Alternative treatments

[ihatesteroids]

Has anyone had any success with alternative asthma treatments ?

[angievere]

No, not to replace conventional medicine. But I’ve used vitamin supplements and oils (lavender, tea tree) alongside to boost immune system. I go to an osteopath and that helps to relax chest muscles.

[PaulRosedene]

I am a big fan of alternative medicine. I have tried many things, but none of them have led to any major improvement with my asthma. But I am very careful with what I eat because I am intolerant to certain foods that make my eczema and asthma worse.

[ihatesteroids in reply to PaulRosedene]

I have tried blackseed oil.It helps with the coughing but not with the chest tightness.

[Hidden]

The thing to be careful with when it comes to ‘alternative’ (I prefer ‘complementary’) treatments is that they may make you feel better while not treating the underlying inflammation, which is very dangerous and is the reason long-acting relievers (such as salmeterol) must always be taken with a steroid, and why just using your reliever all the time instead of using a preventer is not ok.

That said, anything which helps you feel better without causing undue harm can be a great adjunct to treatment, so long as you’ve got a good objective measure of your asthma (for instance, if your heart rate always goes up when your lungs are having difficulty, or you can track your peak flow) so that even if you’re feeling ok, you can see if the inflammation is getting worse.

Homeopathic stuff is generally just water to be honest so if you believe in homeopathy, then it’s probably safe. Anything herbal deserves extra caution because supplements are unregulated and have frequently shown to be inconsistent in their ingredients, dosage, quality etc. even between pills in the same packet. I would always say that if you find a herbal supplement that you think might help, find out if it has a pharmaceutical equivalent first (like aspirin instead of feverfew) because those have been properly studied, refined, and regulated. You can also always feel free to message me about any supplements or treatments you’re considering and I am 100% happy to give you the rundown on them

The most important thing is to tell any medical professional involved in your care what you’re doing or taking. Even something as simple as a multivitamin, tea, or oil. Unless their immediate reaction is “OH GOD NO PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THAT”, it *is* actually your money and your choice. So if they laugh or think it’s silly to think ‘energy machines’ or whatever make you feel better, remember it’s not actually any of their business so long as you are not being harmed unduly by what you’re using or doing. So be open to what they say about it, but never ever put off telling them about complementary treatments just because you’re worried they’ll react negatively. It’s important that they know about everything you’re doing or taking, even diets etc., in case there are interactions or contraindications that may have been missed.

Big stayaways: St. John’s Wort (interacts with pretty much everything); anything that purports to be a ‘cure’ (there really, truly isn’t one); anything or anyone that tells you to stop taking any of your prescribed treatments or go against medical treatment plans (any practitioner worth their salt should be 100% prepared to incorporate your current treatments fully into their plans), and products however innocuous from MLM companies (such as Dōterra, whose products are unnecessarily expensive and actually no better quality than some of the cheapest oils and creams you can get so they might be good enough, but you don’t have to pay so much for the same product elsewhere).

Reasonable suggestions: magnesium has been shown to be overall ineffective in high quality trials but some people feel better using it; if you’re not sensitive to them, some oils may help you feel relaxed or less breathless; breathing techniques and meditation are good things to have in your arsenal, and some asthmatics find their symptoms worsen if their vitamin D3 levels go down so taking a general-strength vitamin D3 supplement might be worth considering.

Hope some of that helps and I’m sorry it’s so long!

[Coastwalker]

Taking vitamin D3+K2 has helped turn around my husbands life long asthma and dangerous life threatening asthma attacks.

These vitamins are both anti inflammatories and help keep my husband’s and my own colds and flu at bay, which in turn has been another positive point for my husband, cos chest infections use to start his nasty asthma attacks off.

The Doctor did not accept that it was the D3 that has helped my husband, but it has worked for him, (not saying it works for everyone, but we’ll worth a try.)

