Hey Al,
Well I am not sure about the spitting up blood thing.  Unless there
is just so much drainage that your sinuses are bleeding.  Do you see
an allergist or a pulmonary doc or an internist? I totally agree
with Maureen that specialist such as pulmonologists are usually very
closed minded. Dr. Robinson in the Macon area is supposed to be very
good.   I have used Advair in the past and it is great also there is
a new one out called Asmanex and it is wonderful too. Love it! I
have been able to taper off most of my steriods and I think it is
from the Asmanex and the Azithromycin. The Mucinex is good and I
think you should find that it will help keep the mucous moving so
you don't feel quite as congested.  Have you had a sinus study done
recently? That could answer some questions about the constant
drainage. The weather here in Middle Georgia has really been so
unpredictable lately that even the flowers can't make up their minds
whether or not they are going to bloom.  I have daffodils in my yard
that are blooming right now and it is just February!  So I think it
is tough for a lot of allergy sufferers because things are in bloom
that really shouldn't be right now.
infectious_asthma@yahoogroups.com, "bareback212003"
<bareback212003@...> wrote:
>
> Kim thanks for the reply. still trying to learn how to navigate
this site dont want to keep dragging everything forward  all the
time.
>
> I dont know if my case is as bad as some but to me it is.  I have
it all.  the cough hasnt stopped in over a year now, in the past 4
months its gotten really bad, had to drop out of choir.  I have the
tightness in the chest and neck. and glands on both sides of my neck
swell at times.  I have the shortness of breathe.  and the excess
mucus.  at nite when i sleep of course i am swallowing  so about
every  two or three days i have these throwing up spells  to get the
mucus out of my stomache because it cant process it.  heres what I
dont understand.....when I lie down for several hours  and get up  I
spit blood.  usually not a lot but any is too much. sometimes its
just pink others it is almost solid red.  sometimes throwing up it
is blood mixed too and the same sometimes not much sometimes solid
red.  and why am I spitting non-stop?  it has come to the point I
have to take a cup nearly everywhere  I go.
>
> Now my stomache is bloating.  I feel and look like i swallowed a
watermelon.
>
> the doc prescribed ambuterol and gave me a sample of another kind
of inhaler.  and also wanted me  to take mucinex.  I could tell no
improvements  except it seemed the albuterol  was helping.
>
> any ideas?  Im a basket case.
>
> thanks
> AL
>

Al, I think what the doctor gave you was Albuterol, which is great as a
rescue inhaler if you need it, but not at all good in managing your
asthma on a day to day basis.  I would ask him to prescribe Advair to
see how you do on that.  Even if you're interested in trying to
eradicate this with antibiotics, you need to manage your asthma in the
meantime.  Hold onto the Albuterol, because you may need that from time
to time, too.

If you're interested in trying Dr. Hahn's protocol, then I would
approach your most open minded doctor, probably an internist.
Specialists, like pulmonologists and allergists aren't very open
minded, and unfortunately, in some parts of the country, they're less
open minded than others.

While I don't recommend this, I do understand why some people have just
ordered their antibiotics online without a prescription when their
doctors won't consider treatment with antibiotics.

To learn more, start out by visiting the Links and Files section found
on our groups site, and feel free to ask away, because others will
learn that way, too.

Maureen

Welcome, Al, and don't worry about asking a lot of questions because
that's why I set this group up - so people would have a place to go to
ask questions.

And I have a question for you.  Did you have an illness the year or so
before your asthma began?  Anything that hit you harder in the lungs
than usual, like a really bad cold, flu, bronchitis or pneumonia?

