First time here! (some general Asthma Advair/Singulair questions...)

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Mike Beauchamp - 19 Nov 2003 04:37 GMT

Hey all.. this is my first time in here.
I'm 23 years old, 162Lbs. The Dr. Started me on Advair (250 twice a day) and
Singulair about 2 years ago. I have to say, my asthma is DEFINATELY under
control now. I rode my bike 100KM's one day and didn't even bring my
ventodisk. I was on pulmacort, which didn't seem to work at all and I was
taking my ventodisk 6-8 times a day. Now I have 2 boxes of ventodisks that
are nearing their expiry date, since I haven't touched them in 2 years.

I've definately gained weight.. maybe 10-15 lbs since I started the
medication. But I think that could be due to just not doing enough excercise
(I'm a computer science major). I'm considering going on a bit of a diet to
try and lose those extra lbs. The diet will consist of bicycle riding for 30
minutes a day, and not eating as much fat, or drinking as much pop. I'm
hoping it will help :)

I'm also wondering if I can get away with just 1 medication and maybe at a
lower dose? Like, maybe JUST Advair 100, or maybe JUST singulair?
I don't go to a specific resperatory doctor, instead just a family doctor..
he just seems to dish out medication (eg. he started me on advair 500. after
the first month, I asked if I can go down to 250 and he said yes).

I'm also wondering if there is a Generic version of Advair or Singulair that
is cheaper?? All this medication is costing a lot of money, especially since
my dad's health plan isn't the greatest...

Thanks!

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

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Circe - 19 Nov 2003 16:29 GMT

> I'm also wondering if I can get away with just 1 medication and maybe at a
> lower dose? Like, maybe JUST Advair 100, or maybe JUST singulair?
> I don't go to a specific resperatory doctor, instead just a family doctor..
> he just seems to dish out medication (eg. he started me on advair 500. after
> the first month, I asked if I can go down to 250 and he said yes).

I had a very severe asthmatic attack last July that landed me in the
hospital in full cardiac arrest. My pulmonologist started me on Advair
500/50 (remember, there's the Serevent component as well) and then backed me
off to 250/50 after a month. I have been on the Advair 250/50 since that
time and have not had a single asthma attack in that time. I am considering
trying backing off the 100/50 to see if I can get control at that level, and
might even try Flovent alone without the Serevent component.

Anyway, I can't see any harm in trying the Advair alone to see if you can
get good control without the Singulair. I *wouldn't* recommend trying
Singulair alone to control asthma, as I understand it's more of an
anthistamine than an anti-inflammatory, and you definitely want the
anti-inflammatory component (usually in the form of an inhaled steroid) for
good symptom control.

> I'm also wondering if there is a Generic version of Advair or Singulair that
> is cheaper??

Nope. Both medications are so new that generics don't exist yet. Sorry :-<!

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Mike Beauchamp - 19 Nov 2003 19:33 GMT

Thanks for the reply!

Are you taking the Advair twice a day (at night and in the morning)?

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

> > I'm also wondering if I can get away with just 1 medication and maybe at a
> > lower dose? Like, maybe JUST Advair 100, or maybe JUST singulair?
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Nope. Both medications are so new that generics don't exist yet. Sorry
:-<!

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Circe - 19 Nov 2003 23:57 GMT

> Are you taking the Advair twice a day (at night and in the morning)?

Yep. Perfect control. Some people don't respond as well to it as I
apparently do and actually *need* Singulair or other medications to get good
control, but in my case, Advair definitely seems to do the trick.

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jmcs - 20 Nov 2003 05:49 GMT

Hi I just posted up top and glad someone has had success, Good luck. The
question I have is , does a steroid pose a danger for dependence, or
anything else as a side affect long term? thanks

> > Are you taking the Advair twice a day (at night and in the morning)?
> >
> Yep. Perfect control. Some people don't respond as well to it as I
> apparently do and actually *need* Singulair or other medications to get good
> control, but in my case, Advair definitely seems to do the trick.

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Circe - 20 Nov 2003 18:47 GMT

> The
> question I have is , does a steroid pose a danger for dependence, or
> anything else as a side affect long term? thanks

The only thing my pulmonologist suggested was that I get a bone scan fairly
regularly, since long-term steroid use, even if only inhaled, can have an
effect on bone density and, as a woman, I'm already at higher risk of
osteoporosis than half the population. Other than that, I'm not aware of any
side effects or dependency/resistance issues (except to the extent that most
asthmatics are truly dependent on steroids to control their symptoms for the
remainder of their lives).

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