What Asthma meds do you and/or a family member take?

[Kitty 34]

I've been on Advair 500/50 since it went on the market, I think... it's been 10+ years. If I take it daily, I rarely have ANY issues. I only have real issues when I get bronchitis or pneumonia, which means I have to reach for my Albuterol and nebulizer.

It's been a great drug for me!

I wish I could say the same. Since I started this thread and these various drugs, Advair just isn't for me. I wake up in a complete fog and headaches. I took it without using anything else to make sure it was just the Advair.

DS has had asthma since he was about 4. The frequency and severity has differed over the years. It seems to be mostly allergy or upper respiratory infection induced. Exercise does not seem to trigger it unless he has a cold or allergy problems.

We really did not want to keep him on something every day if we did not have to. Plus nothing we tried seemed to work completely. As someone else mentioned, the side effects on the product inserts are scary. Right now as he lives in a small apt. with a roommate that has 2 cats (and cats are one of his triggers) he has been having more problems with it. He has been using zyrtec and Advair and says it seems to be helping this time. He also does not go anywhere without his albuterol rescue inhaler. (Don't get me started on the change of the albuterol inhalers about 5 years ago. The new ones don't work as well as the old, but I guess we are saving the ozone layer from all the asthmatics ) About 18 months ago the doctor wanted to put him on Singulair. DS had tried it in the past and it didn't work completely. And after reading the side effects we chose not to go that route.

Good luck Kitty on finding a combination that works for you. It can be very frustrating.

Amen to that!! Right now I just use the inhaler but I might go back to Spiriva in the mornings.


My Pulmonologist (or as I call him...lung doctor) said my shortness of breath most likely has to do with my high blood pressure which we're still trying to get under control after 4 years!!!

The ONE question I forgot to ask him at my one and only appt with him was........Could my low numbers on my breathing test have been because I was in the middle of having pneumonia?? I can't believe I forgot to ask!!

Have any of you taken this breathing test more than once and the numbers got better or worse?

 

[lovemygoofy]

I wish I could say the same. Since I started this thread and these various drugs, Advair just isn't for me. I wake up in a complete fog and headaches. I took it without using anything else to make sure it was just the Advair.



Amen to that!! Right now I just use the inhaler but I might go back to Spiriva in the mornings.


My Pulmonologist (or as I call him...lung doctor) said my shortness of breath most likely has to do with my high blood pressure which we're still trying to get under control after 4 years!!!

The ONE question I forgot to ask him at my one and only appt with him was........Could my low numbers on my breathing test have been because I was in the middle of having pneumonia?? I can't believe I forgot to ask!!

Have any of you taken this breathing test more than once and the numbers got better or worse?

All the asthma medication can just make your blood pressure worse. I would make sure you are talking to your lung doctor on a regular basis.
Have you tried a lower dose of Advair? When I'm in a maintenance phase I can do 100/50 as the 250 makes me jittery. Are you seeing another specialist about your high blood pressure? When you wake up with the headache, have you taken your blood pressure to make sure it isn't too high?

I hope you get some relief soon and feel better.

 

[Kellydelly]

I usually try to just stay away from the things I know set me off, and I take no regular medications. I am amazed at all the meds everyone is taking . I consider my asthma pretty bad but I can control it with little effort usually (have been asthmatic since age 2). When I do find myself having problems I will use Pulmicort for a couple of days, along with an albuterol inhaler. I normally feel better with just a few doses and I stop taking the meds. My GP would not prescribe me Singulair (I feel like I must be the only asthmatic that hasn't tried it) because he said it was not going to help me. That makes me wonder why so many people and kids are in it, then ?

 

[Auggietina]

Synbicort 160/4.5 twice a day
Singular 10mg
Pulmicort - used in my nasal rinse
Ventolin as needed

 

[Kitty 34]

All the asthma medication can just make your blood pressure worse. I would make sure you are talking to your lung doctor on a regular basis.
Have you tried a lower dose of Advair? When I'm in a maintenance phase I can do 100/50 as the 250 makes me jittery. Are you seeing another specialist about your high blood pressure? When you wake up with the headache, have you taken your blood pressure to make sure it isn't too high?

I hope you get some relief soon and feel better.

Thanks Tina. The Lung Doc just wanted to see me that first (consultation if you will) time. He said I can merely follow up with my family Doc who I see about blood pressure issues. I had a heart specialist when I was admitted in the hospital back in 09 but he since retired and regular Doc just took over prescibing my BP meds.

I do agree with you, tho, I've decided I really want to get the BP totally under control and then I'll try the Advair again...........this all drives me nuts!!!

 

[DisGirlAllie]

I take Advair and I've definitely seen an improvement

 

[disfan07]

I usually try to just stay away from the things I know set me off, and I take no regular medications. I am amazed at all the meds everyone is taking . I consider my asthma pretty bad but I can control it with little effort usually (have been asthmatic since age 2). When I do find myself having problems I will use Pulmicort for a couple of days, along with an albuterol inhaler. I normally feel better with just a few doses and I stop taking the meds. My GP would not prescribe me Singulair (I feel like I must be the only asthmatic that hasn't tried it) because he said it was not going to help me. That makes me wonder why so many people and kids are in it, then ?

Singular is very commonly prescribed for asthma and allergies. My allergist was thrilled when they finally came it with a generic because it's so expensive. I tried it but it gave me headaches (I have a history of migraines).

But consider your self lucky that your so well controlled with basically no meds. I'm on 4 allergy meds and 3 asthma meds daily and I'm still not particularly well controlled.

The problem with me is that everything sets me off. I'd have to live in a bubble to avoid all triggers. We try to minimize triggers but I have to go outside...no choice....

 

[bballmom56]

Could my low numbers on my breathing test have been because I was in the middle of having pneumonia?? I can't believe I forgot to ask!!

Have any of you taken this breathing test more than once and the numbers got better or worse?

I assume you mean a pulmonary function test? Although I am not a doctor, I would think that having pneumonia could certainly affect it. Did the doctor know you had pneumonia at the time, or was that something that was diagnosed later?

 

[Kitty 34]

I assume you mean a pulmonary function test? Although I am not a doctor, I would think that having pneumonia could certainly affect it. Did the doctor know you had pneumonia at the time, or was that something that was diagnosed later?

Yes it was that test. Is it also just called a PFT test?


The Lung Doc was seeing me because I had complained of having shortness of breath (for about a year) to my reg doctor during one of my "pneumonia" visits in mid Feb.

By the time I got in to see the Lung doctor 6 weeks later, I was feeling tons better and so we just focused on the shortness of breath I had been having and the low numbers on that PFT test. It wasn't until I got home that it dawned on me that I don't think he was aware of me having pneumonia at the time of the test.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Yes it was that test. Is it also just called a PFT test?


The Lung Doc was seeing me because I had complained of having shortness of breath (for about a year) to my reg doctor during one of my "pneumonia" visits in mid Feb.

By the time I got in to see the Lung doctor 6 weeks later, I was feeling tons better and so we just focused on the shortness of breath I had been having and the low numbers on that PFT test. It wasn't until I got home that it dawned on me that I don't think he was aware of me having pneumonia at the time of the test.

If you are having shortness of breath and your blood pressure problems, I would think you are having heart problems and not asthma problems. Maybe you should go see a specialist that can do some testing and make sure all is good or good as can be.

 

[disfan07]

If you are having shortness of breath and your blood pressure problems, I would think you are having heart problems and not asthma problems. Maybe you should go see a specialist that can do some testing and make sure all is good or good as can be.

I agree. I am in the middle of a full cardiac work up because I have been having increasingly worse shortness of breath (especially with exertion), BP issues (except mine is low BP), palpitation/PVCs and none of my asthma meds seem to be helping and while my PFTS numbers have gotten slightly worse, it's not bad enough to explain my symptoms.

I would definitely go to a cardiologist in addition to a pulmonologist in your situation.

And yes, having pneumonia can definitely affect PFTs. My numbers plummet whenever I have pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma attack or allergic reaction.

 

[TavieP]

I've been on Advair 500/50 since it went on the market, I think... it's been 10+ years. If I take it daily, I rarely have ANY issues. I only have real issues when I get bronchitis or pneumonia, which means I have to reach for my Albuterol and nebulizer.

It's been a great drug for me!

This. I recently switched from Flovent to Advair. I think they're basically the same medication but the delivery system is different? (Advair being the disk that you use to breathe powder and Flovent being the standard aerosol inhaler.)

Since switching to Advair about 6 weeks ago my symptoms have improved DRAMATICALLY. It's really something.

The only drawback is that inhaling that powder in the morning and at night makes me gag, every time. Sometimes to the point of wanting to vomit. The sensation passes quickly and the benefits are definitely worth it. I haven't needed my rescue inhaler once since switching to Advair.

 

[Kitty 34]

If you are having shortness of breath and your blood pressure problems, I would think you are having heart problems and not asthma problems. Maybe you should go see a specialist that can do some testing and make sure all is good or good as can be.

Been there, done that. Spent 4 days in a hospital which specializes in heart issues. Was actually taken there by ambulance from a smaller hospital back in 09 with the reasons you stated, Tina.

They did lots of heart tests and luckily all came back good, according to the cardiologist I used to have. (before he retired)

It certainly is frustrating especially when I feel I've gone all the proper routes with the symptoms I have.

And thanks DisFan 07 for your response on the PFT readings being lower when I was very sick. Hope all your cardiac work comes back good.

 

[maxiesmom]

I take Claratin in the morning and Singulair at night. I also have an albuterol inhaler, and have a prescription nasal spray, Flonase. I take the 2 pills year round, and use the nasal spray every morning.

I also make darned sure to get a flu shot every year. As it is, one year I caught both bronchitis and walking pneumonia. Not fun when you already have breathing issues.

 

[disneyshakeygirl]

I take a Flovent Diskus every day, and Ventolin when needed. The Flovent Diskus has done wonders for me, my asthma has improved with it.

 

[riley2008]

Usual:

Zyrtec at night
Asmanex 1 puffs am and pm


Bad times:

Zyrtec at night + 50mg Benadryl
Claritan in am
Singulair
Dulera 2 puffs am and pm (Dulera is same as Asmanex [steroid] and ???darn can't remember the brochidilator - the brochiodilator by itself gives me the jitters; Dulera is a lower dose of it - except with two puffs...but then I really need it and it doesn't matter)
Albuterol rescue (only have had to use with excerising)

LOVE the Dulera!!!! (and Asmanex too) I was not a fan of Advair

 

[disfan07]

Usual:

Zyrtec at night
Asmanex 1 puffs am and pm


Bad times:

Zyrtec at night + 50mg Benadryl
Claritan in am
Singulair
Dulera 2 puffs am and pm (Dulera is same as Asmanex [steroid] and ???darn can't remember the brochidilator - the brochiodilator by itself gives me the jitters; Dulera is a lower dose of it - except with two puffs...but then I really need it and it doesn't matter)
Albuterol rescue (only have had to use with excerising)

LOVE the Dulera!!!! (and Asmanex too) I was not a fan of Advair

Dulera is formoterol (Long acting bronchodilator) and Mometasone (steroid). It's similar to symbicort (which is formoterol and budesonide) but the steroid in dulera is stronger.

My pulmonologist LOVES dulera. He thinks it's a wonderful medication. He does not like Advair and is not too fond of symbicort either(which is what I'm on....apparently I'm allergic to something in dulera)

 

[disfan07]

For anyone using nasal sprays with bad nasal allergies, have you asked you allergist (or pulmonologist) about Zetonna? It's a new nasal spray and it is absolutely amazing!

My allergist and pulmonologist both highly recommend it (actually....my allergist uses it herself) but it is brand new and very very expensive. They are finding that the majority of insurance companies are denying coverage for it right now (especially for mail order). We somehow got very very lucky and only pay $80 for 3 months with mail order.

 

[sillylily]

Both of my girls are asthmatics, so we've been through a wringer of meds. Our current regimen for both includes: Singulair and Zyrtec on a year round basis, and albuterol inhalers for emergencies (they suck, we carry a battery operated nebulizer for bad days). For the younger, we also have Claritin-D and a new medicine called Q-Nasal in the mix. Good luck with regulation, sometimes finding the right cocktail can be tough!