HI NV,

Just wondering if this flovent you are taking has salmeterol in it? The
ventolin didn't seem to work as well for me anymore either being on seretide
which i think is the australian equivalent of advair. The dr explained that
it might seem this way as the salmeterol is already working upon the release
of muscle contraction which occurs in athsma attack - same as the ventolin.
In the end it means that it's not necessarily that the ventolin isn't
working but rather that the relief  with ventolin isn't as noticeable
because there is already a drug acting upon that mechanism of the attack to
some degree. I believe that the other two processes in an attack are related
to excess mucous production and inflammation of the bronchioles. Anyway, I
have no idea if there is a scientific basis to that - being only heresay -
but it did seem to make sense to me. My athsma also has been much worse
(with more sudden attacks/exacerbations)over the last few years.

I can't help wondering (if there is truth to this) if there is a danger
(well maybe danger is an exageration...rather something to be aware of  to
take caution in) in taking it only in the sense that you are feeling better
than you actually are. Let me see if I can explain what I mean. As a chronic
athsmatic for many years I would seek help at a certain degree of
tightness. If the muscle contraction mechanism of the attack is being
relieved somewhat - then is it possible then for the inflammation side of
things to 'creep up' so to speak. So then, by the time you feel that certain
level of tightness that is requiring more attention you are actually sicker
(inflammation wise)  If then the salmeterol is doing it's job on the
muscles - could an athsmatic find the inflammation side of things getting
worse before they seek help?  With the last exacerbation I had - I had a
wheeze the day before hospitalisation but before that just a headcold. The
doctors at hospital were confident that a few hours of iv prednilosone and
iv salbutamol would begin to reverse the situation but in the end I was on
the iv for five days and in icu for five days four of them spent on a bi-pap
machine. I was just surprised that it could all develop so quickly. Anyway
please note that these are just the musings of a athsmatic - coming from
pure speculation - not a knowledge base. If anyone who actually knows
something about this and would like to put it in perspective from a medical
standpoint  it would be a welcome response.

I have had allergy tests and found that allergy to cats is one of the many I
have. My loved pets now have to reside outside. Could that be a compromise
for you too?

Hope you are feeling better soon.
Franki.

Hi, everyone.

Thanks for your replies so far. I will definitely ask the doctor (when
I see him) about allergies, as I know they have been triggers in the
past. However, that does not explain the sudden spike in night attacks.

After I posted last, I started doing some research on Advair and found
that other people were having similar symptoms, so I switched back to
flovent. still taking a little bit of prednisone, but last night was
the first night in 2 weeks that I did not have a full-blown attack. I
had chest tightness and some wheezing but the albuterol finally felt
like it was helping again.

Until last night, I had that dry asthma attack-smoker cough every
night, but now when I cough it is deeper and phlegmy and productive, so
I wonder if I did have some kind of infection that just wasn't working
itself out.

Anyway, I am waiting for my appt, keeping my fingers crossed that it
was the advair that was responsible for most of the problems, and
hoping to taper off the prednisone completely if I have a few more
attack-free nights.

I really appreeciate all the advice so far, and will keep posting.

Please don't tell me to get rid of my cats, though. I have had them
since they were kittens and they are my family. And I have never had
serious asthma until this month, so they are not the reason (or sole
reason).

Thanks again,
NV

Alison Chaiken wrote: