Need advice: 74 yo father

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karly0009

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Until recently, my 74-year old father was very active and managed his asthma well. Until about 3 months ago, he was able to walk up hills, carry heavy items, etc
 
Stress can definitely impact asthma and all the asthma meRAB in the world won't help. Only he can mitigate the stress...not worrying too much about things he can't control, doing more than he should, learning to ask for help when he neeRAB it, etc.

You say he is taking all his meRAB. What about his diet? Acid reflux requires a special diet. Is he sticking to it with his wife so ill? Probably not.

Hope he gets things under control soon.
 
I didn't see anything about Pulmonary Function Testing. (PFT's) I would recommend having that done to get the extent of how the lung functioning and capacity are. This is the kind of testing done where you breathe into a tube in various ways. They typically have a hit of albuterol partly through the testing to see if it helps lung functioning improve. This test is more thorough than just a Spirometry.

What asthma and GERD medications is your dad taking? That may help us give you further advice. With all the people on the board, we've learned a lot through experience.

Is your dad's reflux under control? I know in my own case, the acid irritates my lungs and makes my asthma worse. Has your dad had an upper Endoscopy to see if there is any damage from the reflux?

With all the labs, did they check your dad's iron and B12?
 
Thanks MountainReader and Titchou!

My father has had several Pulmonary Function Tests
 
If it's just the propellant in albuterol, could he use a nebulizer? Or possibly one of the long-acting medicines that comes in a different type of inhaler? Advair diskus or Foradil?
 
Some people feel the coffee helps with asthma, but it can make reflux worse. Kind of a viscious circle.

You might see about having pH testing done for the reflux. I have what is termed "silent" reflux. No heartburn or other feelings of acid. I do have the irritation of my lungs and/or throat from the acid though. It can flare my asthma something fierce. Despite severe reflux, my endoscopies are normal so that isn't always the best indication.

Watching his diet might help. Avoiding high fat or greasy fooRAB, acidic fooRAB, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol, etc.... I also find limiting dairy helps as well.

You say the PFT's don't show decline. Do they show a decreased lung functioning?

I'm on immunotherapy shots as well. They watch me closely because of the asthma. I also started on Xolair for allergic asthma. It is expensive and hard to qualify for though. I ended up getting a grant from the foundation run by the makers of the drug to get on that. I have frienRAB who have had success with allergy treatments on the NAET method. It is non-invasive. Might be worth looking into.

I'm sure the stress is playing a role as well. That is a tough one with all he has going on in his life.

How is he sleeping? Poor sleep can make a difference as well.

Checking the Vitamin D levels is a good idea. It made me think, I've read a lot on these boarRAB about people who have had success with Magnesium as well.

What kind of asthma medications is he on? Is he on a preventative one? If so, what dosage?

You might have your dad keep a food/activity/symptom diary to see if you can hone in on any triggers. If he has trouble after eating, is it because of what he ate or something he does after eating? If he sits in an easy chair, he could be squishing his stomach and its contents. If it is just the walking after eating, that is interesting. Has he shared that with his Gastroenterologist?

Also, is he on a multivitamin or supplements? They may help if his diet is poor.
 
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