Re: Are we allowed to talk about Advair here?

[Guest guest]

I think all of us who are on advair are still taking it, in part b/c

it works for us and in part b/c our doctors say the same thing yours

did. Still, it's definitely got to be an informed decision by doctor

and patient together.

Addy

Group co-owner

>

> I'm 24 and have been on Advair since I was 22 I believe.

>

> I started at 100/50, but during a bad allergy season went up to 250/50

> and have stayed there.

>

> I have major anxiety issues and with all the bad press on this med, it

> really scares me to take it.

>

> But besides some pleghm and a chronic cough, it has done wonders for

> me. I never have to take my rescue med when I work out or hardly at

all.

>

> I have spoken with a few drs and they all say that there was no real

> proof Advair is dangerous. And for most that had " asthma related

> deaths " they were using it as a rescue inhaler.

>

> I just don't know what to believe. I feel fine besides all my anxiety

> over this stuff, but I worry I'm doing some long term damage to myself

> or setting myself up to die by taking this.

>

> I feel like the crazy hypochondriac at my drs because I constantly ask

> about this.

>

> What do you guys think?

>

[Guest guest]

I am 49, and have been on some of the most hypertensive asthma

medications you can imagine when I was a child. Stuff that isn't

allowed to be made anymore and some meds that are still around:

Marax, Asbron etc. Those drugs are far more systemic than Advair.

When I was 21 I told the doctor no more, I'd rather be breathless

most of the time than shaking. Long term I am convinced they set in

a minor lifelong anxiety (tremblng) condition when I am stressed.

So, I would say that if you are trembling most of the time, your BP

is elevated and/ or you are loosing sleep, bring it to their

attention. I think over time strong hypertensive medications can re-

wire your nervous system.

A note from Doug:

Sure, Advair and any other PRESCRIPTION asthma medications are fine to talk

about in here. We do it all the time.

[Guest guest]

I have been on advair 250 (500 when asthma bad) for a few years now and have not

had any bad reactions at all. It has helped my asthma to some degree. My

daughter 17, has also been on for years and does not have any bad reactions

either. Go by how you feel on it. Do you have any noticable reactions to you.

Don't let the press scare you or you won't want to take any meds.

everyone reacts differently to meds. you say it is helping which is a good

thing. Just go by how you feel . jean

---- yarbs83 <yarbs83@...> wrote:

> I'm 24 and have been on Advair since I was 22 I believe.

>

> I started at 100/50, but during a bad allergy season went up to 250/50

> and have stayed there.

>

> I have major anxiety issues and with all the bad press on this med, it

> really scares me to take it.

>

> But besides some pleghm and a chronic cough, it has done wonders for

> me. I never have to take my rescue med when I work out or hardly at all.

>

> I have spoken with a few drs and they all say that there was no real

> proof Advair is dangerous. And for most that had " asthma related

> deaths " they were using it as a rescue inhaler.

>

> I just don't know what to believe. I feel fine besides all my anxiety

> over this stuff, but I worry I'm doing some long term damage to myself

> or setting myself up to die by taking this.

>

> I feel like the crazy hypochondriac at my drs because I constantly ask

> about this.

>

> What do you guys think?

>

[Guest guest]

I have taken 500/50 for at least seven, maybe eight years and I had the same

concern when I started Advair, and my doctor said the same thing--most who have

died tried to use it as a rescue inhaler.  I learned very early to heed the

warnings on the labels of the meds I take.  It does make a difference and not

heeding the warnings can be very serious.  Even though the xolair has helped me

a great deal, I still need the advair as not all of my asthma is allergy

related.

From: billybaroo1958 <cajjz109@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Are we allowed to talk about Advair here?

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 4:20 PM

I am 49, and have been on some of the most hypertensive asthma

medications you can imagine when I was a child. Stuff that isn't

allowed to be made anymore and some meds that are still around:

Marax, Asbron etc. Those drugs are far more systemic than Advair.

