COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I have been dealing with an Asthma flare for over a month. I an on a 20 day taper of 40 mg. I am on the 20mg dose right now. As I'm tapering my breathing is,getting worse. My doctor isn't on call and won't be in until Monday. The walk and ER isn't willing to do anything differently. I'm supposed to start my 10 mg dose tommorrow. Not sure If I should stay on the 20 ubtil monday, even though I feel like it isn't cutting it. I don't want to to have to go down and back up, again. I'm also diabetic which messes with my blood sugars. I take Advair 5/500, Qvar 80, Spirivia, Singulair and breathing treatments. Does anyone take oral steroids for maintenence? One Dr. told me he only gives then for a short time or for end stage lung disease. Does anyone have any suggestions for me. Has anyone tried any herbs or supplements that help?
Re-Oral Steroids as maintenance...There are people with COPD that use Prednisalone on a daily basis......The most i was on was 10mg for a month after a really bad flare. Then on 5mg for 3 months.....im off them now...
If you google search herbs n suppliments there is a lot of info online..I just cannot personally recommend any for you, as your reaction to them might be different with Diabeties and Sugar levels.
The main suppliment i take now is VIT.D 1000 IU for calcium and bone strength but sunlight is the best source for that.....
The other thing is Purse Lip Breathing to help with shortness of breath...I have left a link also....Sorry i cannot be of more help but you can understand why....
Hope all goes well for you....Peter
http://www.theasthmacenter.org/index.php/disease_information/asthma/medical_treatment_of_asthma/corticosteroids/corticosteroid_use/short_term_oral_corticosteroid_treatment/
http://copd.about.com/od/glossaryofcopdterms/f/pursedlip.htm
If your asthma symptoms get worse when you take aspirin, avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while taking montelukast.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen, which is commonly found in over-the-counter medications such as Motrin and Advil, and naproxen, the key ingredient in Aleve and Naprosyn.
I take take generic Singulair and take Tylenol when I have a headache. Singulair helps with both asthma and COPD and reduces inflammation.
A diet rich in fiber may not only protect against diabetes and heart disease, it may reduce the risk of developing lung disease, according to new research published online, ahead of print in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160122145457.htm
Other studies have shown that fiber reduces inflammation in the body, and the authors noted that inflammation underlies many lung diseases. Other studies have also shown that fiber changes the composition of the gut microbiome, and the authors said this may in turn reduce infections and release natural lung-protective chemicals to the body.
I would think that in the final stages is when they would do "maintenance" steroids.
Do you have a good Pulmonologist now?
What were your FEV1, fev25-75 & DLCO numbers on your latest PFT test?
A good pulmonologist should be able to diagnose & treat either asthma or copd, so I do hope you find a good one and tell him of the problems you are having.
It sounds to me that you need to find a good Pulmonologist that can give you a correct diagnosis for starters.
Once you get a proper diagnosis, then treatment can be discussed.
My daughters have severe asthma & singular/monolukast & an albuterol rescue inhaler works great for 1 daugter.
The other finds that an OTC allergy med & her ventolin inhaler works best for her.
As with COPD we may have the same dx, but we are individuals & need treatment that best suits our individual needs.
Good luck & I hope you find a Pulm in your area that you trust & that can get this figured out for you.
ps. there are many herbs such as Tumeric (cumin) that are supposed to help inflammation. That you may need someone with more information on natural/alternative medications.....i know I have tried several, but I didn't see much benefit from them---however I don't know if i was doing it right.
I am at moderate stage and I like the Johns Hopkins protocol that holds off on steroids until one has progressed to severe stage COPD. I use spirit inhaler, occasional nasonex and daily mucinex which have held me in pretty good health the last five years.
Do any of you have the same experience and can comment on outcomes with, or without, steroids at this stage?
These are anti-inflammatory, fiber, liver flushers, anti- virals and anti-spasmodic/ muscle relaxers They do help me and each is easily researchable on the net..
Hope this helps. Your local Herb store, a real one can easily explain all of these supplement's.