused me to become jittery (I only consume non-caffeine sodas) and especially moody. I’d asked my doctor if I could cut down on it or be off from it but she said that it was essential for me to have a steady "theo-blood" level. Anyone has problems with mood swings taking Theophylline? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

First, I hope your doctor is at least knowledgeble in the treatment of asthma, though I wonder, considering that you are taking theophylline on a daily multi-dose program (a rather out-dated way of managing asthma). Talk to your doctor about getting your theophylline in a 24hour time released form. Not only does it help regulate the theophylline in your blood, but it reduces the amount of memory cells required to remember if and when you took your last dose :*) Two brands that I’ve used: Uniphyl (300 mgs) and Theo-24 (300 and 200 mgs). The time-released meds also reduce the amount of theophylline you have to take. I was taking 300mg two to three times per day until I was put on Uniphyl 300mgs once per day. I got the same relief from the 24hour pill as I got from the multi-dose generic (***a word of caution! I was told by my asthma specialist to avoid generics when taking time-released meds because the timing could be off or inconsistent in the generics). Theo-24 was better than Uniphyl and I was able to reduce to 200mgs. I no longer take theophylline products (thank goodness!) because I don’t like the side-effects. I use Singulair once per day and a rescue inhaler/nebulizer when needed. I’m supposed to take inhaled steroids but I get too many systemic side-effects to make it worth my while. I’ll take my chances with the non-steroid products until something better comes along (maybe the new drug, E25??? I can only hope…). Sorry, I don’t recall problems with mood swings that I can attribute to Theophylline, but I can understand the possibility considering how the side-effects made me crazy while I was on it. Talk to your doctor, though. The mood swings could be the result of something else (perhaps depression — not uncommon in asthmatics). Lisa S. — Starlight Bridals                  TOLL FREE!  888-VEILS-33 Affordable headpieces, veils, and more! Since 1995… http://starlightbridals.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m taking 300mg. of Theophylline 3-4 times a day. This has caused me to become jittery (I only consume non-caffeine sodas) and especially moody. I’d asked my doctor if I could cut down on it or be off from it but she said that it was essential for me to have a steady "theo-blood" level. Anyone has problems with mood swings taking Theophylline? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Question:

I have had pretty mild asthma as a kid, then it went away for twenty years, no symptoms at all. About ten years ago they started creeping back.  Very mild for the longest time.  An albuterol inhaler would last me two years. Last August I was on a 250 mile bike trip and climbing in the canadian rockies.  Things just went nuts.  At first I thought it was HAPE (high altitude pulmonary adema).  But I was only at 11000 ft and have been at altitudes much higher repeatedly before.  Since then my asthma has gone from type I to type IV.  Doing something as simple as washing the dishes now has a 50/50 chance of bringing on an attack. Needless to say, its very depressing going from pretty active to almost nonfunctional in the space of two months.  I’ve gone through 6 albuterol inhalers since October.  Are changes this rapid common? Is this trend likely to continue? I’ve started using corticosteroids (Vanceril DS), a month ago.  I resisted this for a while as I’ve always had a low med approach to life (I almost never take pain killers, antibiotics only if it is likely to make a difference, I dont look for solutions in pills as a rule). Inhalation of beclomethasone will always cause enough irritation to require using albuterol.  Do other people have this problem? I have an absoutely excellent GP who has been treating me.  (I don’t lavish praise on doctors easily.  I have found most to be talentless hacks.  I know it arrogant, but I am better educated and smarter than most.  This guy has a widely held reputation in the university med community as being one of the best diagnostic people around).  I fear that my quality of care will go down if I go to a specialist (as I have experienced on other occasions).  Have many of the people here found asthma specialists to be so much better?  Or am I likely just to get the prescirptions for Vanceril/Prednisone/Serevent on preprinted forms with only my name to fill in? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had pretty mild asthma as a kid, then it went away for twenty years, no symptoms at all. About ten years ago they started creeping back.  Very mild for the longest time.  An albuterol inhaler would last me two years. Last August I was on a 250 mile bike trip and climbing in the canadian rockies.  Things just went nuts.  At first I thought it was HAPE (high altitude pulmonary adema).  But I was only at 11000 ft and have been at altitudes much higher repeatedly before.  Since then my asthma has gone from type I to type IV.  Doing something as simple as washing the dishes now has a 50/50 chance of bringing on an attack. Needless to say, its very depressing going from pretty active to almost nonfunctional in the space of two months.  I’ve gone through 6 albuterol inhalers since October.  Are changes this rapid common? Is this trend likely to continue? I’ve started using corticosteroids (Vanceril DS), a month ago.  I resisted this for a while as I’ve always had a low med approach to life (I almost never take pain killers, antibiotics only if it is likely to make a difference, I dont look for solutions in pills as a rule). Inhalation of beclomethasone will always cause enough irritation to require using albuterol.  Do other people have this problem? I have an absoutely excellent GP who has been treating me.  (I don’t lavish praise on doctors easily.  I have found most to be talentless hacks.  I know it arrogant, but I am better educated and smarter than most.  This guy has a widely held reputation in the university med community as being one of the best diagnostic people around).  I fear that my quality of care will go down if I go to a specialist (as I have experienced on other occasions).  Have many of the people here found asthma specialists to be so much better?  Or am I likely just to get the prescirptions for Vanceril/Prednisone/Serevent on preprinted forms with only my name to fill in?

