Guest guest Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Just a little asthma rant... Don't you just get tired of all the medications and then all the other drugs you have to take to deal with the first medications side effects? I know I am 'new' to all this but I am getting tired of the endless dr's appt and such (I used to have a life :-) ). Over the past week I have found out that the pressure in my eyes are increasing at a high rate so I go back for another reading on Friday -- If the pressure is still up then the recommendation is either no inhaled or nasal steroids OR go on glaucoma medications. Yesterday, during a routine blood pressure check up my family physician got all alarmed -- he has been out of the loop of the asthma problems since he was away on paternity leave and I didn't like his covering Dr -- so now, all of a sudden, he gets concerned. Seems my BP is up (no fake!) and my heart like to race -- still no surprise since I complained to his covering Dr about this six weeks ago and she 'blew me off'. Now all of a sudden, he is concerned and scheduled me for a bunch of heart tests and increased my BP meds. He is now saying that I am on too much asthma meds (advair 500/50, spiriva, singulair, claritin, albuturel inhaler, duoneb(when needed),an antacid, nasonex) and I should not be taking albuterol. Joke is he has no idea about how sick I was... He has no ideas of the weeks I spent not sleeping and coughing through the night, or the cracked ribs I still have to show for it. He doesn't realize that we finally have me on enough medications so I can take care of my kids again without outside help -- that doesn't seem to mattter to him (OHHHHH! SO MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!) He suddenly wants to manage my care -- where was he months ago when I could hardly function and the nurses in his office would make me wait three days for an appt to see a covering dr? because my regular dr's schedule was 'too full'. Just angry here! Wish I could have vented to the Dr but he tends to make you always feel like he's late for something else. And YES, I want to change family physicians but now I need to wait until I get the BP and heart thing settled -- otherwise it's back to square one. Tired of Dr's, tests and meds... SO... I call my asthma guy to find out how the insurance paperwork is going for Xolair -- (it still in the process.... but should be approved due to meeting all critera and the problems I am having with my other medications) but he offered to changed my meds (from Advair to Asmanex -- still an inhaled steroid so I don't think that will help) and an albuterol alternative... Problem is I am hesitant to change medication right now -- things are semi working and I never want to return to my status of a few months ago.... Quandry.... So, I guess I get to just wait for the eye test (friday) and the echocardiogram(wed) and then I see the asthma guy (wed) so we can come up with a plan until my Xolair paperwork goes through -- My insurance company already said it takes 3 months to be approved -- so here I sit and wait.... I just needed to vent -- and it's hard to vent to friends if they have never gone through this awful circle. Somedays I just want to stop taking 'all' the asthma meds and see if I miracously get better (I know bad idea....) Just tired... and since my lung test are now good and other than the coughing all I have is the endless tiredness and the burning feeling in my bronchi tubes.. OK, and maybe the Bacall voice (that began 3 months ago and will linger until all inhaled stuff is stopped -- so says the ENT).... end of rant -- thanks for listening -- it's just good therapy to type and send this :-) suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Suzanne - This is my first post here - I read your comment and can totally relate to what you are going through. I got sick of seeing doctors - and they kept referring me to different ones. I've been dealing with this for 5 years now and I've finally learned how to determine when things are just not necessary and when things are. I've had 3 Xolair injections so far - I am getting them every two weeks. My brother-in-law was the Mayo Clinic's first Xolair patient - he is doing wonderful considering how he's been in the past - so don't give up. He's almost died 3 times - been put into coma's just to keep him alive, etc... and that has not happened in a couple of years now. I'm hopeful that the Xolair will keep me from having any more sinus surgeries and also keep me off prednisone. If my sinus situation is managed well - then I do not have asthma symptoms - it is all related to my sinus disease. Oh - by the way, my doctor changed me to the Asthmanex recently and it is much better for me. The Advair kept me hoarse all the time and the Asthmanex is much milder, but keeps everything managed well. Good luck! Kathy --- In , " suzsummit " <sdepaolis@...