Maureen

--- In infectious_asthma@yahoogroups.com, "bareback212003"
<bareback212003@...> wrote:
>
> Kim thanks for the reply. still trying to learn how to navigate
this site dont want to keep dragging everything forward  all the time.
>
> I dont know if my case is as bad as some but to me it is.  I have
it all.  the cough hasnt stopped in over a year now, in the past 4
months its gotten really bad, had to drop out of choir.  I have the
tightness in the chest and neck. and glands on both sides of my neck
swell at times.  I have the shortness of breathe.  and the excess
mucus.  at nite when i sleep of course i am swallowing  so about
every  two or three days i have these throwing up spells  to get the
mucus out of my stomache because it cant process it.  heres what I
dont understand.....when I lie down for several hours  and get up  I
spit blood.  usually not a lot but any is too much. sometimes its
just pink others it is almost solid red.  sometimes throwing up it is
blood mixed too and the same sometimes not much sometimes solid red.
and why am I spitting non-stop?  it has come to the point I have to
take a cup nearly everywhere  I go.
>
> Now my stomache is bloating.  I feel and look like i swallowed a
watermelon.
>
> the doc prescribed ambuterol and gave me a sample of another kind
of inhaler.  and also wanted me  to take mucinex.  I could tell no
improvements  except it seemed the albuterol  was helping.
>
> any ideas?  Im a basket case.
>
> thanks
> AL
>
Hi Al,
In my opinion you have to see a pulmonologist for excluding emphysema
or something worst.In the same time you can try stop eating diary
products because it's mucus producing ,it worked for me .Maybe you
have GERD ,use more pillow when you sleep and eat early in the
evening.You'll be all right,hang in there.
Elena

Kim thanks for the reply. still trying to learn how to navigate this site dont
want to keep dragging everything forward  all the time.

I dont know if my case is as bad as some but to me it is.  I have it all.  the
cough hasnt stopped in over a year now, in the past 4 months its gotten really
bad, had to drop out of choir.  I have the tightness in the chest and neck. and
glands on both sides of my neck swell at times.  I have the shortness of
breathe.  and the excess mucus.  at nite when i sleep of course i am swallowing 
so about every  two or three days i have these throwing up spells  to get the
mucus out of my stomache because it cant process it.  heres what I dont
understand.....when I lie down for several hours  and get up  I spit blood. 
usually not a lot but any is too much. sometimes its just pink others it is
almost solid red.  sometimes throwing up it is blood mixed too and the same
sometimes not much sometimes solid red.  and why am I spitting non-stop?  it has
come to the point I have to take a cup nearly everywhere  I go.

Now my stomache is bloating.  I feel and look like i swallowed a watermelon.

the doc prescribed ambuterol and gave me a sample of another kind of inhaler. 
and also wanted me  to take mucinex.  I could tell no improvements  except it
seemed the albuterol  was helping.

any ideas?  Im a basket case.

thanks
AL

Hey Al, My name is Kim and I live in Warner Robins.  I have had
asthma all of my life but recently stumbled onto the infectious
asthma information one night when I couldn't sleep.  I convinced my
doctor to try the Azithromycin and believe me it worked
beautifully.  I knew the chronic infections were exactly what I was
experiencing because usually after taking a 10 - 14 day round of
antibiotics I would be better briefly only to get sick again.
Unfortunately, I got this bronchitis thing that is going around a
few weeks ago and it has set me back a little but I have high hopes
that I will be back on the right path in no time.  As far as I am
concerned no question is a stupid one so anytime you want to know
something just ask.
KP
--- In infectious_asthma@yahoogroups.com, "bareback212003"
<bareback212003@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,  just joined up and wanted to introduce myself.  My name is
Al and I reign  from Macon, Ga.  yup Georgia  one of the worst
places for allergies in the country.
>
> I have just recently been diagnosed with onset adult asthma.  I am
50 years old  and never had asthma  in my life.  nor do i think any
of my family did.
>
> I may ask some  stupid questions because  this is all new to me
and I dont understand what all is going on.  But this mess has
really thrown me for a loop bigtime.  Ive had many problems  and new
ones contiue to arrise.  this is the first time I have been able  to
even find a discussion group  concerning this.  so please try to be
patient with me as I try to catch up and get a grip on what is going
on.
>
> I dont want this too long and boring  so i will close and read
some of the posts.
>
> thanks in advance
>
> AL
>

Hello,  just joined up and wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Al and I
reign  from Macon, Ga.  yup Georgia  one of the worst places for allergies in
the country.

I have just recently been diagnosed with onset adult asthma.  I am 50 years old 
and never had asthma  in my life.  nor do i think any of my family did.