First I am sorry to hear of your situation and I can sympathize somewhat since I was also more active (although not as much as you) before a bout of bronchial infection (about 2 yrs ago) and went from rarely using my inhaler to using it every night.  I’m not sure I have been hit as much as you, but I had to stop running — something I did ~ 4 or 5 times/week and although I’m far from a fitness freak, I really missed the activity.  It became depressing for me to even try to run.  That effort would just cause my asthma to act up severely even with using an inhaler before exercise. I have been seeing an allergy specialist for ~15 years.  My recommendation to you is do your homework/research and find the best one you can afford. Your GP may be great, but you really need a specialist who is up on the latest treatments (and they’re coming in all the time).   I took shots many years ago and that got rid of my usual springtime struggle with tree and grass pollen.  I rarely even notice them in spring. I went back to my allergist when my asthma problems kicked up into high gear.  I’ve experimented with several inhalents, but with little luck.  6 weeks ago he asked me to try Singulaire (a one/day asthma "blocker"). Well, I’m not completely symptom free, but in the last week I got up the guts to try running again.  This time instead of stopping after 3/4 mile and gasping and wheezing, I ran for over two miles and showed only very mild symptoms of exercise induced asthma.  Even those symptoms went away as I ran.  Remember I am out of shape by now and, thus, this is doing pretty good.   Now I realize this is only the beginning of a test period for me and there are no guarantees, but I strongly suggest you find a good specialist.  You will probably also have to experiment and don’t be afraid to be nudgy with your allergist.  Asthma can be exacerbated by infections and other things.  The body apparently can get stuck in various "bad" modes of reaction to allergens and irritations.  Sounds like this is what happened to you.  You really need to see someone who knows about allergies and asthma _in depth_.   Good luck and stick with it. —  == My views and opinions are not those of the U.S. Navy. ==  == No Spamming or Soliciting — both are illegal at this site ==   Check out our Nonlinear Web site: http://chaos-mac.nrl.navy.mil/  * The 5th Experimental Chaos Conference June 1999. Check it out at http://www.physics.gatech.edu/ecc5/#proceedings  * The 4th Experimental Chaos Conference proceedings now available. The cracks in our butts go vertical rather than horizontal so we do not vibrate going down the sliding board.  Ergo we are created by a benevolent God.  – Harry Hallez

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had pretty mild asthma as a kid, then it went away for twenty years, no symptoms at all. About ten years ago they started creeping back.  Very mild for the longest time.  An albuterol inhaler would last me two years. Last August I was on a 250 mile bike trip and climbing in the canadian rockies.  Things just went nuts.  At first I thought it was HAPE (high altitude pulmonary adema).  But I was only at 11000 ft and have been at altitudes much higher repeatedly before.  Since then my asthma has gone from type I to type IV.  Doing something as simple as washing the dishes now has a 50/50 chance of bringing on an attack. Needless to say, its very depressing going from pretty active to almost nonfunctional in the space of two months.  I’ve gone through 6 albuterol inhalers since October.  Are changes this rapid common? Is this trend likely to continue?

