interesting article

[Guest guest]

:-) No problem TerriLynne.

Don

TerriLynne wrote:

> Hi Don,

> Very interesting! And I appreciated the included references. Thanks for

> sharing!

>

> TerriLynne

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know this doesn't have anything to do with Xolair...but I found it

interesting and thought some of you may also think that.

It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need oral steroid drugs,

should take this medication in the afternoon at 3 p.m. " BUT....I

noticed that if I took prednisone in the late afternoon I would have a

very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo. and my pharmcist (

who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after noon, just because

of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-allergy-

asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

[Guest guest]

I had the same reaction-could not sleep. Now I take my prednisone with

breakfast & I feel much better.

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

For some reason the link isn't working for me... but I ALWAYS took my

prednisone in the afternoon. I also had a very difficult time sleeping, but

if I took it any earlier, I had serious problems getting through the night

with wheezing and coughing. My worst problems were always in the evening or

middle of the night, so it made sense to take the prednisone later. My

doctor told me that oral prednisone can take about six hours for optimal

effect on the lungs. I hated the insomnia, but I hated the breathing

trouble more.

I've been on Xolair for about two years now, and my life has changed

drastically. I used to take 15+ meds per day, now I'm down to nothing but

the Xolair and Advair. I'm trying to wean myself off of the Advair, but it

s not going as well as I hoped. Apparently I'm still just a little steroid

dependant. It's better than prednisone any day though. I've lost sooooo

much weight. At my heaviest because of prednisone, I was over 300 lbs.

Never got an accurate weight because my scale just didn't go that high. Now

I'm down to about 170 and still losing. Amazing difference!!!

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

From: Kate

Date: 04/16/07 12:33:32

Subject: [ ] interesting article

I know this doesn't have anything to do with Xolair...but I found it

interesting and thought some of you may also think that.

It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need oral steroid drugs,

should take this medication in the afternoon at 3 p.m. " BUT....I

noticed that if I took prednisone in the late afternoon I would have a

very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo. and my pharmcist (

who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after noon, just because

of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-allergy-

asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate,

Yes that is a problem with Prenisone. When I was on high doses I

would split my doses up. I would take one at 9:00 and the second by

12:00 noon. My doctor advised the same to take it earlier in the day.

Even when I took it that way It would still keep me awake.

Take care,

Laurie

>

> I know this doesn't have anything to do with Xolair...but I found

it

> interesting and thought some of you may also think that.

>

> It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need oral steroid

drugs,

> should take this medication in the afternoon at 3 p.m. " BUT....I

> noticed that if I took prednisone in the late afternoon I would

have a

> very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo. and my pharmcist

(

> who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after noon, just

because

> of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

>

>

>

>

> http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-

allergy-

> asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

>

[Guest guest]

As a matter of fact, my doctor told me not to take it after 5 P.M. and then gave

me atarax (hydroxyzine) to help me sleep at night. If I didn't have any atarax

when I had to go back on the pred. I would be awake for most of the night and go

hard all day long. The only good thing about the pred was that I got a lot of

housework done and kept up with my grading (I was a school teacher.) The down

side is that I found myself being irritable and that is not my usual

personality. I also found my temper fuse was not very long and times and I did

a lot of apologizing when I was on pred. The five years I was on it off and on

were night mare years. And I have not had an episode requiring pred since Jan.

of 06! Thanks to xolair.

Kate <grneyyedlady@...> wrote: I know this doesn't have anything

to do with Xolair...but I found it

interesting and thought some of you may also think that.

It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need oral steroid drugs,

should take this medication in the afternoon at 3 p.m. " BUT....I

noticed that if I took prednisone in the late afternoon I would have a

very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo. and my pharmcist (

who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after noon, just because

of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-allergy-

asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

---------------------------------

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell?

Check outnew cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

Thats great! Congratulations!!

Jeannie

--- Currier <redsoxkitten@...> wrote:

> For some reason the link isn't working for me... but

> I ALWAYS took my

> prednisone in the afternoon. I also had a very

> difficult time sleeping, but

> if I took it any earlier, I had serious problems

> getting through the night

> with wheezing and coughing. My worst problems were

> always in the evening or

> middle of the night, so it made sense to take the

> prednisone later. My

> doctor told me that oral prednisone can take about

> six hours for optimal

> effect on the lungs. I hated the insomnia, but I

> hated the breathing

> trouble more.

>

> I've been on Xolair for about two years now, and my

> life has changed

> drastically. I used to take 15+ meds per day, now

> I'm down to nothing but

> the Xolair and Advair. I'm trying to wean myself

> off of the Advair, but it

> s not going as well as I hoped. Apparently I'm

> still just a little steroid

> dependant. It's better than prednisone any day

> though. I've lost sooooo

> much weight. At my heaviest because of prednisone,

> I was over 300 lbs.

> Never got an accurate weight because my scale just

> didn't go that high. Now

> I'm down to about 170 and still losing. Amazing

> difference!!!

>

>

>

> -------Original Message-------

>

> From: Kate

> Date: 04/16/07 12:33:32

>

> Subject: [ ] interesting article

>

> I know this doesn't have anything to do with

> Xolair...but I found it

> interesting and thought some of you may also think

> that.

