Well, I finally had my first visit to a pulmonologist today. I won't say where, but it was at a major medical facility in a town some distance away. I guess I goofed, because I used my nebulizer meds before we left the house for the trip up to the clinic. Consequently, when I had my spirometry testing done, I came out perfectly normal. No sign of any asthma problem. In fact, the doctor I saw actually asked me if I have ever even been tested for asthma, because I showed no sign of it now.

I have had asthma since I was 10. I have had this diagnosis confirmed by at least 10 doctors who have seen me in full-blown asthma attacks. The pulmonologist suggested I stop using the nebulizer (!!) and "see how it goes." Guys, I use Duoneb three times a day, and albuterol as needed, and believe me, that nebulizer has been a lifesaver for me. Before my family doc prescribed it for me, I was a wheezing, coughing, short of breath mess who wound up in the hospital. If I appeared well today, it was because of my nebulizer and my Advair.

Anyway, I am still seeing an allergist/immunologist/asthma specialist locally, and I guess for now I'll stick with my family doc. BTW, I had a blood test for the IgE antigen, the allergy antigen, and it came back negative. Allergist says it shows my asthma is possibly not related to allergies. Not to change the subject, but maybe I should look for another pulmonologist?

WOW - you poor thing - yes I would get a second opinion form another pulmonoligist. I am so sorrry that you were not taken seriously :(

At least you have some good meds to get you through until you can find a better Dr.

Best of luck to you!

I'm curious - why the Duoneb? I looked it up - looks like it's a drug combination that is only available in the nebulized form. Seems like 3 times a day with the nebulizer would be a hassle - has your current doc (the allergy/asthma doc) tried anything else? Seems like there are so many newer meds that come in inhaler (MDI or powder) form...I have a nebulizer that I use sometimes for my rescue med - I can't imagine doing neb treatments 3 x a day...besides - isn't Duoneb a combination of albuterol and something else? Albuterol 3 times a day????

Yes - go to a different pulmonologist....

You definitely need to find another pulmonologist (and don't use the nebulizer right before you go). Gabby is right on about the nebulizer, they're typically not used as the primary treatment for anything but the most extreme cases of asthma (or as a short-term solution for someone with an acute flare up).

If you're having to use it 3x a day, every day but your spirometry was normal at the doctor's office, there's got to be a better way for you to manage your asthma (I've never had to use a nebulizer in 15 years but even my spirometry results are slightly below normal when I'm on my meds).

I agree with the others. You need to get another opinion. The duoneb is not what you need.

And, BTW, you mention in a previous thread where you were going!

I just don't understand why you're doing albuterol AND Duoneb. Duoneb is a combination of Atrovent and Albuterol.

I use the Duoneb three times daily. I use the Albuterol as needed. I have been diagnosed by my allergist and my family doc as having moderate to severe asthma. They collectively think that I need both-one as a longer term fix (the Duoneb) and the other as more of a rescue type fix-the
Albuterol. That's why.

It's just very unusual for an adult to be on a nebulizer unless they are older - geriatric - or have other issues that hinder using a discus or inhaler. There are other medications which combine the dialator with a preventive - Advair is one such medication. Usually children and older adults have a hard time with an inhaler/discus and that's why the nebulizer. We just all find this a very odd treatment plan.

It's possible the nebulizer use before you went to the clinic could have skewed the test results. Knowing where you went though, they would take that into account.

I use a nebulizer - and I am an adult without geriatric issues! I'm not sure how I got it - I was grumbling to my pulmonologist about my breathing problems (had a rough time getting the asthma under control) and in frustration asked him for a "switch" that I could use to turn the cough off. Next thing I knew, he'd ordered the equipment for me - and yes, it has a "switch", although not what I'd had in mind!:jester:

At any rate, I think it might help a bit more than the inhaler form of Xopenex...maybe because it's over a longer duration (the treatment), and I relax more while I'm using it? I have adult friends who say the same thing about their machines. But I still couldn't see using a nebulizer for anything more than a "rescue" treatment.

Oh, to the OP - you really should find a different pulmonologist. I have moderate - severe asthma also; so I also need long term relief. But I use a long acting bronchodialtor (Serevent) and an inhaled steroid (Asmanex). Two long acting controllers. So my symptoms are mostly gone; I still use the rescuer (Xopenex for me), but not nearly as often as you are using the albuterol. There are probably other meds that will control your symptoms, but without the hassle of the nebulizer.

kellysmum

I am so, so sorry to hear about what you're going through. I would definitely drop that pulmonologist like a bad habit. Any dr that tells an asthmatic what he said should have his/her head examined.

In 2006, I switched pulmonologists. The first one I really liked. In fact since he was also an internist, if something happened to my present PCP (who I love), I would have switched to the pulmonologist as my primary dr. But the pulmonary dr disagreed with me getting a sleep apnea test. My PCP and ENT advocated the test because I was having nocturnal choking. It was believed to be due to larynx reflux (which it was) but they wanted to rule out apnea. Because the pulmonary dr didn't agree with the others' and my feeling about the test, I found another pulmonolgist. Even better: he's right in my neighborhood and has Saturday hours.

BTW: the sleep apnea test was negative. ;)