> wrote: > > Just a little asthma rant... > Don't you just get tired of all the medications and then all the other > drugs you have to take to deal with the first medications side > effects? I know I am 'new' to all this but I am getting tired of the > endless dr's appt and such (I used to have a life :-) ). > > Over the past week I have found out that the pressure in my eyes are > increasing at a high rate so I go back for another reading on Friday > -- If the pressure is still up then the recommendation is either no > inhaled or nasal steroids OR go on glaucoma medications. > > Yesterday, during a routine blood pressure check up my family > physician got all alarmed -- he has been out of the loop of the asthma > problems since he was away on paternity leave and I didn't like his > covering Dr -- so now, all of a sudden, he gets concerned. Seems my > BP is up (no fake!) and my heart like to race -- still no surprise > since I complained to his covering Dr about this six weeks ago and she > 'blew me off'. Now all of a sudden, he is concerned and scheduled me > for a bunch of heart tests and increased my BP meds. He is now saying > that I am on too much asthma meds (advair 500/50, spiriva, singulair, > claritin, albuturel inhaler, duoneb(when needed),an antacid, nasonex) > and I should not be taking albuterol. Joke is he has no idea about > how sick I was... He has no ideas of the weeks I spent not sleeping > and coughing through the night, or the cracked ribs I still have to > show for it. He doesn't realize that we finally have me on enough > medications so I can take care of my kids again without outside help > -- that doesn't seem to mattter to him (OHHHHH! SO MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!) > > He suddenly wants to manage my care -- where was he months ago when I > could hardly function and the nurses in his office would make me wait > three days for an appt to see a covering dr? because my regular dr's > schedule was 'too full'. Just angry here! Wish I could have vented > to the Dr but he tends to make you always feel like he's late for > something else. And YES, I want to change family physicians but now I > need to wait until I get the BP and heart thing settled -- otherwise > it's back to square one. > > Tired of Dr's, tests and meds... > > SO... I call my asthma guy to find out how the insurance paperwork is > going for Xolair -- (it still in the process.... but should be > approved due to meeting all critera and the problems I am having with > my other medications) but he offered to changed my meds (from Advair > to Asmanex -- still an inhaled steroid so I don't think that will > help) and an albuterol alternative... Problem is I am hesitant to > change medication right now -- things are semi working and I never > want to return to my status of a few months ago.... Quandry.... > > So, I guess I get to just wait for the eye test (friday) and the > echocardiogram(wed) and then I see the asthma guy (wed) so we can come > up with a plan until my Xolair paperwork goes through -- My insurance > company already said it takes 3 months to be approved -- so here I sit > and wait.... > I just needed to vent -- and it's hard to vent to friends if they have > never gone through this awful circle. Somedays I just want to stop > taking 'all' the asthma meds and see if I miracously get better (I > know bad idea....) Just tired... and since my lung test are now good > and other than the coughing all I have is the endless tiredness and > the burning feeling in my bronchi tubes.. OK, and maybe the > Bacall voice (that began 3 months ago and will linger until all > inhaled stuff is stopped -- so says the ENT).... > > end of rant -- thanks for listening -- it's just good therapy to type > and send this :-) > > suzanne > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Good vent Suzanne !!!! I know it helps to vent and we all understand what your feeling, meds and more meds that is all I seem to do is take my meds. Don't like the alturnitives though. Hang in, We all understand. Donna (WA) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 FYI My BP often goes up when I am in a full-on asthma episode. Neither my pulmo nor my family doc are too worried about it in terms of the long-term. They say b/c my lungs aren't pushing the air m y blood has to do it for me. FYI 2 - Xolair has improved my allergic sinus issues tremendously. I am not a candidate for surgery b/c there is nothing they can do that might help - I have severe allergic sinus disease or something. While Xolair hasn't solved the