What the best treatment for asthma

[chucker]

Ive been a chronic asthmatic for over 20 years, im now 23. My asthma has gradually got better although ct scans show I still have damage to my lungs from numerous bouts of pnemonia. I take 4 doses of becotide 200 a day plus ventolin when needed and slow-phyllyn steriod pills. ive heard about new combination inhalers - purple ones and wondered if these would be better for me. Not got hospital appointment for a few months and asthma nurses give advice that tends to conflict with my consultant. Anyone tried these new inhalers? Do they reduce coughing?

[tracymort]

Have you tried the Buteyko method?  I've heard from friends it's very effective.  Also cutting out the usual allergens, wheat, dairy etc  Taking acidophillus for good gut health.  Do you swim indoors much or use chemicals in cleaning your home?  Research has shown the fumes from these chemicals can irritate your lungs too.

[Scarlett]

My homeopath tells me that the more you take drugs for asthma the more your body becomes reliant- and finally immune to them. I would cut out dairy, which can aggravate asthma, and see a homeopath. That way you are treating yourself without swapping one drug for another. I would also try to reduce the amount of times you use your inhaler VERY GRADUALLY to see if you really do need it as much as you think you do.

[tracymort]

I have read about the use of drugs for asthma actually making things worse.  Apparently they can make you even more sensitive to the allergens that bother you.  I would also see a homeopath.  I swear by it, i will use conventional but only as a last resort and so far i've not had see a dr since finding homeopathy.  It completely cleared my son's eczema up.  Totally, it went from weeping bloody itchy mess to the most gorgeous skin you'd ever see in about a month.  My homeopath said then that it was lucky fom my son that i didn't use the usual steroids for it as there is talk that the use of steroids for infantile eczema is increasing the risk of asthma as steroids just supresses our immune system without actually sorting the problem out.

I also agree with the children not being exposed to much dirt idea.  I try to avoid most cleaning products and try the vinegar and bicarb type options.  In fact they seem to work better!

[AllYourBase]

The purple inhalers which you refer to are combination proucts. They contain a steroid (very similar to your becotide) and also a long acting reliever drug called salmeterol (aka SEREVENT). Salmeterol is found in the green inhalers, that some moderate to severe asthmatics take twice a day as a further preventative dose.

This combination is on paper no better than taking the two seperately, however as a single inhaler imporves compliance (helps you remmeber to take both at the right time every day) there is an overall improvement seen.

The drawback is that these inhalers are costly (up to �60 each)

Your next step may be to have a green long acting preventer inhaler prescribed twice daily to see whether that provides benefit, before being considered for the switch to the purple (SERETIDE) inhalers.

[AllYourBase]

Forgot to mention, Asthma is treated on a step-wise basis. There is no such thing as the BEST drug. Optimum treatment is found by stepping up from one drug to the next, adding combinations and steppng up doses as directed by British Thoracic society guidleines.

[AB Editor]

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