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Asthma not improving: Is it too much to expect to feel normal again?
I'm frustrated. Have a history of asthma--although only dealt with it on and off, not regularly until now. Started with a sinus infection, bad headaches, shortness of breath in January. Never dawned on me that the shortness of breath was from my asthma. Finally, after visiting many specialists I decided to go to Allergist and found it is my asthma. Have been on Symbicort 2 months ago. While my symptoms aren't terrible, they're not going away either. I hate this-walking bothers me, climbing steps, lifting things. Had a full pulmonary function test and was told this is my asthma and nothing more. Supposed to wait to see dr for a month, but I don't get why dr isn't have me try something else. Maybe it's too much to expect to feel "normal" again. I am 69. Can anyone relate?
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@normagal - you may find the following Mayo Clinic information useful related to biologics:
- Asthma medications: Know your options https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-medications/art-20045557
If you scroll down through this article, there is particularly helpful information in the chart and then in the section called "Biologics."
Oh, baby! I can relate...healthy 75...Retired RN
Walk 2-3miles per day...suddenly began to have difficulty catching my breath..walking, in the middle of a shower, chopping an onion...only last a few minutes but got worse and worse. Ruled out all cardiac, anemia, end up with pulmonary...put on symbicort, from which I notice nothing...do why am I taking it? I do not want a fungal infection. Long story short, a cat scan revealed enlarged lymph nodes pressing on bronchis...biopsy negative but ended up 6 days in hospital with collapse lung and pneumonia from bronc...still doesn't know what underlying issue is...referred me to oncologist.
I believe I will discontinue the symbicort as am NoW on nebulizer treatments for the pneumonia!
Pay attention... Speak up....if you have an issue with some med, speak up...get 2nd opinion even ... And hang in there...one day at a time!
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1 ReactionFrom what I have read, theophylline is no longer seen among asthma medications prescribed today. It's only mentioned as a fourth-line/alternative maintenance med, not as effective as the inhaled medications available today.
@beachlove26 --yes, that's me too-forgot I had asthma. What has set it off again I have no idea. My pft isn't considered normal, but it did improve after a nebulizer treatment of albuterol. It's always in the back of my head if this could be COPD. I was finally better and feeling good, but it's bugging me again. The air quality isn't great and that always bothers me...
@marschwart I took theophylline for many years, but that was a long time ago. I didn't know if it was used at all anymore.
@marciaalongworth -what is a biologic?
I can totally relate with your desire to feel "normal" again. I too had asthma that was very stable for many years, so stable that half of the time I forgot I had asthma. I caught some sort of virus a couple years ago that was not covid/rsv/flu and my asthma has never returned to baseline. I have shortness of breath, decreased energy, frequent coughing, and chest tightness on and off pretty much daily. Im on all the med categories and sometimes I just feel like im going insane. Allergy testing didnt really help and my pft remains stable. Every time I try a new medication it helps for a while but then the symptoms creep back up. It's very frustrating. I definitely feel for you. Hopefully we will find something that works soon.
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1 ReactionBack in the day, and I mean really quite some (30-40) years ago when I was first diagnosed with asthma at Walter Reed, I was put on a maintenance regimen of theophylline and singulair and am still taking them to this day. I am aware that theophylline is no longer prescribed these days but I have remained a user so I thought it might be worth mentioning since you seem to be experiencing less than satisfactory results from the meds currently out there.
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1 ReactionAsthma is a very difficult disease and I’m sorry you’re suffering. What might help you the most is trying to figure out what is triggering your asthma. Is it allergic asthma? Have you been tested? Is it irritant asthma? are their products are using that are causing your symptoms. You will probably have to do a little detective work to figure out why your symptoms are bad.
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2 ReactionsI totally relate. I have had asthma since I was 10. Allergy shots three times over the years. Lived in three states, had allergies in all three states. I am 71 now. Off and on as you say. Three years ago I couldn't quit coughing. Primary ignored me when I said it was asthma so I found an allergist. She found that I had allergic eosinophilic asthma. Fast forward to now. I now have non allergic eosinophilic asthma. I also have reflux and have had for years - it runs in my family. The reflux makes it worse so I have to keep that in control. I am on a biologic along with all the other standard inhalers, singulair, Claritin, you can imagine. It is frustrating to say the least. Most days have some time period that are difficult - but Mayo is a life saver.
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