Re: Kicking the steroid habit

[Guest guest]

This is me, raising my hand.

I do, however, keep my Advair on hand when I go on trips, and I

usually need to resume it 2-3 times a year if there is particularly

high pollen rate or if we have a ton of rain, cuz I'm special!

Addy

Group co-owner

--- In , " mister_manganese " <barryb@...>

wrote:

>

> About 2-1/2 years ago I started taking Xolair. Quality of life has

> improved dramatically and I'm pretty much normal now. I'll take a

> hit of my Albuterol inhaler a few times a month when I wheeze a

> little for some reason, usually emotional or chemical, but otherwise

> I'm fine.

>

> I was also taking Spiriva for COPD. I dropped that 3 mos ago due to

> extreme dry mouth and teeth rotting out as a result. My recent

> checkup from the COPD-prescribing doctor confirmed I don't need it

> anymore since my spirometer is 87% of normal now, up from the low

> 70's before Xolair. I realize Xolair is not for COPD but I suspect

> COPD and asthma, which I also have, are probably interwoven.

>

> Now I'm hoping to drop Advair which I also take for asthma. I tried

> that a couple years ago after first starting Xolair and it was a

> mistake. But now maybe I can pull it off. I'm going to try as soon

> as the upcoming Spring pollen season is over, maybe sooner if I get

> gutsy.

>

> I'm wondering if anyone else taking Xolair has experienced success in

> kicking the Advair steroid habit.

>

> Please respond if you've been able to drop Advair while taking Xolair.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> This is me, raising my hand.

>

> I do, however, keep my Advair on hand when I go on trips, and I

> usually need to resume it 2-3 times a year if there is particularly

> high pollen rate or if we have a ton of rain, cuz I'm special!

>

> Addy

> Group co-owner

>

My doctor hasn't taken me off of it yet. I will ask him next time

since I am doing so well.

Doug

[Guest guest]

When I started Xolair 2.5 yrs ago, I was on 500/50 of Advair twice a day and

on and off oral steroids. Within 1 yr I was able to drop to 100/50 once a

day (Pm), and extended release Theophylline in the AM. Oral steroids were

down to 1/year. Phew.

3 months ago we dropped me off Advair to just Flovent 50/once a day.

Unfortunately I got sick last week and am back on Advair for a month, but I

hope to go back to the Flovent alone as soon as that is done. I still take

the Uniphyll (Theophylline) without side effects once a day.

My ocular pressure is back up in my left eye so the priority is to get me

off even the Flovent if possible even though it is such a low dose. I also

take Nasonex (another inhaled steroid) so not sure if the combo is enough to

trigger the increase in pressure.

I do think my lungs have managed much better through this illness because I

was in better shape coming into thanks to Xolair. And I should rebound

faster too.

Easy breathing to you all,

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of mister_manganese

Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 5:03 AM

Subject: [ ] Kicking the steroid habit

About 2-1/2 years ago I started taking Xolair. Quality of life has

improved dramatically and I'm pretty much normal now. I'll take a

hit of my Albuterol inhaler a few times a month when I wheeze a

little for some reason, usually emotional or chemical, but otherwise

I'm fine.

I was also taking Spiriva for COPD. I dropped that 3 mos ago due to

extreme dry mouth and teeth rotting out as a result. My recent

checkup from the COPD-prescribing doctor confirmed I don't need it

anymore since my spirometer is 87% of normal now, up from the low

70's before Xolair. I realize Xolair is not for COPD but I suspect

COPD and asthma, which I also have, are probably interwoven.

Now I'm hoping to drop Advair which I also take for asthma. I tried

that a couple years ago after first starting Xolair and it was a

mistake. But now maybe I can pull it off. I'm going to try as soon

as the upcoming Spring pollen season is over, maybe sooner if I get

gutsy.

I'm wondering if anyone else taking Xolair has experienced success in

kicking the Advair steroid habit.

Please respond if you've been able to drop Advair while taking Xolair.

[Guest guest]

I can't take steroids at all. However, since my Xolair miracle, the doctors have

stopped

fretting about it. So I guess there's hope. By the way, I think my miracle

might be wearing

off. It's hard to say what's going on, since I have other health concerns

besides asthma.

Pining for the open sea,

>

> About 2-1/2 years ago I started taking Xolair. Quality of life has

> improved dramatically and I'm pretty much normal now. I'll take a

> hit of my Albuterol inhaler a few times a month when I wheeze a

> little for some reason, usually emotional or chemical, but otherwise

> I'm fine.

>

> I was also taking Spiriva for COPD. I dropped that 3 mos ago due to

> extreme dry mouth and teeth rotting out as a result. My recent

> checkup from the COPD-prescribing doctor confirmed I don't need it

> anymore since my spirometer is 87% of normal now, up from the low

> 70's before Xolair. I realize Xolair is not for COPD but I suspect

> COPD and asthma, which I also have, are probably interwoven.

>

> Now I'm hoping to drop Advair which I also take for asthma. I tried

> that a couple years ago after first starting Xolair and it was a

> mistake. But now maybe I can pull it off. I'm going to try as soon

> as the upcoming Spring pollen season is over, maybe sooner if I get

> gutsy.

>

> I'm wondering if anyone else taking Xolair has experienced success in

> kicking the Advair steroid habit.

>

> Please respond if you've been able to drop Advair while taking Xolair.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> If you take the advair twice a day maybe you could drop it to once a day

> to see how you do. I only take the advair once a day.

>

>

I am getting my by weekly Xolair shots this Friday. I will ask my

doctor if I can go off of Advair since I am doing so well.

This will save me 30 bucks in one drug copay a month.

Doug

Group founder

On Xolair over 5 years

[Guest guest]

i made it through an infection without pred! whoohoo! still doing

the inhaled steroids (symbicort 160/4.5) as i have been for near to

forever. i tried to stop it, but it didn't work out so well. i

actually played with all my meds last month, trying to save $$ on

copays. much to my surprise, i need them all.

at least with all my increases in copays, my xolair is still covered

in full. WHOOOHOOOOO!!!

heather

>

> --- In , " Becker " <nbecker@>

wrote:

> >

> > If you take the advair twice a day maybe you could drop it to

once a day

> > to see how you do. I only take the advair once a day.

> >

> >

>

>

> I am getting my by weekly Xolair shots this Friday. I will ask my

> doctor if I can go off of Advair since I am doing so well.

>

> This will save me 30 bucks in one drug copay a month.

>

> Doug

> Group founder

> On Xolair over 5 years

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Wish my advair was only $30.  I just paid $132 for my advair copay

for this month! 

>

Good grief!

What is your Xolair co payment? Mine is 50.00 for 8 shots or a month

supply.

[Guest guest]

I ususally just lurk around this board also, but this time I had to

post. I am sooo jealous. I have been on Xolair since December '07.

In April '08 I started prednisone and was on it until the end of this

February. I am still on Advair 500/50, Q-Var 80, Singulair, Nasonex,

Astilin, Combivent, DuoNeb and I think that is it...Anyway, in

November my PFT was in the low 60's and was holding steady when I

went back at the end of January. I guess this is better than I was

when I started Xolair. I was in the low 40's then. He took me off

the prednisone and I am already starting to feel tight again and have

a lower peak flow. I guess I am just frustrated because it seems so

many people are having these wonderful results with Xolair and I am

still sucking air. Sorry for venting, but I was just wondering if

anyone else is just doing so so on this drug.

Liz

> > >

> > > If you take the advair twice a day maybe you could drop it to

once a day

> > > to see how you do. I only take the advair once a day.

> > >

> > >

> >

> > I am getting my by weekly Xolair shots this Friday. I will ask my

> > doctor if I can go off of Advair since I am doing so well.

> >

> > This will save me 30 bucks in one drug copay a month.

> >

> > Doug

> > Group founder

> > On Xolair over 5 years

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

--- In , " wheelerm1975 " <wheelerm1975@...>

wrote:

>

> I ususally just lurk around this board also, but this time I had to

> post. I am sooo jealous. I have been on Xolair since December '07.

> In April '08 I started prednisone and was on it until the end of this

> February. I am still on Advair 500/50, Q-Var 80, Singulair, Nasonex,

> Astilin, Combivent, DuoNeb and I think that is it...Anyway, in

> November my PFT was in the low 60's and was holding steady when I

> went back at the end of January. I guess this is better than I was

> when I started Xolair. I was in the low 40's then. He took me off

> the prednisone and I am already starting to feel tight again and have

> a lower peak flow. I guess I am just frustrated because it seems so

> many people are having these wonderful results with Xolair and I am

> still sucking air. Sorry for venting, but I was just wondering if

> anyone else is just doing so so on this drug.

>

> Liz

>

Liz,

It's ok to vent. that's what we are here for. You are among friends

who understand

Doug

Group founder

[Guest guest]

Remember that Xolair is only supposed to be good for asthma that is

triggered by allegens like dust, mold, pets and pollen. If your

asthma is being triggered by other things like emotional upset or

chemical sensitivities (like perfume for example or, ughhh,

formaldehyde) you may still need the other meds.

I thank everyone for their great responses regarding kicking the

steroid habit. I hope to back off on the Advair and will discuss

this with my doctor on my visit tomorrow.

> > > > >

> > > > > If you take the advair twice a day maybe you could drop it

to

> > once a day

> > > > > to see how you do. I only take the advair once a day.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > I am getting my by weekly Xolair shots this Friday. I will

ask my

> > > > doctor if I can go off of Advair since I am doing so well.

> > > >

> > > > This will save me 30 bucks in one drug copay a month.

> > > >

> > > > Doug

> > > > Group founder

> > > > On Xolair over 5 years

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- In , " mister_manganese " <barryb@...>

wrote:

>

> Remember that Xolair is only supposed to be good for asthma that is

> triggered by allegens like dust, mold, pets and pollen. If your

> asthma is being triggered by other things like emotional upset or

> chemical sensitivities (like perfume for example or, ughhh,

> formaldehyde) you may still need the other meds.

>

> I thank everyone for their great responses regarding kicking the

> steroid habit. I hope to back off on the Advair and will discuss

> this with my doctor on my visit tomorrow.

>

Great post Barry. Thanks