RE: Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate

[Guest guest]

Jessa,

sorry to hear you are suffering so much. I believe that you can take Zyflo with either Accolate or Singulair. There can be problems with liver function so you should have liver function monitored, but if your asthma is so bad that it is life-threatening, then you need to get that under control obviously.

It would not make sense to take all three, because Accolate and Singulair basically do the same thing. Zyflo works higher up in the chain, so it may be helpful to take it concomittantly with Singulair or Accolate. I think Singulair has less side effects than Accolate, but I am not sure.

Can you up the dose of your Singulair? That helped for me. I still take 30 milligrams a day. The 10 milligram dose is not very effective for me, 20 milligrams is better, and if I take 20 and still have symptoms, taking 10 more milligrams helps a great deal. I don't know that it would be a good idea to take Zyflo and Singulair together.

I've never passed out from an asthma attack, but I think the air in planes is horrible for the general public and I'm sure it is particularly bad for people with respiratory problems. There is less oxygen but there are also lots of bacteria and negative ions (or is it positive ions, well, whichever one is bad for you) floating around. I am thinking of wearing a mask the next time I go on a plane, but I don't know how much those help. We are taking several flights this summer.

Good luck and please keep in touch. I'll also keep you in my prayers.

Lori

[Guest guest]

My asthma returned very badly three weeks

ago and my doctor put me on a new medication “Spiriva” which is a

capsule inserted into a little device that pierces it, you inhale it –

just once a day.

I reported back to Samters about it after

a week saying how great it was and now after three weeks I still think it’s

fantastic. My asthma has come to a halt.

My asthma was at a stage where I was using

my nebuliser at least once a day.

My medication now is two puffs of Seritide

in the morning via a spacer and a Spiriva.

I returned to my doctor yesterday for a

full check and lung function test and he was very happy with the results as was

I so I’m staying on Spiriva.

From: samters [mailto:samters ] On Behalf Of jessafeiler3

Sent: Thursday, 6 July 2006 5:52

AM

samters

Subject: Singulair,

Zyflo, Accolate

Hiya. I have yet another question. So, I'm in that

stage of asthma-

ness where the attacks are almost constant and I'm kind of

questioning whether I'm going to make it through this time around.

Pretty much the usual.

The thing is, I'm still fighting to stay off of steroids, even

inhaled steroids, because it all seems to react badly in my system.

I'm currently on Singulair and will not consider giving it up. I was

wondering, though, whether anyone has taken Zyflo or Accolate (or

even both) on top of Singulair. Can you even do that?

I want to call my pulmonologist, but I don't want to bring the

severity of my current symptoms to her attention if there's nothing

beyond steroids that she can do for me.

PS. Dumbest question ever, but does anyone else have horrible asthma

problems on planes? Both to and from Munich,

I had asthma attacks

that involved passing out and that lasted for several hours each. I

was wondering whether it's situational or just coincidental and if

there's any solution to it.

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[Guest guest]

Spiriva - that is certainly a good idea for someone whose asthma is not getting better, thanks for reminding us of that. In the States like I mentioned it's only approved for COPD and not asthma, but I bet pulmonologists will prescribe it off-label in certain cases. Glad to hear it is working for you, .

Lori

[Guest guest]

Tibor - I know that steroids are a great option for some people. I

just... can't. When I went off for the last time, I promised myself

that I wouldn't go on them every again, even if the consequence was

dying. Even if " all " I have to deal with is a 15 pound weight gain or

something, that's just not a viable option right now. I definitely

appreciate your point of view, though.

[Guest guest]

Lori and - Yeah. I saw Spiriva online today. It seems like it

might be worth asking about. I hadn't seen it previously.

As far as Zyflo, I'm hesitant to cause myself more problems, but, hell,

I took two courses of Accutane as a teenager. I figure if my liver held

up to that, maybe it's just a good liver.

I can't seem to find anyone willing to prescribe a higher dose of

Singulair. Doctors don't seem to allow for the possibility of increased

effectiveness. It's probably okay as my insurance requires all sorts of

preapproval for Singulair (it's very weird). I doubt they'd cover one

or two more pills a day.

