Asthma

[johnnymk]

Approx. 6 weeks ago, I got into a coughing fit, which activated my asthma. I started wheezing really bad. I was gurgling with every breath.

My allergist wasn't in, so I talked to his aide, who recommended I take prednisone for a few days. The higher dosage for the first two days appeared to work but by the end of 4 or 5 days, it all came back.

She told me to call my physician, which I did. I had lung Xrays and I eventually took antibiotics for 10 days. The drained feeling that I had eventually went away. The wheezing continued. So he recommended another treatment of prednisone. I also bought a nebulizer, which did nothing.

Well, the allergist was back from his vacation, so I was able to see him. He listened to me about eleven days ago and said I may have had pneumonia. He also gave me a prescription for DuoNeb, a different formula for the nebulizer. After 10 days, I was still wheezing, so I saw him again on Wednesday.

He listened to my lungs and said to stop the nebulizer treatment because my lungs are totally clear. I asked him about the wheezing. He said that it's in my upper cavity and it will go away within a week or two. He claims it's an allergic reaction that I get every year at this time.

I am on Advair twice a day, Rhinocort twice a day and a Zyrtec once a day. The only change from before this happened is the addition of Zyrtec once a day.

I am wondering why he didn't recommend another treatment of prednisone, because I think it will help me now.

Anyone have any natural remedies for wheezing?

[InfiniteNothing]

A bit tangent, I apologise, but I've always wondered. Do the allergy steroids like prednisone make you physically stronger like weight lifting steroids?

[johnnymk]

A bit tangent, I apologise, but I've always wondered. Do the allergy steroids like prednisone make you physically stronger like weight lifting steroids?

I really don't know. But it does take away most chronic pain like arthritis or similar pain. I have a tooth which has been bothering me and it took that pain away.

[LPMiller]

they don't make you stronger that I'm aware of, but I know back in the day when they were stronger, they'd make girls look less girly. I never needed them, thankfully.

Johnny, I've apparently outgrown my asthma, but I always did a hot pad on my chest, or a warm drink like coffee, to help my wheezing. There also used to be a Natures Remedy tea called Breathe easy that worked fairly well, but that was using epedrine and I think it might be illegal now.

But it sounds like you might have to just wait it out.

[Houdini]

Re: prednisone, etc., for muscle building - nope.

Prednisone reduces inflammation and will block the release of certain histamines, but it isn't related to testosterone-like steroids used for performance. Though you may feel really wired while taking it.

There's actually a good reason NOT to use prednisone that often, especially if an infectious process is suspected. The problem with using prednisone in large doses, in multiple courses close together, or for extended periods is that it weakens your immune system and also, via feedback inhibition, shuts down your body's ability to make endogenous - its own - corticosteroids. You also will end up puffy, may start depositing fat in weird places, etc.

So yeah, for any major inflammatory process, a short course of prednisone will likely make you feel better. But you really have to limit it to a short course. It's simply not safe to take that often, over extended periods, or in large doses. Usually a short pulse and taper is all that's needed.

[molecularfire]

:stupid:

Prednisone is the drug we all hate to love. It's in the class called glucocorticosteroids (not the same steroid class as the androgenic steroids like testosterone, so it won't help you with muscle building. In fact, it can actually cause some muscle breakdown). On the one hand, it's a great drug for a lot of allergic/autoimmune diseases because it shuts down your body's ability to mount an immune response which is what causes the problem in things like allergies, asthma, pretty much all of the rheumatic diseases, and a lot of other diseases. The problem is that they have a really nasty side-effect profile. It leeches calcium from your bones, kills your immune system, messes up your body's ability to control it's blood sugar levels, makes you deposit fats in weird places, destroys your body's ability to deal with stressors on it's own (your body makes steroids like prednisone to help your body when it's under stress and prednisone stops your body from making it). It works great for a lot of things but there is a steep cost to it. Most of the side-effects are seen with long term or frequent use of the drug, so the occasional short course is ok but we don't like giving it unless we have to. That said, inhaled steroids like flonase, advair, etc... don't have the same side-effects because not enough of it gets into your bloodstream to matter.

Here's a general side-effect profile of a glucocorticosteroid:
ADVERSE REACTIONS SIGNIFICANT — Frequency not defined.

Ophthalmic formulation:
Endocrine & metabolic: Hypercorticoidism (rare)
Ocular: Conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, delayed wound healing, glaucoma, intraocular pressure increased, keratitis, loss of accommodation, optic nerve damage, mydriasis, posterior subcapsular cataract formation, ptosis, secondary ocular infection

Oral formulation:
Cardiovascular: Cardiomyopathy, CHF, edema, facial edema, hypertension
Central nervous system: Convulsions, headache, insomnia, malaise, nervousness, pseudotumor cerebri, psychic disorders, vertigo
Dermatologic: Bruising, facial erythema, hirsutism, petechiae, skin test reaction suppression, thin fragile skin, urticaria
Endocrine & metabolic: Carbohydrate tolerance decreased, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes mellitus, growth suppression, hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypokalemic alkalosis, menstrual irregularities, negative nitrogen balance, pituitary adrenal axis suppression
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal distention, increased appetite, indigestion, nausea, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative esophagitis, weight gain
Hepatic: LFTs increased (usually reversible)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia, aseptic necrosis (humeral/femoral heads), fractures, muscle mass decreased, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, weakness
Ocular: Cataracts, exophthalmus, eyelid edema, glaucoma, intraocular pressure increased, irritation
Respiratory: Epistaxis
Miscellaneous: Diaphoresis increased, impaired wound healing

