Biologics ?

[discoballs]

I have been seeing a superb Asthma consultant and he has said I don't qualify for biologics. Which I am sure is because I'm not too bad.

Anyone on biologics and if so what do they make you feel like??

Thanks

David

[runcyclexcski]

David -- they take 2-3 months to notice anything, for some folk here even longer. You can always seek a second opinion (e.g. privately). I had Xolair in the USA, and was initially refused it in the UK (which ultimately has resulted in a major exacerbation and a 6-month long sick leave). I then saw another consultant, and he made Xolair happen in 2 months of paperwork.

[discoballs in reply to runcyclexcski]

Thank you! 👍 I have the best consultant now and I believe his every word. I looked at all my FEVO test reports and such and they are pretty good. I lived in the USA for 15 years and never had a serious asthma problem. So stuck to Ventolin and that was that

[runcyclexcski in reply to discoballs]

David, OK! My FENO and spirometry mostly look normal, too, so it took a while to tease it out.

[janet65]

Hi David, I can't remember any stats of when I was first tested at the Royal Brompton hospital but i remember the Professor saying, with those figures you could run a marathon!! I soon filled him in about how difficult my life was compared to 2016. Thankfully he listened and recommended me for a days testing. I started Xolair in 2019 but only managed one dose, had a swelling at point of injections, nothing worse than a mosquito bite but hospital said it was an allergic reaction. That was a shame because I really felt the change in my breathing during that month. I then had to wait several months for my case to be looked at again.

In July 2020 I started Nucala. I felt the change immediately and have had no antibiotics or steroids since. I continue to use my Fostair inhaler as prescribed.

I'm aware that not everyone reacts as I do with medication but hopefully you'll get a good result too.

[runcyclexcski in reply to janet65]

Janet -- interesting info on Nucala. I thought it was like Fasenra (which did not do anything for me), but looks like the Nucala mAb binds the IL-5 itself, whereas Fasenra mAb binds to the IL-5 receptor.

[janet65 in reply to runcyclexcski]

I only know that lots of people are tried on different injections , some seem to work, so not so much.

I do know that I have a lot of allergies that were affecting my breathing because of the white cells out of control. I'm not very technical....lol.

[runcyclexcski in reply to janet65]

Janet -- by white cells being out of control, do you mean eosinophiles were high, or was it some other cell type that they measured? In my case, Eos are always a bit elevated, although Xolair drops them from 600 to 300 cells per microliter. But compared to other folks here these counts are considered only "mildly" elevated.

[janet65 in reply to runcyclexcski]

Yes high levels. They are well under control now though. I also suffered with very high levels of aspergillus which had to be treated. I'm glad to be not a complete mess anymore.

[corinneyvonne]

I have severe e-asthma and without biological therapy would not be here today. This seems dramatic but stopped breathing several times before having this therapy. I was on Mepolizumab for four years before it stopped working and now on Dupilumab. Both meds started working almost immediately and I can now simply get on with my life which includes working and exercising regularly. I have mild side effects but have not had an exacerbation for over 5 years. I cannot thank my PCT / consultant enough for their support.

[discoballs]

That is terrific that the biologics helped you so much! I'm hoping I can get on something soon

[AngDeb999]

Hi. I have been on Nucala for 4/5 months now and my symptoms have been very mild only problem now is thrush in my throat. Never had it before?? I’m wondering if we can get Covid and flu injections when on this ??

[Mark-f]

I’ve been on biological medication since 2014 , Infact I was one of the first ..

Xolair

Mepolizomab

And now Benralizumab..

It’s been totally life changing ..

I’ve gone from barely being able to walk down the road to living a relatively normal life