Re: Considering Xolair

[Guest guest]

Of course no one can make that decision for you except --you-- My asthma for

the most part was under control, too, with three inhalers, allegra and

singulair, but my allergist thought I should at least try xolair if my insurance

company approved. After being approved, reading the material given me, being

thoroughly tested by the doc who gives the xolair here--a lung/upper abdomen

mri, x-rays, blood work, etc., I began the shots one year ago this past July. I

must hasten to add that even though my asthma was generally under control, two

to three times a year I would have sinus rhinitis with a nasty respiratory

infection as a result, requiring at least one round of antibiotics and

PREDNISONE! I have NOT had an attack of sinus rhinitis, nor an infection since

January of 2006, which is also the last time I have had prednisone.

Now, I will have some asthma symptoms the rest of my life, but I am now able

to do so very much more than I could before xolair, like be outside for extended

periods of time doing activities and not even having to use my rescue inhaler!

I take one 150mg shot, once a month, which I think is the lowest dose. I see my

PCP about every 3-4 months, my pulmonologist about every six months and my

allergist once every six months for checkups. I have had other routine tests,

such as a colonoscopy, mammogram and ct-scans for some other problems. I think

the important thing is to keep yourself as healthy as possible otherwise.

I must also add that I am 69, had occasional bouts with asthma as a child and

then when I hit menopause (age 48), my asthma hit with a vengeance to the tune

of steroids off and on (more often " on " ) for five years trying to get a " handle "

on my asthma, but still having to have bursts of pred three or four times a

year.

Would I say " yes " to xolair again--you betcha! I have had no adverse

reactions to the shots.

JUST MY EXPERIENCE. Only you and your doctor can decide what's best for you.

Reading the posts from this group will give you some ideas as to how different

people have responded--the majority--very well.

buckeroogen <buckeroogen@...> wrote:

My ENT doctor mentioned Xolair to me almost one year ago and began the

process to get it approved by my insurance company. Because I didn't

think it would ever get approved, I didn't bother with researching it

or making up my mind if I wanted to try it. Now it has been approved! -

--- The thing is, my asthma is under control with Advair (250/50). It

is actually my rhinitis which is most disturbing to my daily living.

The information I've been given says that Xolair is for those whose

asthma is not under control with inhaled corticosteriods. In reading

several posts, it seems that it may actually help with rhinitis. ----

I'm nervous about beginning this relatively new drug when I don't know

if my asthma is really that bad. Any thoughts?

---------------------------------

Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha!

Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games.

[Guest guest]

Thanks. It helps to hear other people's stories. I also have a few

bad sinus infections per year, followed by antibiotics and a short

course of prednisone. I've had 2 sinus surgeries to remove polyps and

my doctor is suggests I might benefit from another surgery. I'm

wondering if there is any chance that Xolair would be approved to treat

allergic rhinitis?

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group!

I have moderate allergic asthma and what I call Severe Allergic Sinus

Disease. By that I mean, severe, almost constant rhinitis which

causes ongoing/chronic inflammation of my sinuses resulting in

frequent sinus infections (which then in turn trigger my asthma).

Prior to starting Xolair nearly 4 years ago, I had an average of 9

sinus infections per year, all requiring antibiotics and prednisone.

ENT after ENT told me they were all caused by inflammation due to

allergy and there was nothing else to do. Since starting Xolair I

have an average of two infections a year. I no longer have allergic

migraines on a daily basis (about once a month now, give or take).

My quality of life is much improved.

The thing about Xolair is it can take several months to a year to

take effect. My lungs improved within three months of starting

Xolair. It took about 5-6 for me to see improvement with my rinitis,

although the inflammation went down after 3-4 months. I used to live

with visible facial inflammation due to sinuses and prednisone. I

can still remember the day I looked in the mirror and saw MY face,

and not my PUFFY face.

Good luck making your decision. Please keep us posted.

Addy

Group co-owner

--- In , " buckeroogen " <buckeroogen@...>

wrote:

>

> My ENT doctor mentioned Xolair to me almost one year ago and began

the

> process to get it approved by my insurance company. Because I

didn't

> think it would ever get approved, I didn't bother with researching

it

> or making up my mind if I wanted to try it. Now it has been

approved! -

> --- The thing is, my asthma is under control with Advair (250/50).

