RE: Can Xolair stop working?

[Guest guest]

I've been meaning to ask the same question of my doctor .

I'm not doing horrible lately, but have noticed some of my symptoms

returning.

However, I want to talk to my doctor at length about it because I know that

it's winter, and I'm locked up in the house with about a zillion dust mites.

I'm also allergic to mold, and you're right, I know that those counts are

off the charts. I do all I can to minimize the mites, but as everyone knows

you can't be 100% mite free EVER. The dry air isn't helping. While it

might keep the mites from multiplying, it keeps the dust flying around

easier.

I'll let you know what my doctor thinks!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: McLaughlin

Date: 01/07/07 14:02:48

Subject: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

Up until recently Xolair has pretty much eliminated 99% of my asthma

symptoms. In recent weeks it appears that it is no longer working. I had

my last shot this past Wednesday and yesterday all my symptoms have come

back -- SOB, wheezing, congestion, coughing, itching (incredible itching

when I get into bed -- biggest allergen is dust mites), fatigue, etc....

I'm taking 150 then 75 alternating every two weeks. When I take the 150

the relief seems to last about 10 days. When I take the 75 the relief lasts

about 3 days. I'm getting the feeling that my body is getting used to the

dose I'm receiving and producing IgE above and beyond what Xolair can treat.

In other words, I feel like my body is getting addicted or conditioned to

Xolair.

My doctor said I can go up as high as 150 every two weeks but I'm afraid

my body will adjust to that dose and then I'll have the same problem I'm

having now but at a higher dose.

Is anyone aware of this problem, or experienced this problem? It may just

be a result of the strange weather conditions we're having this year. I've

heard the mold counts are extremely high because of the mild weather but I'm

not allergic to mold. This time of year is usually my worst so I'm hoping

it will pass with time.

[Guest guest]

Thanks . I was thinking the same thing -- dry air, strange weather,

stuck indoors. This always has been my worst time of year so I'm keeping my

fingers crossed.

Currier <redsoxkitten@...> wrote: I've been meaning to

ask the same question of my doctor .

I'm not doing horrible lately, but have noticed some of my symptoms

returning.

However, I want to talk to my doctor at length about it because I know that

it's winter, and I'm locked up in the house with about a zillion dust mites.

I'm also allergic to mold, and you're right, I know that those counts are

off the charts. I do all I can to minimize the mites, but as everyone knows

you can't be 100% mite free EVER. The dry air isn't helping. While it

might keep the mites from multiplying, it keeps the dust flying around

easier.

I'll let you know what my doctor thinks!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: McLaughlin

Date: 01/07/07 14:02:48

Subject: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

Up until recently Xolair has pretty much eliminated 99% of my asthma

symptoms. In recent weeks it appears that it is no longer working. I had

my last shot this past Wednesday and yesterday all my symptoms have come

back -- SOB, wheezing, congestion, coughing, itching (incredible itching

when I get into bed -- biggest allergen is dust mites), fatigue, etc....

I'm taking 150 then 75 alternating every two weeks. When I take the 150

the relief seems to last about 10 days. When I take the 75 the relief lasts

about 3 days. I'm getting the feeling that my body is getting used to the

dose I'm receiving and producing IgE above and beyond what Xolair can treat.

In other words, I feel like my body is getting addicted or conditioned to

Xolair.

My doctor said I can go up as high as 150 every two weeks but I'm afraid

my body will adjust to that dose and then I'll have the same problem I'm

having now but at a higher dose.

Is anyone aware of this problem, or experienced this problem? It may just

be a result of the strange weather conditions we're having this year. I've

heard the mold counts are extremely high because of the mild weather but I'm

not allergic to mold. This time of year is usually my worst so I'm hoping

it will pass with time.

