I was recently diagnosed with COPD. I am using oxygen in addition to a Nebulizer four times per day. The oxygen is very helpful, but the use of the Nebulizer has made me feel worse. I develop a very rapid heart rate with the first use of the day along with extreme weakness. I don't feel well all day because I can't recover from the pounding heart rate and weakness before another session with Nebulizer is due. The two medications used in the Nebulizer are: Xopenx 1.
You do have my sympathies. I don't get headaches, but my asthma reaction is varily severe.
What has worked for me is pre-treating for the reaction. Work with your allergist to find an effective pre-treatment plan for you. Patanase or Astepro may help some, then you can add atrovent and NasalCrom if those don't work. I also take a good oral antihistamine. I have heard of some people eliminating their symptoms with Zyrtec.
Recently she was sick and coughing uncontrollably and we did xopenex and the 20 minute rescue treatment because she was still coughing after the first dose of xopenex. We ended up going to the ER. The Er Dr. said she had a bad sinus infection (as x rays were taken of her sinuses). He gave us an antibiotic and told us not to use the xopenex as it wasn't working anyway. He said her cough was an irritated cough and not an asthmatic cough. We scheduled an appt. back with the pulmonologist.
In the states we have several versions of albuterol - Proair, Proventil, Ventolin, Maxair (technically pributerol) and a purified version Xopenex (technically levalbuterol). All of them Xopenex is the only one that does not go by albuterol. No generics because of the cfc ban. We do have generic albuterol neb solution. The Xopenex doesn't cause the shakiness that the other versions do and can be more effective. I wonder if that is what part of my problem has been? hmmmmm...
When the antibodies are stimulated by pollen and dust, histamine and other chemicals are released. This causes itching, swelling, and mucus production.
Please contact an allergic specialist and get skin tests like skin ***** test done. In this a small amount of allergen is introduced into the skin of the forearm and the reaction of the skin is noted. If there is any redness then that person is allergic to the allergen introduced.
You can also get blood tests like RAST done.
Asthma is a combination of muscle spasms (the attacks) and chronic inflammation in the lungs. Atrovent and ventolin will help greatly with the muscle spasms but due nothing for the inflammation. You must have a medication to counter the inflammation or your lungs will continue to have issues.
Good luck and hope you feel better.
My allergist thought it was my Dulera (inhaled combination med like Advair). I eliminated the atrovent and reduced my Dulera and the laryngitis healed.
She needs to discus any changes in dosage with her doctor before making changes. I had already been discussing the changes with my doctor as my asthma had become much better controlled. I just pushed up the timeline on one and she made the other.
God bless.
My son has suffered that for years. We finally went to a university hospital where they did all the typical GERD related test and as soon as they discovered he actually had GERD, it seemed like they concentrated on that as being the source of his cough, and stopped listening to what he was telling them, that the cough would start as soon as he ate food. It didn't have enough time to get to his stomach and then start to regurge.
Hi, it is possible to be having asthma issues and maintaim a good peak flow for a while. Peak flow reflects how clear the larger airways are. You could be having issues in the smaller airways. The presence of mucous would indicate that something is probably going on. You should really discus this with your dr at your next visit and see what he/she says.
Another thought would be acid reflux. Could this be an issue for you?
appreciate the info, problem is I dont currently have a doctor. no medicines either. I was diagnosed in 2005 and have been on advair and xopenex for a nebulizer but since around Dec or so precsriptions ran out and no insurance so dont have a doctor or any medicine. I am making it okay but did need advice about this trip. not sure at this point what to do. I will be traveling with my 2 grandkids 5 and 6 and sure dont need any health scares with them present as their dad just died may 2008.
Hunter had Croup again it was his 15th time. He had it for a week. I was giving him Xopenex every 4 hrs and Advair 2 x daily. He was also on a steriod. I didn't see any relief from the steriod this time nor when he had Croup in September.
Hunter had a Pulmonary appointment on Friday. His doctor saw him for 2 hrs and 15 minutes. He even brought in the chief of pulmonary into the room. His PFT was 50-something output then after Xopenex it was 60-something. Scary #'s.
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