Steroid dependent on high-dose inhaled steroids only

[Guest guest]

I have severe adverse effects to prednisone,including psychiatric, so

my doctor only puts me on it rarely and for short periods. But I'm on

very high dose inhaled steroids - Advair 500/50 twice daily plus

Flovent 440 twice daily, plus Pulmicort nebs for flare-ups. I have

the typical body shape of steroid dependence - abdominal obesity (and

cannot get the weight off), full face, thin arms and legs, and my

skin is very thin and fragile, tearing and bruising very easily.

Also,my reflux worsened greatly and my blood pressure went way up

when I went on this regimen 5 years ago. And my mind....well, I'm not

myself.

My peak flows drop immediately and I start coughing anytime I try to

back off on the Flovent just a little. My own adrenal production of

cortisol is completely suppressed per lab work. So - I'm totally

steroid dependent, even though all I get is by inhalers, and I'm

desparate to back off the inhaled steroids, which is why I'm starting

Xolair next week. But it seems most everybody in this e-group is much

worse in terms of asthma control and is on prednisone in addition to

the inhalers. I almost feel like a wuss when I read how much more

terribly so many of you have been doing. But...if others like me are

out there, please share what your experience has been on Xolair. Have

you been able to get off inhaled steroids? If so, do you have a tough

time doing that because of difficult symptoms appearing?

Fran