[Guest guest]

and others,

I would also like an answer to whether Xolair can stop working? I too

feel Xolair is not too effective I reducing asthma attacks or my

allergies because this last week was a beast for me because I had bad

chest congestion, which lead to wheezing and gurgling in my chest, which

lead to coughing which lead to difficult breathing when the coughing

ended. I struggled for 4-5 days with this cycle occurring over and over

again. Nighttime was the worst! It did not stop until I made the

decision to take 40 mgm of some Prednisone that I had in my medicine

cabinet . After taking this, the symptoms cleared up in about 2 hours.

I feel good this morning but I am sure it will come back sooner or

later.

Taking a pulse dose of 40 mgm of Prednisone on my own is probably

something my allergist would not recommend but right now this seems to

be the only way to get control since I did not want to go to the

hospital. I did this because the last time I went to the doctor for my

asthma symptoms I was given 3 nebuolizer treatments and put on 40 mgm of

prednisone for 3 days. The doctor said this short pulse dose would not

hurt me in the long run and I did not have to taper down either. So I

figured I would do the same thing.

Has anyone else made the decision like this to self medicate to relieve

your asthma symptoms? Is this OK to do? Should I inform my allergist

about this the next time I see her or let it go since I feel a little

better now?

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Currier

Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 6:07 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

I've been meaning to ask the same question of my doctor .

I'm not doing horrible lately, but have noticed some of my symptoms

returning.

However, I want to talk to my doctor at length about it because I know

that

it's winter, and I'm locked up in the house with about a zillion dust

mites.

I'm also allergic to mold, and you're right, I know that those counts

are

off the charts. I do all I can to minimize the mites, but as everyone

knows

you can't be 100% mite free EVER. The dry air isn't helping. While it

might keep the mites from multiplying, it keeps the dust flying around

easier.

I'll let you know what my doctor thinks!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: McLaughlin

Date: 01/07/07 14:02:48

<mailto: %40>

Subject: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

Up until recently Xolair has pretty much eliminated 99% of my asthma

symptoms. In recent weeks it appears that it is no longer working. I had

my last shot this past Wednesday and yesterday all my symptoms have come

back -- SOB, wheezing, congestion, coughing, itching (incredible itching

when I get into bed -- biggest allergen is dust mites), fatigue, etc....

I'm taking 150 then 75 alternating every two weeks. When I take the 150

the relief seems to last about 10 days. When I take the 75 the relief

lasts

about 3 days. I'm getting the feeling that my body is getting used to

the

dose I'm receiving and producing IgE above and beyond what Xolair can

treat.

In other words, I feel like my body is getting addicted or conditioned

to

Xolair.

My doctor said I can go up as high as 150 every two weeks but I'm afraid

my body will adjust to that dose and then I'll have the same problem I'm

having now but at a higher dose.

Is anyone aware of this problem, or experienced this problem? It may

just

be a result of the strange weather conditions we're having this year.

I've

heard the mold counts are extremely high because of the mild weather but

I'm

not allergic to mold. This time of year is usually my worst so I'm

hoping

it will pass with time.

[Guest guest]

Steve,

I don't think it's a good idea to medicate ourselves without our doctors

knowledge but I've done the exact same thing with Pred. If I'm really

struggling and I have some Pred in the cabinet I'll take a 2 or 3 day burst.

I've told my doc about it when I went and saw him and he doesn't really mind so

it's not that big of an issue for me. I definitely wouldn't take something that

I haven't taken in the past or in a long time.

Steve Zimmerman <steve@...> wrote:

and others,

I would also like an answer to whether Xolair can stop working? I too

feel Xolair is not too effective I reducing asthma attacks or my

allergies because this last week was a beast for me because I had bad

chest congestion, which lead to wheezing and gurgling in my chest, which

lead to coughing which lead to difficult breathing when the coughing

ended. I struggled for 4-5 days with this cycle occurring over and over

again. Nighttime was the worst! It did not stop until I made the

decision to take 40 mgm of some Prednisone that I had in my medicine

cabinet . After taking this, the symptoms cleared up in about 2 hours.

