Question:

Our closest ancestors 3.5 billion years ago were blue-green algae.  These ancestors were responsible for the change in atmospheric composition through photosynthesis.  

Response:

I’ve only been on this group for one month, but I am all for alternative medicine and am currently taking something that has helped my respiratory system significantly. I still have asthma and use inhalers, but my doctor was able to reduce my puffs because of this alternative thing. And it is safe. As a Graduate Student in Nutrition (on hold) I know there can be alot of junk out there that people are selling, but there is also some good stuff.

Are you studying to become certified as a Registered Dietitian?  In general being a ‘nutritionist’ means nothing. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

And exactly what is this "something" that you are taking for your asthma that is considered to be safe?  And so what exactly is this "good stuff" that people are selling.  Are you sure your reduction in medications is not a result of a placebo effect (you think they are working…..and so your body responds)?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve only been on this group for one month, but I am all for alternative medicine and am currently taking something that has helped my respiratory system significantly. I still have asthma and use inhalers, but my doctor was able to reduce my puffs because of this alternative thing. And it is safe. As a Graduate Student in Nutrition (on hold) I know there can be alot of junk out there that people are selling, but there is also some good stuff. Thanks Colleen. Raquel Hi Everyone, I came across this  online book, "NATURE CURE" for  Asthma while searching the web for something else and thought I’d pass the URL along to you guys. It has some interesting information on diet for asthmatics; it’s an online book entitled, " A complete Handbook of Nature Cure". http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/ncure/index.htm (part 3, #29–asthma.) http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/ncure/chap29.htm Now, don’t start shooting flames at me, I’ve been reading (and posting) on  our alt.support.asthma newsgroup for over 5 years and I know how some of you guys get all cranked up when anyone dares to mention anything to do with alternative treatments for asthma. ) So, that said, I’m not promoting ANYTHING, just passing along the webpage for those of you who may be interested in reading the part on Asthma. I found it interesting. Maybe some of the information will help someone in the group. Have a real good weekend, Cheers, Colleen Before you buy.

Response:

I’ve got a question.  I don’t know who has been saying what, because to be honest, I have only been following this thread half-heartedly

This portion of the thread diverged from Colleen’s original poster, poster): – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I read that book also, but what confuses me , is that I thought the greenhouse gases or whatever they call them in the atmosphere are increasing, and that would mean the co2 in the atmosphere is increasing, which would mean with the same breathing we would be breathing in MORE co2, not less.The entire thing is confusing as all h—!Also, I read that ages ago we had more co2 in the atmosphere than we have now.  How could that be?  We have more people now than back in prehistoric times, breathing out more co2, and the trees breathing in the co2 were chopped down.  ?? If you are talking about the Buteyko method, I bought two books on it and have looked at websites about it, and it is based on an understanding of physiology, right or wrong.  I don’t know, but I’m not a doctor. The premise that the carbon dioxide content of the  planet used to be much higher than it is now, and we need to breath in higher content of this co2 than we do now or otherwise  compensate , is a position from reason, and certainly deserves discussion.

I’m merely putting the numbers that were presented in perspective. (so sorry to Michael Lim if I put words in his mouth or something)

Actually what you wrote, reads better than the stuff I left out of my previous post.  And again, I did not post the atmospheric CO2 theory. Anyway, I think that people are arguing that because the Earth may have had higher carbon dioxide levels 3.5 billion years ago, then somehow humans are used to this level and are suffering now. OK, my problems are: – we don’t know if humans existed that far back (see below) – even if humans did, they probably didn’t look like we look like now (more on this in my question)

Yes and yes.  If you’re comparing primordial proteins, RNA, etc., to their present day versions, you could talk about changes over a 3.5 billion year time span.  If you’re comparing the respiratory needs of non-oxygen using unspecialized microscopic life to the respiratory needs of oxygen using specialized human cells, well … You people

Read "buteyko posters", I did not posit this theory. seem to be forgetting all about a thing called evolution.  It applies not only to humans, but to all other animals.  We aren’t like what we were like 3.5 billion years ago.  In fact, something like 99% of the life forms that existed back then are extinct now! So, how can you

Read "buteyko posters", I did not posit this theory. suggest that earlier levels of carbon dioxide, especially going back 3.5 billion years ago (!!!), would have an effect on how we breathe now?

The one’s who post that this has an effect, if they reply at all, point to biochemical studies, on oxygen use by organisms.  However, see "non- oxygen using" response. if … earlier levels of carbon dioxide effect today’s breathing, why doesn’t it affect other animals?  Why is asthma largley a human illness? Yes, I’ve seen strange articles entitled "Horses get asthma too!" but well, with horses, I’d start to suspect breeding to be the real cause.

Valid point.  While writing my previous post, I thought of results from primate physiology studies.  But then we’re getting into the realm of ‘animal’ newsgroups.                 Multiple of 1900AD Years ago       atmospheric CO2 3,500,000,000     100 (approx)    35,000,000       2     3,500,000       1.1 Eve, Leake     2,000,000       1.1 Dawn of Man, Clarke I sure as heck can’t remember my numbers, but it doesn’t matter. No one really knows exactly when we first appeared, especially when you count the different forms we seemingly came in.

First I need to ammend the 3.5 million year marker: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/2106hum1.html "In the remote past, more than three million years ago, a tiny female lived by a lake on the edge of the lush forests of Africa. She was part ape, part human." What you wrote, is one of the points of my chart.  We’re supposed to be dealing with humans, not protein strands.  The dividing line  of what is construed to be ‘human’, is 3 million years.  Homo Sapien, nearly all current internet users, has a 120,000 year lineage (or 10,000 years*).      * Let’s not go there. if your numbers above are correct … there was a LOT of time that had already passed since the ultimately high levels of carbon dioxide anyway!

The original author (not me) uses 3.5 billion year and "100 times" to get the attention of the reader.  But working the figures as relates to human existance, the "100 times" does not apply.  Run to multiple decimal points, the actual differences are fairly small; a 3.5 billion to 1 slope.  But for the purposes of discussion I used "1.1" and "1.0". I should note here that the "100 times" figure is not directly confirmable; without advanced temporal technology you can’t get a real 3.5 billion year old atmosphere sample.  It’s a matter of finding ‘uncontaminated’, highly isolated, etc., 3.5 billion year old rock samples and extracting captured air, or working backwards the chemical reactions evident in the rock sample, etc.  Or creating physical representations of what the primordial atmosphere might have been like, add rocks, examine the chemical reactions in the rock.  Etc. If, as the originating author believes, asthma is due human adaption to decreased atmospheric CO2, then the converse should hold: increased atmospheric CO2 would reduce asthma.              CO2 Years ago    ppmv       150    277       100    295        50    312        20    338         0    369 I’d would have added correlations and notable quotes, but I believe the above bespeaks volumes. Sorry for continuing the thread, but I had to point out my problems with what has been said, and ask my questions.

Legitimate problems and questions.  Just, again, not my position. // "Anyone who thinks lab work is pure routine has obviously never done any!" Kathy Oltion Before you buy.

Response:

The premise that the carbon dioxide content of the  planet used to be much higher than it is now, and we need to breath in higher content of this co2 than we do now or otherwise  compensate , is a position from reason, and certainly deserves discussion.  

FYI, this was disproved a long time ago.  This theory was the result of one flawed experiment that attempted to determine CO2 content by analyzing specific rocks.  The methods were flawed and produced erroneous results. Of course the quacks have expanded upon this – ignoring the fact that the original premise is known to be incorrect. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I read that book also, but what confuses me , is that I thought the greenhouse gases or whatever they call them in the atmosphere are increasing, and that would mean the co2 in the atmosphere is increasing, which would mean with the same breathing we would be breathing in MORE co2, not less.The entire thing is confusing as all h—!Also, I read that ages ago we had more co2 in the atmosphere than we have now.  How could that be?  We have more people now than back in prehistoric times, breathing out more co2, and the trees breathing in the co2 were chopped down.  ??

And in a similar query. If you are talking about the Buteyko method, I bought two books on it and have looked at websites about it, and it is based on an understanding of physiology, right or wrong.  I don’t know, but I’m not a doctor. The premise that the carbon dioxide content of the  planet used to be much higher than it is now, and we need to breath in higher content of this co2 than we do now or otherwise  compensate , is a position from reason, and certainly deserves discussion. The quack website says they want more information and experience with it before they reach a conclusion.

Repeat: Britannica posits that 3.5 Billion years ago atmospheric CO2 was 100 times the level of today.  Very roughly, if the decrease is linear, every 35 million years (for discussion purposes only, it’s late I’m tired), lose 1 1900AD level of atmospheric CO2. Let’s oversimplfy (calculations very approximate, don’t use this for a lab paper):                  Multiple of 1900AD Years ago        atmospheric CO2 3,500,000,000    100 (approx)    35,000,000      2     3,500,000      1.1 Eve, Leake     2,000,000      1.1 Dawn of Man, Clarke        10,000      1.0 Human civilization           100      1.0 1900AD            50      1.0 Decrease in asthma rate(?)            20      1.1 Increase in asthma rate(?)             0      1.2 2000AD, US DOE If your queries are not getting the results you expect, you should post your query on the buteyko mailing list, of which you are a member. // "Fashions come and fashions go; some run deep, and when they change, certain adjustments are required…." Catherine Wells Before you buy.

Response:

People are always scared of what they don’t understand!

I think this is a wrong statement.I hope you are speaking for yourself and not the for everyone else.

Response:

Britannica posits that 3.5 Billion years ago atmospheric CO2 was 100 times the level of today.  Very roughly, if the decrease is linear, every 35 million years (for discussion purposes only, it’s late I’m tired), lose 1 1900AD level of atmospheric CO2.

I’ve got a question.  I don’t know who has been saying what, because to be honest, I have only been following this thread half-heartedly, but I’ve got to ask my question anyway.  (so sorry to Michael Lim if I put words in his mouth or something)  Anyway, I think that people are arguing that because the Earth may have had higher carbon dioxide levels 3.5 billion years ago, then somehow humans are used to this level and are suffering now.  OK, my problems are: – we don’t know if humans existed that far back (see below) – even if humans did, they probably didn’t look like we look like now (more on this in my question) My question: You people seem to be forgetting all about a thing called evolution.  It applies not only to humans, but to all other animals.  We aren’t like what we were like 3.5 billion years ago.  In fact, something like 99% of the life forms that existed back then are extinct now!  So, how can you suggest that earlier levels of carbon dioxide, especially going back 3.5 billion years ago (!!!), would have an effect on how we breathe now? One of the most amazing things about the human animal is our ability to adapt…  It’s why we’re now at the top of the food chain…  One more question:  if you are actually correct in that earlier levels of carbon dioxide effect today’s breathing, why doesn’t it affect other animals? Why is asthma largley a human illness?  Yes, I’ve seen strange articles entitled "Horses get asthma too!" but well, with horses, I’d start to suspect breeding to be the real cause. Let’s oversimplfy (calculations very approximate, don’t use this for a lab paper):                  Multiple of 1900AD Years ago        atmospheric CO2 3,500,000,000    100 (approx)    35,000,000      2     3,500,000      1.1 Eve, Leake     2,000,000      1.1 Dawn of Man, Clarke

I sure as heck can’t remember my numbers, but it doesn’t matter.  No one really knows exactly when we first appeared, especially when you count the different forms we seemingly came in.  Anyway, even if that number is correct, I still remember reading in one of my books on evolution (sorry, don’t have it with me – that course was done a couple of years ago), that it has been discovered that evolution occurs basically in big leaps, every some-thousand or so years.  I forget the number, but I think it was 60.  Anyway, in the amount of time that has passed, we’ve had the chance to evolve a lot!  Also, if your numbers above are correct (or close or whatever), there was a LOT of time that had already passed since the ultimately high levels of carbon dioxide anyway! Sorry for continuing the thread, but I had to point out my problems with what has been said, and ask my questions. Vicky

Response:

I’ve only been on this group for one month, but I am all for alternative medicine and am currently taking something that has helped my respiratory system significantly. I still have asthma and use inhalers, but my doctor was able to reduce my puffs because of this alternative thing. And it is safe. As a Graduate Student in Nutrition (on hold) I know there can be alot of junk out there that people are selling, but there is also some good stuff. Thanks Colleen. Raquel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone, I came across this  online book, "NATURE CURE" for  Asthma while searching the web for something else and thought I’d pass the URL along to you guys. It has some interesting information on diet for asthmatics; it’s an online book entitled, " A complete Handbook of Nature Cure". http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/ncure/index.htm (part 3, #29–asthma.) http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/ncure/chap29.htm Now, don’t start shooting flames at me, I’ve been reading (and posting) on  our alt.support.asthma newsgroup for over 5 years and I know how some of you guys get all cranked up when anyone dares to mention anything to do with alternative treatments for asthma. ) So, that said, I’m not promoting ANYTHING, just passing along the webpage for those of you who may be interested in reading the part on Asthma. I found it interesting. Maybe some of the information will help someone in the group. Have a real good weekend, Cheers, Colleen

Before you buy.

Response:

People are afraid of what they do not understand and are also afraid of what they do understand because they are not certain they understand it or not.  Do you understandd?

Response:

Re: another viewpoint   Help Sorry Allan, that’s not what I’ve been saying at all. What I’ve been saying is that these non-drug methods of dealing with asthma should be looked at and discussed in a polite,considerate, and respnsible manner. They should not be instantly dismiessed and denigrated simply because they deal with somthing other than drugs. At no time did I say that all, or even any, alternative treatments were "shrouded in timeless wisdom." Some of them are absolute crap. What I’m saying is that a greater level of respect and decency needs to be present here. That these alternataives should be read about, questions asked, answers given, and the methods disucssed. They should not be immediatelyl isulted and dismissed simply becusae they deal with something other than drugs.

No fear here, and I’ve visited the website in question, where enemas and diets including prunes figure prominently in the treatment regimen (carry Fleets and lots of coins for the restrooms instead of inhalers). Your presumption that people who dismiss quackery ‘just don’t understand’ sounds like evangelism–only the annointed and receptive (read gullible) can appreciate the subleties of the Eastern methods. After all, they’ve been around for centuries, so they must be shrouded in timeless wisdom (so has the hanging of garlic to ward off vampires). These practicioners shrink from subjecting their techniques to the scientific method, and cry ‘conspiracy’ when that is pointed out…

People are always scared of what they don’t understand!

Yet more bigoted ramblings ……

Just out of idle curiosity – is the book based on science? Hello Colin, ) Whose Science? Western or Eastern? ????? I am talking about the scientific method. Like mathematics there is no ‘eastern’ nor ‘western’ version. There is only correct science and incorrect science. However, I believe it is based on Eastern Philosophy. Philosophy has nothing to do with science. Philosophy is about beliefs, and has very little to do with physical reality. If it can change according to a philosophical viewpoint, then it is a belief – not fact. If it cannot be changed by philosophical viewpoint, then it is a fact. For example the biochemical processes that constitute asthma are fact – they are going to remain the same no matter what you believe about them. My studies in philosophy are focused in the field of ethics. I have no interest in authors who apparently do not even understand what philosophy even is. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."

Question:

THE INDEPENDENT: HEALTH: CANNABIS, WEED OR WONDER DRUG?: NEARLY 30 YEARS AFTER CANNABIS WAS BANNED, A PROPOSED CHANGE IN THELAW LOOKS SET TO CLEAR IT FOR MEDICINAL USE. BUT JUST HOW USEFUL IS THE DRUG – AND HOW SAFE? 84% match; The Independent – United Kingdom ; 13-Jul-2000 12:00:00 am ; 1445 words Historical rumour has it that Queen Victoria was a keen proponent of cannabis, apparently using it for the relief of period pains. Sir John Russell Reynolds, for many years her personal physician, wrote extensively on the benefits of taking cannabis, and in Victorian times the herb was widely used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions, including muscle spasms, menstrual cramps and rheumatism. Now, 150 years later, the situation is very different. Cannabis is illegal. Not only is it outlawed in Britain as a class-B drug; the herb, which is referred to in the oldest surviving text on medical drugs – the 5,000- year-old Chinese Shen-Nung Pen-tsao – is banned for all medical purposes. But the phoenix is rising from the ashes. After a dormancy of almost 30 years since the total ban in 1971, a private member’s Bill for the legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes is currently going through Parliament; its second reading is scheduled for later this month and has the signed support of 100 MPs. Should the Bill go through, cannabis may become immediately available as a treatment for illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Research in the UK is abuzz with testing for its therapeutic gains. For conditions from asthma to migraines, cannabis could be the treatment of tomorrow. Lester Grinspoon is associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, in the United States. He is co-author of the book Cannabis the Forbidden Medicine and is one of many medical professionals across the world who believe that there is sufficient proof that cannabis is legitimate for medicinal purposes. Dr Grinspoon explained: "It has been well known for thousand of years that cannabis has medical uses. It is far safer than most medicines prescribed by doctors daily and often works for patients who cannot tolerate the side-effects of other drugs. In many cases no other drug will do the job as safely or as well." The list of illnesses that cannabis has been used to treat, from both historical and contemporary evidence, is impressive. Dr Grinspoon continued: "Clinical experience suggests that it is helpful for patients with severe nausea and vomiting, arthritis, glaucoma, muscle spasms, pre-menstrual syndrome, seizure disorders, the Aids weight-loss syndrome, asthma, fibromyalgia, Tourette’s syndrome and depression, to name a few." Doctors have known of the medicinal benefits of cannabis for decades. Two drugs based on its active ingredient – tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC – have been used in Britain for over 30 years to treat nausea in cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, although their use has declined as newer drugs have taken their place. Interest in other medicinal uses of cannabis is growing. There are at least 60 psychoactive substances among the 400 chemicals contained in the drug. The aim of research is to extract the active constituents of cannabis – in the same way that morphine was extracted from opium – to establish which are of benefit. A 1997 report by the British Medical Association’s board of science, "Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis", concluded that there was evidence that the drug could help muscle spasm in patients with multiple sclerosis. There was also limited evidence of benefits in epilepsy, glaucoma, asthma, high blood pressure and the weight-loss associated with Aids. The BMA stressed it was not advocating use of the whole cannabis plant, which could be as damaging as tobacco, if not more so, but wanted research to determine which of the plant’s 400 chemical constituents might bring medical benefits. However, in the meantime, it called on the courts to show compassion to people using the drug for medicinal reasons. As you read this, there are about 40,000 cannabis plants being cultivated at a secret location in the south of England for precisely that purpose. GW Pharmaceuticals was set up in December 1997, after discussions with UK government officials, by Geoffrey Guy, who has 18 years’ experience in pharmaceutical development, with the sole purpose of conducting medical research on cannabis. Because of the illegality of using cannabis for medical purposes, any research has to be conducted with the Home Office’s permission. To conduct in-depth research, the company has been granted two licences: a cultivation licence, which allows it to grow cannabis in a highly secure glasshouse facility, and a licence for possession and supply for medical research, which – as the name suggests – allows the company to dispense cannabis preparations for the purpose of research. But after 5,000 years of historical accounts and reams of anecdotal evidence – why all this additional investigation? Why should we not just light up a spliff at the first inkling of a toothache? The BMA’s findings cite that smoking a cannabis cigarette – containing only herbal cannabis – leads to three times more tar inhalation than from smoking a tobacco cigarette. Chronic smoking of cannabis can increase the risk of smoking-related illnesses – such as cardiovascular disease, bronchitis and emphysema – threefold. Other potential dangers of long- term use include the suppression of ovulation in women, a decreased sperm count in men, sedation and anxiety. Research into the administration of cannabis via alternative, safer methods is already under way. GW Pharmaceuticals has developed a number of delivery methods, including sub-lingual sprays and drops and aerosols and vaporisers for inhalation. The benefits of such methods are that they avoid smoking and allow the cannabinoids to be absorbed straight into the bloodstream. By the time the herb has been fully developed for medicinal use, it is likely that its psychotropic effects will have been eliminated. In other words, if you are going to be using it as a medicine in the future, you are not going to be getting high. Dr Guy believes that the psychoactive effect is an unwanted effect. He said: "There is a false assumption that multiple sclerosis sufferers, for example, who use cannabis get high and don’t care about the pain. That is not what happens. "People who are taking part in our trials are ordinary people who want relief from the pain and other symptoms such as spasm. They just want to get on with their lives. They want to go to the supermarket and do simple things, and you can’t do that if you are suffering from unwanted psychoactive side-effects." Roger Pertwee, of Aberdeen University, who has dedicated years of scientific study to cannabis, seconds his view. He explained: "I’ve seen anecdotal claims that you don’t need to get high to feel better. Usually people are not seeking to get high; they are just using it to treat their symptoms. I would imagine that for some people getting high is a real nuisance. It might be fun on the odd occasion, but every day it would get rather boring." The sub-lingual and inhalation methods developed by GW Pharmaceuticals will ensure a sufficiently low dosage to eliminate the psychotropic effects but still provide quick, effective pain relief. Earlier this month, another breakthrough for administering cannabis was achieved by a team of scientists at Imperial College, University of London. They showed that cannabinoids act on the spinal cord as well as the brain. The finding paves the way for the development of new cannabinoid-based drugs that target the spinal cord to fight pain but bypass the brain and so, again, do not cause the high. So what happens next? GW Pharmaceuticals estimates that a cannabis-based medicine will be available in 2003. Dr Guy predicts that it will be treated in the same way as morphine. "Morphine, which is used as a painkiller for cancer, is a dangerous substance. But under the right conditions, nobody would suggest that we couldn’t prescribe morphine. What we are keen to do is to see if cannabis should occupy the same shelf in the pharmacist’s cupboard as morphine does." So, if and when a cannabis-based medicine becomes available, it is unlikely to bear much similarity to what Queen Victoria would have put in her pipe. A CURE-ALL FOR THE FUTURE? THE POTENTIAL MEDICAL USES FOR CANNABIS Asthma: a report issued by the select committee for science and technology of the House of Lords in 1998 acknowledged that cannabinoids seemed to work as effectively as conventional treatments for asthma. Anorexia: trials have shown oral tetrahydracannabinol (THC) to be effective as an appetite stimulant in patients suffering from Aids-related appetite loss. Studies showed that patients benefited from substantial weight gain. That led to its legalisation in the USA in 1992. The BMA has recommended that it be licensed in the UK to treat anorexia in patients with cancer or Aids. Arthritis: cannabis’s pain-reducing properties are well documented, and emerging evidence suggests it has anti-inflammatory qualities. Dale Gieringer, American author of the paper "Review of Human Studies on the Medical Use of Marijuana" cites three studies documenting cannabis’s potential anti-inflammatory properties. Glaucoma: a report by the Institute of Medicine in the USA acknowledged cannabis’s potential as a cure, stating: "High intra-ocular pressure is a high risk factor for glaucoma and can be reduced by cannabinoids and marijuana." High blood pressure: research is being done at the University of Nottingham medical school on the effects on circulation produced by endocannabinoids, cannabis-like chemicals produced by the body. Scientists recently discovered that the endocannabinoid anandamide relaxes blood vessels, which can reduce blood pressure and allow it to flow more freely. Migraine: a recent article in the medical journal Pain … read more »

Response:

What a hilarious image to conjure — the queen getting high. Love it. Sharise http://ms.about.com EXCELLENCE is the Best Revenge!

Question:

where can i buy the product allersearch ads at   i have called allover town canton,ohio and can not locate it

Response:

I suffer from severe bronchial spasms. My diagnosis is Brochialspasm Disease and Airway Reactive Disease. No diagnosis of Asthma but the same symptoms. I went to the ER a few weeks ago. It was a trip from hell. I told the doc i had Brochial Infection for 10 days and had gotten a Solu Medrol shot and a dose pack. I also said my breathing treatments made me go into an acute attack. What did he do? Two more breathing treatments. When I told him the only thing that helped was a Solu Medrol shot you would have thought I asked for Morphine. A couple of hours later a nurse came in with a syringe that looked empty. I asked what it  was in case I had to tell mt doctor in the middle of the night. She said Decadron 8mg. I finally left to go home (still wheezing) and passed out on the bed to sleep from exhaustion. I went to the doctor two days later with an elevated white blood cell count and wheezing .I sent for my medical records from the ER visit. It said my wheezing was secondary to anxiety. And that patient believes she got a steroid shot. Needless to say I wrote that doctor a letter from hell. My doctor could not believe he would not give me a shot. I now carry in my purse a letter from my doctor stating my disease and how she treats it. I really think when I walked in there with a severe weight problem it was all over with. My weight was written in big letters , the first thing you see. I wish that doctor would have to use steriods to breathe and all the others meds I take to get relief from a chronic muscle pain disease. I worked as a nurse for 10 years prior to be coming disabled. I hope I didn’t make my patients feel as bad as he did. I haven’t been able to shake the depression he caused by it. Sorry for the long post. I thought if anyone wolud understand it would be you. Thanks for listening.

Response:

I suffer from severe bronchial spasms. My diagnosis is Brochialspasm Disease and Airway Reactive Disease. No diagnosis of Asthma but the same symptoms.

That was my initial diagnosis several years ago too. It was hard to get anyone to believe i had a problem. The "challenge tests" were negative back then and I was sent from the allergist with no treatment- until I went to the doctor’s office for a check-up and she heard wheezing. Then she did a quickie breath test and said "that’s not good". It was ok for an 80 year old, but not for me, 35 at the time. With home use of bronchodilators and the use of Peak flow meters I finally was able to see that yes I reponded dramatically to the albuterol. Still, doctors rarely believe(d) how bad I really feel and how much I cough all day. I had the problem last year that the doc thought it was in my head- I still get that. My husband knows how sick I can be and that it IS real.. but doctors do not always treat a persons complaints with respect.  I went to the ER a few weeks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -ago. It was a trip from hell. I told the doc i had Brochial Infection for 10 days and had gotten a Solu Medrol shot and a dose pack. I also said my breathing treatments made me go into an acute attack. What did he do? Two more breathing treatments. When I told him the only thing that helped was a Solu Medrol shot you would have thought I asked for Morphine. A couple of hours later a nurse came in with a syringe that looked empty. I asked what it  was in case I had to tell mt doctor in the middle of the night. She said Decadron 8mg. I finally left to go home (still wheezing) and passed out on the bed to sleep from exhaustion. I went to the doctor two days later with an elevated white blood cell count and wheezing .I sent for my medical records from the ER visit. It said my wheezing was secondary to anxiety. And that patient believes she got a steroid shot. Needless to say I wrote that doctor a letter from hell. My doctor could not believe he would not give me a shot.

I now carry in my purse a letter from my doctor stating my disease and how she treats it. I really think when I walked in there with a severe weight problem it was all over with. My weight was written in big letters , the first thing you see.

I know that one. After having my first child I was humungous. I could just feel it and sense it. It was disgusting to people. The nurses were not very kind at all. People stared. (I was humungous from weight and severe preeclampsia- after childbirth. I was a disgusting freak to some of them. I was happy to be alive so it was ok. After child-birth I weighed in at 210 pounds -5′ tall- water retention. I was a distended bubble. I could hardly walk.   I can relate to what you are saying. I wish that doctor would have to use steriods to breathe and all the others meds I take to get relief from a chronic muscle pain disease. I worked as a nurse for 10 years prior to be coming disabled. I hope I didn’t make my patients feel as bad as he did.

I’m sure you didn’t. I haven’t been able to shake the depression he caused by it.

Get MAD instead. The depression that comes out of not being believed is just horrible! If the doctors knew how horrible this is they would not do what they did to you -or me- They should always give the benefit of the doubt or assume that the patient’s complaints are real until proven otherwise. Otherwise they should be prepared to be responsible for both not treating the patient properly and for causing additional harm to the patient in the form of depression. Sorry for the long post. I thought if anyone wolud understand it would be you.

Definitely. I am mad at them for how they treated you. For shame!!! Thanks for listening.

You too. Chilla

Response:

Dont poison your family

What are the dangers of making my own solution out of a food grade tannic acid as long as I don’t have a mirror, razor blade or straw next to them? Understand that I work in a lab and handle hazardous chemicals on a daily basis.  Boiling water can be a hazardous chemical if you spill it on yourself, but with caution and focus I usually manage to avoid that danger. When are you going to start standing at the urinal with the big boys instead of going into the stall and closing the door? Or, in other words, why don’t you stop being such a childish troll?  Do you really believe anyone here considers you a valuable resource?  Except, perhaps, Mr. Kolb and his cult.

Response:

Dont Listen To Cynic. Hes stupid and cheap! { And Nuts! }Spend the aprox $23.00 and Purchase the Allersearch ADS Product. It is Licensed and formulated properly to do the job for which it is designed for. Dont poison your family with home made concoctions as Cynic would have you do.

And exactly what is the danger if somebody follows his advice?  You make this stuff sound like a deadly poison.   BTW, you are aware that we drink a fairly strong concentration of tannic acid when we drink tea – right? "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Dont Listen To Cynic. Hes stupid and cheap! { And Nuts! }Spend the aprox $23.00 and Purchase the Allersearch ADS Product. It is Licensed and formulated properly to do the job for which it is designed for. Dont poison your family with home made concoctions as Cynic would have you do. And exactly what is the danger if somebody follows his advice?  You make this stuff sound like a deadly poison. BTW, you are aware that we drink a fairly strong concentration of tannic acid when we drink tea – right?

Yeah, but using tannic acid will prevent the patient from seeking proper care from a doctor and his asthma will get worse and he will die!

Response:

And exactly what is the danger if somebody follows his advice?  You make this stuff sound like a deadly poison. BTW, you are aware that we drink a fairly strong concentration of tannic acid when we drink tea – right? Yeah, but using tannic acid will prevent the patient from seeking proper care from a doctor and his asthma will get worse and he will die!

that is an utterly ridiculous comment Daniel are you just upset that Colin isn’t living up to the stereotype you want him to be so that he’s easy to argue against there is no conspiracy to attack non pharmaceutical treatments for asthma…that is entirely a figment of several people’s imagination…all some of us want is for people to use a little intelligence and logic when choosing a treatment…with tannic acid the chemistry is well understood and the safety implications are known and quite acceptable…so it’s no problem…except to people who can make an extra few dollars from a similar product given a fancy name — eric "the alternative to seeing things in black and white is to see them in full colour"

Response:

Mabe you guys should go ahead and drink some like tea if you feel that its so safe. Just dont come to me if your liver comes out when you get the runs!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dont Listen To Cynic. Hes stupid and cheap! { And Nuts! }Spend the aprox $23.00 and Purchase the Allersearch ADS Product. It is Licensed and formulated properly to do the job for which it is designed for. Dont poison your family with home made concoctions as Cynic would have you do. And exactly what is the danger if somebody follows his advice?  You make this stuff sound like a deadly poison. BTW, you are aware that we drink a fairly strong concentration of tannic acid when we drink tea – right? "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Dont Listen To Cynic. Hes stupid and cheap! { And Nuts! }Spend the aprox $23.00 and Purchase the Allersearch ADS Product. It is Licensed and formulated properly to do the job for which it is designed for. Dont poison your family with home made concoctions as Cynic would have you do. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barry here of http://www.aircleaners.com  You Guys really dont know what your talking about! There are only two things that will kill dustmites and has been proven. One of them is FREE. The simple freebe is HOT WATER. Hot water in your wash will kill the little suckers in your sheets, pillows, clothes ECT.. You dont have to add stuff into your wash water to kill them.Also Super hot steam cleaning your carpeting will kill many of them off. { make sure your carpet cleaning company uses a very powerful vacuum to suck all of the water out of your carpet to avoid mold growth!} Another product called Acrosan Powder will kill them in the carpet. The dustmites see the stuff as dead skin food and eat it. They bloat up and die. The real problem isn’t the live dustmites themselves. Its their feces and dead shells. Thats the allergen. Its very light and stays airborne for a long time . The best treatment for the allergen on carpet is called Allersearch ADS SPRAY. Allersearch works by denaturing the dustmite allergen as well as animal dander and pollens. It breaks the allergens down to a more simple form that is non or much less reactive.The main ingredient  in Allersearch is tannic acid. All tannic acids are not the same . Dont try to mix your own product from common drugstore batches.This is unsafe! Actually its unsafe to get the wrong grade of tannic acid , as it may have many heavy metal toxins in it. Certain Tannic Acid Preparations are used in Lithography for instance, and you would want to avoid that. What you want to get is what Gardeners , and Wine Makers get for their home use. Which I bought at http://www.voigtglobal.com If you buy through http://www.voigtglobal.com you will get a 98% pure Chemical Reagent  and Food and Cosmetic Grade, which is very safe to handle , and easy to mix with water, and safe to use, as long as you are not inhaling the powder;-), or use it in an Unjudicious Manner. Moreover, this grade is used by Wine Makers, to precipitate the cloudiness out of wine. You want to make 3 or 5% aqueous solutions. Around $60 dollars will get you a 500gram bottle of powder, which will be more than adequate for an entire house. As it will make in excess of 12 bottles of 32 oz. spray, just by simply mixing with water. Whereas the commercial 32oz sprays for $30 bucks, although they claim they will handle 600sq. ft. are only adequate for  less than a 100sq. ft. So 5 or more bottles would be necessary to do an adequate covering. Been There , Done That!! You dont want to poison yourself or your family. There you have it. The Truth About Dustmite Allergens And Dustmites. Look up the studies of Tom Plattsmills. Hes the famous researcher that has the most info on dustmites. Hes The Mite Man! Also study done in Australia suggests that eucalyptus oil, when added to a cold wash, will kill dust mites Hi Chuck, Actually there is a product out called "DeMite" that you can get. You put that in with your sheets and pillow cases when you do the laundry. You might want to also check out an allergy product place on the net. They have sheets, mattress coverings, pillows, and pillow cases designed to ward off dust mites.  Hope this helps Jenn My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? Thanks!

