Long term on Xolair

[Guest guest]

It's been four or five years since I started on Xolair, max dose both arms

because my IGE was well over 300.

So I just thought it would be good to report my experience.

I usually get the shots every two weeks, but sometimes I skip a week due to

vacations, etc.

Gone are the frequent sicknesses that I used to have. My Autumn " colds " are

gone. My Spring " colds " are gone. My in-between " colds " are gone. And most

importantly, I can breath well enough to do some mild mountain climbing when

before Xolair I was stressed to walk up the grade in my back yard.

I've been sick twice during those years on Xolair. The first time was early on

during a heavy pollen season. The second time was when I caught the H1N1 flu

(the Swine flu) about a year ago. I recovered from both in a day.

I'm not 100% out of the woods. I still react to strong odors like perfume but

not like I used to. I still hit the abuterol inhaler once or twice a week

during the winter (and especially holidays) season when I'm cooped up inside and

bombarded with irritants at parties and the super dry winter air. But in

general, I have a life that is of much higher quality than before Xolair.

My experience was almost an instant improvement with my first Xolair shots. But

as the years progressed the improvement has been gradually so markedly better.

So now I'm planning a winter ascent on Mt. Washington, the most difficult ascent

in NE US, in February or early March. Why? Just because I think I can.

Outdoors, where the air is fresh .... and now I have the gear ... crampons ...

ice ax ... layered polyester ... ultraviolet eye protection for the alpine sun

.... I'm preparing myself physically. It's beyond my wildest dreams five years

ago.

Is essense, Xolair has given me life that I lost sooo many, many years ago, and

I really hadn't realized it had been lost.