Re: Re: Omalizumab.....??? Questions??

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Yep....I had been on Advair, Singulair, nebulizing at home at least 3xper day, going through 2 albueterol puffers per month (or more) and taking pred like it was candy as well as almost anything else the docs could think of. Al that, and I was still in the ER about every 2-3 weeks. I took enough steroids that I now have a permenant black spot in the middle of everything I look at through my right eye. The Xolair was seen as my last chance to get the asthma under control. We did not know if it would work as my IgE score was only 32. Minimum to qualify is 30.

It has not stopped the asthma altogether, sadly. I still have a nebulizer set up on my table 24 hours per day....I use it at leasat monthly for about a week. I use my rescue puffer at least weekly. I am still on Qvar. I had a pft at my pulmonologist last month and won't get the results until I see the doc again in 2 weeks. All the tech told me was that the numbers had definitely decreased since my prior pft about a year before. For me, the Xolair did not stop the progression of the disease but was slowed it down immensely. For that, I am most grateful. Mike McBride

To: asthma Sent: Thu, February 4, 2010 10:39:37 AMSubject: Re: Omalizumab.....??? Questions??

, were you started on the Xolair, because all other meds and interventions failed? I feel my Dr.. is rushing into this with me. Thankyou, A. >> Hi,> > The trade name for this drug is Xolair. I've been on it just over 1 year and have had a great response to it.  I was told it may take 6 months to a year to see a change. fortunately, my reaction was much faster.> > Xolair is horrible expensive. My 2 shots per month run nearly $1200 per month. My pharmaceutical provider declined to cover it, but my major medical insurance picked it up. The manufacturer also has a 'debit card' type set up where the dispensing pharmacy may use the card to pay for

the first $1500 (after deductibles) in cost. They also referred me to a foundation that has issued me a grant that picked up the bulk of everything else. Last year, after I maxed out my full out of pocket expense, the insurance company was billed for all my Xolair for the year....and they paid for it. This put money back into the foundation so that others may have help.  I look at it as a stype of loan to keep me afloat. I am now in the process of reapplying for the grant.> > Please feel free to aske me about anything else related to this med. I am ok with off-line contact if you prefer.>  Mike McBride> > O God do not leave me. I have done nothing good in your sight, but according to your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good. - Abba Arsenius> > > > > > ____________

_________ _________ __> From: AMANDAM <spotsabiya@ ...>> To: asthmayahoogroups (DOT) com> Sent: Wed, February 3, 2010 1:45:03 PM> Subject: Omalizumab.. ...??? Questions??> > Â > Hi, I went to see my lung doctor, and told him that the Advair 500 2x day, and using my combivent a few times a day, was not effectrive in keeping my asthma under control in this cold weather. It is triggered by cold and exertion, in my view, all my positive allergy tests were for grasses, highly allergic, the grass here is dead, and mod. allergy to cats, I have all my asthma attacks out in the cold, or when exercising. My doc feels it is still allergy related, I did not have asthma until after my hysterectomy last year. He put me on singulair, and to continue as before, he also suggested this

medication, Omalizumab, anti-IgE therapy, a shot give 1x month for a year, kind of new, only out a few years, very expensive, of course!! Has any one heard of this drug, or have experiences with it? I am not really sure I want to go this route so soon!! My IgE level was at the high end of normal. He says they are using this therapy to treat difficult asthma.> Thankyou, A. >