Response:

Exposing bedding to the sun…drying sheets and pillowcases on the clothesline…makes my asthma worse because pollen in the air is deposited on the sheets and pillowcases. You can kill dust mites by washing sheets and pillowcases every week in very hot water with chlorine bleach. Buy dust-mite-proof coverings for your pillows and mattresses. Joan

If you have pollen allergies you should never dry clothes outdoors however. The pollen will cling to the material, and you’ll simply exchange one problem for another.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barry here of http://www.aircleaners.com  You Guys really dont know what your talking about! There are only two things that will kill dustmites and has been proven. One of them is FREE. The simple freebe is HOT WATER.  Hot water in your wash will kill the little suckers in your sheets, pillows, clothes ECT.. You dont have to add stuff into your wash water to kill them.Also Super hot steam cleaning your carpeting will kill many of them off. { make sure your carpet cleaning company uses a very powerful vacuum to suck all of the water out of your carpet to avoid mold growth!} Another product called Acrosan Powder will kill them in the carpet. The dustmites see the stuff as dead skin food and eat it. They bloat up and die. The real problem isn’t the live dustmites themselves. Its their feces and dead shells. Thats the allergen. Its very light and stays airborne for a long time . The best treatment for the allergen on carpet is called Allersearch ADS SPRAY. Allersearch works by denaturing the dustmite allergen as well as animal dander and pollens. It breaks the allergens down to a more simple form that is non or much less reactive.The main ingredient  in Allersearch is tannic acid. All tannic acids are not the same . Dont try to mix your own product from common drugstore batches.This is unsafe!

Actually its unsafe to get the wrong grade of tannic acid , as it may have many heavy metal toxins in it. Certain Tannic Acid Preparations are used in Lithography for instance, and you would want to avoid that. What you want to get is what Gardeners , and Wine Makers get for their home use. Which I bought at http://www.voigtglobal.com If you buy through http://www.voigtglobal.com you will get a 98% pure Chemical Reagent  and Food and Cosmetic Grade, which is very safe to handle , and easy to mix with water, and safe to use, as long as you are not inhaling the powder;-), or use it in an Unjudicious Manner. Moreover, this grade is used by Wine Makers, to precipitate the cloudiness out of wine. You want to make 3 or 5% aqueous solutions. Around $60 dollars will get you a 500gram bottle of powder, which will be more than adequate for an entire house. As it will make in excess of 12 bottles of 32 oz. spray, just by simply mixing with water. Whereas the commercial 32oz sprays for $30 bucks, although they claim they will handle 600sq. ft. are only adequate for  less than a 100sq. ft. So 5 or more bottles would be necessary to do an adequate covering. Been There , Done That!! You dont want to – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -poison yourself or your family. There you have it. The Truth About Dustmite Allergens And Dustmites. Look up the studies of Tom Plattsmills. Hes the famous researcher that has the most info on dustmites. Hes The Mite Man! Also study done in Australia suggests that eucalyptus oil, when added to a cold wash, will kill dust mites Hi Chuck, Actually there is a product out called "DeMite" that you can get.  You put that in with your sheets and pillow cases when you do the laundry.  You might want to also check out an allergy product place on the net.  They have sheets, mattress coverings, pillows, and pillow cases designed to ward off dust mites.  Hope this helps Jenn My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? Thanks!

Response:

Exposing bedding to the sun…drying sheets and pillowcases on the clothesline…makes my asthma worse because pollen in the air is deposited on the sheets and pillowcases. You can kill dust mites by washing sheets and pillowcases every week in very hot water with chlorine bleach. Buy dust-mite-proof coverings for your pillows and mattresses. Joan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only way to kill these SOB is exposing them to the sun. You should clean everyday all the bed clothed, and use the aspirator machine in your bedroom. Regards My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? A mattress is a dust mite condominium. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

ADS SPRAY. Allersearch works by denaturing the dustmite allergen as well as animal dander and pollens. It breaks the allergens down to a more simple form that is non or much less reactive.The main ingredient  in Allersearch is tannic acid. All tannic acids are not the same . Dont try to mix your own product from common drugstore batches.This is unsafe! You dont want to poison yourself or your family.

Can you give the LD50 information for this?  Do you know what an LD50 is? "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Colon, Call The Allersearch Company yourself.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ADS SPRAY. Allersearch works by denaturing the dustmite allergen as well as animal dander and pollens. It breaks the allergens down to a more simple form that is non or much less reactive.The main ingredient  in Allersearch is tannic acid. All tannic acids are not the same . Dont try to mix your own product from common drugstore batches.This is unsafe! You dont want to poison yourself or your family. Can you give the LD50 information for this?  Do you know what an LD50 is? "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

The only way to kill these SOB is exposing them to the sun. You should clean everyday all the bed clothed, and use the aspirator machine in your bedroom. Regards

My advice is to get mite proof covers for the mattress and bedsprings, then wash the bedding regularly in hot water. I am unsure if exposure to sunlight would bother dust mites. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Exposure to ultra violet light does in fact kill dust mites, but considerable exposure is needed

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only way to kill these SOB is exposing them to the sun. You should clean everyday all the bed clothed, and use the aspirator machine in your bedroom. Regards My advice is to get mite proof covers for the mattress and bedsprings, then wash the bedding regularly in hot water. I am unsure if exposure to sunlight would bother dust mites. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Also study done in Australia suggests that eucalyptus oil, when added to a cold wash, will kill dust mites

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Chuck, Actually there is a product out called "DeMite" that you can get.  You put that in with your sheets and pillow cases when you do the laundry.  You might want to also check out an allergy product place on the net.  They have sheets, mattress coverings, pillows, and pillow cases designed to ward off dust mites.  Hope this helps Jenn My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? Thanks!

Response:

Barry here of http://www.aircleaners.com  You Guys really dont know what your talking about! There are only two things that will kill dustmites and has been proven. One of them is FREE. The simple freebe is HOT WATER.  Hot water in your wash will kill the little suckers in your sheets, pillows, clothes ECT.. You dont have to add stuff into your wash water to kill them.Also Super hot steam cleaning your carpeting will kill many of them off. { make sure your carpet cleaning company uses a very powerful vacuum to suck all of the water out of your carpet to avoid mold growth!} Another product called Acrosan Powder will kill them in the carpet. The dustmites see the stuff as dead skin food and eat it. They bloat up and die. The real problem isn’t the live dustmites themselves. Its their feces and dead shells. Thats the allergen. Its very light and stays airborne for a long time . The best treatment for the allergen on carpet is called Allersearch ADS SPRAY. Allersearch works by denaturing the dustmite allergen as well as animal dander and pollens. It breaks the allergens down to a more simple form that is non or much less reactive.The main ingredient  in Allersearch is tannic acid. All tannic acids are not the same . Dont try to mix your own product from common drugstore batches.This is unsafe! You dont want to poison yourself or your family. There you have it. The Truth About Dustmite Allergens And Dustmites. Look up the studies of Tom Plattsmills. Hes the famous researcher that has the most info on dustmites. Hes The Mite Man! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Also study done in Australia suggests that eucalyptus oil, when added to a cold wash, will kill dust mites Hi Chuck, Actually there is a product out called "DeMite" that you can get.  You put that in with your sheets and pillow cases when you do the laundry.  You might want to also check out an allergy product place on the net.  They have sheets, mattress coverings, pillows, and pillow cases designed to ward off dust mites.  Hope this helps Jenn My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? Thanks!