When I was 21 I told the doctor no more, I'd rather be breathless

most of the time than shaking. Long term I am convinced they set in

a minor lifelong anxiety (tremblng) condition when I am stressed.

So, I would say that if you are trembling most of the time, your BP

is elevated and/ or you are loosing sleep, bring it to their

attention. I think over time strong hypertensive medications can re-

wire your nervous system.

A note from Doug:

Sure, Advair and any other PRESCRIPTION asthma medications are fine to talk

about in here. We do it all the time.

[Guest guest]

I am on the Advair 250 and ocassionally also take Asthmanex. These contain

steriods.

I, too have been on so many variations of drugs. The most scary was

Brethine. It was a small pill (I think it was Intal) that made me extremely

jittery and my heart raced like crazy. I took it when I couldn't breathe

(in the 1970's - 80's). I can also remember a capsule that you punctured

and sucked up the powder through an inhaler like device. I was the only

person with asthma that I knew growing up and I was hauled into the

principal's office for " taking drugs " .

Then came the theophylline line. Man did that make me ill until they found

the right form and dosage. I wanted to kill myself because I felt so sick.

I feel that the many years on steriods, both oral and inhaled has greatly

impacted my overall health. Yes, they help me breathe, but I feel that at

this point in my life they will eventually kill me from complications. For

many years my doctor told me that inhaling a steriod wouldn' t effect my

weight and health. He said it didn't pass the the lungs. Later on, that

story changed. It itsn't some huge amount, but I feel it has been

significant enough that combined with prednisone use, it has put me where I

am today - I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life.

My discs in my back are breaking down (Degenderative Disc Disease) and with

other health issues that have been added over the years, further makes it

more difficult for me to exercise. I get on an exercise program and then I

will have an injury that will set me back. I am now trying pulmonary rehab

and hope to have success.

Advair has been great at controlling my asthma most of the time. I only

struggle when I am sick, which usually starts in late fall/early winter. I

am a teacher and have seriously considered quitting. My doctor seems to

think that my immune system just can't take being exposed to sick, sniffling

children. I have cut back to half time, but I love teaching so much.

I get my first Xolair shot tomorrow (if I don't chicken out) and I hope it

will allow me to at least cut back on steriod use.

-Kim

On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 1:00 PM, yarbs83 <yarbs83@...> wrote:

> I'm 24 and have been on Advair since I was 22 I believe.

>

> I started at 100/50, but during a bad allergy season went up to 250/50

> and have stayed there.

>

> I have major anxiety issues and with all the bad press on this med, it

> really scares me to take it.

>

> But besides some pleghm and a chronic cough, it has done wonders for

> me. I never have to take my rescue med when I work out or hardly at all.

>

> I have spoken with a few drs and they all say that there was no real

> proof Advair is dangerous. And for most that had " asthma related

> deaths " they were using it as a rescue inhaler.

>

> I just don't know what to believe. I feel fine besides all my anxiety

> over this stuff, but I worry I'm doing some long term damage to myself

> or setting myself up to die by taking this.

>

> I feel like the crazy hypochondriac at my drs because I constantly ask

> about this.

>

> What do you guys think?

>

>

>

--

From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Prince

[Guest guest]

correction - the small pill was Brethine and the capsule you inhaled was

Intal - I think

On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM, Stesia <annastesia926@...>

wrote:

> I am on the Advair 250 and ocassionally also take Asthmanex. These contain

> steriods.

>

> I, too have been on so many variations of drugs. The most scary was

> Brethine. It was a small pill (I think it was Intal) that made me extremely

> jittery and my heart raced like crazy. I took it when I couldn't breathe

> (in the 1970's - 80's). I can also remember a capsule that you punctured

> and sucked up the powder through an inhaler like device. I was the only

> person with asthma that I knew growing up and I was hauled into the

> principal's office for " taking drugs " .

>

> Then came the theophylline line. Man did that make me ill until they found

> the right form and dosage. I wanted to kill myself because I felt so sick.