I may ask some  stupid questions because  this is all new to me and I dont
understand what all is going on.  But this mess has really thrown me for a loop
bigtime.  Ive had many problems  and new ones contiue to arrise.  this is the
first time I have been able  to even find a discussion group  concerning this. 
so please try to be patient with me as I try to catch up and get a grip on what
is going on.

I dont want this too long and boring  so i will close and read some of the
posts.

thanks in advance

AL

Yes, I live in Oshkosh.  It's about and hour and half from Madison.
If things don't work out in a few months, maybe I'll have to pay him a
visit!

I just uploaded a new document to the Files section explaining three
regimens used by Dr. Wagshul.  There was an option I checkmarked
asking that an announcement be sent out to the group, but so far,
nothing, so I'm posting my own announcement.

Check it out!

Maureen

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the infectious_asthma
group.

   File        : /Regimens of Fred A. Wagshul M.D..doc
   Uploaded by : maureenb1955 <maureenb1955@...>
   Description : Regimens of Fred A. Wagshul, M.D.

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/infectious_asthma/files/Regimens%20of%20Fred%20A.%\
20Wagshul%20M.D..doc

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

maureenb1955 <maureenb1955@...>

Oh, you're in Wisconsin?  My brother lives in Burlington and Dr. Hahn
practices in Madison.  I drove hours to see him, but it was well worth it!

Maureen

I think that is how it is here in Wisconsin too.  Anyway, I received my
Allegra and I will take it daily until I see my allergist.  I'll let
you know if this helps next week at my next soccer game.

Good luck, and remember that sometimes with colds you have that darn
residual cough that seems to linger forever.

Maureen

Melanie, I always get a kick out of what's on the shelves in other
countries versus here, too.

Claritan once required a prescription, but is now sold over the
counter.  Allegra, Zyrtec, Flonase, Singulair are all prescription
drugs.

And these days, anything like Robitussin you need to get from the
pharmacist and you have to have proof that you're eighteen years old.
At least that's the case here in Illinois.

Maureen

I am getting over the cold now.
  I really hope I feel better in the months to come.
  I will post my results.

  Thanks.

Do those require a prescription in the USA? I've
noticed some differences between Canada and the US. I
had great fun checking out the medication shelves in
the US a couple months ago. I'm sure my friend thought
I was nuts. LOL

~Melanie


--- maureenb1955 <maureenb1955@...> wrote:

> Claritan should start working right away, I think,
> unlike nasal sprays
> like flonase, or singulair, which takes a while to
> build up in your
> system.
>
> It couldn't hurt to try it.  If it doesn't work,
> don't rule out
> allergies, however, because it doesn't work for
> everyone.
>
> What if you call your primary care physician and
> just say you think
> you've got allergies and can't get in until March,
> and would like to
> try Allegra to relieve your suffering now.  He or
> she may be willing
> to call in a prescription for you.  It never hurts
> to try.
>
> Maureen
>
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Thanks for the reply.  Actually my mom and I ordered Allegra some 3
weeks ago.  We're still waiting for the delivery; I just bought the
laratadine to hold me over for the time being.  Thanks a lot Maureen,
you really know your stuff!

I took Loratadine for about 3 months during the
summer. It helped me a lot but as I said in an earlier
thread, they dried my eyes out. I also have the
problem with Benadryl.

Of course dry eyes may not be a problem for you, but I
wear contact lenses.

~Melanie




--- scoarescoare <scottc@...> wrote:

> Hey I just had a quick question.  Since I am unable
> to see an allergist
> until March, a pharmacist has recommended that I
> take 1 clariton every
> day for a few weeks.
>
> I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but
> do any of you take
> clariton/laratadine?  If so, did it seem to take a
> few weeks before it
> kicked in?  Thanks
>
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Claritan should start working right away, I think, unlike nasal sprays
like flonase, or singulair, which takes a while to build up in your
system.

It couldn't hurt to try it.  If it doesn't work, don't rule out
allergies, however, because it doesn't work for everyone.

What if you call your primary care physician and just say you think
you've got allergies and can't get in until March, and would like to
try Allegra to relieve your suffering now.  He or she may be willing
to call in a prescription for you.  It never hurts to try.

Maureen

Hey I just had a quick question.  Since I am unable to see an allergist
until March, a pharmacist has recommended that I take 1 clariton every
day for a few weeks.

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but do any of you take
clariton/laratadine?  If so, did it seem to take a few weeks before it
kicked in?  Thanks

Welcome, Ingecarlitos.  You just finished twelve weeks on Azithromycin,
but now have a cold, correct?  You should continue to see improvement
in the coming months.  You'll probably feel as good as you felt before
you caught the cold, meaning you'll be using your asthma meds at a
reduced rate, but still need them.  In the months that follow, however,
you may find you can reduce them further until you're off of them
completely.  Don't rush this process, it takes a while for our lungs to
get strong again.

Having a cold can lead to breathing difficulties even for people
without asthma, so it's no surprise that you almost feel like you're
regressing right now.  Wait and see how you feel when your cold is
gone.  I'm guessing you'll feel good again, and still use your inhaler
less than you were before treatment.

Maureen

Kim, I think a year on Azithromycin would be overkill, but if he's
willing to start the meter at the point you got over this bronchitis,
that might make sense.

Please remember that even people who have never had asthma, and who
don't get sick a lot, sometimes end up being put on inhalers to help
them get through bronchitis and pneumoniae.  It doesn't freak them
out, because they know it's temporary, but it really freaks us out
because we think we're reverting back to being sick all the time, or
having asthma again.  This is normal.  Having asthma for a long time
and then not having it, or being treated with the hope you'll find
it's gone, just plays havoc with the mind.

Yes, you can find that germs become resistant to the antibiotics
which means the antibiotics will no longer work.  That's another
reason I think I'd avoid being on them for too long.  Dr. Hahn's
theory is that if it doesn't work after 12 - 14 weeks, it's not going
to work at all.  He's seen some relapses after a year and they seem
to be fine after doing a second 12 week round, but he just doesn't
think adding weeks will change the situation.

Keep in mind, you may get off of the 12 week round and not notice
improvement for a few months, and will see that improvement for up to
a year.

Hope you feel better soon.

Maureen

Melanie, thanks for the clarification.  The good news is that since you
just took your Azithromycin in December, you still have the rest of
this year to continue healing and improving.  I'm glad you're already
seeing good results.  I hope your docs can prescribe allergy meds that
don't dry your eyes out.  That must be annoying.

Hope you continue to keep us posted!

Maureen

I had a history of bronchitis infection
especially in winter,
Once in a while like every two years
Or something. before I was diagnosed
With asthma I never had to take any medicine
For asthma. An antibiotic would usually
Solve the problem.

That winter I had
What I thought it  was (and maybe it was)
A bronchitis infection. This time though, I
Had a little harder time breathing. When I went
To the emergency room (I didn't want to
Wait two months to see the doctor) I told
The doctor my history of bronchitis infection
Yet the only thing he do is prescribe some
Prednisone. I got better but got really sick
Again in like four months.


  When I went
To see de doctor again I explained everything
To him. He prescribed more prednisone.
Long story short. Every time they prescribed
The prednisone I got better but got sicker
Again in a few months after that.
Like a year and a half later when I was
Using several inhalers and still feeling
Sick I went to see a pulmonologist.


He told me when he saw me that it seemed
More like an infection than asthma.
He started treating me with antibiotics.
Including azithromicin for three days. And
Some others like clarithromicin
And I got better. The main problem is that
Before I got asthma, I Had a tendency to
Get a throat infection. My asthma is somewhat
Sever. So when I take the inhalers regularly
Including one with corticosteroid  I feel better but I start getting
An infection in my throat and eventually bronchitis.
Or a cold that usually develops into a bronchitis infection
Too. So if I don't use my corticosteroid inhaler (and I have
Tried several different types with the same results) I start
Having a real hard time breathing. But if I use it regularly,
I can breath well for a few days but I start getting
Signs of infection. That get worst and worst and the
Infection develops in a few days.


  So what I do is as soon
As I can breath better but getting signs of infection,
I start using my corticosteroid inhaler
Less often and this usually stops the infection from developing.
But I start having breathing difficulty a few days after this.


