
Reply: I finally did it!!!!!!
thanks Judy, it's been a long time coming, but your success really inspired me to keep...
Posted by coughy16
thanks Judy, it's been a long time coming, but your success really inspired me to keep pushing to get off the advair. I will be starting on Flovent as soon as this advair runs out. (I think Sat) Crossing my fingers that it will manage to keep me in control, and that maybe the reflux will improve. Although honestly I have been on Lupron for the past several months in order to try to shrink fibroids, and the reflux improved greatly while I wasn't having periods. Unfortunately they are back, along with the reflux, so hopefully this will help! thanks for giving me the idea to push for this!View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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I finally did it!!!!!!
After a year and a half of well controlled asthma & trying to convince my allergist to...
Posted by coughy16
After a year and a half of well controlled asthma & trying to convince my allergist to switch me off of advair onto just an inhaled steroid, today was the day I convinced her! So happy, I never imagined that I would reach the point where I could reduce my meds this much! To everyone still struggling to get their asthma under control, it can happen, no matter how bad it seems now. Now I just have to hope that my asthma stays well controlled so that I can stay on the single med inhaler.View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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Reply: Complete failure and downward spiral of the FDA
Sonya, my pharmacy already is having to special order it. I was at my primary and asked...
Posted by coughy16
Sonya, my pharmacy already is having to special order it. I was at my primary and asked him to refill it because all my existing inhalers were expired and I don't see the allergist for another month. The pharmacy called & let me know that they were special order and would take a day or 2 to get. That's what prompted me to research if they were being phased out. Get lots of them!!!! I also have problems with cfc, but for some reason maxair didn't bother me much. I also like the delivery method and don't know what I will have to do if I have to switch to an mdi. I truly wish they would start selling dry powder rescue inhalers here. My exchange student from spain had one, and it looked just like advair. I tried to steal them before she left, hahaView Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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Reply: Complete failure and downward spiral of the FDA
I use maxair which still has cfc, I just checked and it seems it will be phased out by Dec...
Posted by coughy16
I use maxair which still has cfc, I just checked and it seems it will be phased out by Dec 2013. You might give it a try, I switched to it years ago due to problems that I was having with the propellent in other inhalers. Might hold you over until it is out of production too. The other good thing is that it has 400 inhalations instead of 200, so it lasts a lot longer! A note though, I just had my dr write me a new script because mine was expired, and the pharmacy has to special order it.View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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Reply: Symbicort and Xopenex inhalers
Symbicort is a maintenance inhaler, a combination drug containing both an inhaled steroid...
Posted by coughy16
Symbicort is a maintenance inhaler, a combination drug containing both an inhaled steroid and a bronchodialator. Maintenance inhalers are made to be taken consistently, usually twice a day, every day. Xopenex is a quick acting rescue medication, as is the albuterol in the breathing machine. Either the Xopenex or the Albuterol can be taken in conjunction with the Symbicort, but not xopenex & albuterol at the same time. Either xopenex or albuterol should be used for immediate relief if he is having asthma problems. If he has to use one of them more than a couple of times/week on a regular basis, this is a sign that his asthma is not well controlled and he should contact his doctor. As far as whether he should take the xopenex vs the albuterol in the nebulizer, it is up to him, but the nebulizer can be time consuming and inconvenient. For me, I normally use the inhaler, and keep the nebulizer for times when I am too sick to properly use the inhaler. Hope this helps a little!View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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Reply: Smoking and asthma
If you have insurance with your job now, and the new job has insurance & you switch...
Posted by coughy16
If you have insurance with your job now, and the new job has insurance & you switch without a break in coverage, then they have to cover you. Also with the new affordable care act, there is a provision that they can not reject you on the basis of pre-existing condition, but I am not sure if that has already gone into effect or not. It is not too late to get allergy tested, just check on your insurance because it can be expensive it you aren't covered. Good luck getting the asthma under control, and don't let your smoking stop you from getting treated, that could be dangerous. I wish you well with trying to quit!View Thread
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Reply: Smoking and asthma
I understand that quitting is hard, but smoking would definitely contribute a lot to how...
Posted by coughy16
I understand that quitting is hard, but smoking would definitely contribute a lot to how you are feeling. I would keep trying & trying to quit until you do it, ask your doctor for help with this. In the meantime, if your asthma is causing you to feel bad, make an appt with your dr just to discuss this. Go in with a list of symptoms, how often they happen & what seems to set them off if you can tell. Also have a list of questions that you want answered about your condition. And it is crucial that you be entirely honest with your dr about your smoking, otherwise it will be difficult for him/her to know how to help. Good luck with quitting!View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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Reply: Asthma
I was diagnosed with asthma in my 40s. I actually think I probably had a very mild version...
Posted by coughy16
I was diagnosed with asthma in my 40s. I actually think I probably had a very mild version since a young age, but it only became bothersome later in life. It is pretty common actually to get asthma later in life. My aunt was diagnosed about the same time as me & she was in her 70'sView Thread
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Reply: Concerned about loss of benefits
When my brother was in a similar situation, someone advised me to check with the insurance...
Posted by coughy16
When my brother was in a similar situation, someone advised me to check with the insurance commissioner for the state I live in. He was too sick to do it himself at the time, so I called & they were extremely helpful and worked with me to know what was available. The other thing too is to get involved politically with groups pushing for affordable healthcare for all. That won't be immediate to help your current situation, but it really takes those of us who understand how devastating loss of insurance can be to convince those who think that it could never happen to them. Has your state set up any health exchanges yet? That might help too if they have. The best think that you can do for yourself is try to keep your asthma under the best possible control in the meantime.View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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Reply: Acid Reflux surgery 12/20, lungs better already : ...
So glad to hear that the surgery has helped & you're feeling better!
Posted by coughy16
So glad to hear that the surgery has helped & you're feeling better!View Thread
Posted bycoughy16
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