It sounds like you might have contracted something; like a viral lung condition, acute bronchitis for example. It can last for a couple of months. Such a condition can also cause lung damage, resulting in more severe asthma. I’ve started using corticosteroids (Vanceril DS), a month ago.  I resisted this for a while as I’ve always had a low med approach to life (I almost never take pain killers, antibiotics only if it is likely to make a difference, I dont look for solutions in pills as a rule). Inhalation of beclomethasone will always cause enough irritation to require using albuterol.  Do other people have this problem?

No, inhaling beclomethasone shouldn’t require albuterol as an antidote. Be sure to use an AeroChamber spacer when inhaling beclomethasone from an MDI, to minimize side effects. If you continue to have problems with beclomethasone, you may want to try another steroid, like budesonide (Pulmicort Turb.) I have an absoutely excellent GP who has been treating me.  (I don’t lavish praise on doctors easily.  I have found most to be talentless hacks.  I know it arrogant, but I am better educated and smarter than most.  This guy has a widely held reputation in the university med community as being one of the best diagnostic people around).  I fear that my quality of care will go down if I go to a specialist (as I have experienced on other occasions).  Have many of the people here found asthma specialists to be so much better?  Or am I likely just to get the prescirptions for Vanceril/Prednisone/Serevent on preprinted forms with only my name to fill in?

Anyone with Step 4 asthma should be seeing an asthma doctor; probably a pulmonologist. Asthma is diagnosed with lung function tests; typically using a spirometer. Lung function is measured before and after administering a bronchodilator; a 12% improvement tends to support an asthma diagnosis. There are several look-alike conditions to rule out. If you have allergies, these should be tested to minimize exposure; any GE reflux or sinusitis should be treated. Vanceril is not really a good inhaler to use for step 4 Severe asthma since its a weak dose; a better inhaler is Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Flovent 220, or possibly Vanceril Double Strength. The dose should be adjusted to keep your peak flow in the Green Zone (80% personal best). Ellis

Response:

how do we identify which step we are in ? i mean the asthma severity in this case. An Excerpt from the mail : Anyone with Step 4 asthma should be seeing an asthma doctor; | probably a pulmonologist. Asthma is diagnosed with lung function | tests; typically using a spirometer. Lung function is measured | before and after administering a bronchodilator; a 12% improvement | tends to support an asthma diagnosis. There are several look-alike | conditions to rule out. If you have allergies, these should be | tested to minimize exposure; any GE reflux or sinusitis should be | treated.

Response:

how do we identify which step we are in ? i mean the asthma

 severity in this case. See this link to Expert Panel Report 2, Fig 3-4a: http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinGuide/AsthmaIM/comp3/3-4a.html Figure 3-4a: Stepwise Approach for Managing Asthma in Adults and Children Older that 5 Years of Age: Classify Severity Excerpt, staircase table:            Symptoms**                       Nighttime Symptoms                                      Lung Function STEP 4 Severe Persistent            Continual symptoms            Limited physical activity            Frequent exacerbations                        Frequent                                    FEV1 /PEF < 60% predicted                                    PEF variability 30% See Fig 3-4a link for STEP 3, 2, 1. Ellis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – An Excerpt from the mail : Anyone with Step 4 asthma should be seeing an asthma doctor; | probably a pulmonologist. Asthma is diagnosed with lung function | tests; typically using a spirometer. Lung function is measured | before and after administering a bronchodilator; a 12% improvement | tends to support an asthma diagnosis. There are several look-alike | conditions to rule out. If you have allergies, these should be | tested to minimize exposure; any GE reflux or sinusitis should be | treated.

Response:

I have an absoutely excellent GP who has been treating me.  (I don’t lavish praise on doctors easily.  I have found most to be talentless hacks.  I know it arrogant, but I am better educated and smarter than most.  This guy has a widely held reputation in the university med community as being one of the best diagnostic people around).  I fear that my quality of care will go down if I go to a specialist (as I have experienced on other occasions).  Have many of the people here found asthma specialists to be so much better?  Or am I likely just to get the prescirptions for Vanceril/Prednisone/Serevent on preprinted forms with only my name to fill in?

If your regular MD was as wonderful a doctor as you claim he/she would have already refered you to a specialist for evaluation, probably a Pulmonologist, someone that your excellent doctor holds in high esteem besides him or herself. Sheldon On a recent Night Court rerun, Judge Harry Stone had a wonderful line: "I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out."