I managed to buy
The azithromicin and I took 500mg for three days in a row
followed by 750mg every week for 12 weeks.
During those weeks, I didn't feel the signs of infection sometimes
I felt while using the corticosteroid inhaler and
I was able to use it only once a day instead of
twice a day and still feel somewhat good. On the eleventh week
though,
I felt like I was getting a cold the symptoms disappeared after
taking
the pill. Same thing during the twelve week. And finally on the
thirteen
week when I was not taking the azitrhomicin anymore I got a cold.
My twelve week was two weeks ago and I am just getting over the
Cold. As far as my asthma symptoms I feel pretty much the same.
Is there a chance I am going to get better after getting over the
cold
because of the azithromicin I took?

Yes, I caught this same brochitis type virus that has been going
around.  But the problem was I caught it while still on the
Zithromax. (Azithromycin)  As of right now I am still taking
Azithromycin.  I am a little freaked out though because I was making
tremendous progress!!!! But now I am back on prednisone and
breathing treatments and rescue inhaler and steroid inhaler and
singular and other stuff.  I am trying to keep the thought that most
people I know that have had this stuff really got sicker than I did
with it and since I was already taking the antibiotic and some mega
vitamins that maybe it just triggered something with the asthma and
this too will pass.  Do you know of anyone that has taken more than
one round of the Azithromycin?  Can you get immune to it? My Dr.
talked about leaving me on it for an entire year.  I'll do anything
if it works.  I have lived too long with this disease (all my life,
I am now 43)that I will definitely try anything. I was just sooo
excited to be feeling better and actually able to do what I wanted
without all the meds; I don't want to go back!

--- In infectious_asthma@yahoogroups.com, "maureenb1955"
<maureenb1955@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Kim,
>
> When did you get ill with this chronic infection?  It's very
possible
> that a short round of antibiotics will clear it up.  I know people
who
> have gotten sick after treatment and they freaked out thinking
their
> asthma had returned, only to find that with a normal ten to
fourteen
> day course of an antibiotic, they're breathing was fine again.
>
> I have just put a call into Dr. Wagshul's office hoping we can get
the
> specifics once and for all.  I will post about his protocol as I
learn
> more.
>
> I really hope you're feeling better today - please drop us a line!
>
> Maureen
>

Dr. Wagshul is having his protocol typed up and sent to me later this
week.  I should get it by Friday and will post it as soon as possible,
and also add it to our Files section.

They were extremely nice and helpful there, and I'm just so happy to be
learning more about this.

Maureen

Hi Kim,

When did you get ill with this chronic infection?  It's very possible
that a short round of antibiotics will clear it up.  I know people who
have gotten sick after treatment and they freaked out thinking their
asthma had returned, only to find that with a normal ten to fourteen
day course of an antibiotic, they're breathing was fine again.

I have just put a call into Dr. Wagshul's office hoping we can get the
specifics once and for all.  I will post about his protocol as I learn
more.

I really hope you're feeling better today - please drop us a line!

Maureen

Hey Maureen,
You mentioned a Dr. Wagshul in another post. What is his protocol and
how is it different from Dr. Hahn's. I have been on Dr. Hahn's
protocol since Sept and was doing wonderfully well. I had come off of
some of my medications (with supervision)and was feeling better than I
had in years. But there is some type of a virul infection going around
and it has triggered the asthma again. Suddenly I have tsken huge
steps backwards. My doctor is great and is really listening to me and
doing some of his own research.  I think my doctor is going to repeat
the 12 week regime but I would like to know about Dr. Wagshul's
protocol in case we need to explore other options. Have there been
many other people that have had set backs?  What usually helps?
Thanks for your input... Kim

Not a problem.  My son also used Advair and albuterol and it never did
anything to help him.  He'd be gasping for air the minute he started
running.

Be prepared for an argument from your doctor.  Most doctors are very
closed minded, particularly specialists like allergists,
pulmonologists, etc.  If you feel in your heart that this is something
you want to pursue, then study up on all the information we've provided
and go in there armed to do battle.  Some people have gotten a yes from
their doctor simply because they came back with the right responses.

Good luck, and yes - please keep us posted!

Maureen