I feel good this morning but I am sure it will come back sooner or

later.

Taking a pulse dose of 40 mgm of Prednisone on my own is probably

something my allergist would not recommend but right now this seems to

be the only way to get control since I did not want to go to the

hospital. I did this because the last time I went to the doctor for my

asthma symptoms I was given 3 nebuolizer treatments and put on 40 mgm of

prednisone for 3 days. The doctor said this short pulse dose would not

hurt me in the long run and I did not have to taper down either. So I

figured I would do the same thing.

Has anyone else made the decision like this to self medicate to relieve

your asthma symptoms? Is this OK to do? Should I inform my allergist

about this the next time I see her or let it go since I feel a little

better now?

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Currier

Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 6:07 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

I've been meaning to ask the same question of my doctor .

I'm not doing horrible lately, but have noticed some of my symptoms

returning.

However, I want to talk to my doctor at length about it because I know

that

it's winter, and I'm locked up in the house with about a zillion dust

mites.

I'm also allergic to mold, and you're right, I know that those counts

are

off the charts. I do all I can to minimize the mites, but as everyone

knows

you can't be 100% mite free EVER. The dry air isn't helping. While it

might keep the mites from multiplying, it keeps the dust flying around

easier.

I'll let you know what my doctor thinks!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: McLaughlin

Date: 01/07/07 14:02:48

<mailto: %40>

Subject: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

Up until recently Xolair has pretty much eliminated 99% of my asthma

symptoms. In recent weeks it appears that it is no longer working. I had

my last shot this past Wednesday and yesterday all my symptoms have come

back -- SOB, wheezing, congestion, coughing, itching (incredible itching

when I get into bed -- biggest allergen is dust mites), fatigue, etc....

I'm taking 150 then 75 alternating every two weeks. When I take the 150

the relief seems to last about 10 days. When I take the 75 the relief

lasts

about 3 days. I'm getting the feeling that my body is getting used to

the

dose I'm receiving and producing IgE above and beyond what Xolair can

treat.

In other words, I feel like my body is getting addicted or conditioned

to

Xolair.

My doctor said I can go up as high as 150 every two weeks but I'm afraid

my body will adjust to that dose and then I'll have the same problem I'm

having now but at a higher dose.

Is anyone aware of this problem, or experienced this problem? It may

just

be a result of the strange weather conditions we're having this year.

I've

heard the mold counts are extremely high because of the mild weather but

I'm

not allergic to mold. This time of year is usually my worst so I'm

hoping

it will pass with time.

[Guest guest]

Hi Steve!

I'm sorry to hear that you're not having as much luck in relief of your

symptoms as you'd like.

In response to the self medicating treatment options you've chosen...

absolutely share it with your doctor. I share EVERYTHING with my doctor.

At the very least, your doctor does need to be aware that your current dose

of Xolair may not be cutting it.

I would not let it go just because you're feeling better. I feel very

strongly that it needs to be discussed.

I self medicate all the time, but it has been previously drawn out as part

of my yellow zone treatment plan to help stop symptoms from worsening, or to

prevent attacks. Every time I need to enforce my yellow plan, I make sure

to call the doctor, or let them know at my next appointment. If for no

other reason, I need to have each attack documented!

I carry a card in my wallet that has all of my medications and doses, as

well as doctor information, I also carry a card stating the meds and doses I

take on my yellow plan. If that plan is in effect, I place it in the front

of the other card. If I'm not on my yellow plan, I keep the card on my desk

so that it is always within easy reach.

Talk to your doctor, perhaps it's time to go over a new plan so that you'll

know what to do. I know to implement my yellow plan if my peak flows drop

to a certain level, and/or if my oxygen level drops to a certain level. (I

do have a pulse oxymeter at home) I've kept myself out of emergency range

soooo many times by knowing what to do. Sometimes it's as simple as adding

pulmicort to my neb for a week, other times, I do have to take some pred.

