Hi Chris...

Yes I have already checked on everything and there is no comparable
meds that they can give me. They told me that if I don't get relief
from these inhalers, then I will have to go on cortizone. I don't
want to do that at all. Too many side effects. And they don't want
to give me any oxy yet cause they don't want me to get dependent on
it so early. I know one thing, stopping smoking is the hardest
thing I have EVER tried to do. I do real good then I fall off the
wagon! I get so mad at myself but I just keep at it. I have been
going to the lung specialist every two months for the breathing
tests and they say my breathing is a little better. But I get very
winded at times when I try to do much of anything. I'm almost 58
and have always been very active and boy, it sure is hard to find
out I am not physically able to do things I have done all my life.
Hope you are feeling well and happy new year to you too!
Donna



--- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Walters" <cjw2004d@y...>
wrote:
>
> Donna,
>
> Sorry it took so long to reply... Anyhow, have you looked into the
> patient assistance programs that the manufacturers of those
> medications have available (if you'd like, I could try to find some
> links for you)? $150/month is far too high for anyone to bear.
> Another suggestion would be to check to see what is on the
formulary
> and if that would be a viable alternative -- I'm currently on
Advair
> and albuterol (it is on many formularies now since it has two
agents
> in it, and is probably far cheaper than each one would be
> seperately)... BTW, I was on pulmicort and combivent for a while
in
> 2003 (when I had pneumonia) since my doctor had samples of them.
>
> Anyhow, happy new year!
> Chris
>
> --- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, "Donna" <dcayton@b...> wrote:
> >
> > Hey Chris...
> >
> > I have already discussed the Singulair with the doctor and he
says
> > nope. They have me on 3 different inhalers: Foradil @ 1 puff
twice
> > a day, Spiriva @ 1 puff a day and now Pulmicort @ 4 puffs twice
a
> > day. Yes the humidity really gets me down. But my prescription
> > costs are even worse. $150 per month for this stuff and I have
good
> > insurance. They just aren't on the "formulary list". Ticks me
off
> > that I pay so much for medical insurance and then still have to
pay
> > what I do. Being divorced and on limited income, it makes it
kinda
> > hard. Guess we just have to hang in there and do our best.
Take
> > care,
> > Donna
> >
> > --- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, Christopher Walters
> > <cjw2004d@y...> wrote:
> > > Hi Donna,
> > >
> > > Currently I am on the Advair Diskus (250/50) twice per day,
and
> > albuterol inhaler as needed... One thing I suggest that you ask
> > your doctor about is Singulair - everyone I know that has had it
> > says it helps alot. I can imagine that being outside in the
humid
> > air (Florida is almost always more humid that Michigan - where
I'm
> > from) - I've found that I can't function very well without the
air
> > conditioner, myself. If it gets really bad, I may consider
moving
> > somewhere with less humidity...
> > >
> > > Chris
> > >
> > > Donna <dcayton@b...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Chris...
> > >
> > > I was diagnosed with emphysema myself this past May. I'm 58
and
> > > smoked for a long time, but not really a heavy smoker. They
have
> > me
> > > on inhalers: Spiriva and Foradil. I have real problems with
my
> > > breathing though, especially when I try to do anything. I
live in
> > > Florida and the hot weather really bothers me when I am
outside.
> > > What meds are you on?
> > >
> > > Donna
> > >
> > > --- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, "Chris Walters"
<cjw2004d@y...>
> > > wrote:
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > I just got diagnosed with emphysema. I had pneumonia last
year
> > (May
> > > > 2003), and this year, around Sep 10, I went to the ER with
chest
> > > > pains, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and nausea - I
> > > thought it
> > > > was a heart attack. The ER doctor diagnosed me as having
> > pneumonia
> > > > (again) and gave me antibiotics and albuterol. Yesterday I
was
> > > finally
> > > > able to get a follow-up on this (I still felt that I had
> > > pneumonia).
> > > > They gave me a pulmonary function test, and got the x-rays
from
> > the
> > > > hospital - then the doctor told me that I have emphysema.
This
> > > > floored me, as I am only 33, and all of my research into this
> > > > condition led me to believe that this is very young to be
> > diagnosed
> > > > with emphysema (my mother has it). I have been a smoker
since
> > > about
> > > > age 15, but I've not been a heavy smoker for most of my
life...
> > > Most
> > > > of the people I know who have been diagnosed with it were in
> > their
> > > > 50's when diagnosed and had smoked more for many more years
than
> > > I. I
> > > > feel that I must look into the possibility that there is
> > something
> > > > else going on here.
> > > >
> > > > Chris
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> > >
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Message From: Chris Walters
> > > Email: cjw2004d@y...
> > > ----------------------------------
> > > The views and opinions expressed
> > > in this message are entirely my own.
> > > Unless, of course, they're yours...
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