CONTRAINDICATIONS — Hypersensitivity to prednisolone or any component of the formulation; acute superficial herpes simplex keratitis; live or attenuated virus vaccines (with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids); systemic fungal infections; varicella

WARNINGS / PRECAUTIONS
Concerns related to adverse effects:

Adrenal suppression: May cause hypercorticism or suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly in younger children or in patients receiving high doses for prolonged periods. HPA axis suppression may lead to adrenal crisis. Withdrawal and discontinuation of a corticosteroid should be done slowly and carefully. Particular care is required when patients are transferred from systemic corticosteroids to inhaled products due to possible adrenal insufficiency or withdrawal from steroids, including an increase in allergic symptoms. Patients receiving >20 mg per day of prednisone (or equivalent) may be most susceptible. Fatalities have occurred due to adrenal insufficiency in asthmatic patients during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to aerosol steroids; aerosol steroids do not provide the systemic steroid needed to treat patients having trauma, surgery, or infections.
Immunosuppression: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may also increase the incidence of secondary infection, mask acute infection (including fungal infections) or prolong or exacerbate viral infections. Exposure to chickenpox should be avoided; corticosteroids should not be used to treat ocular herpes simplex. Corticosteroids should not be used for cerebral malaria. Use with caution in patients with tuberculosis.
Kaposi's sarcoma: Prolonged treatment with corticosteroids has been associated with the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (case reports); if noted, discontinuation of therapy should be considered.
Myopathy: Acute myopathy has been reported with high dose corticosteroids, usually in patients with neuromuscular transmission disorders; may involve ocular and/or respiratory muscles; monitor creatine kinase; recovery may be delayed.
Ocular effects: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma; damage to the optic nerve (not indicated for treatment of optic neuritis), defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and posterior subcapsular cataract formation may occur. Use following cataract surgery may delay healing or increase the incidence of bleb formation.
Psychiatric disturbances: Corticosteroid use may cause psychiatric disturbances, including depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, and personality changes. Pre-existing psychiatric conditions may be exacerbated by corticosteroid use.
Disease-related concerns:

Cardiovascular disease: Use with caution in patients with CHF; long-term use has been associated with fluid retention and hypertension.
Diabetes: Use with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus; may alter glucose production/regulation leading to hyperglycemia.
Gastrointestinal disease: Use with caution in patients with GI diseases (diverticulitis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis) due to perforation risk.
Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment, including cirrhosis; long-term use has been associated with fluid retention.
Myasthenia gravis: Use with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis; exacerbation of symptoms has occurred especially during initial treatment with corticosteroids.
Myocardial infarction (MI): Use with caution following acute MI; corticosteroids have been associated with myocardial rupture.
Osteoporosis: Use with caution in patients with osteoporosis; high doses and/or long-term use of corticosteroids have been associated with increased bone loss and osteoporotic fractures.
Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; fluid retention may occur.
Seizure disorders: Use with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder; seizures have been reported with adrenal crisis.
Thyroid disease: Changes in thyroid status may necessitate dosage adjustments; metabolic clearance of corticosteroids increases in hyperthyroid patients and decreases in hypothyroid ones.
Special populations:

Elderly: Because of the risk of adverse effects, systemic corticosteroids should be used cautiously in the elderly in the smallest possible effective dose for the shortest duration.
Pediatrics: May affect growth velocity; growth should be routinely monitored in pediatric patients.
Other warnings/precautions:

Discontinuation of therapy: Withdraw therapy with gradual tapering of dose.

[johnnymk]

Good Grief!!

[Houdini]

stuff

:stupid: Nice write up mf. :)

[Markel]

I was on predisone once for a mystery rash. I got the "steroid high" - I felt sooooo good. I'd bounce out of bed in the morning full of energy (the opposite of how I usually am), and just felt GRRRREEEAAATE.

[oblongmelon]

I've always heard that coffee helps with asthma..I wouldn't really know for sure though since I, nor anyone in my family has ever had it. Hope you feel better.

[The Happy Squirrel]

isnt there something about lemon water that helps asthma, i think?????

[molecularfire]

I haven't heard of lemon water but coffee can be used to treat asthma. It's not great, but I think Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator.

[johnnymk]

I haven't heard of lemon water but coffee can be used to treat asthma. It's not great, but I think Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator.

I have been drinking a cup per day lately, but it doesn't do much.

[Houdini]

I haven't heard of lemon water but coffee can be used to treat asthma. It's not great, but I think Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator.

Theophylline in tea combined with caffeine may make it work better. :shrug: Don't think there's much theo in coffee.

[Mommypooh]

predisone is the worst I was on it for over a month once due to poisen Ivy. It was terrible. I was always crying and it made me really moody, which believe me is not a good thing when I am already a moody mess from Ritlin. I hated being on it but I had to due to the heavy inflamation I was battleing. My arm was 3 times the size it should be and if you took a forhead thermometer and put it on my arm it was over 107 degrees.

I will never take that stuff again. I also put on about 10 lbs in a month due to emotional eating.

[molecularfire]

I have been drinking a cup per day lately, but it doesn't do much.
I didn't say caffeine was a good bronchodilator. Houdini is right, theophylline works much better. That said, both of these drugs are essentially old drugs (although theophylline is still used in some situations) and are for the most part have been tossed by the wayside for much better treatments.

[johnnymk]

Returned to the Allergy doctor yesterday. He listened to me again and said I have a trace of pneumonia. Put me on Ceftin for 10 days..YECCHH>>I hate antibiotics. I am also taking Prevacid twice a day. He said that acid reflux can aggravate wheezing.

He said that the Doxycycline which my family doctor prescribed for bronchitis wasn't strong enough to fight the bacteria of pneumonia.

Hopefully, this will do the trick. I am sick of being sick.

[MissThany]

Steam...take a shower as hot as you can stand it and breathe as deeply as possible. Or, if you can't handle a hot shower, close up your bathroom, run the shower on hot and breathe the steam.

I have gotten myself out of the need to visit the ER a couple of times with my asthma. The tea suggestions also work and do the same, breathe that steam in.

You can't take too many steam showers-no side effects. Completely natural.

[johnnymk]

Steam...take a shower as hot as you can stand it and breathe as deeply as possible. Or, if you can't handle a hot shower, close up your bathroom, run the shower on hot and breathe the steam.

I have gotten myself out of the need to visit the ER a couple of times with my asthma. The tea suggestions also work and do the same, breathe that steam in.

You can't take too many steam showers-no side effects. Completely natural.

Good idea. I do feel a little better after a shower. Thanks

[Napoleon54]

I'm not big on homeopathy, but mint is great for all things respiratory. If you can find it, put a couple drops of mint essential oil in a pan of hot water on the stove for a make-shift potpouri. Or just make a cup of hot mint tea and breathe in the aroma.

Mint's also great for relieving stress. Once in a while if I'm really wired I'll crack open a bottle of mint EO and sniff on it for a little while... calms me right down.

[johnnymk]

So I took the Ceftin for ten days and I was feeling pretty good. 3 days later all of the symptoms come back.

Call the allergist and also see my family doctor who refers me to an ear nose and throat doctor. Saw him Tuesday.

He said that people who have chronic allergies sometimes need 3-6 weeks of antibiotics to completely kill a sinus infection which he says I have. Also got a CatScan of my sinuses and awaiting results.

So I am on an antibiotic again for 3 weeks and to report to the ENT doc in a few weeks.

[utcpal]

Im not sure, if you are into this.. It worth trying 'yoga' for a couple of months. It can significantly reduce your medication intake. Mention the instructor, about your asthma/allergy issues.

[johnnymk]

Im not sure, if you are into this.. It worth trying 'yoga' for a couple of months. It can significantly reduce your medication intake. Mention the instructor, about your asthma/allergy issues.

I don't know a thing about yoga, but I can't imagine how it would help a sinus infection, which I still have.

I am on a new regimen of double strength antibiotics for two weeks, because the last one didn't work.

This is getting old.

[johnnymk]

Just saw the ENT doctor. After 4 regimens of antibiotics, nothing worked.

He recommends surgery to the inside of my nose, which is totally blocked not allowing my sinuses to drain.

Loooks like I will have it done in about a month. I am not looking forward to this, but I have no alternatives left.

[cheapie]

joo might want to get rid of your cat! :hihi:


:wavey:

[Markel]

joo might want to get rid of your cat! :hihi:
Taking alfalfa tabs got my daughter over her cat allergy. (Note: this was when she was visiting my married daughter. Don't even imagine that I'd have a cat in MY house!)

[DarkFury]

joo might want to get rid of your cat! :hihi:


:wavey:
Did JMK say that his asthma was triggered by cat hair? If so, I didn't see it.

Not everyone that has "allergy/asthmatic symptoms" is allergic to cat/dog hair, There are all kinds of allergens that can cause a reaction (like molds, grass, dust, etc...)

So jumping to the cat conclusion might be a little early at this point. :hmm:

[cheapie]

http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v208/ozmjk7/sarcasm_detector.jpg



:heh:

[johnnymk]

I'm allergic to dumb jokes. Yecchhh!!

[cheapie]

:hihi:

[guiseppewv]

There you go cheap, you just re-aggravated his allergies!

Johnny, you should look into getting a pneumonia vaccine after you get over this. It is a once every 5 or so years shot and it works.

[johnnymk]

Thanks, guiseppe. I will ask the doctor about that after the operation.

[johnnymk]

So I had the sinuses cleared out exactly a week ago. It was a lot less painful than what I thought. I think it was that way because I took another regimen of prednisone, which must reduce swelling. Lots and lots of blood and mucous.

But I went to Karaoke last night and seem to have a little more power in my singing. I hope this is the answer to my chronic sinus infections.