Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

CONTROLLING MY COPD

I SUFFER FROM CHRONIC COPD AND I HAVE NO INSURANCE SO THEREFORE I HAVE NO DOCTOR.  THE DRS. I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAVE PRESCRIBED ME COMBIVENT INHALER AND ALBULTEROL BREATHING TREATMENTS.  THE REASON THEY PRESCRIBED THESE IS I CAN USE MY HUSBAND'S VA PROVIDES IT FOR HIM.  MY QUESTIONS ARE:  DO I ALSO NEED TO BE TAKING SYMBICORT OR ADVAIR?  WHAT CAN I DO TO TRY TO MANAGE MY COPD BESIDES QUIT SMOKING WHICH I HAVE CUT DOWN TO A HALF A PACK A DAY.  WHICH IS ALL THAT I CAN ACCOMPLISH NOW.  WHAT CAN I BE DOING TO BETTER CONTROL MY BREATHING WITH WHAT I HAVE ON HAND?
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My doctor prescribed spirit and foradil for me in 2005 because he said I had beginning of emphysema.  this was done without any breathing tests, etc.  In 2010, I had pulmonary testing done because I had moved to another state and wanted to make sure I had everything covered, medically.  My new pulmonologist asked that I never return to my former doctor because he had prescribed these medications and I had not a hint of emphysema.  So, after taking these meds for 5 years, while not needing them, I'm wondering if that is the reason I am having breathing problems now?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I to am in the same boat as you, i am 50, my husband lost his job in may of this year, and no insurance since the lost, but did sign my daughter up for medicaid for children, and they sent me one too!...I know I didn't want to get on this, but I use to work also, and we as tax payers should get some kind of help since we do pay taxes, and this is a hardship where we need the help, with these medical conditions, so if u can apply for the medical state issued card do so, it will help with doctors visits and perscriptions. We've worked for it, so by all means seek the help, others do, but we need it for real medical condtions!  I was diagnosed over 12yrs ago, but the past year has taken its toll on me...I have a 12yr.old daughter still  home, and she has been thru it all with me, I have been in and out of the hospital 4 times from jan. to april of this year, and two of them were ambulance drivin, which i hate , because of the high rates they charge for service, but thts another story...lol...I have been put on Advair, yes to expensive!!!!...proair recue inhalier,spiriva still on, albuterol nebulizer, which i use every 4hrs, daily...and not to mention the antibiotic I was told I had to stay on for my bretheing(theophylline), and it is all pretty costly!..since the lost of his job i hav only been able to get my albuterol nebulizer meds, Theophylline, spiriva inhaler,. and numerous packs of Musinex 1200mg daily, to keep the mucus at bay!!!, but cant get the advair any longer, and which is  a good thing after reading what i just read on this updates,. I don't want to take it anymore!...I think I wll purchase the B-5 for real!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
B5? I am gonna get that. I use B12, it is very useful for anxiety and sleep issues. Hmmm. Thanks!
Helpful - 0
757137 tn?1347196453
Another word on Advair. It caused my adrenals to malfunction resulting in fatigue, anxiety and panic attacks. It also caused severe bronchitis and frightening choking episodes. I knew I would not last through the coming winter. I got off this garbage and was treated for adrenal fatigue. Without Advair my breathing has actually improved. I have moerate COPD. As to Spiriva, I used it briefly and it turned my lungs to glue. If any of you have thick sputum that is hard to expel (caused by all those drying medications), vitamin B5 is an outstanding mucolytic (mucus thinner). I take 1000 mg. daily. It is also specific for adrenal fatigue.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My situation is similar to yours. I was diagnosed moderate a year ago, given advair and emergency inhaler. Do not use them because they are very expensive and like you my hubby too lost his insurance thru the employer and now we cannot get any cause of preexisting conditions.  Truly, I dont see how it can get any worse. If they do not do something, we dead! And no one cares.
Helpful - 0
1046199 tn?1254825154
Hello all I just signed up for this group. I have SEVERE emphasima. On oxygen 24/7, albutera treatments four times a day. To weis48, yes is my suggestion to your question. I get to get my meds from VA also, when they send them....FOLKS YOU DO NOT WANT THE HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT IS GOING AROUND CONGRESS RIGHT NOW OR YOU'LL HAVE WHAT I ALREADY DEAL WITH...IT *****. Half the time I have to get my primary care doctor to call in everything but the oxygen.

