Catching up

[Guest guest]

Interesting conversatin I had recently about Xolair

I met with our insurance pharmacy rep the other day and topic turned

to Xolair. He said that unlike any other asthma treatment, Xolair

is actually helping REVERSE the lung function remodeling found in so

many asthmatics. This is encouraging and suggests that over time

some of us may actually see REAL physical improvement instead of

symptom improvement.

He also said that there is little clinical evidence to suggest that

Xolair actually works on the allergic reaction but only works on the

allergic triggers of asthma. For this reason, many insurance

companies are moving to try to ban coverage of Xolair for people

with allergies that don't also show significant signs of asthma. I

found this odd, because for some reason I always thought that Xolair

somehow blocked allergic reactions. Having said this, I have

mentioned before that Xolair does nothing for my sinuses.

I am the only one at my company using Xolair, but even with only one

injection per month, Xolair shows up as the #6 most costly drug to

our company (we employ almost 250 people). I told him that taken

out of context, this might look alarming. However, when you

consider the REDUCTION of all of the other medications that I was

taking (which the insurance census cannot pick up) that Xolair would

certainly fall off the top 10 list. Not to mention the overall

health improvement and reduction/elimination of risk of

hospitalization.

Incidentally, included in our top 10 drugs were Nexium, Prilosec,

Generic Prilosec, Allegra, Effexor, and Ambien. Isn't it

interesting that the drugs that get the most advertising are also

among the most prescribed? It's hard to imagine that antacids,

antihistamines, anti-depressants, and sleeping pills provide the

quality of life that Xolair has, or have resulted in the health

improvement or reduction of other medications.

I was happy that he agreed with me on all points. I also mentioned

that I use Advair, which he referred to as 'another wonder-drug for

asthmatics'.

BTW - I get this information because I am in charge of our health

insurance at my company.

Hope all of you are well.

Greg

PS - No baby yet, but we have settled on the name 'Riley'. At

least, that's the way I think she is going to spell it (not

Reilly). Should be here within the next two weeks or so. Our

financial audit is scheduled for the week of July 26th. I expect

the baby to arrive on the 27th.

[Guest guest]

addy, sorry your in such a slump. it seems once our bodies accept a

cootie, they let it make itself at home. the sleepless nights are

more than anyone should have to deal with. as an insomniac, i wish i

had advice, but its rare i sleep a good night. have you tried

benedryl? thats the only suggestion. its good b/c in 4-6 hours, it

completely leaves your system with no longing effects, or so they

say.

i too and still fighting whatever this is. over the weekend, my

lungs seemed to fill with mucus, and i was coughing up mucus plugs

and what appeared to be pus. (i know, waaaay gross). i added mucinex

to my entex, upped both dosages, and it seems to be better. my

sinuses are still in an uproar. i have not yet asked for an

antibiotic, because i return to the ENT on monday. he was talking

about a CT and a surgery debate. i'm so afraid if i get an

antibiotic (and somehow, that goes hand in hand with pred), my CT

will not look bad and the insurance company will say no to the sinus

surgery. at this point, i belive surgery is the only option (as does

my dr who deals with my asthma). we'll see what the almighty ENT has

to say.

i am worlds better than i had been this time last year (before

xolair). last year, i had a few ER visits, two bargaining sessions

to stay out of the hospital and bottles after bottles of prednisone

and antibiotics. i'm still going 6 hours b/w nebs, and at times,

longer. i'm doing the treatments mainly to keep the mucus from

settling in my lungs again. that was very uncomfortable over the

weekend.

hope everyone is feeling better

heather

>

>

> Hi, everyone. So glad to hear those of you who are just starting

> Xolair seem to be doing well with it.

>

> I am still having a rough time. After 9+ upper resp infections

last

> year (why keep counting after 9), I had not had any antibiotics

> since the end of December 2003, thank you Xolair, and very little

> pred after the grasses started to pollenate in February (that

first

> week of grass is always a bad time for me).

>

> Since the end of October I have had three different antibiotics

and

> plenty of pred. That said, my sinus symptoms are not nearly as

> severe as with my episodes last year. I still hardly ever get

> allergy or sinus headaches, and I attribute that completely to

> Xolair. (Before I had severe headaches 5 days out of 7 on

average.)

> The problem is I can't get my lungs to cooperate. I can't seem to

> ween them off pred. Now I have this terrible cough. I had some

> tussonex called in last night along with more pred and I see the

> pulmo tomorrow. Doug, I am going to ask about Xopenex b/c I do

> think I need to be using the neb more, but I just can't take the

> side effects.

>

> Between the pred, the albuterol, and the narcotic in the cough

syrup

> and the coughing (tussonex only helped, it didn't stop it

> altogether) I literally was up all night. Too many meds I guess

to

> get any real rest. I have to work today and tomorrow, so I have

been

> drinking coffee all day. (I know, I know).

>

> I hope the rest of you are doing well. Thanks for all the good

> wishes!

>

> Addy