High cost and dependency
Question:
>I am frustrated. >Both by the high cost of meds to control asthma (which more and more >of us seem to be coming down with) and the fact that I’ll have to use >something for the rest of my life. Particularly the steroids and >albuterol.
Compared with some other diseases, asthma (and the medications to control it) is not that bad. >I’ll say this, there ARE some alternatives that have worked at least >anectdotally for me. >First and foremost: change in diet (elimination of junk and starches >and possible food sensitive items…low carb)
If you were eating a poor diet then changing over to a balanced diet can affect more things than asthma. >Secondly and I think even ODDLY: >going back to drinking a cup or two of coffee in the morning.
Caffeine is chemically similar to theophyline. And it will have an effect on asthma _symptoms_. However it does not affect the airways inflammation which is what produces the asthma symptoms. >Where I live, Serevent, and Flovent both cost around 50 dollars each >for a prescription.
I would suggest that you spend the money and at least get the Flovent. This medication treats the airways inflammation that is the underlying cause of asthma symptoms. Also, failure to keep this inflammation under control can put you at risk for irreversible damage to your airways. >Try that when you’ve got NO insurance and a minimum wage job!
Been there, done that. Look through the postings for the past week and you will see information on how to get free or subsidized asthma medications. "With Confidence in our Armed Forces – with the determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us god." Franklin Delano Roseveldt, 8 december 1941
Response:
> writes: > Yup, decent coffee > ain’t cheap. And btw, caffeine is a drug too. Maybe you can buy caffeine > tablets for cheap? Or you can just drink lots of hot water, ’cause mostly it’s > the hot liquid that’s helping your respiration…
No. It’s the caffeine itself, not the hot water. Caffeine has bronchodilator effects, roughly like theophylline. (In fact, the chemical structure of caffeine is similar to the chemical structure of theophylline.) She would get the same effect by taking a No-Doz or Vivarin pill. The nice thing about albuterol compared to caffeine or theophylline, is it has fewer side effects than a large enough dose of these other drugs. — Steven D. Litvintchouk
Response:
I am frustrated. Both by the high cost of meds to control asthma (which more and more of us seem to be coming down with) and the fact that I’ll have to use something for the rest of my life. Particularly the steroids and albuterol. I’ll say this, there ARE some alternatives that have worked at least anectdotally for me. First and foremost: change in diet (elimination of junk and starches and possible food sensitive items…low carb) Secondly and I think even ODDLY: going back to drinking a cup or two of coffee in the morning. I quit coffee two years ago and found that my asthma got worse and worse to the point of having to use nebulizer breathing treatments 5 or 6 times a day and also in the middle of my sleep cycle. Where I live, Serevent, and Flovent both cost around 50 dollars each for a prescription. Try that when you’ve got NO insurance and a minimum wage job! I was on albuterol and Theodur which I could afford, as well as prednesone (also cheap) for the more difficult times. I must admit in my case, coffee has helped. Go figure.
Response:
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