Guest guest Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 I guess I didn't notice the spiral. I don't know what the hell is going on. I have an appt with my new PCP on Friday. I might be seeing the ER before then. I went to refill my rescue inhaler yesterday. I've done it a million and 1 times before. The Pharmacy tech said " It's only been 15 days since you last refilled this. " WHAT! I used an entire inhaler in 15 days. How the hell did I manage that and not notice. Looking back I can see that yes I have in deed been over using. I didn't realize just how much. I think it might be the cold dry air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 Hi , I've been there. It is surprising how your coping strategies are all the sudden not enough. Take all your medications, plus some Vitamin C and an antihistamine. You might make it to Friday. Don't fret about going into the ER if you have to. They are well prepared for you and have lots of practice, too. Get over the hump and take it as a learning experience. You should be able to tolerate the cold dry air. There is something missing in your prevention tactics. Hang in there, Pam On 1/15/08 5:13 PM, " tffnysnvl " <tffnysnvl@...> wrote: > I guess I didn't notice the spiral. I don't know what the hell is > going on. I have an appt with my new PCP on Friday. I might be > seeing the ER before then. > > I went to refill my rescue inhaler yesterday. I've done it a million > and 1 times before. The Pharmacy tech said " It's only been 15 days > since you last refilled this. " WHAT! I used an entire inhaler in 15 > days. How the hell did I manage that and not notice. > > Looking back I can see that yes I have in deed been over using. I > didn't realize just how much. > > I think it might be the cold dry air. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 We just moved here, so I'm not used to the cold and the dry. I'm used the the warm and humid. In the 10 or more years I've been dealing with this crap I've seen the ER many many times. If I was back home I wouldn't mind, they had a file on me. They didn't try to take x-rays and other stuff. They did the good old Treat and Street with a Pulm follow up. Now I have this freaking HMO and I'm worried about being in a new ER with a new Doc. What's amazing to me is that I used up an entire inhaler in less than 2 weeks and didn't even bat an eye at it. > > > I guess I didn't notice the spiral. I don't know what the hell is > > going on. I have an appt with my new PCP on Friday. I might be > > seeing the ER before then. > > > > I went to refill my rescue inhaler yesterday. I've done it a million > > and 1 times before. The Pharmacy tech said " It's only been 15 days > > since you last refilled this. " WHAT! I used an entire inhaler in 15 > > days. How the hell did I manage that and not notice. > > > > Looking back I can see that yes I have in deed been over using. I > > didn't realize just how much. > > > > I think it might be the cold dry air. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 oh I've noticed, seems this year is worse as far as breathing cold air I do use a humidifer in my bedroom and bath to add moisture to air. I just had surgery in Oct and the singulair and spirva have been very benefiacl in my case but everytime I try to stop my 5-10 mg of predisone it becomes worse to. Hope you will get better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 , sorry to hear about your downwards spiral. Flare-ups are very common with Samters, and they can be caused from a variety of things. I would suggest in the future keeping a journal to see if something in particular might have triggered this, since as your diet over the holidays. It could be any number of things, or it could be something that is not identifiable and you may need a burst of steroids. I keep a detailed medical journal that has really helped me to note my observations on triggers for asthma, triggers for polyps, and lessen them. I also keep a medication log on a children's chore calendar so I know when I have taken my meds. You can die from overdose of albuterol inhalers, so it's not a mild issue. I was very very sick for several years until 1995 -- rescue inhalers didn't even work. I was on a nebulizer treatment four times a day plus 50 milligrams and up daily of steroids and I was still very sick. In addition to aspirin desensitization there were many things I did to improve my health and I don't even have a rescue inhaler on hand anymore because I never need it. Do you use a steroid inhaler and long-acting inhaler such as salmeterol (one of the components of Advair)? How about a leukotriene modifier? Good luck! Hope you start to feel better soon. Be careful with tht rescue inhaler! Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I use advair diskus and that's about it. I have no flow through my left nostril at all, not even with a prednisone burst. I was trying to do a daily sinus rinse but all that netted me was an increase in ear pain and infections. I do use flonase, but it doesn't seem to do anything. I use it anyway because I paid for it, but eh. I've tried lukotriene modifier with no success. There was no improvement in my symptoms at all. I've kept journals of foods, activities, and what not. My old pulm and I tried and tried to find a trigger and there isn't anything that we could find. I've been allergy tested at least 3 times on my back, once on my arm, and the blood draw. I'm allergic to tree pollen and horses. I have never experienced a long term flare. Usually I go from breathing just fine to the ER. Dr. S and I couldn't ever really find a reason for that either. I was faithful to the peak flo for years, but it never revealed when things were going south. I just spent 7 years with the same pulm and we've never been able to fully control the asthma. Even at my best my FEV1 was 92% which is good. My O2 hovers in the 89-90 range. I loved that pulm. He knew exactly what I had when I first walked into his office. I wasn't the 1st patient he'd seen with sampters. He and I set right to work trying to figure out how to get me well. I'm pretty sure the trigger here is the dry cold. I did a prednisone burst in Nov for an acute flare as per my normal routine. I'd like to not go on another one if I can avoid it. I'm used to the every 6 months or so ER visit. This prolonged flare is new to me. > > , sorry to hear about your downwards spiral. > > Flare-ups are very common with Samters, and they can be caused from a > variety of things. I would suggest in the future keeping a journal > to see if something in particular might have triggered this, since as > your diet over the holidays. It could be any number of things, or it > could be something that is not identifiable and you may need a burst > of steroids. > > I keep a detailed medical journal that has really helped me to note > my observations on triggers for asthma, triggers for polyps, and > lessen them. I also keep a medication log on a children's chore > calendar so I know when I have taken my meds. You can die from > overdose of albuterol inhalers, so it's not a mild issue. > > I was very very sick for several years until 1995 -- rescue inhalers > didn't even work. I was on a nebulizer treatment four times a day > plus 50 milligrams and up daily of steroids and I was still very > sick. In addition to aspirin desensitization there were many things > I did to improve my health and I don't even have a rescue inhaler on > hand anymore because I never need it. > > Do you use a steroid inhaler and long-acting inhaler such as > salmeterol (one of the components of Advair)? How about a > leukotriene modifier? > > Good luck! Hope you start to feel better soon. Be careful with tht > rescue inhaler! > > Lori > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Hi , I went through the same thing about 6 months ago. Not having insurance and not being able to afford my singular prescription ($125) I was going through my rescue inhaler like I had never been before. Using it every few hours (I was desperate and couldn't breathe) I wasn't sure why all of a sudden after being diagnosed with Samters over 4 years that my asthma was now becoming and issue. I never had a problem with my asthma, never had to use my inhaler and in fact threw many inhalers away because they had expired. The only time I would have to use it was prior to exercise. From six months ago my asthma started to flare up from seemingly nowhere. I didn't know what changed and why now I couldn't breathe. I would go days and days wheezing until I finally remembered that I still had an open prescription of singulair at my pharmacy. Sure enough since I've been actively taking 10mg of singulair with Clairitin-D 24Hour every day I've been good and all of my symptoms are at bay. Unfortunately, I have ran out of Albuterol for when I do exercise and I do flare up. I usually take an extra Singulair when it gets really bad. I'm not sure why but from everyones comments it seems like this disease evolves and changes in all of us. What works for a while isn't necessarily what will work for the long run. I think the idea of the journal is an excellent idea to keep track of what is going on and when our body changes. But really...if you feel you need to go to the ER to have your asthma checked out I would. Even if it ends up costing you a few hundred dollars out of pocket it's worth the health of your lungs and your piece of mind. > > > > > I guess I didn't notice the spiral. I don't know what the hell is > > > going on. I have an appt with my new PCP on Friday. I might be > > > seeing the ER before then. > > > > > > I went to refill my rescue inhaler yesterday. I've done it a million > > > and 1 times before. The Pharmacy tech said " It's only been 15 days > > > since you last refilled this. " WHAT! I used an entire inhaler in 15 > > > days. How the hell did I manage that and not notice. > > > > > > Looking back I can see that yes I have in deed been over using. I > > > didn't realize just how much. > > > > > > I think it might be the cold dry air. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I am very sensitive to cold air, too. I have to remember to take my Albuterol before shoveling snow, or I'm down sucking wind for a few hours. I have used Primatene Mist when Albuterol was unavailable. It's not nearly as effective on me, but it does take the edge off. I ran out of Advair over the holidays and kept forgetting to go to the pharmacy to see if I had a refill left for a few weeks. By the time I went to the pharmacy, I was taking the Albuterol 3-4 times daily. > > I guess I didn't notice the spiral. I don't know what the hell is > going on. I have an appt with my new PCP on Friday. I might be > seeing the ER before then. > > I went to refill my rescue inhaler yesterday. I've done it a million > and 1 times before. The Pharmacy tech said " It's only been 15 days > since you last refilled this. " WHAT! I used an entire inhaler in 15 > days. How the hell did I manage that and not notice. > > Looking back I can see that yes I have in deed been over using. I > didn't realize just how much. > > I think it might be the cold dry air. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Depends on who's doing the prescribing. If I get it from the ER it's almost alway a 40mg taper. I always get a salumedrol push in the ER If I get it from the pulm it depends on what my FEV1 score was. I've started with as much as 120mg a day. Which brings me to a question for you. Do you see a pulm in Reno or in Truckee? I just moved to the area, I have no pulm local to me. I am going to have to drive to Reno. Anyone you know of over there? > > What is the dosage regimen you use for prednisone burst? > ----- Original Message ----- 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I would imagine a sauna as being terrible for asthma. I hate saunas, I feel like I am suffocating. I prefer a steam room, briefly, especially when congested. New York City has some great Russian baths that I have found really helpful but you do have to be careful, I'm not sure how clean they are! Lori > > > > > > , sorry to hear about your downwards spiral. > > > > > > Flare-ups are very common with Samters, and they can be caused from a > > > variety of things. I would suggest in the future keeping a journal > > > to see if something in particular might have triggered this, since as > > > your diet over the holidays. It could be any number of things, or it > > > could be something that is not identifiable and you may need a burst > > > of steroids. > > > > > > I keep a detailed medical journal that has really helped me to note > > > my observations on triggers for asthma, triggers for polyps, and > > > lessen them. I also keep a medication log on a children's chore > > > calendar so I know when I have taken my meds. You can die from > > > overdose of albuterol inhalers, so it's not a mild issue. > > > > > > I was very very sick for several years until 1995 -- rescue inhalers > > > didn't even work. I was on a nebulizer treatment four times a day > > > plus 50 milligrams and up daily of steroids and I was still very > > > sick. In addition to aspirin desensitization there were many things > > > I did to improve my health and I don't even have a rescue inhaler on > > > hand anymore because I never need it. > > > > > > Do you use a steroid inhaler and long-acting inhaler such as > > > salmeterol (one of the components of Advair)? How about a > > > leukotriene modifier? > > > > > > Good luck! Hope you start to feel better soon. Be careful with tht > > > rescue inhaler! > > > > > > Lori > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > <!-- > > #ygrp-mkp{ > border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:14px 0px;padding:0px 14px;} > #ygrp-mkp hr{ > border:1px solid #d8d8d8;} > #ygrp-mkp #hd{ > color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:bold;line- height:122%;margin:10px 0px;} > #ygrp-mkp #ads{ > margin-bottom:10px;} > #ygrp-mkp .ad{ > padding:0 0;} > #ygrp-mkp .ad a{ > color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;} > --> > > > > <!-- > > #ygrp-sponsor #ygrp-lc{ > font-family:Arial;} > #ygrp-sponsor #ygrp-lc #hd{ > margin:10px 0px;font-weight:bold;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;} > #ygrp-sponsor #ygrp-lc .ad{ > margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 0;} > --> > > > > <!