Re: New, with some questions

[Guest guest]

> not too severe (I'm sure you have read some of the earlier posts

> where people have described their limited difficulties, the most

> recent being from one subscriber who has had headaches).

And please don't let my experience put you off (I'm the one with the

headache). I'm someone who has had nearly every unusual adverse

reaction to every drug I've tried for the last ten years or so (not

just asthma meds). I'm fairly certain that it's the xolair that's

brought on this headache and at this point I don't know if I'll go

back for another injection but haven't totally ruled it out, because

the potential benefits may be worth it in the end. But I'm very much

the exception to any rule when it comes to medication.

Good luck to you!

Joyce

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group! I get three shots. I know of a couple of

others who do also. I'm fairly confident we are getting the same

amount as Doug and some of you others, just in three shots. If you

read the Xolair insert carefully, if one is getting the max dosage as

recommended in the insert, one is supposed to get three shots. I

know of plenty of folks who get that dosage in two shots, though, and

seem to be doing fine.

I would be a little concerned about you getting the max dosage given

your weight, but since your IgE is so high that may be the reason why

your getting three shots. You could cut back if you get a lot of

bruising. I have not had any problems with bruising or any type of

reaction. I love this drug. My IgE score was 786 BTW.

[Guest guest]

--- In , Mark Van Dop <mvandop@y...>

wrote:

> Hi, I've just been approved by insurance to start the

> treatment, and I'm not sure! My Dr. says 3 injections

> every 2 weeks. Doesn't that sound like alot? I am a

> 43 year old female and I developed severe asthma about

> 8 years ago. One of my concerns is my weight, I weigh

> only 82 pounds. My IGe level was 764 however. I

> don't know what all this means, so I would appreciate

> any input. My Drs. goal is to keep me from having to

> resort to Prednisone every couple of months, which is

> what I have had to do.

> Thanks for any help in making this decision.

>

>

Welcome to the group I am 49 years old and 200 pounds. My IGE was

over 800 and I began xolair at only 2 injections every two weeks (2

shots 150 mg each) last October. IGE means you have a TON of allergy

in your blood. Normal i believe (not too sure on this) is around 150-

200?

I had a little itching the first two weeks, but after that it went

away. I don't think it was the xolair. I never have had ANY side

effects and I did not bruise after getting the injections.

I was on 50 mg of Prednisone each day and it was really getting to me

emotionally and physically with my weight gain. Well, it took about 5

months, but I am now seeing GREAT improvement. I am down to only 5mg

of Prednisone a day and plan to be off of it by next week YAY! I only

use my neb machine twice a day now and was on it 4-6 times.

My advice as a person who has been there is to GO FOR IT! If your

doctor says you need it, your insurance is paying and this medicine

has given many others of us relief, you at least need to try.

Happy Breathing,

Doug in Arkansas

Group founder

[Guest guest]

At least for the lab my allergist uses, normal IgE is 25 or less. I

think that may be true in all cases since Xolair is recommended for

people with scores above 100. However, I may be wrong.

Did I mention I don't get headaches any more?

Great idea about the polls, Doug. Please send us a notice as soon as

you get off the pred! May you have many years without it!

Addy

[Guest guest]

I guess the thing that threw me with regard to the dosage is that in

the prescribing information it says that for someone of my size

(approx. 100 kg) that if the IgE count is higher than 300 'do not

dose'. I get 300 mg per month (two shots of 150). I don't know for

sure, but based on this, my IgE count must have been less than 300.

I'll ask my doctor the next time I see him.

It also only shows a maximum dosage of 375 mg per month (which is

not 3 full doses) and then only if the person's body weight is less

than 90 kg.

I'm curious about those of you getting more than two shots per

month - what are the actual milligrams of Xolair you are taking?

Greg

> Welcome to the group! I get three shots. I know of a couple of

> others who do also. I'm fairly confident we are getting the same

> amount as Doug and some of you others, just in three shots. If

you

> read the Xolair insert carefully, if one is getting the max dosage

as

> recommended in the insert, one is supposed to get three shots. I

> know of plenty of folks who get that dosage in two shots, though,

and

> seem to be doing fine.

>

> I would be a little concerned about you getting the max dosage

given

> your weight, but since your IgE is so high that may be the reason

why

> your getting three shots. You could cut back if you get a lot of

> bruising. I have not had any problems with bruising or any type

of

> reaction. I love this drug. My IgE score was 786 BTW.

[Guest guest]

>

> I'm curious about those of you getting more than two shots per

> month - what are the actual milligrams of Xolair you are taking?

>

> Greg

>

Greg,

I get two 150 mg shots, one in each arm every other friday.

Doug