>

> It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need

> oral steroid drugs,

> should take this medication in the afternoon at 3

> p.m. " BUT....I

> noticed that if I took prednisone in the late

> afternoon I would have a

> very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo.

> and my pharmcist (

> who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after

> noon, just because

> of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

>

>

>

>

>

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-allergy-

> asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

CONGRATS To for getting off pred and losing so much of that

pred weight!!!!

Addy

>

> > For some reason the link isn't working for me... but

> > I ALWAYS took my

> > prednisone in the afternoon. I also had a very

> > difficult time sleeping, but

> > if I took it any earlier, I had serious problems

> > getting through the night

> > with wheezing and coughing. My worst problems were

> > always in the evening or

> > middle of the night, so it made sense to take the

> > prednisone later. My

> > doctor told me that oral prednisone can take about

> > six hours for optimal

> > effect on the lungs. I hated the insomnia, but I

> > hated the breathing

> > trouble more.

> >

> > I've been on Xolair for about two years now, and my

> > life has changed

> > drastically. I used to take 15+ meds per day, now

> > I'm down to nothing but

> > the Xolair and Advair. I'm trying to wean myself

> > off of the Advair, but it

> > s not going as well as I hoped. Apparently I'm

> > still just a little steroid

> > dependant. It's better than prednisone any day

> > though. I've lost sooooo

> > much weight. At my heaviest because of prednisone,

> > I was over 300 lbs.

> > Never got an accurate weight because my scale just

> > didn't go that high. Now

> > I'm down to about 170 and still losing. Amazing

> > difference!!!

> >

> >

> >

> > -------Original Message-------

> >

> > From: Kate

> > Date: 04/16/07 12:33:32

> >

> > Subject: [ ] interesting article

> >

> > I know this doesn't have anything to do with

> > Xolair...but I found it

> > interesting and thought some of you may also think

> > that.

> >

> > It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need

> > oral steroid drugs,

> > should take this medication in the afternoon at 3

> > p.m. " BUT....I

> > noticed that if I took prednisone in the late

> > afternoon I would have a

> > very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo.

> > and my pharmcist (

> > who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after

> > noon, just because

> > of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-

allergy-

> > asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

For anyone interested, in the past I have found diets for asthmatics on Internet

and they are very much like the diet that was suggested when I was in pulmonary

rehab. There are several basic things that just have to do with good nutrition:

eat more fruits and vegetables, eat an apple every day, eat one cup of salad

greens every day (dark green like spinach, dark lettuce, etc.), cut way back on

the salt , eat little or no beef, and there were some other smaller details that

I would have to look up to relate here. While I have followed that diet to some

extent, it is not necessarily a diet meant for losing weight, but to help the

body cope with breathing problems. (At least I didn't gain on the diet)--Oh cut

out all sugar. The only way I can lose weight is to cut way back on

carbohydrates and walk thirty minutes at least three or four times a week (my

schedule, added to taking care of my ailing elderly mom often keeps me from

getting in my exercise.)

I applaud ! 's suggestions are common sense--cutting back on

salt is good for most of us anyway. Cutting back on portions is also wise.

Another thing they told us in rehab is to chew each bite until there is almost

nothing left in your mouth to chew. In other words, eat very slowly and savor

each bite. Eating a salad first and eating slowly does tend to make you feel

full faster.

Congratulations, for losing the weight your way instead of going on

some crash diet! You are right--good eating habits are life long changes, not

just temporary.

Steve Zimmerman <steve@...> wrote:

Thanks for responding

I tried a few of your suggestions. You have many good ideas and I will

attempt to follow in your footsteps. I really need to loose weight.

I also have recently tried green tea which I think is real good and

somewhat sweet. It seems to have some sort of filling quality and I

believe it helps me get full sooner.

I like your suggestions of using vinegar and garlic on food. I will try

it.

I will also try to drink more water.

Lastly, I will print out your note and keep it handy until I lose the 50

pounds. I am sure your advice will get me to my goal.

Thanks very much. Keep in touch. I would be interested in seeing you

before and after pictures when you get them posted.

Again, thanks.

Steve Zimmerman

Have a Good Day

785-296-6947

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

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Currier

Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:30 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] interesting article

Thanks Steve.

No, I don't think just getting off prednisone alone was enough... but it

did help dramatically. I noticed that I wasn't losing weight at all at

first.

I would lose 5-10 lbs and then stall for months.

At about the one year mark of having no prednisone in my system... but I

didn't really start to lose the weight until I was off prednisone for

somewhere between 6-8 months.

I'll be honest, exercise for me had little to do with it, although I do

try to walk when I can. Environmental factors (cold, humidity and

pollen) are just too much for my lungs sometimes. I know my weight

would come off even faster if I could exercise, but that's jot always

viable for me.

Here's what I've been doing.

Low sodium diet. I can't believe how much this has helped me. I use

the word " diet " loosely, because I still eat whatever I want, I'm just

really REALLY strict about reading labels. This is more than just

putting down a salt shaker and avoiding added salt. (I always did

anyway because of the

prednisone.) I keep the other foods I eat in the low salt category...

right down to my breakfast cereal. I eat frosted mini wheats because

there is NO sodium in them! I stay away from canned or packaged soups

because of the high salt content... and I'm really careful about what I

use to marinate my meats... which salad dressings I use... even careful

about which pasta sauce I use.

It's definitely a life change, some people can't handle the idea of no

salt.

Myself, I've never been big on it to begin with, so the change was easy

for me. If I feel that something needs a little flavor, I've found so

many other alternatives to putting salt on something. Different

flavored vinegars, lemon, pepper, garlic.. there are literally tons of

things you can use for flavor instead of salt. I've found that apple

cider vinegar on stir fry as opposed to soy sauce or teriyaki sauce is

wonderful!

Portion control is also very important to me. I finally learned how to

eat more slowly so that I can tell when I'm getting full. When I'm

full, I stop eating... period, I don't care how good something tastes, I

won't stuff myself... I'll save the leftovers so that I'm not wasting

food. Once you've been doing it a while, you can better tell what your

portion sizes are and won't overload your plate as much.

I don't eat out as much as I was. My ex-fiance was an incredibly picky

eater, and would offer to buy dinner out a couple of times per week. I

didn t realize that just because I wasn't adding salt to my food didn't

mean the chef hadn't! Also, it's much harder to stop eating when you're

full in a restaurant. Because of the atmosphere and talking, you're

bound to keep eating long after you're done. Now if I want food from a

restaurant, many times we'll do take out, and I can easily split one of

their meals into TWO!

Also, I drink tons of water. At least 60 ounces a day. I know that

sounds like a lot, but it's really not. I put some lemon in it, and I

think that has helped with the weight loss as well. It helps take away

from the hunger feelings if you're completely hydrated, and when you

have the gnawing in your stomach... you'll be surprised how far a

stomach full of water will go to stop that.

One more thing I'm doing, and I honestly don't know how much this has

helped or not... but I'm doing it. I drink 2 cups of green tea every

day. Salada green tea. One cup in the morning, one at night. I prefer

it with no sugar or milk, but I'll admit it's an acquired taste. I got

my friend drinking it but she needs the sugar and milk to cut the mild

bitterness that some feel green tea has. I just really like green tea,

but my neurologist thinks it's aiding in my weight loss.

Last thing, and I KNOW this is easier said than done... I'm SLEEPING!

Now that I'm off prednisone, and I split up with my fiancee... I'm

finally sleeping through the night. My neurologist is convinced that

has reset my metabolism. I used to get maybe 8 hours of sleep per

WEEK!!! I was a horrid insomniac, to the point my neuro thought about

admitting me to the hospital for sedation... he was that worried. Now I

sleep at least 8-10 hours per night! HUGE difference in my life, and I

finally feel rested upon waking, so much less lethargy, and even more

clear minded!

Hope this helps you Steve, and anyone else that might want to try some

of these things. It feels so good to have lost my moon face and

everything. I ll see if I can't go through some of my photos and try to

get a before and after to put in the group files.

~

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

From: Steve Zimmerman

Date: 04/19/07 09:34:43

Subject: RE: [ ] interesting article

,

WOW!! How did you lose all that weight. I doubt simply getting off

Prednisone caused you to lose that much weight alone. I have been on

Prednisone for a few years now and have gained about 50 pounds which no

matter what I do I cannot get my weight below 250 pounds. I hate the

way Prednisone makes you look, you know all rounded and basically fat.

I am told walking long distances or at an increased rate of speed works

well. I try to walk every day and get as much exercize as my schedule

allows. So far, nothing seems to work.

Any suggestions?

Steve Zimmerman

Have a Good Day

785-296-6947

[Guest guest]

Sorry to be joining this discussion a few months late....but

prednisone causes me terrible insomnia as well - both before

starting Xolair and after! I always take it in the morning, and

with every prednisone taper experience it's always the same (whether

for bad sinus infection or bronchitis). This has been going on for

a year - I'm not currently taking prednisone, but once my sleep

pattern was broken it's never gotten back to normal. Have tried

everything short of asking for a prescription for Ambien. Any

ideas??? It's making me crazy....

>

> I know this doesn't have anything to do with Xolair...but I found

it

> interesting and thought some of you may also think that.

>

> It says: " Patients with severe asthma, who need oral steroid

drugs,

> should take this medication in the afternoon at 3 p.m. " BUT....I

> noticed that if I took prednisone in the late afternoon I would

have a

> very hard time sleeping at night. Both my Pulmo. and my pharmcist

(

> who's a GOOD friend) told me NOT to take pred after noon, just

because

> of that! Anyone else notice that " side effect? "

>

>

>

>

> http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-

allergy-

> asthma-drugs?src=rss_cbsnews

>

[Guest guest]

Get a script for Ambien or rivotril or some other

sleep aid. It made the WORLD of difference for me.

Helped me to re-learn how to sleep.

Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the

boot with the All-new at http://mrd.mail./try_beta?.intl=ca