>

> I feel that the many years on steriods, both oral and inhaled has greatly

> impacted my overall health. Yes, they help me breathe, but I feel that at

> this point in my life they will eventually kill me from complications. For

> many years my doctor told me that inhaling a steriod wouldn' t effect my

> weight and health. He said it didn't pass the the lungs. Later on, that

> story changed. It itsn't some huge amount, but I feel it has been

> significant enough that combined with prednisone use, it has put me where I

> am today - I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life.

>

> My discs in my back are breaking down (Degenderative Disc Disease) and with

> other health issues that have been added over the years, further makes it

> more difficult for me to exercise. I get on an exercise program and then I

> will have an injury that will set me back. I am now trying pulmonary rehab

> and hope to have success.

>

> Advair has been great at controlling my asthma most of the time. I only

> struggle when I am sick, which usually starts in late fall/early winter. I

> am a teacher and have seriously considered quitting. My doctor seems to

> think that my immune system just can't take being exposed to sick, sniffling

> children. I have cut back to half time, but I love teaching so much.

>

> I get my first Xolair shot tomorrow (if I don't chicken out) and I hope it

> will allow me to at least cut back on steriod use.

>

> -Kim

>

>

> On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 1:00 PM, yarbs83 <yarbs83@...> wrote:

>

>> I'm 24 and have been on Advair since I was 22 I believe.

>>

>> I started at 100/50, but during a bad allergy season went up to 250/50

>> and have stayed there.

>>

>> I have major anxiety issues and with all the bad press on this med, it

>> really scares me to take it.

>>

>> But besides some pleghm and a chronic cough, it has done wonders for

>> me. I never have to take my rescue med when I work out or hardly at all.

>>

>> I have spoken with a few drs and they all say that there was no real

>> proof Advair is dangerous. And for most that had " asthma related

>> deaths " they were using it as a rescue inhaler.

>>

>> I just don't know what to believe. I feel fine besides all my anxiety

>> over this stuff, but I worry I'm doing some long term damage to myself

>> or setting myself up to die by taking this.

>>

>> I feel like the crazy hypochondriac at my drs because I constantly ask

>> about this.

>>

>> What do you guys think?

>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

> --

> From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Prince

--

From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Prince

[Guest guest]

<<<My discs in my back are breaking down (Degenderative Disc Disease)>>>

My cervical spine is a mess due to years of Prednisone and steroid use.

I have had 2 fusion surgeries since 1998 and a nice little metal plate

keeping C-6 & 7 together.

Thank you Xolair for getting me off those nasty drugs!

Doug

Group founder

[Guest guest]

Wow, it is awful what steriods can do to your body.

I am a scaredy cat when it comes to surgery. The pain might one day be too

much to bear, but I try to deal with it without any drugs. I have a back

brace and I limit what I do when it is bad. I am not able to walk very far

and shopping for anything is painful. I am on so much medication for my

asthma and HBP that I don't want to add pain pills into the mix. I have

tried a few pain pills in the past, but I am unable to work if I take them.

Occasionally the doc will give me 800mg Ibuprofen. Mine is in my lower back

(L5) and they just found more in my neck.

I have a huge dowenger hump. I remember having problems with my hump in

elementary school. They forced us to do basic tumbles and my gym teacher

wasn't very nice when I told her it hurt.

It was hard growing up the only kid that had asthma. I have so many in my

classroom now. It has become common .

On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 7:39 PM, uca79iii <uca79iii@...> wrote:

> <<<My discs in my back are breaking down (Degenderative Disc Disease)>>>

>

> My cervical spine is a mess due to years of Prednisone and steroid use.

> I have had 2 fusion surgeries since 1998 and a nice little metal plate

> keeping C-6 & 7 together.

>

> Thank you Xolair for getting me off those nasty drugs!

>

> Doug

> Group founder

>

>

>

--

From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Prince

[Guest guest]

I sincerely hope you get that xolair shot....and that you continue on with

them. 

 

When I first had to take prednisone, my allergist insisted that I see my GP on a

very regular basis and that he do blood work to check on the potassium and

calcium levels.  I started taking calcium almost right away and while I have

some indication of bone wear and tear, my bones are basically in good shape. 

