Re: Prednisone again?

May 9, 2006

>

> I am on Prednisone .5mg every other day. I have been on pulse doses

> as high as 60mg then tapering off. I hate the stuff. I am also getting

> 2 vials of Xolair in each arm twice a month. I have been getting the

> shots for about 2.5 months so far. I am waiting for it to take

> effect..

>

> I was really doing good until yesterday. I had what I felt was a bad

> asthma attack. It was very difficult to breathe. My inhaler worked

> for about 5 minutes. I tried my nebuolizer and it worked for a

> while. When I sat still I could breathe a little but each time I

> found breathing very difficult. I got really scared. I actually

> contemplated going to the hospital.

>

> I thought the Xolair would be taking affect by now. I have an

> appointment with my allergist on Friday but I am not sure if I want to

> tell her about this episode because it was only once and I am afraid I

> will be put back on the Prednisone. I am on a very little dose now

> and do not want to go back on it again. I want to get off now!!. I am

> also taking Byetta which levels out blood sugar quite will. However

> in my case the Prednisone is causing higher averages. It really

> messes up the levels.

>

Steve.

Hang in there friend. I have been there, done that, NO FUN! I don't

blame you about not wanting to take more evil candy, but you need to

breathe man.

My advice? Tell your doctor and give it more time with the Xolair.

Trust her judgement. Remember, it took me about a year to get any relief.

Doug

May 10, 2006

Hi Steve,

I also have crazy sinus drainge problems. I use Nasonex nasal steroid

spray, OTC Sudafed, and use daily sinus irrigation to help reduce the

problem. Some people like Dr. Grossan's Hydropulse machine, and other

people recommend a manual saline spray called Sinus Rinse:

http://www.neilmed.com/ If you haven't tried the irrigation yet, I

would highly recommend it.

Hope you feel better soon!

> 3. I also have a lot of sinus drainage which the doctor tells me is

> the cause of my shortness of breathe and most of my asthma problems.

> Does anyone know what I can take to STOP the drainage? My lungs fill

> up at night and I spend the first hour of the day coughing until my

> chest hurts. During the day it gets a little better but I still have

> the drainage and cough at work. It is really annoying to those around

> me. I tried Guaifenesin. It clears up the chest congestion but the

> drainage is still there and bringing it up is very difficult.

May 10, 2006

Steve,

I have one more thought...there is a fairly new nasal antihistamine

spray out called Astelin. I tried it, and it really dried up my

nose, but it was almost too drying for me. It also gave me a lot of

sinus pain, but I'm very sensitive. It might be worth trying

though...

>

> > 3. I also have a lot of sinus drainage which the doctor tells me

is

> > the cause of my shortness of breathe and most of my asthma

problems.

> > Does anyone know what I can take to STOP the drainage? My lungs

fill

> > up at night and I spend the first hour of the day coughing until

my

> > chest hurts. During the day it gets a little better but I still

have

> > the drainage and cough at work. It is really annoying to those

around

> > me. I tried Guaifenesin. It clears up the chest congestion but

the

> > drainage is still there and bringing it up is very difficult.

>

May 10, 2006

,

I have also tried Nasonex, and Rinacourt and many other sinus sprays

without extended results. Since my second nasal surgery in September

2005, I have used a saline nasal irritation from time to time. I

haven't done so in about a month. I can't recall if it helped or not. I

know it was somewhat bothersome with all the other things I have to

remember to do. I also use 4 steroid nasal drops in each nostril 3

times a day. I am told this keeps polyps from growing in the nasal

canal and sinuses. I use a CPAP every night and bronchial expanders

which makes it easy to breathe. I take an insulin shot AM and PM and a

Byetta injection before each meal. Every two weeks I get a xolair

injection in each arm. Plus the large number of pills I take each

morning and evening.

What is Dr. Grossmans machine?

I never in a million years thought I would have to so much to feel good.

I guess I am going to have to go back to the irrigations. Maybe I did

not do the irrigating long enough to gain a benefit. I also have a

saline nasal spray at my desk at work that I have not used in a while. I

guess I will try using that again also. It can't hurt.

Thanks for the recommendations.

~STEVE ZIMMERMAN, CPM, CVOM~

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Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone again?