Question:

Aramar, I am new to the newsgroup, I am a journalism student studying the effects of asthma in Harlem, New York and two of the subjects for my piece have had asthma for several years. Please advise as to where this literature on the long term effects of asthma. and cellular damage can be found. Kim n 2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There seems to be some literature now that asthma if not properly suppressed can over the long term cause increasing cellular damage.  Thus it is reasonable that some people with asthma not controlled or not sufficiently controlled could have increasing problems as they age.

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Your inquiry is of particular interest to me. For the past ten or so years asthma attacks have been limited to short durations following colds or other bronchial illnessess.  For the first time I have been dealing with asthma or six weeks….and I have a feeling that this is just the first of many subsequent episodes.  I am 64.  My family appears to have a history of asthma which grows increasingly difficult to manage in the senior years.  Perhaps some well based theories might suggest inteventions.  I am interested…..

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There seems to be some literature now that asthma if not properly suppressed can over the long term cause increasing cellular damage.  Thus it is reasonable that some people with asthma not controlled or not sufficiently controlled could have increasing problems as they age.

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Jemina, my experience has been very much like yours. Once the only identifiable triggers were dust, colds and pollen (and EIA). Now the list has expanded to include smoke of all sorts, perfumes, animal dander, cold air, hor humid air… sometimes it seems like half the world is a trigger! The severity of the attacks and speed of onset has increased too. On the bright side, the meds have reduced the number of attacks. — Adam

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Hi. I was wondering if anyone found their asthma seemed to get worse as they got older? I was wondering if I was imagining it or whether my sensitivity to allergens triggered my asthma more easily. Any details re web sites about this would be most welcome. cheers Jemina

I’m 46 years old now.  Here’s my pattern:         9 years:  First diagnosed; occassional attacks            14 years:  Attack frequency diminishing            17 years:  Symptom-free; start smoking one pack per day            18 years:  Quit smoking, after wheezing during a cold;            20 years:  Occassional wheezing if I have a cold, but otherwise OK            23 years:  Full-scale attacks return when exercising; at this point I was                        running about 10 miles per day and in excellent shape            24 years:  Asthma back under control; taking Intal and occassionally albuterol                            tablets; only use over-the-counter inhalers            28 years:  Frustrated over exercise-induced asthma, begin taking allergy shots                            Still running 10 miles per day and in excellent shape            32 years:  Begin taking 2.5mg prednisone daily for another health problem,                            which later proved to be false; stop allergy shots; asthma still under control;                            Running was still going very well up until I began the prednisone, then it                            got worse and I never returned to the previous performance level.            35 years:  Suffered a messy divorce; remarry a smoker (not recommended; at the                            time, I thought that tobacco smoke didn’t bother me:  WRONG!);                   asthma starts getting worse; require more frequent use of inhalers            40 years:  Asthma still getting somewhat worse;  Intal no longer sufficient                            to control asthma before exercise;  Begin taking Azmacort;            45 years:  Begin taking Accolate, but give it up after 6 months;  asthma still                            getting somewhat worse;  wife still smokes, although she attempts                            to minimize my exposure;  still competing in running events, although                            asthma is a limiting factor in long distances           46 years (current):  Same as above; cold winter air worse than ever. I have not gone to an emergency room with a bad attack since I was about 14.  However, the fact that I do seem to be getting worse, like the others who responded to you, is a cause for concern. Bob — Bob Duncan "The devil made me do it the first time, the second time, I done it on my own."   — Billy Joe Shaver

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Hi. I was wondering if anyone found their asthma seemed to get worse as they got older? I was wondering if I was imagining it or whether my sensitivity to allergens triggered my asthma more easily. Any details re web sites about this would be most welcome. cheers Jemina

Mine is (getting worse). I have had my allergies (dog dander, dust mites, house dust) switch from giving me sinus infections to giving me asthma attacks over the last year or two. And the asthma has gotten worse (that is, the attacks are more frequent and more intense). I gave up on allergy shots, and have tried my best to treat my house (dusty, with two dogs) as best I can, but am reconsidering the shots. Anyone here have a feeling one way or the other whether allergy shots do any good? — Sal Sessa http://www.eventsphoto.com

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Hi. I was wondering if anyone found their asthma seemed to get worse as they got older? I was wondering if I was imagining it or whether my sensitivity to allergens triggered my asthma more easily. Any details re web sites about this would be most welcome. cheers Jemina

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Question:

Does anyone have side effects from albuterol or atrovent? I have swollen legs, puffy eyelids & swelling in the lungs. Worsens as day goes on.

