HTag-

Because cough/cold meds can also supress the breathing center in your brain and actually make it harder to breath or in extreme cases (i.e. OD, over-reaction) can cause respiratory arrest and possibly death.

Call your asthma doctor and discuss what is going on and what you should do.

Thank you for responding so quickly. I was never aware of that sadly enough. I just got off the phone with my Pulm' Dr. and he's going to call back.

HTag-

Most people outside the medical community are not aware of this and that these medications (mostly 'downers')actually work by hitting certain receptors in the brain to stop the coughing - which is also why some of these medications include controlled substances (barbituates) such as codiene.

That's very interresting to know. Who'd of thunk! I just got the call back from my dr. and they told me to come in tomorrow at 9 am. Guess that takes care of my follow appointment that was supposed to be on Tues. Hug. LOL! Still, he didn't give me anything for sleeping through the night. :(

It's more effective to use a nebulizer when you are experiencing frequent troubles. It's also important not to over use Albuteral for 2 reasons. 1. speeds up your heart and can cause tacicardia. This is more of a flutter rather than a complete contraction/hearbeat.
Too much Albuteral can cause the reverse effect. So insted of dialating your airways it can constrict due to taking too much.

What did your doc do for you since your appointment?

No codeine is sold OTC it is a Schedule 2 drug.

I never thought of the factor of "overusing" my rescue inhaler before. I've actually never had to use it this much before. Come to think of it, the last time I had this stupid cough, the Dr. sent me to the ER. I got a neb and felt better. I just don't want to go to the ER again! I'm SO TIRED OF THE ER!! :( If he prescribes a neb for me, aren't they totally expensive and not really covered under most insurances? My friend told me that she had to get one for her kids and it was like jumping through hoops to get it!

It's still early in the morning. I was coughing all night (hence being up so early), so I still have to get to the Dr. to answer the last Question on the post. I give you the follow up report after though.

Thanks guys!

Ok guys, so I went to the pulmonologist today. I now have a third inhaler that I've been on before (combivent-YUCK), my steroids, and an antibiotic! I'm glad that he gave me the combivent only because it seems faster acting than my albuterol. I had to start with 8 tabs of prednisone today and have to remember to count them down because it's not in a prev pack this time. So, Hopefully I'll be on the mend really soon!

Start by asking your Doctor but you need to verify all of your own meds for side effects and drug interactions. My sister-in-law, who had asthma, was given darvon by her primary Dr. Taking one of them was the last mistake she ever made. Aspirin kills 5000 people every year. Tylenol kills a bunch more. They are, or were, both used in cold, cough and flu remedies.

Okay, another important piece of data coming your way.
You can continue asking your doc for the nebulizer or ask whey he/she is not prescribing it when it is more effective than an inhaler. I say this because this will help you not end up in ER.

Most insurances do pay for this. It is known as a duarable medical equipment.
Medi-cal, medicaide and medicare do pay for this item too.

When you need something to be paid for by insurance yet only with a prior authorisation. This simply means (give a detailed reason for needing this item.) Insurance companies would rather pay for a nebulizer than repeated ER visits. It costs more for repeated doc appointments too. Your meds are not enough during a particular season. Your O2 goes down. Asthma attacks and so on.

**I say, make it sound good and you'll get the item.

Since you are using steroids when the asthma is out of control, it's important to get bone density tests and to take preventive Ostioperosis meds.

I take Myacalcin nasal spray and calcium carbinate 600mg x 3 per day.

My insurance pays for all of this and I pay for magnesium.

I've been using this for many years. I'm 51 now and grateful I don't have Ostioperosis due to the vast amount of steroids I've taken in the past.

The nebulizer has helped prevent me from using so many steriods too.

It's a lot of data and I hope you are feeling better.

Drug interactions.
First, each doc needs to know all of the meds you take via perscription or over the counter.

In addition, I intentionally ask my pharmacist if the combo of drugs I'm taking is safe or if there is something contrary to my safety.

I am blessed with a fabulous pharmacist. She writes my prior authorisations too. Therefore she successfully gets everything I need paid for through my insurance. LOL

Thank you all for your input. This is all relatively new to me because I WAS pretty well in control of my asthma until my miscarriage for some reason. I'm just kind of tired of having that "heady"/ "dizzy" feeling all of the time. It went away after I got ahold of the Combivent, but it seemed to have come back again today mid day at work. I was running around like a nut as usual though. ((hugs)) to all of you for your caring!

You should always check whatever the med you are going to take that you are suitable for it by discussing with your pharmacist. many cough syrups have aspirin bases which can aggravte asthma. also many cough syrups have anti imflametrory properities whihc some asthmatics cannot tolertae such as NSAIDs. cough mixture such as simple linctus os glycerin honey and lemon sort of stuff that soothes rather than treats a cough are much btter fro asthmatics.

aslo if you are taking you reliever that much you should be in the er. it is bad to take too much reliever. it is there to help but too much of a good thing can make situations worse. there are different opinions about the amount of reliever someone should take but if you need over and above that of double your normal daily intake you really should be in the er or speaking to yyour dr.

please speak to soemone
olive

yep, I went to the doctor already. Don't quite know what he's thinking with all the dang med, but.......we'll see.

I always had an instinct about not taking cough medicine. now I know why! Thanks for this post!