My husband no longer needs his daily asthma inhalers, (daily preventative and using his rescue inhaler daily) though being in a room with dogs can still affect him so we still keep a rescue inhaler on hand for a quick rescue puff, just in case. 😀

[jdylm]

Maybe it depends on our individual definitions of alternative. I see a physician or physician assistant, as well as an alternative physician. I've been experimenting on myself (!) for nearly 40 years to be rid of this awful condition. Willing to try anything in the cosmos, really, and my attitude is, if it helps YOU, then amen to that! Just be careful, do your due-diligence with research, especially on contraindications, conflicts, side effects, and such. I've tried all sorts of potions, pills, and promises. Some have helped in the short run, such as elderberry.

All in all, what has helped me the most has been:

--quercetin with bromelain.

--vitamin D, antioxidants.

Not alternative, but:

--reducing dairy and carbs.

--increasing open-your-sinuses-type spices.

--walking.

--reducing stress (easier said than done).

--avoiding triggers (including people who are toxic (!) whether through illness or attitude).

I also firmly believe that the following three have been invaluable to me:

--interacting with the medical industry as little as possible.

--getting older.

--long-acting, combination inhalers (currently Dulera -- formoterol and mometasone).

Of note: My allergist prescribed a routine of Nystatin liquid to combat the constant thrush from the inhaler. Finally, I figured out that by swishing and gargling with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water each night (FYI, do NOT swallow!!), I do not experience thrush at all. Allergist thinks I'm just "lucky."

Also, for my my watering, crusting eyes, the allergist prescribed various types of drops, some very expensive. None helped. I found some OTC "homeopathic" drops at a reasonable price and used them daily. It took some patience, but finally the angels sang! When I told my allergist I'd no longer be needing a prescription, and what I'd found for relief, she rolled her eyes. Hmmm...

All the best to you.

[Echoblue]

I find complementary products useful for certain conditions (I have Fibromyalgia as well and I have had great results with Turmeric for anti inflammatory effects), but as far as my asthma is concerned I would not advocate any “instead of”, but I do use “alongside” my meds to support. I have found Siberian Ginseng as suggested by my holistic chiropractor very useful for supporting my immune system - this has reduced the number of and severity of colds etc. I initially used this to support my adrenal glands as they had been knocked out of kilter resulting in adrenal insufficiency. That has now been fully reversed and they are working again now and I have continued taking them for around 6 or so years now to continue the benefits.

Research is key and what suits one person won’t suit another, so an idea of what you are looking for is useful. Bearing in mind how severe asthma flare ups can be I think hoping for a totally “alternative” or complementary product instead of all asthma medication may be a step of a dream too far.

Good luck in your search and if you do find that unicorn product, do share it with the group 😉☺️👍🏻

[Hidden]

I went for an allergy test (privately, not through the NHS). It tested my tolerance of 150 substances and I was found the have an intolerance to yeast and cow's milk. I've cut these out of my diet and my asthma and eczema has improved a lot.

[Aisling30]

Hi I have suffered all my life with asthma. Was on Foradil and Qvar for 20 years. Last year I was put on Relvar once a day, works well and Atrovent. However last winter I had a very bad dose of asthma and flu and I was googling as most of us do and I came across drinking honey, lemon and fresh ginger tea. I found it helped immensely and that somewhere I read ginger is as good as an inhaler. However the last week I have had a horrible flu and instead of taking my Atrovent sometimes 8 puffs a day, I started taking my nebuliser as well as the honey lemon and ginger. I have improved so much the nebuliser lasts me for 12hours sometimes more before I need to take another. So basically, the Relvar once a day, the nebuliser twice a day(should be 4 times) but I don't need it and the honey lemon and ginger. After years of inhalers and steroids antibiotics etc the honey lemon and ginger has given me a new lease of life. You should try it, just make sure you grate the ginger and get a good raw honey. I buy mine locally . If your asthma is as bad as mine you will try anything 😀