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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Asthma / September 2004Steroids
I was diagnosed with asthma and glaucoma 7 years ago. It seems that the steroids (inhaled and oral - prednisone) are making the glaucoma worse (increasing the IOP). I am currently taking Symbicort, Bricanyl, and Singulair, and occasionally prednisone. For the past month, my asthma has been acting up to the point that I had to go to ER. Because of this, I had to increase my meds. I'm wondering.... are there any meds that don't have steroids but will still help asthma? > I was diagnosed with asthma and glaucoma 7 years ago. It seems that > the steroids (inhaled and oral - prednisone) are making the glaucoma [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > of this, I had to increase my meds. I'm wondering.... are there any > meds that don't have steroids but will still help asthma? In selected cases, a newer drug, Xolair can spare the use of steroids. It is very expensive and requires injections. Inhaled steroid technique should be reviewed by someone competent (not necessarily your Dr. either-it's well documented that >60% of medical professionals cannot demonstrate perfect inhaler technique). Some websites have good videos and instructions. If the medicine does not get to the lungs it doesn't work. Then you end up on oral steroids. A short course of oral steroids puts WAY MORE into your system than inhaled, even at high doses. You should also put some serious effort into identifying your triggers and trying to minimize exposure to them. It' more work but it's drug free. Symbicort (Turbuhaler® contains budesonide and formoterol fumarate) is a combo drug and primarily targeted towards COPD. If you have a smoking history or diagnosis of COPD none of this will be of a lot of help. Xolair will not be helpful in that case either. Fritz Merkel Respiratory Care Practitioner Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-Wa Branch > I was diagnosed with asthma and glaucoma 7 years ago. It seems that > the steroids (inhaled and oral - prednisone) are making the glaucoma [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > of this, I had to increase my meds. I'm wondering.... are there any > meds that don't have steroids but will still help asthma? Thanks for the info. I am not a smoker and none of my family members are smokers. Unfortunately, where I work, there is a smoker. It's illegal to smoke indoors, but he does it anyway. I think that's how I got bronchitis, which aggrevated the asthma. We have asked him to stop smoking, or at least do it outside, and I have posted signs in the office. I have lots of triggers. I'm allergic to dust, perfume, and pretty much everything green (grass, flowers, trees, weeds, etc.). Also, I noticed lately that going inside from being outdoor, I cough a lot. The coughing stops after a few hours. I wonder if it's something in the air. It doesn't matter where I go, as long as I have been outside. For example, I get into my car from home, drive to work, walk a short distance to the office, and when I'm inside, I cough. Same thing when I go home, and when I go shopping. Why is it so hard to bring asthma back into control when it gets out of control? > Inhaled steroid technique should be reviewed by someone competent (not > necessarily your Dr. either-it's well documented that >60% of medical [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > of this, I had to increase my meds. I'm wondering.... are there any > > meds that don't have steroids but will still help asthma? You might consider some legal action on the smoker if you have made a reasonable attempt at negotiation and this is possible in your situation. This person is injuring you in a real way. This has been long known and proved. You have to decide if it is worth it. Think about an irritated lung as "sprained". Now lots of irritants that were minor become major. Suddenly everything seems bothersome just like normal activity is painful on a sprain. I'm not sure what would be the common factor of "inside" in such a diverse group of environments that would be irritating. Often the air is drier. There may be a higher concentration of synthetics from building materials. Sometimes indoor air is more polluted that outside. What part of the country do you live in? Fritz Merkel Respiratory Care Practitioner Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-Wa Branch I live in Canada, near Toronto. 'Inside' to me means inside a building - whether it be my house, mall, office - the thing is, I cough going from being outside to inside a building. I'm going to have to check with the City to see what options I have regarding the smoker. Do you know if having a 'tight' throat or neck is related to asthma? Thanks. > You might consider some legal action on the smoker if you have made a reasonable > attempt at negotiation and this is possible in your situation. This person is [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Respiratory Care Practitioner > Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-Wa Branch > I live in Canada, near Toronto. Don't know the area, can't comment. > 'Inside' to me means inside a building - whether it be my house, mall, > office - the thing is, I cough going from being outside to inside a > building. If it's "any" building I suspect humidity, esp. if you are going into an A/C building-they tend to be dry. You might try putting a scarf over your face during the transition to see if it makes any difference. It'll hold a little humidity and warmth in. > I'm going to have to check with the City to see what options I have > regarding the smoker. Canada is probably different than the states. Again can't help. Here you wouldn't have any problem getting it stopped. > Do you know if having a 'tight' throat or neck is related to asthma? Certainly can. It's one of the multiple possible "lesser" symptoms that can indicate a problem starting. Fritz Shortstop When I was checking out at the doctors' office one day, the nurse was blowing her nose and coughing. She called it Environmental allergies and just like you, she noticed it happens when she comes in from outside. I don't know if that helps you because she didn't have any SOB, just the mucus production. But perhaps knowing that name will help you find more information about the condition. Joy > I live in Canada, near Toronto. > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Respiratory Care Practitioner > > Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-Wa Branch > Shortstop > [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > > Respiratory Care Practitioner > > > Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-Wa Branch Hi Gloria...I am new to this board though over at Sinusitis and on a Samter's Triad Board with Yahoo. I have had chronic asthma, sinusitis, polyps, and allergies for 23 years. In the process I have been on every drug known and mostly come back to oral steroid bursts for a short time. I am currently taking 40mg. Prednisone daily, 10mg. Singulair, 180mg. Allegra, 25mg. Atarax, Zantac, Ultram, Albuterol Inhaler, Nasacrom Inhaler, Advair Inhaler and am finally under control. All of this medication and recent surgeries for sinus mucoceles in the past three years have severly comprimised my immune system and the docs are trying to fix that now. I have been to the best this country has to offer (Boston, Cleveland, Ann Arbor, San Diego) and still they are stumped as to the exact cause of my asthma. I had a bad sinus infection long ago and after that started wheezing and it just never ended. Good luck with your treatment and hang in there. Trudy. Oh...sorry...also. The going from a cold building to a warm building, warm to cold, humid to dry, dry to humid, barometric pressure, exercise, pollen, dust, mold, mildew, dander, food, meds, soaps, perfumes, etc...and trigger an attack so it could be anything. Four of my siblings have "weather related" asthma, two sons have "exercise induced" asthma. Sometimes just a little change into your enviornment can be enough to trigger airway reaction. Trudy. Hi Trudy, Thanks for the info - i've wondered what it is that's been triggering me. If it's allergies or sinus problems or something really obvious like perfume, I'd know. Other times, I'd just guess at what sounds good. As mentioned, I also have allergies (everything green, dust, etc.) and sinus problems. Would like to have a head and lungs transplant. :o) Gloria > Oh...sorry...also. The going from a cold building to a warm building, warm > to cold, humid to dry, dry to humid, barometric pressure, exercise, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Sometimes just a little change into your enviornment can be enough to > trigger airway reaction. Trudy |
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