I really wouldn't self medicate without letting your doctor know. He needs

to be aware that the Xolair isn't cutting it for you at your current dose.

This medication was supposed to make you better, and if it's not doing it

alone, then your meds need to be re-evaluated.

Good luck!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: Steve Zimmerman

Date: 01/08/07 13:06:47

Subject: RE: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

and others,

I would also like an answer to whether Xolair can stop working? I too

feel Xolair is not too effective I reducing asthma attacks or my

allergies because this last week was a beast for me because I had bad

chest congestion, which lead to wheezing and gurgling in my chest, which

lead to coughing which lead to difficult breathing when the coughing

ended. I struggled for 4-5 days with this cycle occurring over and over

again. Nighttime was the worst! It did not stop until I made the

decision to take 40 mgm of some Prednisone that I had in my medicine

cabinet . After taking this, the symptoms cleared up in about 2 hours.

I feel good this morning but I am sure it will come back sooner or

later.

Taking a pulse dose of 40 mgm of Prednisone on my own is probably

something my allergist would not recommend but right now this seems to

be the only way to get control since I did not want to go to the

hospital. I did this because the last time I went to the doctor for my

asthma symptoms I was given 3 nebuolizer treatments and put on 40 mgm of

prednisone for 3 days. The doctor said this short pulse dose would not

hurt me in the long run and I did not have to taper down either. So I

figured I would do the same thing.

Has anyone else made the decision like this to self medicate to relieve

your asthma symptoms? Is this OK to do? Should I inform my allergist

about this the next time I see her or let it go since I feel a little

better now?

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

[Guest guest]

Thanks .

Tell me more about your Yellow Zone Plan. Is this something you and

your doctor worked out or is it a plan you made based on what you feel

is good for YOU. Is this something all asthmatics should do?

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

________________________________

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Currier

Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 6:30 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

Hi Steve!

I'm sorry to hear that you're not having as much luck in relief of your

symptoms as you'd like.

In response to the self medicating treatment options you've chosen...

absolutely share it with your doctor. I share EVERYTHING with my doctor.

At the very least, your doctor does need to be aware that your current

dose

of Xolair may not be cutting it.

I would not let it go just because you're feeling better. I feel very

strongly that it needs to be discussed.

I self medicate all the time, but it has been previously drawn out as

part

of my yellow zone treatment plan to help stop symptoms from worsening,

or to

prevent attacks. Every time I need to enforce my yellow plan, I make

sure

to call the doctor, or let them know at my next appointment. If for no

other reason, I need to have each attack documented!

I carry a card in my wallet that has all of my medications and doses, as

well as doctor information, I also carry a card stating the meds and

doses I

take on my yellow plan. If that plan is in effect, I place it in the

front

of the other card. If I'm not on my yellow plan, I keep the card on my

desk

so that it is always within easy reach.

Talk to your doctor, perhaps it's time to go over a new plan so that

you'll

know what to do. I know to implement my yellow plan if my peak flows

drop

to a certain level, and/or if my oxygen level drops to a certain level.

(I

do have a pulse oxymeter at home) I've kept myself out of emergency

range

soooo many times by knowing what to do. Sometimes it's as simple as

adding

pulmicort to my neb for a week, other times, I do have to take some

pred.

I really wouldn't self medicate without letting your doctor know. He

needs

to be aware that the Xolair isn't cutting it for you at your current

dose.

This medication was supposed to make you better, and if it's not doing

it

alone, then your meds need to be re-evaluated.

Good luck!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: Steve Zimmerman

Date: 01/08/07 13:06:47

<mailto: %40>

Subject: RE: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

and others,

I would also like an answer to whether Xolair can stop working? I too

feel Xolair is not too effective I reducing asthma attacks or my

allergies because this last week was a beast for me because I had bad

chest congestion, which lead to wheezing and gurgling in my chest, which

lead to coughing which lead to difficult breathing when the coughing

ended. I struggled for 4-5 days with this cycle occurring over and over

again. Nighttime was the worst! It did not stop until I made the

decision to take 40 mgm of some Prednisone that I had in my medicine

cabinet . After taking this, the symptoms cleared up in about 2 hours.

