Could you kindly take a look at the postings here on Zithromax and on
Dr. Hahn from many posters such as Dave Oshinsky and Jim Quinain to name
only a few.

The claim for Zithromax is that it appears not to be symptomatic.  More
research is most urgently needed to help patients.

Why couldn't your outfit recommend the use of SIMT (see for example
information put out by Dr. Alison McConnell of Birmingham University in
England)?  It is based on the work of Paltiel Weiner and others (see
Chest 1992, 1357-61).  The impetus is that inspiratory muscles can be
trained to overcome airway resistance due to asthma and that the
perception of dyspnea (SOB) is centered in the muscles. If, it seems,
the muscles are trained, the patient is less bothered by asthma and so
stops overusing reliever medication.

"Cash cows" was used in connection with symptomatic treatment of asthma.
Your "independent researchers in university departments" primarily look
for substances in plants and animals which in vitro happen to cause a
relaxation of airway tissue. Then the substance has to be modified
chemically to get a patent for it at all before it can be marketed. A
slow process greatly impeded by patenting which was not always possible,
at least in some countries like England. True there is also some work on
the effect or lack of effect on deep inspirations in asthma, but this is
never interpreted to suggest special respiratory maneuvers and training.

Another source of scientific knowledge on asthma is provided by the
ISARP, see for example "Regardless of any therapy controversies, chest
physiotherapy in COPD and Asthma resides on a firm scientific
foundation, and long standing empiric experience of beneficial results
in dyspnea relief. The time for re-introduction into the United States
seems long overdue." See final part of
http://www.ohiou.edu/isarp/conf_02/papr_4.htm

Way could not something be done about this and accept the work of
Professor Hillsman of UCLA and others? There are many simple maneuvers
to quell attacks which could be taught by caregivers, but you people
seem more interested in fear-mongering because it boosts sales and keeps
shareholders satisfied.

See also www.nhpf.org/pdfs_bp/BP_AsthmaEpidemic_9-00.pdf 

"The Asthma Epidemic:
Prospects for Controlling
an Escalating Public
Health Crisis" September 2000
Published by the George Washington University as a  background paper
prepared by
Richard E. Hegner"

In other words, what we need to do is not to get the best possible
medical or research advice but to figure out what the docs and
researchers are doing and think in terms of there being a public issue.

Returning to your sky diving, the propaganda put out about asthmatic
athletes is on a par.  On the other hand in a normal population asthma
incidence may be anything between 5 and 15%.  In sporting events such as
the Tour de France or more especially cross country skiing the
percentage of asthma drug users may be anything up to 80%. Research work
on sled dogs however show that abnormal breathing causes asthma
symptoms.

Just where is the logic?

I personally do have contact with one nation-wide asthma aid
organization.  Although it is probably in favor of orthodox drug
treatment, there is much perplexity about the situation and an attempt
to genuinely reflect on it.

So there is no need to you to dive through the skies. Just talk to a few
of the many asthmatics who do not respond properly to the asthma drugs
or haven't the money to by them and take a less narrow-minded view.

In the context of the present asthma situation your speaking of
"generous, kind-hearted asthmatics" is simply sordid.  Richard Friedel