Response:

My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? Thanks!

Response:

My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress?

A mattress is a dust mite condominium. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

The only way to kill these SOB is exposing them to the sun. You should clean everyday all the bed clothed, and use the aspirator machine in your bedroom. Regards

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? A mattress is a dust mite condominium. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Hi Chuck, Actually there is a product out called "DeMite" that you can get.  You put that in with your sheets and pillow cases when you do the laundry.  You might want to also check out an allergy product place on the net.  They have sheets, mattress coverings, pillows, and pillow cases designed to ward off dust mites.  Hope this helps Jenn

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My asthma has recently been bothering me (last 2 years) and I am wondering if it has anything to do with my new bed…. Also, can dust mites live in the mattress? Thanks!

Response:

Question:

Speaking of OTCproducts, as anybody ever tried BronkAid?  I used to take it in the years before my asthma was diagnosed and found it helpful, but wonder if it would be a no-no to use now that I’m using so many asthma drugs (proventil, flovent, serevent, Theo24, Claritin 24, Nasonex).  The package said the tablets contain ephedren and guiafsen (sp?).

Bronkaid is nothing but a less effective and less safe medication that does the same thing as your Proventil. This stuff does not even meet current FDA safety guidelines.  It is only on the market because it existed before the guidelines. There is no place for the hyphen in our citizenship… We are a nation, not a hodge-podge of foreign nationalities. We are a people, and not a polyglot boarding house.  - Theodore Roosevelt

Response:

Thanks for comment on BronkAid.  Amazing what can be behind the labels that people don’t know.  I’m glad I asked before I tried it; had forgotten it even existed until I happened to see it at the store a week ago. If you can find a quote about a carnation, you will be a sensation!

Response:

The book, Taking Charge of Asthma by Betty Wray, MD discusses the questions you should ask your doctor and better ways to be in charge and knowledgeable about your condition. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com

Response:

To everyone who advised me to go to the doctor: You were right. Turns out my ailment has nothing to do with asthma. It’s an inflamed rib from a rock climbing accident. -TC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me? -TC

Response:

Speaking of OTCproducts, as anybody ever tried BronkAid?  I used to take it in the years before my asthma was diagnosed and found it helpful, but wonder if it would be a no-no to use now that I’m using so many asthma drugs (proventil, flovent, serevent, Theo24, Claritin 24, Nasonex).  The package said the tablets contain ephedren and guiafsen (sp?). If you can find a quote about a carnation, you will be a sensation!

Response:

onConsulting.com writes To everyone who advised me to go to the doctor: You were right.

IMHO ‘got to your doctor/vet’ is one of the soundest bits of advice to give.  Personally I’d rather see the vets for me as well as the cats – they will always see me the day I call unless it’s at 6pm, whereas I have to turn on the ‘poorly sick asthmatic’ to see the doctor pronto sometimes. Turns out my ailment has nothing to do with asthma. It’s an inflamed rib from a rock climbing accident.

That must be a relief! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –TC A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me? -TC

– Surfer!

Response:

Well, since I didn’t give you anything, you’re welcome! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And what about those who rally against the Snake Oil Salesman. Your a blessed curse Daniel Thanks for nothing! A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me? Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore.  Become familiar with the different functions of different OTC medications.  Decongestants (most cold remedies) reduce the activity of mucous membranes and reduce local swelling of the membranes. Antihistamines (most allergy medicines) block the action of allergins that leads to mucous membrane swelling.  Bronchiodilators (most OTC inhalers) relax the muscles around the bronchial tubes so that the tubes expand.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Also become familiar with the side-effects of meds.  Decongestants and bronchiodilators tend to have a "rebound" effect that causes your symptoms to become worse (than when you first took the med) as the med wears off.  Overreacting to this rebound can cause you to use ever-increasing dosages and lead to dependency on the meds. Decongestants can make you drowsy, antihistamines and bronchiodilators can make you jumpy.  NSAIDs can cause stomach problems and kidney damage.  And there are many other possible side-effects, some of which may be so rare that they may not be listed in standard references, but you may be one of the "lucky" ones and have them. One advantage of being your own doc is that you can treat precisely the symptoms you have, avoiding over-medication.  This symptom-oriented treatment is good so long as you can be effective at it and so long as the illness is one of those (such as a virus) that will eventually go away on its own and so long as you don’t start going downhill.  This requires a considerable amount of judgement on your part. The down side is that you may fail to treat your illness adequately and go from bad to worse.  But I can understand how, with today’s medical system, you may very well do a better job than a doctor would.

Response:

A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma.

This was probably acute bronchitis. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me? -TC

Why don’t you get a refill on the albuterol prescription, or isn’t there some left over since there are 200 pf/canister. Generic albuterol is relatively inexpensive and is the short-acting inhaler used in asthma. If it helps it tends to support an asthma diagnosis. Most asthma drugs have been withdrawn from the OTC market by the FDA, leaving a very few drugs which have a lot of side effects. Your best bet–renew the albuterol prescription if it has expired [your pharmacist can handle this] or just get a refill. Albuterol is normally prescribed to be used as needed. Sounds like you need it. However you should really see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Asthma is diagnosed using lung function tests. If you do have asthma, you may be prescribed a steroid inhaler for long term prevention. Ellis

Response:

And what about those who rally against the Snake Oil Salesman. Your a blessed curse Daniel Thanks for nothing! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me? Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore.  Become familiar with the different functions of different OTC medications.  Decongestants (most cold remedies) reduce the activity of mucous membranes and reduce local swelling of the membranes. Antihistamines (most allergy medicines) block the action of allergins that leads to mucous membrane swelling.  Bronchiodilators (most OTC inhalers) relax the muscles around the bronchial tubes so that the tubes expand.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Also become familiar with the side-effects of meds.  Decongestants and bronchiodilators tend to have a "rebound" effect that causes your symptoms to become worse (than when you first took the med) as the med wears off.  Overreacting to this rebound can cause you to use ever-increasing dosages and lead to dependency on the meds. Decongestants can make you drowsy, antihistamines and bronchiodilators can make you jumpy.  NSAIDs can cause stomach problems and kidney damage.  And there are many other possible side-effects, some of which may be so rare that they may not be listed in standard references, but you may be one of the "lucky" ones and have them. One advantage of being your own doc is that you can treat precisely the symptoms you have, avoiding over-medication.  This symptom-oriented treatment is good so long as you can be effective at it and so long as the illness is one of those (such as a virus) that will eventually go away on its own and so long as you don’t start going downhill.  This requires a considerable amount of judgement on your part. The down side is that you may fail to treat your illness adequately and go from bad to worse.  But I can understand how, with today’s medical system, you may very well do a better job than a doctor would.

Response:

A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me? -TC

Response:

A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me.

Sure, if you want to play around with a very serious condition and maybe not get prompt, accurate diagnosis & treatment which may prevent further damage. You know the old saw? The doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient. Respiratory ailments sometimes trigger the onset of asthma.  This may be the case with you, or it might be another respiratory infection, or some other illness you hadn’t thought of. It may seem like an unecessary expense to you at the moment, but don’t mess around with your lungs, see your doctor and let him decide. Working together, you can reach an informed decision. H.

Response:

Unfortunately, my experience has led me to the opposite conclusion. I’ve found that the only way to get prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment is to take an aggressive role in my own health care. Perhaps you live under more fortunate circumstances, but the health care available to me to me is not only expensive, but also inept. I simply don’t trust the judgement of the doctors my insurance sends me to, and I don’t think the 5 minutes of personal attention they will give me will help me come to a more "informed decision" than one I can make on my own. -TC

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Sure, if you want to play around with a very serious condition and maybe not get prompt, accurate diagnosis & treatment which may prevent further damage. You know the old saw? The doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient. Respiratory ailments sometimes trigger the onset of asthma.  This may be the case with you, or it might be another respiratory infection, or some other illness you hadn’t thought of. It may seem like an unecessary expense to you at the moment, but don’t mess around with your lungs, see your doctor and let him decide. Working together, you can reach an informed decision. H.