If you get Advair don't use Symbicort, they are pretty much the same. I am using a trial of the symbicort right now to see if I get better results than with advair. Oh by the way, don't by into the TV ad you see. At least for me, my breathing problems are not relieved in 5 minutes.

If you get spiriva you  can use that too. I use daily albuteral 4x, advair 2x and spiriva 1x a day. and as I said oxygen 4 to 6 times a day. I can use more if I'm having a tuff day.

I just get up and work through the shortness of breath, which at this stage is pretty much all the time. I'm just hoping to see springtime 2010.
Helpful - 0
518117 tn?1429276273
Weizs48, I am in the very same boat as you. I was diagnosed with moderate COPD in Oct. 07. At the time of diagnosis, me and my husband did have health insurance. Then, due to the rotten economy, my husband lost his long time job and our health insurance. So, since March 08 I have been winging it attempting to manage my COPD, without the benefit of health insurance. Personally I totally agree with allmymarbles. For 6 mths. after diagnosis, I did have insurance. So, I was prescribed Advair, Spiriva and ProAir. While having insurance, I did get a second opinion on the COPD by a pulmonary doctor as well. But, between my family doctor and the pulmonary doctor, I was prescribed these meds for my COPD. Three months after being on all these meds, I spent the sickest winter of my life. Pneumonia, bronchitis and pleurisy. I had never had pneumonia in my life. And the pleurisy lasted 3 long painful  months. And that was with treatment with antibiotics. I did not like Advair whatsoever. Stopped taking that. Then, financially l could not afford the Spiriva. So, I eventually stopped taking that. I did still take the ProAir, which is a rescue inhaler. That started causing me problems. Now, I am on Proventil. I have read many reports on Advair and ProAir. Many people have problems with these 2 meds.

There are programs through pharmacy companies that do supply people like us meds. One such program is Needy Meds. I though attempted to get the Spiriva through such a program. They turned me down on the Spiriva though. Said my husband made too much money. My husband roughly makes 20 grand a year. That is poverty level actually, but still we make too much money. I though was approved on my rescue inhaler.

But, like allmymarbles suggested, possibly try these natural products. I have read much good on the vitamin B5. I have attempted to purchase the B5 at Walmart. But, our Walmart does not carry it. So, my next step is to purchase it at some place like GNC. And maybe attempt programs such as Needy Meds. There are a number of pharmacy companies offering this program to people without insurance, etc. Maybe financially you may qualify.

I take my rescue inhaler only when absolutely needed. I had no meds like Advair and Spiriva last winter. And I only had bronchitis once. Went to my family doctor and got an antibiotic for that. I am not suggesting everyone give up their breathing meds. NOT AT ALL. But, personally for me, I am doing better without all those meds. Sure I have symptoms. Some days I do good. Other days not so good. But, at least I am not getting sick nearly as much, while I was being given Advair and Spiriva. Just my experience and opinion. I so hope this works out for you.
Helpful - 0
757137 tn?1347196453
Here are natural supplements that are anti-inflammatories. I take 1000 mg. of vitamin B5, plus mullein extract, and MSM daily. B5 will also counteract the drying quality of albuterol. There are absolutely no side effects. I got off Advair because of very serious side effects which actually made my breathing worse. Symbicort is probably just as bad. They are steroids that throw your adrenals out of whack. Because of Advair I suffered serious adrenal fatigue which I am being treated for. Stick to natural whenever you can. However I still must use Duoneb (an albuterol mix) in a nebulizer and Benadryl when needed.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Tricks to help you quit for good.
Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.