Update on my condition, and thanks for the info on alternative therapies

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Hi everyone. A few weeks ago I posted my first question to this group inquiring about alternative therapies for asthma. Thanks to all of you who responded. Unfortunately, the day I wrote that I ended up in the hospital with "staticus asthmaticus" (my new favorite phrase), and I was hospitalized on IV steroids and antibiotics for a full week. For those of you who aren't familiar with the phrase above, it basically means asthma that doesn't change with treatment. I had gotten an upper respiratory virus, started wheezing, started using my nebulizer, and just assumed eventually it would get better if I kept nebulizing. Which it didn't. We were out of town for the Thanksgiving weekend and I was ignorant and stubborn and didn't want to call my doctor over the holiday to get prednisone. When we got home from our trip I did start on oral prednisone, but by then it was too late, and 48 hours later I ended up in the

ER and then admitted into the hospital. It took five days of intensive IV therapy to make a dent in the wheezing and rattling and to bring up my O2 sats. Really miserable. To make matters worse, once they sent me home on oral steroids, I've been having bad ian reactions as they taper the dose -- basically, my adrenal glands are having a hard time kicking back in to make their own cortisol, and I've been feeling like absolute crap, like there are 20-lb weights hanging from every part of my body. We've been adjusting the dosages, back up, a little back down, but it will take a long time to get things regulated. My poor kids (10 and 7) are getting used to having an infirm mommy, which I hate. Luckily my mom flew in for the first week while I was in the hospital, and the day she left my in-laws came, so we are well taken care of, and all I have to do is sit here and concentrate on getting better. Anyway --

I've been reading everything going around the last week since I've been home, and I've learned a few things I want to pass on. First of all, taking prednisone is awful, but it is better than NOT BREATHING. If you need it -- and if you've got any experience with this disease, you know when you need it -- do not be stubborn. Call the doctor and get started. Second of all, if you nebulize a few times and get no relief, call your doctor and/or go to the ER. Staticus asthmaticus can be fatal, and quickly. Once your lungs decide they will no longer respond to the bronchodialators, there's nowhere to go but down. And third, listen to your body. This time it got so bad because I ignored the warning signs and waited too long. Also I'm sure I was set up by the many fires we've had this fall here in southern California, and whatever nasty virus was going around my family -- but if I had

acted more quickly and proactively I don't think I would have gotten this sick. This is the first time I've ever been hospitalized because of my asthma. I hope it will be the last. Not knowing these things, not doing these things, cost me -- well, maybe not my life, but it sure cost me a few precious weeks of my life. FYI, this all happened despite my many regular maintenance medications, with which I am vigilant (Xolair, Advair, Singulair, Rhinocort, Astelin, Xyrtec, Prilosec). I've now failed on Xolair -- not even sure they're going to let me keep taking it, which would be awful, since it's been controlling me pretty well for the past two and a half years. Thanks for listening, everyone. And for the support. It's good to know there are people out there dealing with similar things. Best, P.S. After

many years of denying that we need central air conditioning in our house (Santa is very temperate), my husband is finally giving in, for health reasons. I guess my being in the hospital was enough to scare him into it. _____________________ Penzer Kerekesekerekes@...