>

> Spiriva - that is certainly a good idea for someone whose asthma is

not getting better, thanks for reminding us of that. In the States

like I mentioned it's only approved for COPD and not asthma, but I bet

pulmonologists will prescribe it off-label in certain cases. Glad to

hear it is working for you, .

>

> Lori

>

[Guest guest]

Hiya Jessa,

Sorry to hear about your current state. It sounds like it has taken over your life.

I found zyflo to be much more effective than Singulair. It is harder to take (4 times a day) and has a lower threshold of toxicity. Singulair is safer, but if it is not as helpful, who cares.

I understand controlling the conversations with the MDs. It has not been the best path for me to take their advice without consulting the options.

I’ve been told that sensitive people can get a prescription for O2 for the plane trip. The airlines provide the O2. I hear it can help tremendously, but you have to sit there with a canella across your face and try to be cheerful. Although, it would be much better than passing out.

Let us know what helps and when you get better or if you are not getting better.

Pam

On 7/5/06 3:51 PM, " jessafeiler3 " <jessafeiler@...> wrote:

Hiya. I have yet another question. So, I'm in that stage of asthma-

ness where the attacks are almost constant and I'm kind of

questioning whether I'm going to make it through this time around.

Pretty much the usual.

The thing is, I'm still fighting to stay off of steroids, even

inhaled steroids, because it all seems to react badly in my system.

I'm currently on Singulair and will not consider giving it up. I was

wondering, though, whether anyone has taken Zyflo or Accolate (or

even both) on top of Singulair. Can you even do that?

I want to call my pulmonologist, but I don't want to bring the

severity of my current symptoms to her attention if there's nothing

beyond steroids that she can do for me.

PS. Dumbest question ever, but does anyone else have horrible asthma

problems on planes? Both to and from Munich, I had asthma attacks

that involved passing out and that lasted for several hours each. I

was wondering whether it's situational or just coincidental and if

there's any solution to it.

[Guest guest]

I found that before I was desensitized to aspirin, the most effective

combination was zyflo and singulair. The advantage of the

combination is the zyflo blocks 5 lipo-oxygenase which is an enzyme

involved with the production of leukotrienes and the singulair blocks

the receptor site where they attach. The combination reduced the

production and the binding. The zyflo also reduces some of the

leukotrienes that singulair does not effect. When I used that

combination, I still occasionally needed steroids, but in lower doses

and less frequently.

Most people do not have liver problems, you just need periodic

monitoring just like with lipitor.

As for airplanes, I always have trouble when I fly. About half the

time I just take a burst of prednisone before I even get on the

flight if it is long distance. But again, I have much less trouble

since I did the desensitization in 2003.

R

> >

> > Spiriva - that is certainly a good idea for someone whose asthma

is

> not getting better, thanks for reminding us of that. In the States

> like I mentioned it's only approved for COPD and not asthma, but I

bet

> pulmonologists will prescribe it off-label in certain cases. Glad

to

> hear it is working for you, .

> >

> > Lori

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I take zyflo and singulair I have had no problems and it has improved my symptoms dramatically. I started taking it before sinus surgery and continued after. My sinuses feel really good- 8months after surgery, I have some asthma symptoms on occasion but it is fairly mid, I think everyone who can should at least try it since so much of success with this disorder seems to be try and error to see what works best for each person.

Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate

Hiya. I have yet another question. So, I'm in that stage of asthma-ness where the attacks are almost constant and I'm kind of questioning whether I'm going to make it through this time around. Pretty much the usual.The thing is, I'm still fighting to stay off of steroids, even inhaled steroids, because it all seems to react badly in my system.I'm currently on Singulair and will not consider giving it up. I was wondering, though, whether anyone has taken Zyflo or Accolate (or even both) on top of Singulair. Can you even do that?I want to call my pulmonologist, but I don't want to bring the severity of my current symptoms to her attention if there's nothing beyond steroids that she can do for me.PS. Dumbest question ever, but does anyone else have horrible asthma problems on planes? Both to and from Munich, I had asthma attacks that involved passing out and that lasted for several hours each. I was wondering whether it's situational or just coincidental and if there's any solution to it.

