1 STEP FORWARD AND 3 BACK LEVEL 5 ASTHMA

[Gerl]

WELL ITS THE LAST STAND before some more serious steps I thought so many times i was getting better only to be kicked back down again asthma for only 7 years getting worse all the time changed Pulmonologist at least this guy does tests trying to steer clear of Pred and montalusk so sleep oximetery test showed nothing going in for a sleep for the night in the hospital in April

pt me on pulmacort which i did not take yet going to try one last time the 4 pillars of life sleep mental health diet and exercise after that he wants me to go on injections !!!!!!!!!!

i think i will give it one serious go at these things for 1 month

i dont like the idea of living on injections every week or 2

Ger

I started the pulmacort for 3 days started coughing ended up in a and e in an awful state 4 rounds of nebs 4 steroid injections 1 bag od magnesium and a night in a and e , doc said it may have been coming any way pulma cort may have had nothing to do with it

[Poobah]

You say what you're not taking; Montelukast, Pulmacourt and Prednisone. Are you taking any asthma meds?

[Gerl in reply to Poobah]

spiriva , symbicort and have ventolin when needed

[Poobah in reply to Gerl]

OK. Montelukast side effects can range from vivid dreams to feeling suicidal (unfortunately). Accolate is an alternative and does the same job. Montelukast, according to one consultant, works for about 25% of asthmatics, that is addresses asthma symptoms.

Symbicourt is a combo inhaler (steroids and long acting bronchidilator). Discuss with Dr either changing the doseage to address asthma symptoms or try a different combo inhaler, such as Fostair. It has smaller particles and suits some asthmatics better than Symbicourt. But it's trial and error, and that goes for the doseage too.

Spiriva has side effects including raised blood pressure so you should have had a BP test before starting it with ongoing BP testing to ensure that your BP stays OK. A good alternative to Spiriva is Eklira Genuair when it comes to BP.

Back to Pulmacourt. It's just a steroid inhaler and much better for you than taking oral prednisone. Taken regularly and at the right dose, it will really help you get control of your asthma.

No one can "cure" asthma because of the nature of the disease. However, eating a balanced diet, being the right weight and moderate exercise should definitely help as long as you stick to your meds regime. The key to knowing how to change your lifestyle is to find out what type of asthma you have. Then you will understand the triggers for that asthma so that you can avoid them.

It's a positive thing to do but getting the right meds is key.

Hope this helps.

[Gerl in reply to Poobah]

thanks for the reply tried other puffers before symbicort up to 2 puffs twice a day spiriva not tested for blood pressure but on my last attack where i was in ER over night the nurse said my blood pressure was text book perfect i said i wish the rest of me was as good !!!!!!!!!!

[Ayeup]

If you've been diagnosed with asthma and dont take the prescribed meds how can you expect to get better? I'm sure no one on this forum wants to take meds but we all have to to try and maintain some sort of quality of life and stay or try to be healthy. Not sure what you're asking here.

[Gerl in reply to Ayeup]

tried montalusk and pred went off my head

[Gerl in reply to Ayeup]

basically has anyone cured their asthma or had a real improvement from better life style

[R1100S1]

Don’t understand- is it you don’t want medication and believe in some other treatment?

[Troilus]

Hi Ger, I’m starting a similar regime, trying to lose a bit of weight and increasing my activity levels with a small amount of aerobic exercise. Maybe I should say a minute amount of aerobic exercise.

Just out of courosity, what is your objection to pulmacort?

[Gerl in reply to Troilus]

dont know after montelusk and pred crapprd out my insides and off my head dizzy spaced etc

[hilary39]

If the injection is a biologic, they are a real life saver for many people. It can be annoying to make the time to go in and get them but it's totally worth it for your health! I've had a great experience with Xolair.

[Ayeup]

I have been on an anti inflammatory diet - still on it. It's really helped with other health issues not as much for asthma. The one thing that really helps cut down on mucus is not having dairy. But this isnt enough to keep me well. I still need and take asthma meds and have to suck up all the side effects. Theres no way round it I'm afraid 🙄

[Gerl in reply to Ayeup]

i am totally allergic to all dairy so rarely have any

[Poobah]

Try the Pulmacourt for at least a couple of months before going onto biological injections. Sounds like you're now anti all meds because you had one bad experience. We've all had side effects from some meds, that's why there are alternatives - you have to find the right ones for you. Pulmacourt is a very tolerable med and taken regularly can control asthma.

By all means try lifestyle changes to give your health the best chance but I've yet to hear about anyone curing asthma by diet. A good lifestyle will probably mean a more moderate meds regime.

And be aware that asthma can kill. That's why a good asthma plan is so necessary. Work together with your specialist on an asthma plan which should help you monitor your own asthma and advise action to take when you have a flare up or worse.

I fear these people pushing extreme lifestyle changes without acknowledging some conditions require medical treatment. Any change to lifestyle will include working alongside accepted medical treatments - if someone is telling you otherwise then don't listen to them.