a few questions

[momtobaby1]

Sorry, I feel like I'm asking a lot and I'm the only one asking things. LOL. I just have a few more questions. I only just got diagnosed about 3 months ago so everything is still all confusing to me.

1. I see a GP right now, should I be looking into another kind of doctor to take care of my asthma? We have an Allergy and Asthma clinic here as an option. Or should I be seen by a pulmonologist? I have allergic type asthma. I'm honestly not sure my GP knows entirely what she's doing. Hate to say it but it seems that way. When she wrote my script for Asmanex she actually didn't know it comes in different sizes and strengths, when the pharmacist called her to verify which kind she wanted she got kind of weird about it. Just seems she neeRAB some updating on stuff.

2. It doesn't seem like many people (at least here) use Asmanex. Is it even a good drug? Why would one doctor choose one medicine over another? I've noticed that Syrabicort and Advair seem to be the most common used ones here.

3. Why do some people use nebulizers instead of the usual rescue inhalers? Are they easier to use? I use an Aerocharaber with mine which has helped.

That's it for now. LOL thanks to anyone who can help me with these.

 

[gcsjr]

1. You should definitely see a pulmonologist. Most GPs are not trained to treat asthma. The allergy clinic may be able to help you with the allergies but a pulmologist is trained to treat the asthma specifically. Usually you only need to see the pulmonologist once or twice a year if you're not having issues.

2. Syrabicort and Advair both contain two different types of asthma medications - a long-acting bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid, while Asmanex is just the inhaled steroid. Asmanex works just fine and there are lots of people that are on just the inhaled steroid but I think a pulmonologist would help you sort that out. Some doctors just have a preference for one or the other.

3. Nebulizers are much more complicated to use than a rescue inhaler, and tend to be used by young children who struggle to use an inhaler or adults with more serious asthma. Nebulizers do a better job of getting the medication into your lungs but they're less portable, require special care and cleaning. If the rescue inhaler is working for you it's a much easier and more convenient solution.

 

[Ginger9909]

I would definitely go to someone else not the GP. Just my story i felt horrible over the last year and had a feeling it might be Asthma. My GP told me "oh no you dont have it, your not wheezing". In the meantime i am getting worse, no energy, trouble breathing, dizziness, nausea, etc..... it wasnt until i went out on my own to an allergist/asthma specialist that i got dianosed and thank god because when she saw me i couldnt breath and had no idea what was going on and was at my worst. She gave me medications and i feel much better. I couldnt wait to tell my GP and can you believe he was still shoving it off saying "oh the tests can be off, etc...." just so he would seem like he was right. Gee i wonder who knows more about this the GP or the asthma Specialist, doesnt take a genius to figure that one out. Most likely your GP doesnt know much about it and take my advice and steer clear away from them and go to someone who knows what they are talking about. If i had not gone on my own i hate to think of where i would be right now still being brainwashed that i am depressed or too young for heart problems.

 

[bluedog139]

I was on Advair until my insurance changed and the copay tripled for it. I was already using Asmanex at bedtime, along with the Advair twice a day and Spiriva in the morning. My doc let me stop the Advair and replaced it with Foradil and using the Asmanex morning and night and still taking Spiriva. This mix works for me as well as the Advair did and costs me a lot less.