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Does anyone have side effects from albuterol or atrovent? I have swollen legs, puffy eyelids & swelling in the lungs. Worsens as day goes on.

See Atrovent: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ipratrop.htm Excerpt: Adverse Reactions: Adverse reaction information concerning Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) Inhalation Solution is derived from 12-week active-controlled clinical trials. Additional information is derived from foreign post-marketing experience and the published literature. All adverse events, regardless of drug relationship, reported by three percent or more patients in the 12-week controlled clinical trials appear in Table 1A, B, and C below. Additional adverse reactions reported in less than three percent of the patients treated with Atrovent include tachycardia, palpitations, eye pain, urinary retention, urinary tract infection and urticaria. A single case of anaphylaxis thought to be possibly related to Atrovent has been reported. Cases of precipitation or worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma and acute eye pain have been reported. Lower respiratory adverse reactions (bronchitis, dyspnea and bronchospasm) were the most common events leading to discontinuation of Atrovent therapy in the 12-week trials. Headache, mouth dryness and aggravation of COPD symptoms are more common when the total daily dose of Atrovent equals or exceeds 2,000 mcg. Albuterol: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/albut1.htm Excerpt: "Adverse Reactions Inhalation form Rare cases of urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm, hoarseness, and oropharyngeal edema have been reported after the use of inhaled albuterol." Atrovent does not list your symptoms. Albuterol mentions rare cases of urticaria (hives) and angioedema, which seem to resemble your symptoms. I suggest you contact your doctor; there are many possible causes of your symptoms. By the way albuterol is no longer recommended for maintenance in asthma, only for rescue & exercise. Atrovent is not used much for asthma, its more effective for chronic bronchitis (typical of smokers). The main controller med for asthma is corticosteroids. In high doses they could cause these symptoms. Ellis

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forgot to mention side effects subside when albuterol is stopped or significantly reduced,but atrovent’s benefits reduce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have side effects from albuterol or atrovent? I have swollen legs, puffy eyelids & swelling in the lungs. Worsens as day goes on.

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Question:

Scott wrote that he needs advice on air filters for fall and early winter.  I  use and do recommend the Envirocare by Honeywell; can’t do without it.  But I  am interested in why Scott needs it seasonally.  I have found that I need air  filtration only in the winter, appearing to correspond to when the heating  system is on. Once the air conditioner is used (same system, ducts, etc.) I can cut my  filters off. Al

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I need to look into a room sized air purification unit do diminish the effects of asthma, especially during the Fall & early Winter months and I’d like any info & experience.  Thanks in advance…

A few quick tips: 1.  Get a "HEPA" filter, which is a type (not a brand name).  They filter out very small particles. 2.  If you’re allergic to coconut, be careful (this was mentioned in another thread.) 3.  Some of the difference in price is due to the volume of air they move. More expensive models move more air. 4.  Buy at least one "replacement" filter at the same time.  I’ve had a hard time finding replacement filters consistently (I can get them from the manufacturer, but they’re more expensive). Good luck! Scott T.

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There is a filter device on the market called a "Clarity". It is not an air filter but it attracts air pollutants by using a magnetic field. You plug this in and it draws particles from the air and they stcik to this device.

In order to be attracted to a magnetic field, the particles have to be magnetic.  I cannot imagine many air pollutants that are magnetic. Israel Weber

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of asthma, especially during the Fall & early Winter months and I’d like any info & experience.  Thanks in advance…            –Scott

 There is a filter device on the market called a "Clarity". It is not an air filter but it attracts air pollutants by using a magnetic field. You plug this in and it draws particles from the air and they stcik to this device. We have one in the bedroom and it works great and it has made a differcne inthe air. My wife is a severe asthmatic. The device costs around $200 canadian. It is better than any other air cleaner on the market.

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I need to look into a room sized air purification unit do diminish the effects of asthma, especially during the Fall & early Winter months and I’d like any info & experience.  Thanks in advance…                 –Scott

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I would try Honeywell Enviracare.  Its the one most recommend for use by people with Asthma and Allergies.  I own one myself and I am quite pleased with its performance.  Good luck on you search. "listen here ye little children and remember the truth how ever so pain, will set you free." Seek to find the joy in the truth…..

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Question:

If part of your attack is to have your breathing restricted or feel tight or breathless, then a simple breathing method may help. This simple breathing method which in a controlled clinical trial reduced asthma medication need by 90%.  Results were maintained over the long term, and all quality of life measurements were improved. The placebo control group deteriorated. It can be successfully applied to any restricted breathing feeling. Free information at http://www.ultra.net.au/buteyko Regards, James Hooper

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i suffer from panic disorder and asthma and when my PA escalate, it effects my asthma greatly.  i have learned to control my breathing and not have an asthma attack while suffering from a PA. val

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Question:

There was a story on ABC’s 20/20 program about either the use of hormone replacement therapy in asthma or the effect of hormone replacement therapy on asthma.  If anyone saw it, could you inform me or if you have a link to go to for finding out more, please email me.  Someone’s life could depend on it.  Thanks!