[Guest guest]

I was feeling the same way you were until yesterday. I was tied to my nebulizer but yesterday the Pulmonologist callled me in a prescription for Prednisone and today I feel great. I was also given a round of Levaquin to ward all any infection. I am preparing now to go and get my Xolair shots. Personally, I think Prednisone is a wonder drug made just for me. My doctor keeps track of how much and how often I need it and so far so good. It works everytime for me. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sounds like malpractice to me. You should ask them to fax you those written instructions that even though your peak flow is less than 50, they don't want you to come in.

Re: Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate

Ah. Good to know then. I'll see if I can get a prescription for Zyflo also. Liver be damned. Who needs one anyway?Unfortunately, before I do that, it looks like I will be attempting to find yet another new pulmonologist. Today's fun with Samter's story involves calling my current pulmonologist and having the following exchange:Nurse: "You can go to the Emergency Room or you can agree to take the prednisone and call every day with your peak flow."Me: "She doesn't want me to come in?"Nurse: "No. Not unless you don't hit a peak flow of 350 in a given day."Me: "So you're saying that even if I continue to have eight or ten asthma attacks a day and even if I continue to have ones with a peak flow of 50 or less, she doesn't want to see me?"Nurse: "Right. She doesn't need to see you for that."Have I stumbled into a parallel universe somehow? At any rate, hoping to survive until Friday when my regular doctor gets back from vacation and tells me who exactly she'd like me to see at Temple Lung. Anyone see someone at Temple Lung? Still refusing to do prednisone. Had a big discussion with mother, basically conveying the fact that, if the worst happens, I won't regret my decision and she shouldn't second-guess it either.I really hate Samter's this week. Like, a lot.Hope y'all are doing well and are making it through allergy season unscathed.Always,Jessa

[Guest guest]

Gwen: I find with the prednisone and inhaled steroids, it's rarely an

issue of it not working. Steroids are SO good at controlling

inflammation and respiratory junk. It's more the side effects. And,

you're lucky if you don't struggle with the side effects. I think

that would be heaven. Sometimes, people put so much pressure on

that I think I'm making the wrong decision, but I *know* that it's

the right one for me.

I do hope your asthma stays controlled. Watch out for long-term

antibiotics though. Resistance is becoming such a problem.

Reposting original post, because I'm an idiot.

Ah. Good to know then. I'll see if I can get a prescription for Zyflo

also. Liver be damned. Who needs one anyway?

Unfortunately, before I do that, it looks like I will be attempting to

find yet another new pulmonologist. Today's fun with Samter's story

involves calling my current pulmonologist and having the following

exchange:

Nurse: " You can go to the Emergency Room or you can agree to take the

prednisone and call every day with your peak flow. "

Me: " She doesn't want me to come in? "

Nurse: " No. Not unless you don't hit a peak flow of 350 in a given

day. "

Me: " So you're saying that even if I continue to have eight or ten

asthma attacks a day and even if I continue to have ones with a peak

flow of 50 or less, she doesn't want to see me? "

Nurse: " Right. She doesn't need to see you for that. "

Have I stumbled into a parallel universe somehow? At any rate, hoping

to survive until Friday when my regular doctor gets back from vacation

and tells me who exactly she'd like me to see at Temple Lung. Anyone

see someone at Temple Lung? Still refusing to do prednisone. Had a big

discussion with mother, basically conveying the fact that, if the

worst

happens, I won't regret my decision and she shouldn't second-guess it

either.

I really hate Samter's this week. Like, a lot.

Hope y'all are doing well and are making it through allergy season

unscathed.

