Donna,

I am now also on Spiriva (for the next 12 days anyway - when the
samples run out)... Got my new doctor to refill my Advair script and
am still on albuterol. I can well understand your reluctance to go on
cortisone or O2. I wonder though if an albuterol nebulizer would be
on their formulary (this would be a better next step than cortisone or
O2)...

Also, have you checked out:

http://www.needymeds.com/

There might be a program that you would qualify for even with your
insurance (depends on what kind of insurance it is and your income)...

As for giving up smoking, this is something that I am going to have to
do soon, while some of my major smoking triggers are being treated...

Regards,
Chris

--- In emphysema@yahoogroups.com, "Donna" <dcayton@b...> wrote:
>
> 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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> > > >
> > > > Message From: Chris Walters
> > > > Email: cjw2004d@y...
> > > > ----------------------------------
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