What can I expect @pulmonologist?

I have asthma, was diaged w/pneumonia & double ear inf 10 days ago. Not resp. to Avalox & prednisone which I'm finishing.   Have been to ER and was found dehydrated, ret'd to dr for 3rd time in the 10 days-white count still up, dehydrated again, still getting low grade fevers. Sch appt w/pulmonologist Mon. I've never been to one (even though I've had asthma almost 20 yrs)-what to expect? The nebulizer, which normally is effective for the wheezing and shortness of breath isn't helping-even double treatments. This is at least 3rd time I've had pneumonia and have had walking a few times as well. Only other thing: Just finished antibiotic regimen for newly diaged Lyme. Any thoughts, supports, whatever, appreciated!!!! Oh-I had a cat scan, too, which was apparently ok-I'm just not getting well.

[sralcia]

Hi Spirit, sorry to hear about your troubles, so you've had asthma for 20 yrs?  I would think that you should be experienced with it.  First of all if you keep on having pneumonias, walking or otherwise, ask your doctor to give you a special shot for pneumonia which will prevent you from having another one.  This pneumonia inaculation is good for  yrs.  In my opinion this would benefit your health.  Prednisone should help make you stronger as it is a steroid.  I dont know about avalox as I never took it.  However I am on FLOVENT inhaler and Albuterol inhaler as a rescue backup, and I use the albuterol only when I feel an attack coming on.  So I basically keep it in my purse for security.  The FLOVENT is very effective in my case.  I too have had asthma for about 30 yrs.  But have it under control.
Please read my other posts concerning asthma on this site as I don't want to repeat myself but perhaps my advice listed can help you some.  Having Lyme on top of asthma made you feel the way you were feeling.  Lyme is horrible, and very hard to figure out, it gives simptoms of flu.  Oh, yes here is another thing you should do always tae a flu shot every year.
Good Luck, and lots of health.

[spirit3]

never mind-been and gone.

[sralcia]

Hi Spirit, sorry to hear about your troubles, so you've had asthma for 20 yrs?  I would think that you should be experienced with it.  First of all if you keep on having pneumonias, walking or otherwise, ask your doctor to give you a special shot for pneumonia which will prevent you from having another one.  This pneumonia inaculation is good for  yrs.  In my opinion this would benefit your health.  Prednisone should help make you stronger as it is a steroid.  I dont know about avalox as I never took it.  However I am on FLOVENT inhaler and Albuterol inhaler as a rescue backup, and I use the albuterol only when I feel an attack coming on.  So I basically keep it in my purse for security.  The FLOVENT is very effective in my case.  I too have had asthma for about 30 yrs.  But have it under control.
Please read my other posts concerning asthma on this site as I don't want to repeat myself but perhaps my advice listed can help you some.  Having Lyme on top of asthma made you feel the way you were feeling.  Lyme is horrible, and very hard to figure out, it gives simptoms of flu.  Oh, yes here is another thing you should do always tae a flu shot every year.
Good Luck, and lots of health.

[spirit3]

Oh-thanks so much for answering!!! my asthma is generally not an issue-what was going on was a pneumonia that wouldn't get the hint and go away already.
She did put me on another prednisone regimen and a stronger Advair to use for a week (500/50 instead of the 250/50), but my lungs are finally clearing.
I'd just never been to a pulmunologist before and wanted to be prepared to maximise the value of the visit.
I will check your posts and thanks again!!

[ChitChatNine]

How's it going?  Welcome to our Community!

C~

[Tammy2009]

I love my pulmonologist so I hope you do too!! He was so patient with me (although I beat he knew I didn't have asthma after the first visit - it took me over a year to agree to stop most of the inhalers).  He slowly got me to wane off of the meds that I thought I really needed and now down from 3 puffs of advair 500/50 twice a day to only using ventolin/atrovent 1-2 a week (due to acid reflux irriating my lungs).  He was the one that led me down the reflux rotate and it looks likes that the problem with possible celiac disease or gluten issues.  

Hopefully you have the same success with the pulmonologist as I did.  Good luck!!