Response:

Like in your field, some are better than others. You have to shop around sometimes to find someone who will do a good job for you. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had pretty mild asthma as a kid, then it went away for twenty years, no symptoms at all. About ten years ago they started creeping back.  Very mild for the longest time.  An albuterol inhaler would last me two years. Last August I was on a 250 mile bike trip and climbing in the canadian rockies.  Things just went nuts.  At first I thought it was HAPE (high altitude pulmonary adema).  But I was only at 11000 ft and have been at altitudes much higher repeatedly before.  Since then my asthma has gone from type I to type IV.  Doing something as simple as washing the dishes now has a 50/50 chance of bringing on an attack. Needless to say, its very depressing going from pretty active to almost nonfunctional in the space of two months.  I’ve gone through 6 albuterol inhalers since October.  Are changes this rapid common? Is this trend likely to continue? I’ve started using corticosteroids (Vanceril DS), a month ago.  I resisted this for a while as I’ve always had a low med approach to life (I almost never take pain killers, antibiotics only if it is likely to make a difference, I dont look for solutions in pills as a rule). Inhalation of beclomethasone will always cause enough irritation to require using albuterol.  Do other people have this problem? I have an absoutely excellent GP who has been treating me.  (I don’t lavish praise on doctors easily.  I have found most to be talentless hacks.  I know it arrogant, but I am better educated and smarter than most.  This guy has a widely held reputation in the university med community as being one of the best diagnostic people around).  I fear that my quality of care will go down if I go to a specialist (as I have experienced on other occasions).  Have many of the people here found asthma specialists to be so much better?  Or am I likely just to get the prescirptions for Vanceril/Prednisone/Serevent on preprinted forms with only my name to fill in? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

– Don Elton Columbia, SC http://www.midcarolina.org

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Question:

In july i came down very ill from bronchitus (spelling) that gave me 8 severe asthma attacks which put me in the pulmonary  icu for 2 1/2 months it has been almost 4 months of steriods damage to right lung and my dr telling me to stay away from ppl that are sick because your immune system is very bad.not to go outside for shopping nothing i have had to take a medical leave of absents from work and right now they are talking about removing the damaged part of the lung ..the strang thing was about all this that i hadnt had a asthma flare up for several years before this so be patient i know it is not easy trust me my fiance is ready to go bald with me trying to sneak outside just for a couple seconds i hate being at home and i just wanna go do something if you want someone to talk to feel free to email me

kathlieen(if only asthma can be cured i wouldn’t feel like a prisoner in my own body) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Pam) writes: My question is this:  Are people with asthma or any other serious disease more prone to other illnesses? I have this problem with asthma making be infection prone which in turn I my case the link has just been diagnosed as Bronchiectosis (spelling ?) which I understand to be some form of lung damage which harbours the bugs. Apparently this thing can develop when asthma is not adequately treated. I’ve no idea of the physiology of the thing but I’ve been told the treatment is antiobiotics over a prolonged period of time or perhaps a supply at home so I can self medicate. Apart from the obvious tactic of avoiding contact with infected people (my wife is sleeping in the spare room at the moment !), the only other defence is to ensure that lungs are cleared regulaly – I try to do this using techniques my physiotherapist taught me. All this doesn’t sound too optimistic I’m afraid – However, on the plus side, by being a good patient and taking my pills, having my nebuliser and doing my lung drainage techniques etc etc I am starting to make a little progress after many many months. It’s only now I’m beginning to understand the origins of the word "patient" ! Brian

Response:

I’m taking Flovent and backed off everything else except albuteral inhaler when needed. Flovent 220 2 puffs twice a day. Does anyone know if this is ok or should I just stop taking it???? We had to do IVF and don’t want to put the 2 embryo’s at risk. It took too long to get to where we are and I don’t want to mess anything up. Right now I don’t have any problems except around 3 am I wake up alittle wheezy when I deep breathe, but that is nothing new for the last 2 months. Thanks for any advice you can give!!!    Debbie