Always,

Jessa

Sorry for the repost: trying and failing to keep IDs separate.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jessa, I'm kind of in the same boat... several attacks a day... and trying not to take predisone. I just started taking Zyflo and Singulair (previously just on Zyflo)... and I seem to be improving. MicheleLori Baur <lori@...> wrote: Sounds like malpractice to me. You should ask them to fax you those written instructions that even though your peak flow is less than 50, they don't want you to come in. Re: Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate Ah. Good to know then. I'll see if I can get a prescription for Zyflo also. Liver be damned. Who needs one anyway?Unfortunately, before I do that, it looks like I will be attempting to find yet another new pulmonologist. Today's fun with Samter's story involves calling my current pulmonologist and having the following

exchange:Nurse: "You can go to the Emergency Room or you can agree to take the prednisone and call every day with your peak flow."Me: "She doesn't want me to come in?"Nurse: "No. Not unless you don't hit a peak flow of 350 in a given day."Me: "So you're saying that even if I continue to have eight or ten asthma attacks a day and even if I continue to have ones with a peak flow of 50 or less, she doesn't want to see me?"Nurse: "Right. She doesn't need to see you for that."Have I stumbled into a parallel universe somehow? At any rate, hoping to survive until Friday when my regular doctor gets back from vacation and tells me who exactly she'd like me to see at Temple Lung. Anyone see someone at Temple Lung? Still refusing to do prednisone. Had a big discussion with mother, basically conveying the fact that, if the worst happens, I won't regret my decision and she shouldn't second-guess it either.I

really hate Samter's this week. Like, a lot.Hope y'all are doing well and are making it through allergy season unscathed.Always,Jessa __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

That nurse sounds to me as though she

doesn’t really care and is trying to play ‘doctor’ herself.

Can you bypass her and speak to the doctor directly because that many attacks a

day is definitely not right and the doctor definitely needs to be seen. At any

rate the doctor needs to be informed of what the nurse said.

I know many don’t like to take

prednisone but in some cases a short dose is really needed to get things back

on track. My doctor put me on a short course of prednisone a month ago (just

over a week’s worth of pred.) to get my asthma back under control because

as he stated, without it, the attacks would cause more harm than then

prednisone would.

My spiriva and Seritide daily has kept my

asthma under control.

Good luck with it all

From: samters [mailto:samters ] On Behalf Of michele bledsoe

Sent: Wednesday, 12 July 2006 2:53

AM

samters

Subject: Re: Re:

Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate

Hi Jessa,

I'm kind of in the same boat... several attacks a day... and trying not

to take predisone. I just started taking Zyflo and Singulair (previously

just on Zyflo)... and I seem to be improving.

Michele

Lori Baur <lori@...> wrote:

Sounds like malpractice to me. You should ask them to fax you

those written instructions that even though your peak flow is less than 50,

they don't want you to come in.

Re:

Singulair, Zyflo, Accolate

Ah. Good to know then.

I'll see if I can get a prescription for Zyflo

also. Liver be damned. Who needs one anyway?

Unfortunately, before I do that, it looks like I will be attempting to

find yet another new pulmonologist. Today's fun with Samter's story

involves calling my current pulmonologist and having the following

exchange:

Nurse: " You can go to the Emergency Room or you can agree to take the

prednisone and call every day with your peak flow. "

Me: " She doesn't want me to come in? "

Nurse: " No. Not unless you don't hit a peak flow of 350 in a given

day. "

Me: " So you're saying that even if I continue to have eight or ten

asthma attacks a day and even if I continue to have ones with a peak

flow of 50 or less, she doesn't want to see me? "

Nurse: " Right. She doesn't need to see you for that. "

Have I stumbled into a parallel universe somehow? At any rate, hoping

to survive until Friday when my regular doctor gets back from vacation

and tells me who exactly she'd like me to see at Temple Lung.

Anyone

see someone at Temple

Lung? Still refusing to

do prednisone. Had a big

discussion with mother, basically conveying the fact that, if the worst

happens, I won't regret my decision and she shouldn't second-guess it

either.

I really hate Samter's this week. Like, a lot.

Hope y'all are doing well and are making it through allergy season

unscathed.

Always,

Jessa

__________________________________________________