-- > > #ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;} > #ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;} > #ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;} > #ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;} > #ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;} > #ygrp-text{ > font-family:Georgia; > } > #ygrp-text p{ > margin:0 0 1em 0;} > #ygrp-tpmsgs{ > font-family:Arial; > clear:both;} > #ygrp-vitnav{ > padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;} > #ygrp-vitnav a{ > padding:0 1px;} > #ygrp-actbar{ > clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text- align:right;} > #ygrp-actbar .left{ > float:left;white-space:nowrap;} > .bld{font-weight:bold;} > #ygrp-grft{ > font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;} > #ygrp-ft{ > font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666; > padding:5px 0; > } > #ygrp-mlmsg #logo{ > padding-bottom:10px;} > > #ygrp-vital{ > background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;} > #ygrp-vital #vithd{ > font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text- transform:uppercase;} > #ygrp-vital ul{ > padding:0;margin:2px 0;} > #ygrp-vital ul li{ > list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee; > } > #ygrp-vital ul li .ct{ > font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text- align:right;padding-right:.5em;} > #ygrp-vital ul li .cat{ > font-weight:bold;} > #ygrp-vital a{ > text-decoration:none;} > > #ygrp-vital a:hover{ > text-decoration:underline;} > > #ygrp-sponsor #hd{ > color:#999;font-size:77%;} > #ygrp-sponsor #ov{ > padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;} > #ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{ > padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;} > #ygrp-sponsor #ov li{ > list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;} > #ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{ > text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;} > #ygrp-sponsor #nc{ > background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;} > #ygrp-sponsor .ad{ > padding:8px 0;} > #ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{ > font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font- size:100%;line-height:122%;} > #ygrp-sponsor .ad a{ > text-decoration:none;} > #ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{ > text-decoration:underline;} > #ygrp-sponsor .ad p{ > margin:0;} > o{font-size:0;} > .MsoNormal{ > margin:0 0 0 0;} > #ygrp-text tt{ > font-size:120%;} > blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;} > .replbq{margin:4;} > --> > > > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________ > Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with For Good http://uk.promotions./forgood/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Just a reminder that Singulair is, first of all, not the only leukotriene modifier (Zyflo is out there, I guess Accolate is off the market?) Zyflo works differently than Singulair and you should not assume if Singulair doesn't work that Zyflo won't work. I also think some of us need a higher dose than 10 milligrams of Singulair. And you have to remember it is not an acute medication. I think sometimes people expect large results from one medication, instead of seeing improvement from an overall regimen. Personally I found the best way was to pile on the medications then slowly go off them one at a time and see which ones I went off of affected me. For example, I think it's really hard to tell that Singulair is working. But when I STOP taking it ... then I can see the benefit I was getting from taking it. Same with Advair and really just about anything else I do for this illness. lori > > > > > > > I guess I didn't notice the spiral. I don't know what the hell is > > > > going on. I have an appt with my new PCP on Friday. I might be > > > > seeing the ER before then. > > > > > > > > I went to refill my rescue inhaler yesterday. I've done it a > million > > > > and 1 times before. The Pharmacy tech said " It's only been 15 days > > > > since you last refilled this. " WHAT! I used an entire inhaler > in 15 > > > > days. How the hell did I manage that and not notice. > > > > > > > > Looking back I can see that yes I have in deed been over using. I > > > > didn't realize just how much. > > > > > > > > I think it might be the cold dry air. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Usually it's 40 mg day 1 and 2, 30 mg day 3, 20 day 4 10 day 5 and 6. I've never been given the convenient daily dosage pack. I took singulair for 6 months before going off of it. There was no improvement while on it. When I went off I noticed no difference at all. Same with the flonase. It really does nothing for my polyps either. It goes up and drips right back out. A daily sinus rinse can keep the polyps at bay for a short period. I've been dealing with this for the past 11 years. I spent the first 3 years not knowing what on earth was going on. The next 2 with a diagnosis and a Dr. that just wasn't sure what to think. The next 6 with a great Pulm in Oregon whose interest was in desensing children with penicillin allergy. > > > > What is the dosage regimen you use for prednisone burst? > > ----- Original Message ----- > 6 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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