Dx 4 yrs ago w/asthma, exacerbations last weeks

[Stayc]

Hi there! I hope you don't mind, I'd like to share a little history. I'm a 45 yr old ex-smoker for 6 years. In retrospect, during childhood, I've never had great lung capacity; not sure if that's a direct result of being raised suffocating in second-hand smoke. I've always been active, but with difficulty due to lung capacity. I smoked for 22 years, rarely a full pack and only half the cigarette, and never smoked during my pregnancies. Four years ago I was diagnosed with mild asthma and prescribed a rescue inhaler, which I used a few times that first year. The following year, I ended up spending a night in the hospital due to hypoxia, long QT syndrome, and asthma exacerbation. Since then, I've been having a difficult time preventing these exacerbations. I've had allergy testing, which showed 3-4 reaction to mold on a scale of 1-4. I use spiriva and singulair daily. I have a rescue inhaler and nebulized Albuterol--the nebulizer is successful after 2-3 treatments; whereas, the inhaler does nothing, even after 6 or more puffs. Prednisone (tablets and inhaled), oddly, made the exacerbation stable, but did not do much to relieve. Methylprednisolone, on the other hand, worked wonders. About 24 hours after taking my last dose of steroids, my dyspnea and cough are gone. Typically, I feel like I'm teetering on the brink of an asthma flare all year long. I am in no way suggesting anyone try this, but I do want to share what I think and hoping may be working for me currently. I still take my spiriva and singulair, but I have recently incorporated ivy leaf extract into my supplement regimen and have noticed significant benefits. My lungs feel dry--they haven't felt dry in a couple of years. I am running again and enjoying life of activity again. I have my fingers crossed and I have prayed for this relief. I am open to suggestions and conversation. Thanks for reading.

[ChrissieMons]

I'm delighted that out of all these different medications you have found something that works so well for you. Happy days!