Posted 8/12/2007 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
My asthma is pretty severe. I've had it since a child. Its gone through 'stages' where it would be better, then change and get worse and meds would be changed and its like here we go again. I am on the nebulizer (which I haven't had to use ever with inhalers all my life), because of the HFA in inhalers, which they feel I may be allergic to, and they don't work as well as the old because the propellent isn't as good. I use Xopenex in the neb 3-4 times a day, (this has been since the last month, and after my drs. in PA and my Drs. in NJ (which is who I use most), I went back to my old pulm. dr. that I've had for many years. Originally they changed my meds from Albuterol inhaler (then to Ventolin HFA), (the albuterol inhaler was part of the regular regiment from 2-4 times a day to open the lungs and get the other meds in.) to Xopenex inhaler, Flovent inhaler to Asmanex, and then started the synthroid all at the same time. (the synthroid was a different one than I had when I was on it years ago, and was prescribed by my reg. md). By the time of 3 days on all the meds, my heart felt like it was 'fluttering' every few minutes. I thought I was dying or something, (I had had it before for other meds, but not as much as this). I called my pulm dr.s office in PA and the nurse said to stop the asmanex. My heart still felt like it was racing, (but after checking it wasn't), and I went into such a anxiety and depression, I stopped eating and stayed in bed. I went to my reg. dr. and he said stop the xopenex, since my heart was racing again, (although I didn't have the fluttering or feel it as much). And sometimes my body reacts differently to things than other 'normal' people. To be on the safe side, I had the Holter monitor. Which even during the palps was normal. (but of course I headed off to the cardiologist to be sure, and they did the monitor for a month, and that came back ok, now for the stress tests. lol) Anyways, I know I'm really getting lengthy here myself. lol, but the albuterol in inhaler form was fine, it wasn't bad in neb. form. The prob. why I never used nebulizers was when they first tried it years ago, it inflammed my lungs more because it was pushed so hard. Now it may not be as bad.
I am on Xopenex, (which in neb is tolerated, although I do get some shakes sometimes), albuterol can cause heart racing, etc. It isn't supposed to last long, but I guess I've been on some form of it or another for over 20 years, so it takes a while before it starts to affect me. And yes, u will shake. I take Asmacort (steroid inhaler) at the moment, since its not yet HFA, I am also on Singulair and Spriva (which is a pill that goes into a chamber and peirces it so u inhale a fine powder). Then there's the prednisone. I had been on it in a 'medrol' pack for years, (usually when I had a resp. infection, or cold ) and then normal pred. every day for prob. many years. about 6-7 years ago, I was finally off it. (i see old photos where my face is so swollen from it), Not to mention the bruising and the imune system issues from it. After getting off it, it was like a withdrawal with pain everywhere, etc. Prednisone is great, but as u know the side effects stink. Its also screwed up my teeth and bones. But when u need to breath, u do what u have to.
I've had hypothyroid for years, well, it was 'detected' years ago. At the time, I took my meds, but not 'regligiously', I was on Levoxyl 25 I think. Then my thyroid came up normal, even though I wasn't taking the synthroid, so the dr. said if ur not taking it anyway, then don't bother since its been fine. Then once my asthma started, I was having other symptoms, tired, etc. and they found it was low. After the 'palps' meds, change (which my dr. said the meds and they synthroid may have started), they stopped the synthroid and said to watch my thyroid in bloodwork every 3 months. But soon I think I will end up going to the endocrinologist to be sure. Its amazing once one thing starts, then everything gets all out of wack after it.
GERDS can cause the asthma too. Actually MANY things cause it. I have allergies all year around. (when first had allergy testing as a kid, out of 80 allergies I had like 77.) I've had immunology twice in my life. From the age of 11-19 then from 28-31. It helped alot. I ended up developing the fibromyalgia, (which explained alot), then later they hypothyroid. As they say, the older you get the more things change, so no matter what, some things would trigger my asthma at some point, others would not. Sometimes when I thought it was more my asthma, it had been the GERDS. I didn't even think I had a prob., because I knew what food would cause the 'acid burn' and I didn't feel it, but the pain was awful. My dr. said it was because my esophogas was so inflamed and sometimes it took a while to heal. So it didn't matter what I ate, even a piece of toast, it hurt like hell. The Acephex has helped me, but with being on prednisone again, (went from 80 at the ER a few weeks ago) to slowly taper down and now I'm on 50. I think the prednisone can also cause the problems. Sometimes with the asthma I can't really eat, (when u can't breath right, u are not hungry. lol), but the pred. makes u hungry like a bottomless pit! So it goes back and forth. Asthma also causes my fibromyalgia to kick up in pain and feel tight in the chest, and sometimes its the other way around so its a vicious cycle. GERDS can also do the same for both my asthma and fibro, and they do the same to it. I was also told about the Xolaire a few years ago, but the dr's office that was suppose to take care of it dropped the ball so to speak. It would have been done by the pulm. dr., but here in PA, the allergists do it more.
I hope I answered most of your questions, (sometimes I get really off track), but when u get so many illnesses at one point, (as u know), its hard to talk about one without going into the other. And I'm so tired of hearing, ur getting older and things get worse and things change. When ur used to regiments that when ur having a problem, work, and then all of the sudden it doesn't work, and you have to go through all the 'changing' meds, etc, again, its frustrating. Also Anxiety causes asthma, well, it can 'trigger' it or make it worse. I used to as a kid go to a resp. therapist to 'learn how to breath' that helped alot. For years the drs. said, 'oh that doesn't work'. But now, its more out again, and it does ease some things between the asthma, (which of course causes anxiety too), and it makes the muscles less spasming. Its called the Buteyko method. I'm learning about it again now, and the little bit I do, at the moment, does help with the spasms.
I hope I answered most of your questions. If I haven't or u have anymore, don't hesitate to ask me. :) I know how it feels.
Jo