It

> is actually my rhinitis which is most disturbing to my daily

living.

> The information I've been given says that Xolair is for those whose

> asthma is not under control with inhaled corticosteriods. In

reading

> several posts, it seems that it may actually help with rhinitis. --

--

> I'm nervous about beginning this relatively new drug when I don't

know

> if my asthma is really that bad. Any thoughts?

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi. I've been asthmatic for many years. I'm not really well controlled

because I have a lot of allergic rhinitis. I've tried allergy shots but can't

get to the max dose because I get a cold, or it's pollen season, etc., and my

asthma flares up so it's back on prednisone and feeling crappy.

>

> My doctor is suggesting I give xolair a try. My ige is within range, but on

the low side (30's). But I'm a very allergic person so not too sure how much

these numbers really mean. My doctor is a big believer in xolair and has been

chosen to do one of the new studies on using xolair for people with constant

hives.

>

> Has anyone else tried xolair with a relatively low ige level? If so, did it

help?

>

> Thanks.

>

> --Tzarina

>

Tzarina,

Welcome to the group

If you go back and look at previous posts, you will find that MOST of us have

benefited greatly by using Xolair. I have been on it for over 7 years and have

gotten completely away from prednisone and steroids.

Once again,

Welcome

Doug

Group founder

[Guest guest]

No. My doctor seems to think I'll be approved by the insurer because I'm in the

ige range and meet the other criteria.

>

> WERE YOU ON STEROIDS WHEN YOUR IGE LEVEL WAS DRAWN?

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: tzarina628 <tzarina628@...>

>

> Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 5:52:31 PM

> Subject: [ ] CONSIDERING XOLAIR

>

>  

> Hi. I've been asthmatic for many years. I'm not really well controlled because

I

> have a lot of allergic rhinitis. I've tried allergy shots but can't get to the

> max dose because I get a cold, or it's pollen season, etc., and my asthma

flares

> up so it's back on prednisone and feeling crappy.

>

> My doctor is suggesting I give xolair a try. My ige is within range, but on

the

> low side (30's). But I'm a very allergic person so not too sure how much these

> numbers really mean. My doctor is a big believer in xolair and has been chosen

> to do one of the new studies on using xolair for people with constant hives.

>

> Has anyone else tried xolair with a relatively low ige level? If so, did it

> help?

>

> Thanks.

>

> --Tzarina

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was not on prednisone when my ige was drawn to see if I qualified for

xolair.  My allergist had tried everything and I would still have infections

which would exacerbate my asthma so I would be on prednisone three to four times

a year.  I was approved for xolair and my ige was to the low end for approval.

 

It has made a tremendous difference in my asthma  and especially in my need to

take prednisone.  In the four and a half years I have been on it, I have had to

take prednisone once!   Mine was not a dramatic change, but very gradual. 

 

Good luck.....

From: tzarina628 <tzarina628@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: CONSIDERING XOLAIR

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 10:26 AM

 

No. My doctor seems to think I'll be approved by the insurer because I'm in the

ige range and meet the other criteria.

>

> WERE YOU ON STEROIDS WHEN YOUR IGE LEVEL WAS DRAWN?

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: tzarina628 <tzarina628@...>

>

> Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 5:52:31 PM

> Subject: [ ] CONSIDERING XOLAIR

>

>  

> Hi. I've been asthmatic for many years. I'm not really well controlled because

I

> have a lot of allergic rhinitis. I've tried allergy shots but can't get to the

> max dose because I get a cold, or it's pollen season, etc., and my asthma

flares

> up so it's back on prednisone and feeling crappy.

>

> My doctor is suggesting I give xolair a try. My ige is within range, but on

the

> low side (30's). But I'm a very allergic person so not too sure how much these

> numbers really mean. My doctor is a big believer in xolair and has been chosen

> to do one of the new studies on using xolair for people with constant hives.

>

> Has anyone else tried xolair with a relatively low ige level? If so, did it

> help?

>

> Thanks.

>

> --Tzarina

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>