problem completely, I get about 3 sinus infections a year as opposed to 8 or 9, and often I can keep one from coming on by rinsing and taking an anticholinergic in addition to sudafed. FYI 3 - I have seen 9 allergists/pulmos in my life, and if I had a quarter for every doctor's visit I wouldn't need health isnurance, so I understand your frustration completely. I finally have a competent pulmo that I like and I still get " I'm sorry I can't do any more for you - you're already on maximum medical therapy. " Oh, well, Take care, Addy > > > > Just a little asthma rant... > > Don't you just get tired of all the medications and then all the > other > > drugs you have to take to deal with the first medications side > > effects? I know I am 'new' to all this but I am getting tired of > the > > endless dr's appt and such (I used to have a life :-) ). > > > > Over the past week I have found out that the pressure in my eyes > are > > increasing at a high rate so I go back for another reading on > Friday > > -- If the pressure is still up then the recommendation is either no > > inhaled or nasal steroids OR go on glaucoma medications. > > > > Yesterday, during a routine blood pressure check up my family > > physician got all alarmed -- he has been out of the loop of the > asthma > > problems since he was away on paternity leave and I didn't like his > > covering Dr -- so now, all of a sudden, he gets concerned. Seems > my > > BP is up (no fake!) and my heart like to race -- still no surprise > > since I complained to his covering Dr about this six weeks ago and > she > > 'blew me off'. Now all of a sudden, he is concerned and scheduled > me > > for a bunch of heart tests and increased my BP meds. He is now > saying > > that I am on too much asthma meds (advair 500/50, spiriva, > singulair, > > claritin, albuturel inhaler, duoneb(when needed),an antacid, > nasonex) > > and I should not be taking albuterol. Joke is he has no idea > about > > how sick I was... He has no ideas of the weeks I spent not > sleeping > > and coughing through the night, or the cracked ribs I still have to > > show for it. He doesn't realize that we finally have me on enough > > medications so I can take care of my kids again without outside > help > > -- that doesn't seem to mattter to him (OHHHHH! SO > MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!) > > > > He suddenly wants to manage my care -- where was he months ago > when I > > could hardly function and the nurses in his office would make me > wait > > three days for an appt to see a covering dr? because my regular > dr's > > schedule was 'too full'. Just angry here! Wish I could have > vented > > to the Dr but he tends to make you always feel like he's late for > > something else. And YES, I want to change family physicians but > now I > > need to wait until I get the BP and heart thing settled -- > otherwise > > it's back to square one. > > > > Tired of Dr's, tests and meds... > > > > SO... I call my asthma guy to find out how the insurance paperwork > is > > going for Xolair -- (it still in the process.... but should be > > approved due to meeting all critera and the problems I am having > with > > my other medications) but he offered to changed my meds (from > Advair > > to Asmanex -- still an inhaled steroid so I don't think that will > > help) and an albuterol alternative... Problem is I am hesitant to > > change medication right now -- things are semi working and I never > > want to return to my status of a few months ago.... Quandry.... > > > > So, I guess I get to just wait for the eye test (friday) and the > > echocardiogram(wed) and then I see the asthma guy (wed) so we can > come > > up with a plan until my Xolair paperwork goes through -- My > insurance > > company already said it takes 3 months to be approved -- so here I > sit > > and wait.... > > I just needed to vent -- and it's hard to vent to friends if they > have > > never gone through this awful circle. Somedays I just want to stop > > taking 'all' the asthma meds and see if I miracously get better (I > > know bad idea....) Just tired... and since my lung test are now > good > > and other than the coughing all I have is the endless tiredness and > > the burning feeling in my bronchi tubes.. OK, and maybe the > > Bacall voice (that began 3 months ago and will linger until all > > inhaled stuff is stopped -- so says the ENT).... > > > > end of rant -- thanks for listening -- it's just good therapy to > type > > and send this :-) > > > > suzanne > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Steve, I have had trouble with muscle aches coming off pred, but my biggest problem coming off pred is FATIGUE - almost like a wall of fatigue that comes out of nowhere. 