one more word on cost/benefit analysis

[Guest guest]

I knew about Xolair a year before the FDA approved it. At that time

it was too late to get in on the clinical trials. I told my husband

that I would do whatever it took to try Xolair, regardless of what

known and unknown side effects there might be. My quality of life

was so poor, I did not imagine how I was going to make it much

longer. I might have made a different decision if I had kids, or if

I had a concomitant illness like Doug has, I don't know.

Doug, and I encourage everyone to post concerns they're having

and any " new " symptoms or illnesses they experience once they start

Xolair. We do not want to dampen the discussions or prevent helpful

discussions in any way. That said, each of us has to do his/her own

cost/benefit analysis based on his/her lifestyle, level of

miserableness living with asthma, and concern about side effects.

Most of the folks joining this group have not had any side effects,

including a number of people who no longer participate because they

have had such success they don't need the group any longer.

That said, it is possible that our other meds and misery have masked

symptoms that will be more obvious once we taper off other meds or

once the struggle to breathe is no longer our main focus. For those

who have those experiences, they will need to work diligently with

their asthma specialist as well as their primary doctor in order to

determine the source of the problem. (My right arthritic foot, for

example, is hollering as I speak - I wore " pretty " shoes today....!!!)

Good luck to you all,

Addy