Re: kathy starting Xolair

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I have been on Xolair for approximately 18 months. Like many

members of the group, I have found Xolair to be a miracle treatment

for my asthma.

I have suffered asthma for 30 years, although it hit me really hard

when I was 16. Prior to asthma, I played basketball, ran track /

cross country, was in band, etc. After asthma, I basically became

an inhaler-puffing invalid.

For the past 24 years, I have struggled with asthma. I have endured

annual trips to the ER (sometimes more often) including lengthy

hospital stays. I have tried numerous medications with limited

success. Despite this, I always tried to maintain some degree of

exercise regimen, but it was always limited.

Since Xolair, I have been able to participate in activities that I

had only hoped to be involved in. This is important because I have

two young children. On Monday I played hooky from work to play in

the snow with my 6 year old - what a dream come true! I exercise

regularly on the treadmill and with weights, have improved my

fitness level, and never carry an inhaler with me any longer.

Having said that, Xolair has NOT allowed me to discontinue all of my

other medications. I still use Advair 500 twice daily, still get

allergy shots, and still occasionally need the rescue inhaler. I

also take 10mg of pred every other day for a non-asthma affliction.

However, since going on Xolair, I do seem to respond better to the

rescue inhaler when I need it. I also take about two hits of

albuterol before I get on the treadmill to prevent exercise-induced

asthma / tightness.

Also, I have not seen a significant sustained improvement in my lung

function. I bought a PIKO flowmeter (measures PEF and FEV1) and

tracked my function daily for about a year. Although I do not find

myself breathless from exertion, my Dr. says that since I have had

severe asthma for so long, my lungs will probably never recover.

This is one reason for my dedication to exercise.

Xolair does not work for everyone, and may take some time to see

real benefit. I saw improvement within 2 days of my first shots. I

get two shots per month, and am able to administer the shots myself.

Does Xolair have risks? Probably, but in my mind I am able to

rationalize the risks against the significant benefit I have

received from taking it. It certainly must be less risky than being

put in the hospital regularly or taking massive doses of

prednisone. As far as the sometimes referenced cancer link goes - I

have written on the subject numerous times, and in a nutshell, the

cancer occurrence among the Xolair test subjects was the SAME as in

the population as a whole, while the rate among the placebo subjects

was HALF that of the population. That was enough to put my mind at

ease on that subject.

Best wishes with your decision. For me, it was easy, and continues

to be easy. My life has improved immeasurably, and I never want to

go back.

Good luck and clear breathing.

Greg

--- In , kathy eisen <kathyh1942@y...>

wrote:

>

> Dear :

>

> I recieved a message with attached messages saying how everyone

enjoys the xolair group.

>

> I desperately need questions answered. I have been approved for

xolair, my family feels the medicine is too new and they don't want

me to take it. I've had asthma and allergies for 51 years and take

12 medicines a day.

>

> Please someone tell me if you're doing better has anyone improved

on this medication and how long have you been taking it. Have you

been able to reduce you'r other asthma/allergy medicine?

>

> Thanks a lot

>

> Kathy

>