Asthmatics...needs some BTDTs (Read 769 times)

And what is up with the "may increase risk of asthma-related death" warnings on all of these steroid meds? Wouldn't not being treated properly increase risk more...?

When I was selling Singulair I was aware of a Black Box warning put in label of Advair related to the long acting bronchodilator, Serevent. Ask your doctor, I think risk is very low and in certain populations.

The problem is that people used their serevent instead of albuterol to treat acute exacerbations. Since it does little for acute exacerbations, they died of their untreated asthma. Not of their serevent. But pure serevent was pulled from the market anyway.

Good luck, Zoomy. That's how my doc did it--we tried it for a month, then went off it. Cough came right back when I stopped taking it, so we figured that it was working and went back to it. I hope you find what works for ya!

I asked about prednisone, but he said that it's not something he'll prescribe unless a person is having severe breathing difficulties

Um. Daily use of albuterol with symptoms IS severe enough. What is the doc's fear? If in doubt, get pulmonary function testing... Also, this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/health/13asth.html

Um. Daily use of albuterol with symptoms IS severe enough. What is the doc's fear? If in doubt, get pulmonary function testing... Also, this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/health/13asth.html

Interesting...I hadn't noticed much difference between the old CFC inhaler I had and the Pro-Air that I now use, but I have read quite a few negative reviews from other people. I do like that the Pro-Air is smaller and easier to carry on runs. I do wonder about my reactions during the race, though. I'm sure the stress of the race didn't help my airways any. Today is the first day since Sat. that I actually am breathing fairly easy (and the cough has eased), but I wonder if that's partly weather. It's rained, so all of my allergy symptoms seem lessened as stuff has been washed out of the air some. My doc seemed to think the prednisone option would be overkill, given that I'm still able to run and am responding to the inhaler. His rationale was that it's only truly necessary if a person is struggling so much that they are gasping without any sort of exertion. As for the pulmonary function test, my mom is definitely recommending it. Regardless of whether the Advair works or not I think I'm going to ask about seeing a pulmonologist. My mom actually thinks I should see an allergist, first. What's your take? And what would a pulmonary function test involve? Is that similar to what they'd have me do in a sports lab? I've always been curious about that, so it might be a good excuse (especially if insurance might pay for something like that, since it's related to a medical issue).

overkill, given that I'm still able to run and am responding to the inhaler. His rationale was that it's only truly necessary if a person is struggling so much that they are gasping without any sort of exertion

I disagree. And the expert recommendations disagree. By time you are this sick, it is too late. Overkill? Hardly. Waiting until you are so sick that you cannot breathe, that is overkill.

nahh...but it will depend on your co-pay. I can't really tell you what that is because I have primary and secondary insurance that covers my stuff. (If you haven't dealt with secondary, they will usually pick up most of the co-pay). I typically pay 9 bucks as a copay for everything.

Ahhh...I know generics for us are $5 and did was thinking that maybe $50 is the peak--at least that's what we pay for our kid's ADHD meds (I know the retail on that stuff is insane...but so is he without his meds, heh ). Trent, how long does it generally take for the Advair to kick in? Maybe that's why he wasn't jumping on the prednisone...if the Advair is fairly rapid...?