Response:

Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me?

Go to the doctor.  First of all, those OTC asthma medications are less effective and more likely to produce side effects than the prescription medications. It is surprising how many people are willing to self treat respiratory conditions just in order to save a few bucks. There is no place for the hyphen in our citizenship… We are a nation, not a hodge-podge of foreign nationalities. We are a people, and not a polyglot boarding house.  - Theodore Roosevelt

Response:

A few months ago I went to the emergency room and they diagnosed me with a viral infection which, they said, has the exact same treatment as asthma. They gave me a prescription for albuterol and the symptoms went away in a couple of days. Well, I’m feeling the exact same symptoms again. Instead of going to the doctor and paying through the nose for another prescription, I’d like to see if any over-the-counter treatments for asthma will help me. Can anyone recommend any over-the-counter products to me?

Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore.  Become familiar with the different functions of different OTC medications.  Decongestants (most cold remedies) reduce the activity of mucous membranes and reduce local swelling of the membranes. Antihistamines (most allergy medicines) block the action of allergins that leads to mucous membrane swelling.  Bronchiodilators (most OTC inhalers) relax the muscles around the bronchial tubes so that the tubes expand.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Also become familiar with the side-effects of meds.  Decongestants and bronchiodilators tend to have a "rebound" effect that causes your symptoms to become worse (than when you first took the med) as the med wears off.  Overreacting to this rebound can cause you to use ever-increasing dosages and lead to dependency on the meds. Decongestants can make you drowsy, antihistamines and bronchiodilators can make you jumpy.  NSAIDs can cause stomach problems and kidney damage.  And there are many other possible side-effects, some of which may be so rare that they may not be listed in standard references, but you may be one of the "lucky" ones and have them. One advantage of being your own doc is that you can treat precisely the symptoms you have, avoiding over-medication.  This symptom-oriented treatment is good so long as you can be effective at it and so long as the illness is one of those (such as a virus) that will eventually go away on its own and so long as you don’t start going downhill.  This requires a considerable amount of judgement on your part. The down side is that you may fail to treat your illness adequately and go from bad to worse.  But I can understand how, with today’s medical system, you may very well do a better job than a doctor would.

Response:

Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore.

Good Idea, learning as much about asthma as possible…but the best bet is to see a pulmonologist/allergist who is trained in the management of asthma.  If you feel that your current doctor is inattentive or otherwise inadequate, then seek out another one.  Asthma is not to be trusted to amateurs.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.)

Suggesting aspirin as an anti-inflammatory for anyone with asthma is not a good idea; many persons have severe asthmatic reactions (triad asthma).

Response:

My reply reflects my personal situation:  I, too, was diagnosed with a ‘viral infection’ and put on albuterol.  When my ‘infection’ rebounded & persisted, the doctor (a GP) put me on e-mycin.  Finally, after no improvement, I was hospitalized for over two weeks with ‘pneumonia’–iv erythromycin and ice packs on the arms because my blood vessels were burning up from the meds.  Two days out of the hospital, the cough was still there with a vengeance, so I managed to get in to Mayo Clinic where I was (finally) diagnosed with asthma (and two broken ribs from the coughing).  It was the first time I had been given a methacholine challenge and allergy testing.  I have heard of many others (both personally and on this group) whose family physicians fail to properly assess asthma. My suggestion factors in the possiblity that his circumstance could parallel mine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore. Good Idea, learning as much about asthma as possible…but the best bet is to see a pulmonologist/allergist who is trained in the management of asthma.  If you feel that your current doctor is inattentive or otherwise inadequate, then seek out another one.  Asthma is not to be trusted to amateurs.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Suggesting aspirin as an anti-inflammatory for anyone with asthma is not a good idea; many persons have severe asthmatic reactions (triad asthma). However, the guy has not been diagnosed with asthma.  Just a viral infection.

Response:

Are you saying that you were misdiagnosed there? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, my suggestions factor in the possibility that asthma can be erroneously diagnosed.  I’ve been to the WFMC too. My reply reflects my personal situation:  I, too, was diagnosed with a ‘viral infection’ and put on albuterol.  When my ‘infection’ rebounded & persisted, the doctor (a GP) put me on e-mycin.  Finally, after no improvement, I was hospitalized for over two weeks with ‘pneumonia’–iv erythromycin and ice packs on the arms because my blood vessels were burning up from the meds.  Two days out of the hospital, the cough was still there with a vengeance, so I managed to get in to Mayo Clinic where I was (finally) diagnosed with asthma (and two broken ribs from the coughing).  It was the first time I had been given a methacholine challenge and allergy testing.  I have heard of many others (both personally and on this group) whose family physicians fail to properly assess asthma. My suggestion factors in the possiblity that his circumstance could parallel mine. Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore. Good Idea, learning as much about asthma as possible…but the best bet is to see a pulmonologist/allergist who is trained in the management of asthma.  If you feel that your current doctor is inattentive or otherwise inadequate, then seek out another one.  Asthma is not to be trusted to amateurs.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Suggesting aspirin as an anti-inflammatory for anyone with asthma is not a good idea; many persons have severe asthmatic reactions (triad asthma). However, the guy has not been diagnosed with asthma.  Just a viral infection.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore. Good Idea, learning as much about asthma as possible…but the best bet is to see a pulmonologist/allergist who is trained in the management of asthma.  If you feel that your current doctor is inattentive or otherwise inadequate, then seek out another one.  Asthma is not to be trusted to amateurs.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Suggesting aspirin as an anti-inflammatory for anyone with asthma is not a good idea; many persons have severe asthmatic reactions (triad asthma).

However, the guy has not been diagnosed with asthma.  Just a viral infection.

Response:

Well, my suggestions factor in the possibility that asthma can be erroneously diagnosed.  I’ve been to the WFMC too. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My reply reflects my personal situation:  I, too, was diagnosed with a ‘viral infection’ and put on albuterol.  When my ‘infection’ rebounded & persisted, the doctor (a GP) put me on e-mycin.  Finally, after no improvement, I was hospitalized for over two weeks with ‘pneumonia’–iv erythromycin and ice packs on the arms because my blood vessels were burning up from the meds.  Two days out of the hospital, the cough was still there with a vengeance, so I managed to get in to Mayo Clinic where I was (finally) diagnosed with asthma (and two broken ribs from the coughing).  It was the first time I had been given a methacholine challenge and allergy testing.  I have heard of many others (both personally and on this group) whose family physicians fail to properly assess asthma. My suggestion factors in the possiblity that his circumstance could parallel mine. Then your best bet is to go to the drug store and start reading packages, and maybe pick up a drug reference book at a library or bookstore. Good Idea, learning as much about asthma as possible…but the best bet is to see a pulmonologist/allergist who is trained in the management of asthma.  If you feel that your current doctor is inattentive or otherwise inadequate, then seek out another one.  Asthma is not to be trusted to amateurs.  NSAIDs (aspirin and several other pain relievers) reduce inflamation.  Expectorants (such as plain Robitussin) increase the mucous flow, making it easier to clear the lungs of irritants and infection byproducts.  (I probably goofed somewhere there, but someone will correct me.) Suggesting aspirin as an anti-inflammatory for anyone with asthma is not a good idea; many persons have severe asthmatic reactions (triad asthma). However, the guy has not been diagnosed with asthma.  Just a viral infection.

Response:

Question:

My stepmother has extreme breathing problems characterized by her inability to exhale enough to bring in adequate fresh air.  The exhaust air seems to get trapped so her breathing is very shallow. Any ideas of treatment, explanation, or similar accounts of this problem would be appreciated.  She has had every imaginable test performed including surgical biopsy and pathological study of the tissue. This is not emphysema or other common lung ailment.