85% of the time, any lung symptoms I have are caused by mucus and/or inflammation that started in my sinuses. If I start having mucus build up in my lungs, my doc wants me to start on mucinex, two at the first dose with a full glass of water and then one each dose thereafter. You might want to ask your doc about it. Meds shouldn't be causing you to have mucus build up. Addy Group co-owner Remember to talk to your own doc about any changes to your treatment plan. > > > > > > Just a little asthma rant... > > > Don't you just get tired of all the medications and then all the > > other > > > drugs you have to take to deal with the first medications side > > > effects? I know I am 'new' to all this but I am getting tired of > > the > > > endless dr's appt and such (I used to have a life :-) ). > > > > > > Over the past week I have found out that the pressure in my eyes > > are > > > increasing at a high rate so I go back for another reading on > > Friday > > > -- If the pressure is still up then the recommendation is either > no > > > inhaled or nasal steroids OR go on glaucoma medications. > > > > > > Yesterday, during a routine blood pressure check up my family > > > physician got all alarmed -- he has been out of the loop of the > > asthma > > > problems since he was away on paternity leave and I didn't like > his > > > covering Dr -- so now, all of a sudden, he gets concerned. Seems > > my > > > BP is up (no fake!) and my heart like to race -- still no surprise > > > since I complained to his covering Dr about this six weeks ago > and > > she > > > 'blew me off'. Now all of a sudden, he is concerned and > scheduled > > me > > > for a bunch of heart tests and increased my BP meds. He is now > > saying > > > that I am on too much asthma meds (advair 500/50, spiriva, > > singulair, > > > claritin, albuturel inhaler, duoneb(when needed),an antacid, > > nasonex) > > > and I should not be taking albuterol. Joke is he has no idea > > about > > > how sick I was... He has no ideas of the weeks I spent not > > sleeping > > > and coughing through the night, or the cracked ribs I still have > to > > > show for it. He doesn't realize that we finally have me on enough > > > medications so I can take care of my kids again without outside > > help > > > -- that doesn't seem to mattter to him (OHHHHH! SO > > MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!) > > > > > > He suddenly wants to manage my care -- where was he months ago > > when I > > > could hardly function and the nurses in his office would make me > > wait > > > three days for an appt to see a covering dr? because my regular > > dr's > > > schedule was 'too full'. Just angry here! Wish I could have > > vented > > > to the Dr but he tends to make you always feel like he's late for > > > something else. And YES, I want to change family physicians but > > now I > > > need to wait until I get the BP and heart thing settled -- > > otherwise > > > it's back to square one. > > > > > > Tired of Dr's, tests and meds... > > > > > > SO... I call my asthma guy to find out how the insurance > paperwork > > is > > > going for Xolair -- (it still in the process.... but should be > > > approved due to meeting all critera and the problems I am having > > with > > > my other medications) but he offered to changed my meds (from > > Advair > > > to Asmanex -- still an inhaled steroid so I don't think that will > > > help) and an albuterol alternative... Problem is I am hesitant to > > > change medication right now -- things are semi working and I never > > > want to return to my status of a few months ago.... Quandry.... > > > > > > So, I guess I get to just wait for the eye test (friday) and the > > > echocardiogram(wed) and then I see the asthma guy (wed) so we can > > come > > > up with a plan until my Xolair paperwork goes through -- My > > insurance > > > company already said it takes 3 months to be approved -- so here > I > > sit > > > and wait.... > > > I just needed to vent -- and it's hard to vent to friends if they > > have > > > never gone through this awful circle. Somedays I just want to > stop > > > taking 'all' the asthma meds and see if I miracously get better (I > > > know bad idea....) Just tired... and since my lung test are now > > good > > > and other than the coughing all I have is the endless tiredness > and > > > the burning feeling in my bronchi tubes.. OK, and maybe the > > > Bacall voice (that began 3 months ago and will linger until all > > > inhaled stuff is stopped -- so says the ENT).... > > > > > > end of rant -- thanks for listening -- it's just good therapy to > > type > > > and send this :-) > > > > > > suzanne > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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