You should absolutely, absolutely talk to your doctor, not just a newsgroup. I’d say that generally, keeping your asthma under control is the key to a healthy pregnancy. Not having enough oxygen is the big danger here for your baby. Don’t stop the flovent. If anything is bad at all, it’s the albuterol over the flovent, and from what I’ve read there is a slightly higher incidence of cleft palate (which is very easy to fix). But please, ask a specialist about it. And report back to us! I’ll need to know the answer to this one in a few years, and I’m on the *exact* same meds you are.. -Jenny p.s. and of course, make sure your bedroom is totally allergy proof. Get special dust mite covers for the pillows, mattress, boxspring, comforter, and a hepa filter, and possibly a humidifier if it is very dry. ( I resisted one a long time since I have a terrible allergy to mold, but it does help keep membranes moist and helped my asthma). It’s expensive, but nothing compared to IVF again!!! Feel free to email me with more info about allergy stuff: I don’t check the newsgroup that often. Jennifer Gerbi                          http://www.students.uiuc.edu/~gerbi Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   1-113 ESB             (217)244-0332

Response:

(Pam) writes: My question is this:  Are people with asthma or any other serious disease more prone to other illnesses?

I have this problem with asthma making be infection prone which in turn I my case the link has just been diagnosed as Bronchiectosis (spelling ?) which I understand to be some form of lung damage which harbours the bugs. Apparently this thing can develop when asthma is not adequately treated. I’ve no idea of the physiology of the thing but I’ve been told the treatment is antiobiotics over a prolonged period of time or perhaps a supply at home so I can self medicate. Apart from the obvious tactic of avoiding contact with infected people (my wife is sleeping in the spare room at the moment !), the only other defence is to ensure that lungs are cleared regulaly – I try to do this using techniques my physiotherapist taught me. All this doesn’t sound too optimistic I’m afraid – However, on the plus side, by being a good patient and taking my pills, having my nebuliser and doing my lung drainage techniques etc etc I am starting to make a little progress after many many months. It’s only now I’m beginning to understand the origins of the word "patient" ! Brian

Response:

I’m taking Flovent and backed off everything else except albuteral inhaler when needed. Flovent 220 2 puffs twice a day. Does anyone know if this is ok or should I just stop taking it???? We had to do IVF and don’t want to put the 2 embryo’s at risk. It took too long to get to where we are and I don’t want to mess anything up. Right now I don’t have any problems except around 3 am I wake up alittle wheezy when I deep breathe, but that is nothing new for the last 2 months. Thanks for any advice you can give!!!    Debbie

Most doctors feel that undertreated asthma is a greater risk to an fetus than the asthma medications. No electrons were harmed in the posting of this message.

Response:

I’m taking Flovent and backed off everything else except albuteral inhaler when needed. Flovent 220 2 puffs twice a day. Does anyone know if this is ok or should I just stop taking it???? We had to do IVF and don’t want to put the 2 embryo’s at risk. It took too long to get to where we are and I don’t want to mess anything up. Right now I don’t have any problems except around 3 am I wake up alittle wheezy when I deep breathe, but that is nothing new for the last 2 months. Thanks for any advice you can give!!!    Debbie — "Live with great expectations, and great things happen." Art Fettig

Response:

I’m taking Flovent and backed off everything else except albuteral inhaler when needed. Flovent 220 2 puffs twice a day. Does anyone know if this is ok or should I just stop taking it???? We had to do IVF and don’t want to put the 2 embryo’s at risk. It took too long to get to where we are and I don’t want to mess anything up. Right now I don’t have any problems except around 3 am I wake up alittle wheezy when I deep breathe, but that is nothing new for the last 2 months. Thanks for any advice you can give!!!    Debbie —

Your dose of Flovent, 4 pf x 220 ug=880 ug, is a High Dose. Many asthma doctors prefer to use the older asthma drugs like beclomethasone (Vanceril DS) rather than newer ones like Flovent. Other doctors think all steroids inhalers are very similar except for strength per puff. Links: http://allergy.mcg.edu/advice/pregnasth.html Managing Asthma and Allergies "Medications used during pregnancy are usually selected based on the following criteria: Inhaled medications are generally preferred because they have a more localized effect with only small amounts entering the bloodstream. Time-tested older medications are preferred since there is more experience with their use during pregnancy. Medication use is limited in the first trimester as much as possible when the baby is developing the most, although birth defects due to medications are rare (no more than 1 percent of all birth defects are attributable to all medications). " http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/updates/pregnant.htm JAMA ‘97 http://www.aaaai.org/public/publicedmat/tips/asthmaandpregnancy.stm ASTHMA AND PREGNANCY

Response:

Came back from the doctor this afternoon, and diagnosed as having a sinus infection so once again I am on antibiotic.  I was worried I had viral meningitis again as I had a terrible headache, neck ache that traveled down my back and nausea.  Everything ached except my sinuses. My nose was not clogged and I could breath fine.  Had post-nasal drip but seems I always have that, more or less. After sleeping for what seems the past two days and running a low-grade fever, I think I am starting to feel better.  I just got over an asthma attack three weeks ago and was not prepared to be sick again. My question is this:  Are people with asthma or any other serious disease more prone to other illnesses?  I have started a vitamin regime and everything to try and keep well and wondering if it is a losing battle.  People at work are seeing me in aura of sickliness which I have never been accustomed to in the past.  Just seems I get better from one thing then I am back to being ill from another.  Does the use of steroids mess up the immunal system or is this just a fluke in my health I am experiencing? As from what jenwolf has written on a previous posting, I can understand her feeling of helplessness and anger because trying to work and feel well takes an awfull toll at times.  Will just keep fighting but this is not to say am happy about being sickly so often. No sooner do I have a good day, I seem to accumulate a generous portion of bad days to offset them.   Always, pam

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Question:

Thank you so much.  I have a lot to learn about the internet.  I hope I didn’t offend anyone. Judie

Response:

I don’t know how this happened but I, Judie, wrote the article beginning "I have posted here a couple of times" but what I read has it written by R Bishop. I could still use some questions to ask the specialist. Thanks for all of those who have responded in case I didn’t get the responses personally. Judie

Judie.  Your original thread has been answered by several people. That’s the way the internet works, you write something, someone replies, someone ELSE replies to THAT person and edits out what you have written.  You don’t OWN an article, things mutate around here into different discussions and sloppy editing can change attributions. However, your post is still here.  Just count the little arrows, that’s what determines who posted what. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would agree. Your calcium intake is not high enough. You should be taking at least 4, probably 6 tums per day, two at a time. Because of all the steroids you probably should have bone density measured to look for osteoporosis and should see an eye doctor to screen for cataracts. As for the steroids, the Azmacort seems to not be working. If you respond to the oral steroids then your inhled steroid should be switched to one of the stronger ones. If you do not then they should re-think whether they are helping or hurting you. You also may do better with the addition of sevrevent and/or swithching the albuterol (Ventolin) to Combivent. CBI I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:       Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm       Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily       Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg   Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg  Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg  Effexor         1               am 10 mg  Singulair       1               am 15 mg  Prednisone **                   daily 1.25   Premarin        1               pm 5 mg   Provera         1               pm       Chlortrimeton   1               pm       Metamucil       1 tbsp          am       Tums *          2               pm       Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie  I suggest you ask him about FloVent or an equivalent.  The Azmacort obviously isn’t working or you wouldn’t still be on Predisone.  Also, ask him about bone loss due to the Prednisone and ask if you should increase your Calcium intake.  I take Citrocal 500 mg twice a day, just to be safe. You might also try switching over to the Fibercon tablets instead of the Metamusil.  I’ve found it’s much easier to take. Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Response:

I don’t know how this happened but I, Judie, wrote the article beginning "I have posted here a couple of times" but what I read has it written by R Bishop. I could still use some questions to ask the specialist. Thanks for all of those who have responded in case I didn’t get the responses personally. Judie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would agree. Your calcium intake is not high enough. You should be taking at least 4, probably 6 tums per day, two at a time. Because of all the steroids you probably should have bone density measured to look for osteoporosis and should see an eye doctor to screen for cataracts. As for the steroids, the Azmacort seems to not be working. If you respond to the oral steroids then your inhled steroid should be switched to one of the stronger ones. If you do not then they should re-think whether they are helping or hurting you. You also may do better with the addition of sevrevent and/or swithching the albuterol (Ventolin) to Combivent. CBI I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:       Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm       Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily       Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg   Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg  Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg  Effexor         1               am 10 mg  Singulair       1               am 15 mg  Prednisone **                   daily 1.25   Premarin        1               pm 5 mg   Provera         1               pm       Chlortrimeton   1               pm       Metamucil       1 tbsp          am       Tums *          2               pm       Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie  I suggest you ask him about FloVent or an equivalent.  The Azmacort obviously isn’t working or you wouldn’t still be on Predisone.  Also, ask him about bone loss due to the Prednisone and ask if you should increase your Calcium intake.  I take Citrocal 500 mg twice a day, just to be safe. You might also try switching over to the Fibercon tablets instead of the Metamusil.  I’ve found it’s much easier to take. Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Response:

I would agree. Your calcium intake is not high enough. You should be taking at least 4, probably 6 tums per day, two at a time.