I feel good this morning but I am sure it will come back sooner or

later.

Taking a pulse dose of 40 mgm of Prednisone on my own is probably

something my allergist would not recommend but right now this seems to

be the only way to get control since I did not want to go to the

hospital. I did this because the last time I went to the doctor for my

asthma symptoms I was given 3 nebuolizer treatments and put on 40 mgm of

prednisone for 3 days. The doctor said this short pulse dose would not

hurt me in the long run and I did not have to taper down either. So I

figured I would do the same thing.

Has anyone else made the decision like this to self medicate to relieve

your asthma symptoms? Is this OK to do? Should I inform my allergist

about this the next time I see her or let it go since I feel a little

better now?

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman

[Guest guest]

Absolutely more than willing to share this with you!

This is something that my doctor and I worked out together, based on what I

feel is good for me! Also based on my history and what he and I feel

together what is safe, comfortable and what we think is my point of no

return.

The entire plan consists of Green, Yellow and Red. Just like a traffic

light.

Green is when I'm feeling great, taking my daily meds as usual and going

about my daily life. Red is pretty much a " grab the oxygen, crank it up and

dial 911 immediately " situation.

My yellow plan is more detailed, and is completely based on MY needs. You

and your doctor can formulate one for you!

My past history indicates that I go downhill very quickly. So, I implement

the plan for different reasons, based on different criteria.

The first criteria would be my oxygen level. If my oxygen level on room air

AFTER a nebulizer treatment is 92% or less, then it's time to start my full

yellow plan.

Also, if my peak flows are less than a certain level, 350 for two days in a

row, then I should implement part of my yellow plan. If my peak flow is

under 300 after a nebulizer treatment, I should implement my full yellow

plan.

For me, my FULL yellow plan consists of: Minimum of 2 liters of oxygen, and

increasing my neb treatments to every 4 hours without fail. Adding

pulmicort twice a day (which I do not regularly take). Increase my Advair

to TWO puffs a day for three days in a row. Taking 60mg of Prednisone 3

times a day for three days in a row. Switching to Xopenex instead of

Albuterol to keep my heart rate in check. If after the third day, I feel no

better, I am to call the office and tell them my yellow plan is not working

(they know what this means) or go to the emergency room.

Now, if I'm not too bad, a partial yellow plan for me would be to add the

pulmicort for a minimum of ten days, take 40 mg of prednisone every other

day until I see the doctor.

There is more to the plan, but as you can see, it is incredibly specific and

personalized to my readings, meds and even to whether or not I have a fever

or am coughing with production etc.

I feel so much safer having this information, knowing my doctor trusts my

judgement, and knowing exactly when to take certain steps.

From past experience, I know that when my peak flow gets to 250, I have

little chance of recovering without high dose steroids, possibly

epinepherine, and a minimum of 3 neb treatments of albuterol stacked right

on top of one another. If I get below 250, I can't get myself out of it, I

need the hospital... period. But, with this plan, I haven't hit below 300

in a looooong time!

My doctor thinks that all asthmatics should have this type of plan. It's

not HIS idea, many doctors use this system. It's called the " Rainbow Asthma

Action Plan " if I'm not mistaken. I myself find it invaluable, and would

never live another day without it!

Can't hurt to talk to your doctor about it!

Good luck!

~

-------Original Message-------

From: Steve Zimmerman

Date: 01/09/07 13:53:07

Subject: RE: [ ] Can Xolair stop working?

Thanks .

Tell me more about your Yellow Zone Plan. Is this something you and

your doctor worked out or is it a plan you made based on what you feel

is good for YOU. Is this something all asthmatics should do?

Have a Good Day

Steve Zimmerman