Asthma Support Group
Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.
On Monday I saw an asthma specialist at the local University Lung Center for a followup appointment. He has prescribed another medication for me that is a numbing agent. I'm to take it in my nebulizer 4 times a day.He feels this may help control my chronic coughing better. In his instructions he said that I could not eat for an hour following a treatment due to the risk of choking. (Choking?). I also am supposed to take the first dose at the pulmonologist's office and then have an immediate breathing test. Sounds a little scary.Is anyone else on a numbing agent? If so, how is it going?
I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the med but his office called it in to the pharmacy and I'm waiting for it to be in. When it arrives I'll fill in the name.
Be well,
Tom
I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the med but his office called it in to the pharmacy and I'm waiting for it to be in. When it arrives I'll fill in the name.
Be well,
Tom
I used a type of oral novacaine but did not like the effect as it numbed my mouth and tongue but not the throat and did nothing for pain or coughing. Maybe nebulized it would work better - don't know, never tried.
And yes, there is a risk of choking and respiratory arrest/distress. On the other hand, chronic coughing also eventually takes a toll on the heart and lungs.
It's good this will be tried in the pulmonologist's office before playing the home game. At least you'll have some idea how this works, what to expect and can ask what to do if something goes wrong.
Good luck and post how this works out. I'd be curious to know myself.
I'm not able to pick it up though. It seems my health insurance considers it experimental and won't cover it. Without insurance it would cost $461 a month. Of course I can't afford that. Unless the doc can convince the insurance company it's needed, I'll just do without.
Be well,
Tom
That's what I was given,lidocaine, though I used it directly, not in the nebulizer. It numbed my mouth and tongue and made it hard to talk or swallow. I stopped using it. Personally, I don't think you're missing much as I don't think this is a good solution to begin with.
However, I remember this as being really cheap as it's an ancient medication and not much used at home except for dentistry-related purposes. That's an outrageous amount for what is simply an oral anesthetic - bascially this is just OTC Ambersol on steroids. Ask about generic or a similar anestheic if you go this route.
olive
Thanks for all the input. Seeing the responses on the cost I called back to the pharmacy to see if I misunderstood the cost. I did. The cost is actually $461..and 29 cents...a month.
Now I do want to be cooperative with my doctors and try and control my cough but not at that price.
As Orsonwelz suggested, the pharmacist is calling the doctor to see if he can get my insurance to cover it or if he can prescribe a generic. We shall see.
GOOD LUCK TO U!!
:) Jmf
Be well,
Tom
OK, this is kind of funny, but I remember using tessa perls for my dogs, one with a cardiac condition, but never thought to ask about use of the pills for myself. By the way, they didn't seem to work for the dogs either and I discontinued using them :-)
Tom