Nebulizer

[wrin]

No problem at all.

I see your logic with the Intal thing -- if you find taking it qid works much much better than bid, then you can maybe try cutting it down to two puffs tid and see if you can get away with it.

*crosses fingers*

I didn't even know about the peanuts thing. I will have to look that up. Aiee!

[Mary Grant]

Wrin: what an angel you are.

Again, of course, I am hurrying off to yet another meeting, but I feel human today for the first time in weeks. I don't know if hormones can kick in that quickly and the combined readministration of Intal can work so quickly, but nonetheless, I am myself today. The true test will come after I take the last prednisone. Taxes are due here in the U.S. April 15th and I've been to ill to address the issue. This is usually a time-consuming effort but nonetheless a wonderful result since I always receive money back and usually earmark this "pour moi."

Can't wait to hear from the doctor's office about the Combivent peanut warning. Perhaps they can prescribe something in its place. At any rate, they are setting up an appointment. This takes a long time because, as I said, the system here in the U.S. is so impacted.

Today I must find time to call the insurance company.

My best regards to you.

Mary

[wrin]

I've looked up the combivent thing -- you can still take Ventolin/Albuterol, it's the Atrovent in combivent that they don't want you to have.

From Rxlist:
"Ipratropium bromide inhalation aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to soya lecithin or related food products such as soybean and peanut."

I have a feeling if you're not INCREDIBLY allergic to peanuts, it won't kill you. I didn't know about this, and I'm going to guess that a few ER staff I know of didn't know about it either. I think it'd be a good idea to take it under supervision of your doctor. I think they're afraid it might cause the same kind of reaction that peanuts would? Not sure! I can't seem to figure out WHY, but the documentation IS there.

I hope the Intal is working for you -- and the hormones, too. Like you say, the real test will come when you're tapered off the prednisone, but I've got my fingers crossed! If this means you can cut down on the amount of medication you take (the hormones) then by all means, right?

[Mary Grant]

Wrin: well hopefully the word on peanut allergies and Combivent will get out and I'm glad I could potentially help someone else. I am highly allergic to these suckers and constantly read food package content info to see if they've slipped any peanuts in whatever I'm thinking of buying. I don't usually have a problem because I eat little junk food, but I do have to ask when I go to Thai or Chinese restaurants. Peanut oil is also a concern.

I read that you think I'm taking too many meds. I am also concerned about that as well but don't plan on cutting back on anything until I've stabilized and have several weeks if not months behind me of feeling well. It's been five years since I've had "several months" of feeling well. But I'm determined to try.

I would also like to do more exercise to strengthen my lungs, diaphragm, etc.; however, when I underwent some advanced breathing tests not long ago, my blood oxygen fell to 85% just walking around the clinic corridor and they made me sit down. This was without active asthma, no symptoms, feeling great. Any advice?

Hope you are feeling well.

Again, thanks for replying.

Mary

[Lori K]

Hi Mary. I want to share that my son who will be 18 months old tomorrow has now been off nebulizer treatments for 2 months after 13 months of use. Thankfully I got educated and learned that most products in the home (cosmetics, personal care items, and cleaners) contain toxic chemicals that irritate and trigger asthma and allergies. My son was on Xepenox (albuterol) and Pulmicort treatments 2-4 times a day. After we got all the toxic chemicals out of the home and started using safer, healthier products at home and after he was taken out of daycare where they are required to continually disinfect everything is when he got better. He no longer wheazes and his breathing is great. Outgassing is very real -- just think of all the horrible fumes that come from the aisle of cleaners at the store -- all those cleaners are tightly closed yet that aisle stinks -- that is what happens in the home and it affects your health. I heard about others having success after detoxifying their home and I was skeptical, but I gave it a shot. My son's health is priceless and it worked for us. Good luck to you.

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Lori K