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I wasn’t going to say this at all, but since the question came up….. I am a Male to Female Transexual who is very asthmatic…I have heard of some effect of the estrogen and spironolactone treatment is bad on the lungs…but ONLY for people who smoke. Thats why before HRT it is important to quit smoking if you do smoke…besides smoking is bad anyway..I know..I use to smoke..(not a help for my asthma) if I have any other info I will post it..I’m going to ask my futre endo about it anyway -Siobhan Katriona Lynch

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I asked a few people about HRT and asthma, and other than what I already stated, there was no other effects on asthma…. -Siobhan

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Question:

: Its been one year for me now as a vegetarian. That is, no dairy or : animal products. The human body doesn’t need them. I endorse following Actually, yes you do, unless you get supplements in otehr food products, which most vegetarians don’t, unfortunately.  There are a few essential amino acids which, although found in a couple of strange <and usually difficult to find plants, are only otherwise found in meats. Most adults CAN do without dairy products <in fact, many adults are lactose intolerant and shoudn’t be having dairy products anyways, providing they get enough Vitamin D and Calcium from otehr sources <which can be done, as anyone who is allergic to milk will tell you .  Meats <or their appropriate substitutes are, however, a somewhat different story…. I’m glad your diet seems to have worked for you, but I also hope you ARE eating some of those strange foods so that you can all the a.a. you need to be healthy. DHM.

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Sam has every right to be angry with a medical establishment that did not, at the very least, tell him about vegetarianism and the gobs of "anecdotal" evidence supporting vegetarianism and its positive effect on a number of chronic diseases, including asthma. The effects of asthma on my system have been reduced 90% to 100% since I started following the vegetarian life described in the best-selling books, "Fit for Life" and "Fit for Life II: Living Health". My doctor brushes it off as a "fad diet" and thinks his shots are helping me. When I told him that I wanted to eliminate asthma in my life, he looked me in the eye and sternly told me that I was in denial. "You have asthma now," he said, "get used to it." I don’t think anyone has anything to lose by trying vegetarianism. Its been one year for me now as a vegetarian. That is, no dairy or animal products. The human body doesn’t need them. I endorse following the "Fit for Life" approach since it works for so many people. In fact, I’ll be starting up a newsgroup for the growing subculture of "Fit for Lifers"…soon I hope. I just turned 40 and I feel better now than I did in my early thirties (before my asthma symptoms appeared). Plus, I’m thin again. For those seeking immediate salvation, it takes a couple of weeks for the "Fit for Life" diet to start showing positive results. As time goes on, and you maintain your discipline, other benefits start developing. Higher energy level, weight loss, lack of need for caffeiene or alcohol. Lots of subtle things…clearer thought processes. My wife doesn’t have asthma, but she follows the "Fit for Life" diet also. We recently articulated to each other the realization that we have quietly lost our Northeastern frantic, aggitated approach to the day. We’re both much calmer now. I grew up on a meat-centered diet and sometimes I miss it. But I had a hamburger a couple of weeks ago and two hours later I could hear the deep rumble of mucous in my lungs. For me, vegetarianism works. Thanks, Sam. I would’ve supported you sooner but I just discovered this group. I suspect many readers will not believe me as well. Ted

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When I have the Ephedra tea, NO ASTHMA.  When I skip for a few days, it comes back.  Simple cause and effect.  It’s cheap, find it at your health food store.  Some commercial tea, called "Breathe Easy" tea, is available.  I’ll drink it in a pinch, but it’s NO WAY near as effective as straight Ephedra herb.

It makes me wonder, is the active ingrediant in the teas theophylline? In which case one may just be taking the same thing the doctor prescribed. Gwenith Jones

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I think it’s significant that my original post,  titled "Conquer Asthma," is no longer around for anyone to read.  Medical professional news administrator?  Just a guess.

Mmm, possibly the rather more benign conspiracy known as "normal news expiry"? — RADIOCARBON, Dep’t of Geosciences, U of Arizona |  bacchanals, revellers,   WWW: http://packrat.aml.arizona.edu/~dsew/    |  sharers in the mysteries."   Tel. 1-602-881-0857  Fax 1-602-881-0554       |              –Heraclitus  

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