Cough medication companies have attorneys who say that they should note that people should not control their asthma with cough medicine.

I know how you feel. In that situation, I can either go to my doctor, who will, in the least, proscribe steroids, and possibly codeine, OR attempt to let it pass. Unfortunately, the letting it pass is less successful than I would otherwise have it be. To put things into proportion, cough medicine is as useful as a shot of bourbon and two teaspoons full of honey. Unfortunately, with asthma, the doctor cannot be avoided, unless they are kind enough to give one enough prednizone and nebulizer albuterol until it's likely that a bacterial infection is presenting itself.

Sadly, raincitygirl, I'm finding that out the hard way. I guess that's another bummer of asthma. I'm just glad that I'm not losing my mind and being hypercondriac like calling the doctor for a dang cough and not being able to breathe. The last time I had this (beginning of March), the Dr. on call sent me to the dang ER! I'm STILL trying to pay that visit off!
So, animalhea...: I hear you on the neb. I think I may be asking for one with the pre authorization. I can't keep affording the ER and going to the Dr. ALL of the time for cough, colds, and flus. YUCK! This is the third time in 3 months that I've had this stupid virus! I have a feeling my husband is giving it back to me too. Sure the steroids helped me aquire it again (2 more days of it by the way).

You guys are great! Thanks for caring and responding! I need this info! Like I said, my asthma just started to become out of control after my miscarriage last year! Not used to having to use a peak flow all of the time now.

Hi Htag,
The nebulizer has prevented the ER over and over.
You can get an eppipen from your doc. This injects epinephrine to the side of your thigh.
I also keep the following on me where ever I go cuz I hate emergencies.

Eppipen
benidryl
pepcid
albuteral
neb with a converter for the car
prednisone.

My doc oders a bottle of 100 tabs of 10mg preds for me.

If your doc doesn't then ask for 30 with several refills.

Tell him/her that you can not afford all of these ER's and you will gladly take the ER meds at home.

holy cow! I your a walking pharmacy! I'd probably lose half of the stuff because I'm constantly changing purses. I can barely keep track of my keys or my regular inhaler sometimes! LOL! I like the idea of the neb with the car converter though. I didn't even know that existed! Wow, I'm really glad that I posted this time, or I would still be wondering about a lot of this stuff. Do you carry the Epi pen for major allergic reactions? those aren't for asthma attacks too, are they?!!

I have had Asthma for over thirty years and i've had some very bad moments during that time.Medication for Asthma has come a long way since then.On and off i've had Prenisolone since early 1970's. Over the years i have developed Osteoporosis caused by Prednisolone, but saying that, Prednisolone has saved my life many a time.I've also had a Cardiac Arrest brought on by a severe Asthma Attack late 1970's.I'm always careful with what other meds i am taking and i question all new additional meds for other health conditions as some contain Asprin which can be fatal to an Asthmatic...Best Wishes to all Asthmatics...Astra!

I just got a nebulizer last monday. I have a user friendly medical supplier. He accepts what medicare pays and doesn't charge me anything. All I have is medicare and that medicare part D.

Htag,
one pouch with Eppipen
benidryl
pepcid
albuteral
neb with a converter for the car
prednisone

Will prevent ER runs, save you money and take the drama out of Asthma.

You can create an emergency pouch that you always take with you or leave in your car. If you don't ever go anywhere without your car then leave it in the car. I tend to do this myself. I don't need to think about it cuz I know it's there.

I went into a sudden attack when the receptionist at my dentist decided to open all of the doors and let in all of the pollens.

2 shots of eppipen, albuteral inhaler, pepcid, benidryl and prednisone
allowed me to continue my appointment. NO ER, not excitement. I just went on with my day.

Once you use a vile of eppi, get it replaced.

This can be a serious attack or allergic reaction. Both are deadly and these meds will save your life, your money and your lifestyle.

Astra 1547, you can reverse your Ostioperosis. My mother who is in her late 70's had severe advanced Ostioperosis and she was given Fasomax daily with calcium magnesium 3x daily.
Now, she has PREostioperosis.

I take Miacalcin and calcuium/mag to prevent Ostioperosis due to steroidal usage for asthma.

I take Zopanex as my rescue inhaler. It usually takes me about 12 puffs to get an attack under control. I know that's not great for my heart, but both by pulmonologist and internist agreed that it's better than using a nebulizer (home or ER), because that's about 46 shots of a rescue inhaler. Still, I can tell it totally messes up my blood pressure. I get an attack anytime I'm around people (because they all smell like something), so I mostly avoid others. I asked my pulmonologist if I could wear a respirator (canister mask) out of the house, but he tells me that odor molecules are too small for the mask. I'm already on prednisone (for the last few months) and I have my own refillable prescription of Levaquin that I take whenever I get a respiratory infection (about once every couple weeks). Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can live some kind of a semi-normal life with this? I keep thinking there must be a mask somewhere that I could wear out of the house so I can take my kids out. You all seem to have some experience with this and I am brand new to trying to navigate all of the meds and the lifestyle changes. My asthma is severe and my prognosis isn't good. I mostly don't go anywhere out of fear. Which is really hard to cope with.

danika, i replied to your post in denail about how manage and masks. I ahve a mask wihc stops allergens i will get you the make and brand of the masks i use. it may be a while as im in hospital just now so dont ahve them with me.

With regards to nebulizers i know here in the GB we are much different but nebs give a much higher dose than a reliever inhlaer which is why peoplr respond quicker to a neb than an inhaler but the amount going through a neb isnt always nessessary and extra puffs on the inhlaer would do. over here nebs are used very sparingly. i got one at home when my chest detriorated so much it wasnt feesable for me not to ahve one at home. they are really good but i ahte using it i would much prefer just to be on inhalers it makes life so much easier.
Speak to your drs about how your are feeling as i am sure there is somehting you would be able to do.
Olive

Some cough mixtures can bring on extra symptoms in Asthma. Like Ibubrofen it tells you should not have them, I sometimes take them but double up on my preventer. Not ideal, but it works for me. It's just telling you to be wary.Are you allergic to swede? peel a small swede, chop it into slices and put it in a bowl, put lots of sugar over the slices and cover the bowl. leave overnight at room temp, in morning you will have a clear surup,take two teaspoons.It's a bit weird tasting but it's natural. throw away slices after a day then start fresh again. Hope this helps. smile.

Folks, I have been reading and thinking of how Iv tried Everything Ya;ll are talking about! I have Nebulizer, and every inhaler on the Market! But as of today, I havent used anything but my Symbicort, And 5 months ago I started Xolair Shots! Its Amazing, Xolair is totally Great and has changed my life! If you havent asked your Dr. About it, Please do! Its the Miracle we have all been looking for! My Nebulizer Never gets used! My Breathing went from 53 to 72 in 5 months! I feel So Much Better!