When I first heard about xolair

February 9, 2011

I think I have posted this before but for our new members, here it is again

I had been terrible asthmatic for years. I was on a combination updraft

treatment of Xopanex/Atrovent/pulmicort 4 times a day, Advair 500/50 twice

daily and 40 mg of Prednisone. Every year I had at least 3 to 4

hospitalizations when none of my regemin worked.

It was 2003 and I lived in a small South Arkansas town at the time and my

allergist was 3 hours away in Little Rock. I got so bad one day that my wife

drove me to Little Rock to see my doctor.

She was not in the office that day but I saw her associate He gave me the usual

increase in Prednisone but mentioned a new drug called xolair.

The xolair rep had just been there and my doctor knew I needed some relief and

fast. He took an ige level and we started the process with my insurance.

I looked online for anything about xolair but didn't find much. so I started

this group myself. Xolair.com was not even up and running at the time.

A week later (to my shock and surprise) the insurance approved it and I was set

up to get my first shots in a week.

Yes, I was apprehensive. I was the first person in the state to be approved and

receive xolair. I knew that something had to change and that I needed relief

badly. Nothing could be as bad as what I already was experiencing. Let's get

those shots a goin doc!

I know that a new drug is rigorously tested before the FDA will allow it to be

given to the public so I was not terribly worried.

Prednisone had caused me to become type II diabetic, extremely irritable and

depressed, gain over 100 extra pounds, gave me pre mature cataracts and 4 disks

in my cervical spine were ruptured. I had to have two fusion surgeries (one with

a metal plate between 6 & 7)

August 2003, I started xolair. Six months later I didn't get any relief

whatsoever and told my doctor I wanted to quit. He advised me to at least try

another 6 months and I am glad I did.

Just after a year, I didn't have any need for prednisone anymore and the ER

visits stopped.

I moved to a large Arkansas city in 2004 and my doctor moved to this area too.

Now, I only drive about 10 miles to his office for the shots.

How am I doing today you ask? xolair is just a part of my life. Every other

Friday at 11:30 I go to my allergist office, yack with the xolair nurse and get

two shots of xolar and a regular allergy shot. I wait 30 minutes and then go on

about my day. No big deal, no pain, no hassle.

Now, I use a rescue inhaler twice day.

Xolair has given me my life and breath back

Doug

Group

Founder

February 9, 2011

Hello Doug, I am also from Southeast Arkansas. We are originally from Eudora but

lived in Monticello for 15 years before moving to the Atlanta, Ga area. I had

some symptoms while in Arkansas but the majority of my problems materialized

after moving to Georgia. I worked for Burlington Industries and operated the air

table in a rug plant and I felt that some of the sinus issues developed from

that. I spent about 13 miserable years with sinus problems. I hope I can

continue to get the shots if I can afford the copays. Either way, in January of

next year, I can return to my previous insurance and the shots will begin again.

I love the Xolair and it has made a big difference in my allergies.

----- Original Message -----

From: Db <uca79iii@...>

xolair users < >

Sent: Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:37:42 -0000 (UTC)

Subject: [ ] When I first heard about xolair