Re: Thinking about using Xolair ...

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi,

>

> I am an asthmatic who also has terrible allergies. I live in

> Knoxville, TN (which happens to be the worst place in the country for

> asthma) now. My story is that I moved to Knoxville from Montgomery, AL

> (which is also a terrible place, just not as bad as Knoxville).

> Anyway, my asthma has progressively gotten worse over the last year.

> My allergist has suggested Xolair.

>

> Here are my current medications:

>

> 1. 220 mcg Flovent inhaler

> 2. 12 mcg Foradil inhaler

> 3. 400 mg Theo24

> 4. Albutorol inhaler

3. >

> Up until two years ago, I did not need a rescue inhaler.

>

> So my questions are:

>

> 1. Does Xolair really work?

> 2. How long does it take to work?

> 3. What are the common side effects?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Thornton

,

Welcome to our group. If you go back through past posts, you will find

answers to just about every question you will need about Xolair.

1. Yes, Xolair really works. I have been on it just about 3 years and

am off Prednisone (referred here as the " evil candy " )and only have to

use my neb once or twice a day.

2. Some people get relief within a few weeks, others take months. For

me it took a year.

3. Side effects? What side effects?

Great to have you aboard,

Doug

Group founder

Co-owner-moderator

[Guest guest]

hi scott,

i'm living proof that xolair works! for me, it was a wonder drug. i know

there's people here who share similar stories. i'm sure if you look at

back-posts, you'll find them.

you said you have allergies, but i noticed in your medlist, you don't take an

antihistamine. have you tried antihistamines before? do they work/do they help?

i have to switch my antihistamine every 8-12 months b/c my body adjusts to it.

i've been through so many, and we're now reverting back to some of the older

ones that are taken 2-3 times a day instead of the more convienient once a day

meds.

other things to consider before the xolair...is it possible to increase your

theo? (depends on your theo levels in your blood). a recent increase of 200 mg

for me made a world of difference. another option to discuss with your dr is to

increase your advair to 500/50 and add an antihistamine (or two) to your med

list. any one of these might give you better control over your asthma.

anyway, in answer to your questions,

1. YES xolair really works - for me. everybody reacts differently to

different medications. for me, its given me my life back.

2. some people say they felt better after their first dose of xolair. for

me, it took about 6-8 months to start seeing a difference, and 12-14 months for

the full effect. i've been on xolair for 2+ years now.

3. the only side effect i get from xolair is occassional injeciton site

bruising, which is probably from the way i injected it (i do my own injections

at the drs office) or an increase in my inhaled steroid (advair/flovent). other

than that, the only side effect i've had is BETTER BREATHING! =o)

good luck, let us know the outcome!!

heather

wsthornton <wsttiger@...> wrote:

Hi,

I am an asthmatic who also has terrible allergies. I live in

Knoxville, TN (which happens to be the worst place in the country for

asthma) now. My story is that I moved to Knoxville from Montgomery, AL

(which is also a terrible place, just not as bad as Knoxville).

Anyway, my asthma has progressively gotten worse over the last year.

My allergist has suggested Xolair.

Here are my current medications:

1. 220 mcg Flovent inhaler

2. 12 mcg Foradil inhaler

3. 400 mg Theo24

4. Albutorol inhaler

Up until two years ago, I did not need a rescue inhaler.

So my questions are:

1. Does Xolair really work?

2. How long does it take to work?

3. What are the common side effects?

Thanks,

Thornton

[Guest guest]

I think Xolair works better on people with severe asthma, as opposed to people

with moderate. My IgE count is only 44 but Xolair still works for me. It's

definitely not the silver bullet but it has greatly improved my quality of life.

I went from not being able to walk 1 mile without being winded to being able to

job 4 miles and feeling great. The only thing that slows down my exercise these

days are my achey joints.

It took a year for Xolair to work for me and I actually stopped taking it.

That's when I realized how well it was working. It has also cured my allergic

excema. I used to dread going to bed at night because I'd spend 2 hours tossing

and turning from the itching. It was pure agony! That's all history now.

Give the shot time. It works in 3 months for some people, 6 for others, and

12 for others. I hope it works well for you.

uca79iii <uca79iii@...> wrote:

>

> Hi,

>

> I am an asthmatic who also has terrible allergies. I live in

> Knoxville, TN (which happens to be the worst place in the country for

> asthma) now. My story is that I moved to Knoxville from Montgomery, AL

> (which is also a terrible place, just not as bad as Knoxville).

> Anyway, my asthma has progressively gotten worse over the last year.

> My allergist has suggested Xolair.

>

> Here are my current medications:

>

> 1. 220 mcg Flovent inhaler

> 2. 12 mcg Foradil inhaler

> 3. 400 mg Theo24

> 4. Albutorol inhaler

3. >

> Up until two years ago, I did not need a rescue inhaler.

>

> So my questions are:

>

> 1. Does Xolair really work?

> 2. How long does it take to work?

> 3. What are the common side effects?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Thornton

,

Welcome to our group. If you go back through past posts, you will find

answers to just about every question you will need about Xolair.

1. Yes, Xolair really works. I have been on it just about 3 years and

am off Prednisone (referred here as the " evil candy " )and only have to

use my neb once or twice a day.

2. Some people get relief within a few weeks, others take months. For

me it took a year.

3. Side effects? What side effects?

Great to have you aboard,

Doug

Group founder

Co-owner-moderator

[Guest guest]

,

I quit taking an antihistimine because until I moved to knoxville, my

allergies (and asthma) were pretty much in control. I used to take 600

mg of theo, but it gave me acid reflux. I think I'll try the allegra

again. It didn't make me tired. I just went to the lab to give blood.

So hopefully within a week or so, I can start the shots.

For the most part, it sounds like people on this board sound like they

are much worse shape than I am. So I'm hoping that this does the

trick. Thanks for the support.

- Thornton

> Hi,

>

> I am an asthmatic who also has terrible allergies. I live in

> Knoxville, TN (which happens to be the worst place in the country for

> asthma) now. My story is that I moved to Knoxville from Montgomery, AL

> (which is also a terrible place, just not as bad as Knoxville).

> Anyway, my asthma has progressively gotten worse over the last year.

> My allergist has suggested Xolair.

>

> Here are my current medications:

>

> 1. 220 mcg Flovent inhaler

> 2. 12 mcg Foradil inhaler

> 3. 400 mg Theo24

> 4. Albutorol inhaler

>

> Up until two years ago, I did not need a rescue inhaler.

>

> So my questions are:

>

> 1. Does Xolair really work?

> 2. How long does it take to work?

> 3. What are the common side effects?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Thornton

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>