Posts: 1867
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 08, 2011 01:45 AM            

---

My asthma is pretty chronic at times.
I normally manage it with just ventolin (at times I need 10+ doses to feel better). The pharmacists at the counter always checks to see if you need more than one dose twice a week, if you say yes you must go on a preventor. (prescribed by your doctor)
So I finally gave in (I have been stubborn because before I just had a feeling that preventors are too strong and really not good for you) but I was reassured by my doctor.
Being pregnant I asked my doc if it was safe. He said yes. I said "but isn't it a strong steroid?" (Vaguely remembered reading about it) He said no it wasn't a steroid it's just a long lasting ventolin. I think ventolin is a mild steroid, Fenoterol, a beta agonists, more like an air way dialator.
Now that I am pregnant again I attempted to go off Symbicort (the preventor)... Worst asthma! Felt like withdrawals! I did my own research and turns out it is a bloody STEROID! And they don't know if it's safe in pregnancy, it's a category C drug!!! B3 here.
MAD! Mad at myself actually for not researching it sooner and just listening to Dr.Noob. I just threw both containers in the bin.
I feel like having it out with my doctor- I always knew I can manage my asthma with just ventolin- it's the safest drug, but they think you are stupid and not no know what to do when your breathing tightens up! So they just give you steroids to lower inflammation so it never flares up.
I'm angry because doctors just say anything! I am going to be my own doctor... I've had it! *made face*

Anyone know of symbicort? Anyone used it during their pregnancies? It's fairly new from my understanding, animal studies (poor animals) show lots of fetal side affects. But then animals respond differently to humans. I'm not too worried- my little bean is still just a few cells dividing.

------------------
“It’s an interesting thing. Seeing Kuan Yin relating to a flower so intently. She's not just looking at it; she's interacting with it…I’m seeing how the act of relating to a flower appears to be so simple. Yet, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to make such a “simple” act important. Now, the lotus is floating away.”

IP: Logged

Posts: 1867
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 08, 2011 02:06 AM            

---

Its not a cure all. I was managing it well before symbicort messed things up.

quote:

---

Once asthma control is achieved and maintained, assess the patient at regular intervals and step down therapy (e.g., discontinue Symbicort) if possible without loss of asthma control and maintain the patient on a long-term asthma control medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid. Do not use Symbicort for patients whose asthma is adequately controlled on low or medium dose inhaled corticosteroids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

---

-FDA

Even the FDA agrees with me! The doctor would keep me on it forever- nice full pockets too! They have samples in their office to get you hooked!

Oh well lesson learned... always check things on your own...whats new?

IP: Logged

Posts: 949
From:
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 08, 2011 12:20 PM            

---

i use a nebulizer. because i was told the delivery wasn't as hard as an inhaler. when i was pregnant i used albuterol, now i use that and budesonide which is a cortisone, i didn't have the budesonide when i was pregnant so i dont know about that one

IP: Logged

Posts: 5826
From: The Goober Galaxy
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 08, 2011 01:15 PM            

---

Your wee one is okay. So, don't worry. But yeah, doctors are not just stupid--they are dangerous. They are more concerned with the perks the drug companies give them than the health of their patients. Manage your asthma, but don't accept it or concede to it. It is "incurable." All that means is that doctors can't cure it. It's incurable for them. I had asthma as a child. But I don't have it any longer. I guess I'm a walking miracle...but we all are miracles.

------------------
"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all." Harriet Van Horne

IP: Logged

Posts: 6340
From: Pluto/house next to NickiG
Registered: Sep 2010

posted February 08, 2011 03:39 PM            

---

Randall--- SO true!

------------------
Jesus never put his trust in man cuz he knew what was in man.
You have to be strong enough to be gentle.Peace through strength,ALWAYS
Me

IP: Logged

Posts: 1867
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 08, 2011 10:35 PM            

---

Yes I agree, thanks Randall

My husband no longer has asthma either. He keeps telling me I can cure it and it relates to my childhood someway. hmmm
There is a huge block of energy trapped around my lower throat lung area.... I have no idea where to start- I'm afraid I'll open a can of worms, I guess I will get there sometime.
But I believe it IS curable too, I am willing to try alternative methods too.

I love my little bean so much it made me mad.

Randall your calm & sound words always makes me sigh in relief.

------------------
“It’s an interesting thing. Seeing Kuan Yin relating to a flower so intently. She's not just looking at it; she's interacting with it…I’m seeing how the act of relating to a flower appears to be so simple. Yet, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to make such a “simple” act important. Now, the lotus is floating away.”

IP: Logged

Posts: 5826
From: The Goober Galaxy
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 08, 2011 11:14 PM            

---

The little butterbean is safe. But next time, go with your intuition. You listened to your gut in time, though. Doctors are a necessary evil at times. Asthma is from a fear of living--a fear of speaking out--not having a voice. It stems from childhood. Affirming your immortality and fighting back when confronted will heal it.

IP: Logged

Posts: 1867
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 09, 2011 06:04 PM            

---

I so needed to hear that thanks Randall!

------------------
“It’s an interesting thing. Seeing Kuan Yin relating to a flower so intently. She's not just looking at it; she's interacting with it…I’m seeing how the act of relating to a flower appears to be so simple. Yet, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to make such a “simple” act important. Now, the lotus is floating away.”

IP: Logged

Posts: 601
From:
Registered: May 2009

posted February 18, 2011 02:57 PM            

---

Sun

Supposedly the inhaled steroids do not go systemic as oral like prednisone would.

But still, I do not trust anybody either. Maybe cause I am a nurse and see the ******** , but one must be very careful.

I preach self education all of the time, tho the population I serve is not interested in managing one's healthcare.

blessings

t

IP: Logged

Posts: 1867
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted February 19, 2011 02:45 AM            

---

Thanks, Ive since chilled a bit too, I just wont use it unecessarily, I had no choice the last few days because I had near asthma attacks (we are all sick with a bad chest cold), I went to Doctors, I wanted oxygen with ventolin but he said Symbicort would give me the best relief that is longer lasting & safer, and he told me to be careful about getting enough oxygen...for fetus. So I made a deal, if I feel some attack coming on I will take a hit of symbicort (my doc wanted to jam a steroid pill down my throat lol because he knows how stubborn I am)...but I promised him I take it and call him frequently.
He knows I will go off it, and later in pregnancy my asthma ALWAYS clears up due to the natural released steroids for the babies developing lungs.
My chest cold is on its way out too.

------------------
“It’s an interesting thing. Seeing Kuan Yin relating to a flower so intently. She's not just looking at it; she's interacting with it…I’m seeing how the act of relating to a flower appears to be so simple. Yet, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to make such a “simple” act important. Now, the lotus is floating away.”

IP: Logged