Just get a bottle of Citracal with Vit. D.  Works great. Because of all the steroids you probably should have bone density measured to look for osteoporosis and should see an eye doctor to screen for cataracts.

Excellent advice.  BTW, cataracts are not the end of the world.  I’ve had surgery on one eye due to all the prednisone.  No big deal. As for the steroids, the Azmacort seems to not be working. If you respond to the oral steroids then your inhled steroid should be switched to one of the stronger ones. If you do not then they should re-think whether they are helping or hurting you. You also may do better with the addition of sevrevent and/or swithching the albuterol (Ventolin) to Combivent.

Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -CBI I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:       Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm       Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily       Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg   Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg  Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg  Effexor         1               am 10 mg  Singulair       1               am 15 mg  Prednisone **                   daily 1.25   Premarin        1               pm 5 mg   Provera         1               pm       Chlortrimeton   1               pm       Metamucil       1 tbsp          am       Tums *          2               pm       Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie  I suggest you ask him about FloVent or an equivalent.  The Azmacort obviously isn’t working or you wouldn’t still be on Predisone.  Also, ask him about bone loss due to the Prednisone and ask if you should increase your Calcium intake.  I take Citrocal 500 mg twice a day, just to be safe. You might also try switching over to the Fibercon tablets instead of the Metamusil.  I’ve found it’s much easier to take. Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Response:

I would agree. Your calcium intake is not high enough. You should be taking at least 4, probably 6 tums per day, two at a time. Because of all the steroids you probably should have bone density measured to look for osteoporosis and should see an eye doctor to screen for cataracts. As for the steroids, the Azmacort seems to not be working. If you respond to the oral steroids then your inhled steroid should be switched to one of the stronger ones. If you do not then they should re-think whether they are helping or hurting you. You also may do better with the addition of sevrevent and/or swithching the albuterol (Ventolin) to Combivent. CBI – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:       Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm       Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily       Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg   Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg  Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg  Effexor         1               am 10 mg  Singulair       1               am 15 mg  Prednisone **                   daily 1.25   Premarin        1               pm 5 mg   Provera         1               pm       Chlortrimeton   1               pm       Metamucil       1 tbsp          am       Tums *          2               pm       Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie  I suggest you ask him about FloVent or an equivalent.  The Azmacort obviously isn’t working or you wouldn’t still be on Predisone.  Also, ask him about bone loss due to the Prednisone and ask if you should increase your Calcium intake.  I take Citrocal 500 mg twice a day, just to be safe. You might also try switching over to the Fibercon tablets instead of the Metamusil.  I’ve found it’s much easier to take. Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:         Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm         Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily         Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg    Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg   Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg   Effexor         1               am 10 mg   Singulair       1               am 15 mg   Prednisone **                   daily 1.25    Premarin        1               pm 5 mg    Provera         1               pm         Chlortrimeton   1               pm         Metamucil       1 tbsp          am         Tums *          2               pm         Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie

Current guidelines from the Nat’l Inst of Health (Expert Panel Report 2) recommend for a patient with Severe Persistent asthma should be on a High Dose of inhale steroids. Your dose of 12 pf/day of Azmacort (triamcinolone) is classified in the low Medium Dose range (Medium dose = 10-20 pf/day of triamcinolone [1,000-2,000 ug]). To get to the High range you would need to increase the Azmacort to 20-40 pf/day. A more practical approach is to switch to one of the new high strength steroid inhalers; either Pulmicort Turb. (200) or Flovent 220.  [need 4-8 pf/day for High dose] See: http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinGuide/AsthmaIM/comp3/3-4b.html Figure 3-4b: Stepwise Approach for Managing Asthma in Adults and Children Older that 5 Years of Age: Treatment http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinGuide/AsthmaIM/comp3/3-5b.html Figure 3-5b: Estimated Comparative Daily Dosages for Inhaled Corticosteroid Another suggestion is to make a trip to National Jewish Center (Denver) for a complete evaluation. They are the top lung/asthma center in the US; they can accommodate those who can’t afford to pay. www.njc.org  1-800-222-LUNG Ellis

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:    Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm    Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily    Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg        Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg       Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg       Effexor         1               am 10 mg       Singulair       1               am 15 mg       Prednisone **                   daily 1.25        Premarin        1               pm 5 mg        Provera         1               pm    Chlortrimeton   1               pm    Metamucil       1 tbsp          am    Tums *          2               pm    Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie      

 I suggest you ask him about FloVent or an equivalent.  The Azmacort obviously isn’t working or you wouldn’t still be on Predisone.  Also, ask him about bone loss due to the Prednisone and ask if you should increase your Calcium intake.  I take Citrocal 500 mg twice a day, just to be safe. You might also try switching over to the Fibercon tablets instead of the Metamusil.  I’ve found it’s much easier to take. Sue Official Secretary of OSGSL "All empty souls tend to extreme opinions."          William Butler Yeats

Response:

I have posted here a couple of times but I am usually a lurker. Today however I need some help. I am scheduled to see a pulmonologist on 10/05/99. I have been going to the same doctor for 12 years and my asthma is still not under control. In 1987 I was on life support for 9 days a result of being a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker in combination with other bad habits. Needless to say I almost died. I have not smoked anything since nor have I partaken in any other recreational drugs. I still have an occasional drink of beer. At the present time I am taking the following drugs:         Ventolin        2 puffs         am and pm         Azmacort        4 puffs         3x daily         Nasonex         1 squirt each   am and pm 4 mg    Albuterol tabs  1               3x daily 30 mg   Prevacid ***    1               am 75 mg   Effexor         1               am 10 mg   Singulair       1               am 15 mg   Prednisone **                   daily 1.25    Premarin        1               pm 5 mg    Provera         1               pm         Chlortrimeton   1               pm         Metamucil       1 tbsp          am         Tums *          2               pm         Multivitamin    1               am *** taken for GERD ** this has varied but for the last 8 years I have averaged 20 mg daily. I have not been off of it for at least that long * taken for calcium replacement What I need help with are questions. I need to be prepared when I see this guy. He is going to give me a pulmonary function test and an xray. I have been asthmatic since I was 4. I took allergy shots twice with 2 different docs and had reactions each time. I feel like I’m loosing ground and that my lung function is decreasing. I’m sorry for the long post but I don’t have insurance and this doctor is going to be expensive. I’d like to get as much accomplished with him as possible. I would appreciate all of the help I can get. Thanks in advance. Judie  

Response:

Question:

arbuterol can cause some kids to be hyper.so it is a possibility but i would go see your doctor to make sure it isn’t an allergic reaction to the medicine.trust your instincts.i have had to change doctors a few times since my son got asthma at 18 months.i had one doctor get mad becuase my 18 month old was talking while he was talking.can you imagine?? but like i said call to speak to the doctor you see.if they have a problem with that then maybe they aren’t the practice for you. barb

Response:

Ok….my son is 22 months old, and on Albuterol and cromolyn. Ever since he started taking the neb treatments, he has been scratching his head non stop. I checked his head, to see if it was irritated…nothing was there…not even a redness. So I called the doctor, and asked if the meds could be making him itchy from a reaction. He says, "no, your son is just hyper" WHAT???? This dr has never SEEN my son! My son has always been seen by his partner (we have only been going to this group for 4 months), and for the record, my son is NOT hyper. Anytime we went to drs, he was quiet, and sat there calmly! Anyway….hes scratching his head SO much now, he is causing the scalp to be raw! This never happened till he started the meds. Should I call back and talk to the dr who sees him?

No, you should TAKE him to see the doctor that sees him.  There are several possible causes for this, some trivial, some not. Chris Owens

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok….my son is 22 months old, and on Albuterol and cromolyn. Ever since he started taking the neb treatments, he has been scratching his head non stop. I checked his head, to see if it was irritated…nothing was there…not even a redness. So I called the doctor, and asked if the meds could be making him itchy from a reaction. He says, "no, your son is just hyper" WHAT???? This dr has never SEEN my son! My son has always been seen by his partner (we have only been going to this group for 4 months), and for the record, my son is NOT hyper. Anytime we went to drs, he was quiet, and sat there calmly! Anyway….hes scratching his head SO much now, he is causing the scalp to be raw! This never happened till he started the meds. Should I call back and talk to the dr who sees him? Patti

He could be allergic to cromolyn. See: http://207.239.91.86:8080/htmls/patient/ Cromolyn sodium Excerpt: "What side effects may I notice from using cromolyn? Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: