About Cyndee Expertise I am a registered nurse in california working in the intensive care unit. I have had asthma for 25 years. I have a good working knowledge both medically and as a patient
Question Hello Cyndee, It's so nice to find someone who knows what it is like to have asthma and medical knowledge.
About two years ago I was diagnosed with asthma at age 17. We all believe it is so odd that it would hit later in life. Before I was diagnosed with asthma I had a severe case of bronchitis (we think that may have caused the asthma to flare up.) None of the medications work for me andI have never had a REAL flare up (on the spot to where I'd have to use a rescue inhaler), just constant tightness, a wheeze, coughing, and coughing up thick mucous. Abuterol, Atrovent, Advair, Theo 24, Allegra, Singulair, Clairitin, nasonex, flonase, Z-Pack are the medications that have failed me I suppose.
I've been taking prednisone at varied doese for the past two years and feel as if there is no hope. I won't get the Xolair shots because my IGE levels are only 42, the are expensive and the side effects scare me.
Today on Dr. Dean Edell a person questioned about acid reflux and it's effects on asthma. Doctors alwasy asked if I had heart burn or acid reflux and I'd say "Not Really" or "Maybe once in a while." My confession is that I used to make myself purge and obviously enough, I had some major heart burn and acid reflux. Is it a posibility that I brought the asthma upon myself by having such bad eating habits? I need to consider being 100% honest with my doctors and specialists I suppose. Or am I completly out of the ballpark on this one? Thanks so much for your time and energy, It's appreciated!
Answer As far as I know asthma is a immune related disease whereas acid reflux, purging and heart burn are in the GI system (category). So the only relation I see is one of histamine. This chemical is released anytime you come in contact with something you are allergic too or are sensitive too and other things make it come out too! One of the drugs to treat heartburn are H2 blockers (histamine blockers) these drugs are pepcid and such. Antihistamines like claritin help with asthma. So...as far as I am concerned you did not create your asthma. And if I was a betting girl I bet you probably had some symptoms of asthma but were not diagnosed (coughing, exercised induced asthma)...I'd be suprised if you never had any symptoms... but I'm sure it could happen
I think you should be on a inhaled steroid like pulmicort and a long acting bronchodilator like serevent. The antihistamines like claritin and allegra are medicines to treat allergies and work with your asthma meds to keep your flare ups under control.
Now... You could try these medicines (if you ask your doctor) and try to wean off the prednisone. But your doctor has to agree. In addition, you need to titrate the inhaled steriod just like you do with your prednisone. At first you may need 4 puffs 2x a day and then you may wean off the prednisone and then you may notice you need less of the inhaled steriods on some days and more on others. You may need prednisone on really bad days. But remember the gold standard now of asthma is to prevent an attack so you should not be using your rescue inhaler very often otherwise you are not well controlled. Taking care of your asthma and lungs is up to you... you have to take charge... and take your medications everyday...
Please take some time and learn more about asthma and asthma medications.
(american lung assoc. www.lungusa.org) good website with lots of info.
