BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Asthma Borderline Asthma or Mild Asthma

Seems that using less of a steroid inhalant is better for us. I found that out the hard way. Doctors tried getting me to use an inhaler 2X a day like for an eternity. It didn't in any way change my borderline asthma. It comes and goes mostly due to allergies/chemical sensitivities.

HOWEVER, my doctor yesterday prescribed Advair 100/50 for me to use only when I need it. She heard my wheezing (due to an allergic reaction to an insect bite) and said to try it once a day for a month to undue the inflammation. I will try it and let you know how it works.

Definitely I think the benefits of steroids depend on the type/frequency/severity of asthma.

My daughter (age 8) has a weird case. It was very severe when she was younger, and now the frequency of her flares has gone way down but the severity hasn't. So she doesn't have problems often, but they get very bad very quickly when she does.

The frequency is so mild, in fact, that drs. suggest every fall taking her down to 1x/day maintenance steroids or trying to go w/out them completely, just to see how she reacts. (she takes them 2x/day Sept. through May.) EVERY single time I try, she ends up with bronchitis, pneumonia, or a severe sinus infection. It just doesn't work for us.

Her main trigger is illness, not allergies, though. I'll be interested to see how you do on this regimen.

I am doing very well on this regimen. A few times I had allergy symptoms and I started to sound wheezy. And even my sinuses ached. But I used the Advair once or twice and the next day I was fine. I could feel the relief instantly. I think it's because I actually have hypersensitive lungs and not actual asthma perse.

I've been in your daughter's shoes when my immune system was way down from taking steroids (oral). And you do know inhalers contain minute traces of steroids? How long has she been using her inhaler and how often daily?

The other thing I remember is that my previous doctors wanted me to use Advair on a continuous basis claiming it only worked if you did that. My new GYN has a child that's asthmatic and active, and she said Advair will go right onto your lungs, not via the blood stream, and will help you. She was right.

My Pulmonary doctor calls my asthma Reactive Airway Disease. When I do get sick, it normally gets my lungs all inflamed AND thats when I have to take the Advair and Singular. I have found over time that I don't need the medication unless I get sick. On a day to day basis I am fine.

At times my allergies kick up but only when I get sick and have a lung infection or something headed that way do I need to take the meds.

So far my daughter has not shown any symptoms, she is 10 now and has only had bronchitis once. By that time I had been sick every winter. I am hoping she will avoid it.

Justine,
My daughter uses Flovent 2x/day Sept through May. Her main trigger is illness, so she needs it during cold/flu season. Unfortunately, we have tried several times to use it as needed (starting it up when gets the sniffles or a runny nose), but it just doesn't work. The steroid never builds up enough to help her through the illness, and she ends up with a secondary infection like pneumonia or bronchitis. It works well for her, and she (fingers crossed) hasn't used an oral steroid in 2 years. Also, when she stays on Flovent she only needs her rescue inhaler a few times a month, so we're happy with this regimen. Her drs. tell me that many kids having fewer flares around age 9 or 10, so I'm curious to see what the next year will bring--she will be 9 in February--although I'm not holding my breath, lol.

Hi Lisa, and welcome to the board. It's interesting that your pulm. using the "RAD" distinction. I know drs. like to use the term for infants and children before they know if the child actually has true asthma--my daughter's ped. did this, but I didn't know it was used for adults, too. Is he saying you don't have "true" asthma or does he use the term interchangeably with asthma?

I know what you mean about being sick every winter--my kid ended up in the ER every single time she had a cold or virus the first 2 years of her life, until her diagnosis. I'm so glad your daughter is symptom-free and I hope she stays that way!

I use 4 different inhalers a day.Serevent,Pulmicort,Spiriva, and Albuterol, i use a nebulizer twice a day,and prednisone when needed its so important to get the right medication, to treat any level of asthma

I was also told by a Pulmonologist that I had RAD too. It's only on the exhalation that it occurs and shows up on the graph. Is that the same with your kids? Unfortunately for me I cannot exercise (tennis) as much as I use because of it.

Thanks for the welcome.

My doctor doesn't us the terms interchangably. 99% of the time, when I have a problem, I am coughing from airwar contriction. There have only been a couple times when I actually wheezed like people with asthma do. He asks me if I am wheezing or have been and I always tell him NO, but I rattle...just a joke between him and I.

I can cough like you can't believe. I cough so hard my sides hurt and have actually gagged and thrown up from it. I have coughed so long I can't get a breath and have almost fainted..AHH, those were the good old days...(JK) I haven't had a problem like that in years.

Rosie, I couldn't agree more. There is a world of difference in my daughter's health between the time we hadn't figured out the right combination of meds and now. good to hear from you again.

Justine,
I am no doctor (not even close, lol) but it's my understanding that asthma always shows up just on exhalation--it is a problem with breathing out, not breathing in. I can't even think of a lung function test that measures inhalation, but that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't one!

The RAD designation is confusing to me because doctors don't always use the term to mean the same thing. Here's the best explanation I've found:

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Amy, yes coughing is a major symptom, back in the 60s my mom would yell at me to get a drink of water, my coughing would drive her crazy, even though i cough so much i would vomit and my coughing would ease up a little, i started on a over the counter inhaler, when i was old enough i took my self to a doctor, at age 18 im now 60 and on several inhalers, pills, and a nebulizer, i am very sensitive to cigarette smoke.