That could be genetics, though.

 

The losing of the steroid weight has been the hardest for me because it has been

with me for so long!  I do well for a time and then I just can't lose anymore. 

I don't know what your age is, but it is much easier to lose weight the younger

you are.

 

One other thing--I am glad to see you are on pulmonary rehab.  It was one thing

my pulmonologist prescribed for me that was so helpful....I hope you are getting

the nutrition/lifestyle part of the rehab as well.  That was very helpful to me.

 

And I do hope you at least give the xolair a chance.  Don't expect an instant

miracle, but over time you will suddenly realize that you are doing

better....that's what happened to me....no prednisone for two years!  Yea.......

 

 

 

> I'm 24 and have been on Advair since I was 22 I believe.

>

> I started at 100/50, but during a bad allergy season went up to 250/50

> and have stayed there.

>

> I have major anxiety issues and with all the bad press on this med, it

> really scares me to take it.

>

> But besides some pleghm and a chronic cough, it has done wonders for

> me. I never have to take my rescue med when I work out or hardly at all.

>

> I have spoken with a few drs and they all say that there was no real

> proof Advair is dangerous. And for most that had " asthma related

> deaths " they were using it as a rescue inhaler.

>

> I just don't know what to believe. I feel fine besides all my anxiety

> over this stuff, but I worry I'm doing some long term damage to myself

> or setting myself up to die by taking this.

>

> I feel like the crazy hypochondriac at my drs because I constantly ask

> about this.

>

> What do you guys think?

>

>

>

--

From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Prince

[Guest guest]

Xolair has been Miraculous and I do not believe in miracles.

Advair almost killed me twice. Read the small print. Possible asthma

induced death.

Keep on keeping on. The Xolair will work, but in 20 years what will

we find? At least for now my eczema has cleared and I can breathe.

-- In , Adah Voigt <asthmatic50@...>

wrote:

>

> I sincerely hope you get that xolair shot....and that you continue

on with them. 

>  

> When I first had to take prednisone, my allergist insisted that I

see my GP on a very regular basis and that he do blood work to check

on the potassium and calcium levels.  I started taking calcium almost

right away and while I have some indication of bone wear and tear, my

bones are basically in good shape.  That could be genetics, though.

>  

> The losing of the steroid weight has been the hardest for me

because it has been with me for so long!  I do well for a time and

then I just can't lose anymore.  I don't know what your age is, but

it is much easier to lose weight the younger you are.

>  

> One other thing--I am glad to see you are on pulmonary rehab.  It

was one thing my pulmonologist prescribed for me that was so

helpful....I hope you are getting the nutrition/lifestyle part of the

rehab as well.  That was very helpful to me.

>  

> And I do hope you at least give the xolair a chance.  Don't expect

an instant miracle, but over time you will suddenly realize that you

are doing better....that's what happened to me....no prednisone for

two years!  Yea.......

>  

>  

>  

>

>

>

> > I'm 24 and have been on Advair since I was 22 I believe.

> >

> > I started at 100/50, but during a bad allergy season went up to

250/50

> > and have stayed there.

> >

> > I have major anxiety issues and with all the bad press on this

med, it

> > really scares me to take it.

> >

> > But besides some pleghm and a chronic cough, it has done wonders

for

> > me. I never have to take my rescue med when I work out or hardly

at all.

> >

> > I have spoken with a few drs and they all say that there was no

real

> > proof Advair is dangerous. And for most that had " asthma related

> > deaths " they were using it as a rescue inhaler.

> >

> > I just don't know what to believe. I feel fine besides all my

anxiety

> > over this stuff, but I worry I'm doing some long term damage to

myself

> > or setting myself up to die by taking this.

> >

> > I feel like the crazy hypochondriac at my drs because I

constantly ask

> > about this.

> >

> > What do you guys think?

> >

> >

> >

>

> --

> From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. - Prince

>

>