allergy asthma

I think I finally have the correct medications, but I want to make sure I am doing this right. I am using my long acting broncodialator ( I am sure I did not spell that right- sorry) first, then using the cortozone, then at night i am adding allergy medication. I am breathing well, this is an odd feeling for me. What I don't understand is I am sleeping more now, not wanting sweets at all and I feel more alert.
Any comments, suggestions, thoughts?  

[bsmsl]

Hello.  It is good to hear that you have your asthma well controlled now.

You are sleeping better because you are breathing better and not agitated as a result.  

As to why you are not wanting sweets I don't know but is a ver good thing.  Asthma is an inflamatory disease and sweets cause more inflamation (inflammation).  I wish I was experiencing that one.

Praying for you continued good controll.

[zoe114]

Bsmsl,  Thank you for telling me about the sleeping. It does feel really nice. It's odd to me because I have had this problem all of my life but never really knew it till about 20 years ago and ever since I have tried to get a better hold on this. Prevention wrote about a study years ago about the connection of low blood sugar and asthma. The book  is called " the Encyclopedia of Common Diseases" Special Deluxe Edition, 1976 by rodale Press, Inc. It's a blue hard covered book and I wish they would publish it again. It's just one book that helped me understand this illness better.
After reading some of the things about Singlair I am now concerned about it's safety. I do have Fordil as well ( new perscription, just had some of the other still) Is this safeter to use?  

[bsmsl]

Foradil would be a safer choice than cortosone.  Actually, I was not aware that cortosone had an inhaled version.  

The book sounds quite interesting.  You might be interested in Asthma: for dummies.  It is a friend's favorite asthma resource.  

Singulair is a tricky call.  To my knowledge the only real problematic side effect is depression which can be severe.  It affects children and adulesencents more than adults, but it does affect adults.  There are a few other side effects that can be bad though.  A friend has severe heart palpitations with the adult dosage, so she is on the children's dose.  I have found that I have to take it or I will have attacks.

I pray that you continue to improve and sleep well.

[zoe114]

Ok, I was confused. I stared on Serevent not Singulair, I have both and keep trying to figure out what is the safest and best line of action for me. The cortosone has been my best friend at keeping the lungs cleared of secreations (sp?). Serevent has some real health issues that concern me, but so far it has been very helpful for me. That is interesting to note that Singulair can cause depression.
I wonder if that would be a good choice for me along with the cortosone? I will look into that book, thank you. I only take an oral allergy medication, all others are inhealers.      

[bsmsl]

Hello again.  Serevent is a long acting beta2 agonist (LABA) or long acting broncho dilater in laymen's terms.  All LABAs are not recommend for asthmatics unless they are using an inhaled corticosteroid - I assume that is what the cortisone is.  You might want to talk to your dr about a combination med like Symbicort, Advair or the new Dulera.  The other issue with LABAs is that people try to use them as rescue inhalers.  They are not designed for rescue use and take much too long to take effect for that to be safe.  When you use a rescue inhaler you need immediate relief.

Singulair is similar to an antihistamine, but it is an anti-leukotriine.  It works against a different allergy chemical.  It is safe to take the two together.  It works best for lower respiratory reactions as in asthma.

Good luck with your decision and let us know if we can help more.

[zoe114]

Thank you for your answers, I will go check out the book you suggested and also keep trying different things. I will be back with more questions, I am sure ~ Thanks.

[zoe114]

Ok, I thought I had this down right. It is so humid right now and it is making life hard for me right now. I know I should not have done this, but I have tried several different medications, each on a different day. Some of the asthma meds have made me feel odd, and having a hard time breathing. I don't know what to do. I am breathing and I know to use my rescue inhealer, but beyond that, I feel really odd in my head. It feel like there is too much medication in me or something. I am going to take some guaifenesin for now. Maybe I will just try taking this tonight and start over tomorow?    

[bsmsl]

It would probably be best for you to call your doctor in the morning and clarify what you are supposed to be taking when.  This will help keep you on track and knowing you are doing the right thing.  Then, report any side effects to your dr and let him/her decide what needs to be changed.  

On thought is that rescue inhalers and long acting broncho dilaters are stimulants.  They can make you feel odd, kind of like a caffiene rush.

Another thought is that you are coming down with something.

I hope you feel better in the morning.

[hava]

Do this pranayam everyday, and your asthma will be in control. Review your medication, when you get no astham symptoms.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

[zoe114]

I ate icecream to feel better....lol, that helped but I am avoiding the scale today. I think mixing so many meds made me feel ill. Last night I used the allergy medication and the inhealed steriod, and felt better this morning. When I can afford to, I will go see an ENT.  
Hava, that is interesting, I will try that as well. My asthma is related to allergies mostly, I am not sure if that will work as well for me...but will give it a shot. Thanks

[zoe114]

I got the book you sugggested, and that did answer my question. I do indeed has asthma, but I also have allergies that affect my upper airways. One does not help the other. Meaning if I treat with a inhealer that does not help with the upper airways nor if I treat the upper airways does it help the lower airways. I tried to do without one or the other and found I could not do that. I might go ahead and do the shots again to lessen affect on both, thought I will always have this problem. I wish there was a natural way to treat these conditons, I really hate the side effects that can be harmful in the long run.

[hava]

Try the natural method I posted on Sept 9, 2010.

[zoe114]

I can see how this would work for someone that does not have allergies. For me it seems that the best thing I can do is use the two steriods. It is really helping me a lot. I can now excercise with getting air to my lungs- it's a strange but wonderful feeling.
But I do thank you for your insight, and I did try that and will use that in addition to what I found helpful.