        It definitely sounds like a COPD of some type (chronic asthma, emphysema, etc).  Tough to say with so little info.  I would get a second opinion. Steve

Response:

My stepmother has extreme breathing problems characterized by her inability to exhale enough to bring in adequate fresh air.  The exhaust air seems to get trapped so her breathing is very shallow. Any ideas of treatment, explanation, or similar accounts of this problem would be appreciated.  She has had every imaginable test performed including surgical biopsy and pathological study of the tissue. This is not emphysema or other common lung ailment.

Your description of your step-mother being unable to "exhale" is characteristic of obstructive pulmonary disease, like asthma,  so I’m perplexed that this diagnosis has eluded her.  In this type of respiratory disease, the airways become inflamed and reactive (spastic) and "traps" air in the lung tissue, or alveoli.  The brain receives a signal of distress and the person starts to hyperventilate, which aggravates the problem. Suggestions: Go to a Pulmonary specialist and get a complete work-up, Pulmonary Function Test, etc. Since the problem is getting air out, the objective is to prolong an expiratory phase by gently exhaling much longer than normally.  This can be achieved with practice, by inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly, with pursed lips, gently blowing out over as long a time as possible. RAD, reactive airway diseases, are very common these days, and manifest in unusual ways.  While she does not appear to have emphysema, where the air sacs are bullous and non-elastic, therefore trapping air, I remain unconvinced that some form of asthma is not being recognized.  There are many useful treatments for asthma in medications and lifestyle. Good luck!   Ariel

Response:

LK My stepmother has extreme breathing problems characterized by her LK inability to exhale enough to bring in adequate fresh air.  The LK exhaust air seems to get trapped so her breathing is very shallow. LK Any ideas of treatment, explanation, or similar accounts of this LK problem would be appreciated.  She has had every imaginable test LK performed including surgical biopsy and pathological study of the LK tissue. This is not emphysema or other common lung ailment.     Would taking MSM and Vitamin C capsules help with your stepmother’s     lung problem? .. End  of  message ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR]

Response:

My stepmother has extreme breathing problems characterized by her inability to exhale enough to bring in adequate fresh air.  The exhaust air seems to get trapped so her breathing is very shallow. Any ideas of treatment, explanation, or similar accounts of this problem would be appreciated.  She has had every imaginable test performed including surgical biopsy and pathological study of the tissue. This is not emphysema or other common lung ailment.

I have been through this.  I am 46 female.  The other day I felt like I couldn’t breath.  I felt like my throat was closing up.  That day there was alot of things flying around in the air. I do have allergys, that I only take vitamin C 2000 mil a day some days, and it really does help. I have very bad allergys.  Anyway that day that I couldn’t breath, my daughter told me to take a benedril, because she gets it too, and it helped her. lo and behold, a little while later it was gone. I also go for vigourous walks every day to force the air deep into my lungs. The worst thing to do is lay around. Then it can turn into a mental thing, where your afraid to move around too much. I would say the main thing for her is to start walking no matter what.  I hope this helps her.

Response:

My stepmother has extreme breathing problems characterized by her inability to exhale enough to bring in adequate fresh air.  The exhaust air seems to get trapped so her breathing is very shallow. Any ideas of treatment, explanation, or similar accounts of this problem would be appreciated.  She has had every imaginable test performed including surgical biopsy and pathological study of the tissue. This is not emphysema or other common lung ailment.

Response:

My stepmother has extreme breathing problems characterized by her inability to exhale enough to bring in adequate fresh air.  The exhaust air seems to get trapped so her breathing is very shallow. Any ideas of treatment, explanation, or similar accounts of this problem would be appreciated.  She has had every imaginable test performed including surgical biopsy and pathological study of the tissue. This is not emphysema or other common lung ailment.

Larry– If there is no discoverable medical reason for this problem, it may well be that your Grandmother has a hard time letting go psychologically. I write about this in my book, mentioned below. Breathing therapists also talk about the importance of this inability to let go enough, to exhale enough, to allow the inhalation to take place on its own. Exhalation, letting go into the unknown, is scary for many people. Very few of us are actually able to exhale completely (except, of course, for the air that must remain in the lungs to keep them from colapsing). Exhalation, especially when it is long and full, helps turn on our parasympathetic nervous system, our "relaxation response." In general, the high level of stress in our lives keeps our parasympathetic nervous system turned on continually. You might want to subscribe to my free monthly email newsletter, "Breathing Exercises & Tips," to see if there is anything there that might be useful for her–and, of course, for you. We can all improve when it comes to our awareness and fullness of breathing. You can subscribe at <http://www.breath.org/. With my best wishes, — Dennis Lewis Author of the book "The Tao of Natural Breathing," and the audio program from Sounds True "Breathing as a Metaphor for Living." —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

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Question:

If they did work for everyone perhaps this article wouldn’t have been written: Asthma, allergy patients try alternative Rx PHILADELPHIA, Nov 09 (Reuters Health) — More patients are using alternative remedies for asthma and allergies today than ever before, according to a Canadian researcher. Nearly 50% of patients reported using some form of alternative remedy to ease allergy and asthma symptoms, according to a survey of more than 4,000 people attending a Wellness Show in Vancouver. About 1,210 of those surveyed said they had symptoms of asthma or allergy, and 448 were referred to allergists. The patients who reported allergy or asthma symptoms also said they spent an average of $100 per year on alternative remedies for allergy and asthma, compared with an average of $100 spent per patient per year for the treatment of allergy (including prescribed medications) and $300 per patient per year for the treatment of asthma, reported Dr. Ludmila Vacek of the Allergy Improvement Center in Vancouver, British Columbia at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology annual meeting. The findings indicate “changing behavior” on the part of patients with allergy and asthma, Vacek said in an interview with Reuters Health. She explained that the use of alternative remedies is now “common” in this group of patients, but “this was not the case a couple of years ago.” Patients with allergies and asthma should tell their physician about their use of alternative therapies, according to Vacek. “Physicians should be aware of the stuff people are taking,” she explained. Some alternative treatments may interfere with the effectiveness of conventional ones. Physicians, particularly allergists, should educate themselves about available alternative treatment options for their patients, she said.

Response:

If they did work for everyone perhaps this article wouldn’t have been written: Asthma, allergy patients try alternative Rx

But here is an article from the website for The Asthma Sourcebook, which has been cited by many here with approval:                             JOURNAL WATCH: SELF-TREATMENT FOR                             ASTHMA                             A recent report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology                             documents that self-treatment among asthmatics is common and is                             associated with increased risk of hospitalization. This risk appears to                             occur when patients use alternative treatments and delay appropriate                             medical care. The study looked at 601 asthmatics who were under                             the care of pulmonologists and allergists. The researchers found that                             over the course of a year, 16% of patients used some form of                             self-treatment; 8% self-treated with herbs, 6% used coffee or black                             tea, and 6% used over-the-counter preparations of ephedrine or                             epinephrine. Of note, herbal use was associated with a 2.5 times                             increased risk of asthma hospitalization compared with asthmatics                             who did not use herbs. This report adds further evidence that                             alternative treatments for asthma are not effective and often delay the                             administration of appropriate care with increased risk for                             hospitalization. This is probably "old news" to some of you, this website says it was last updated in ‘96. Ann

Response:

here is a more readable version: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If they did work for everyone perhaps this article wouldn’t have been written: Asthma, allergy patients try alternative Rx But here is an article from the website for The Asthma Sourcebook, which has been cited by many here with approval: JOURNAL WATCH: SELF-TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA A recent report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology documents that self-treatment among asthmatics is common and is associated with increased risk of hospitalization. This risk appears to occur when patients use alternative treatments and delay appropriate medical care. The study looked at 601 asthmatics who were under the care of pulmonologists and allergists.  The researchers found that over the course of a year, 16% of patients used some form of self-treatment; 8% self-treated with herbs, 6% used coffee or black tea, and 6% used over-the-counter preparations of ephedrine or epinephrine. Of note, herbal use was associated with a 2.5 times increased risk of asthma hospitalization compared with asthmatics who did not use herbs. This report adds further evidence that alternative treatments for asthma are not effective and often delay the administration of appropriate care with increased risk for hospitalization. This is probably "old news" to some of you, this website says it was last updated in ‘96. Ann

Response:

If they did work for everyone perhaps this article wouldn’t have been written:

Actually all the article shows is that ‘alternative’ remedies are well marketed.  I also note that the sample group used in the study is not likely to be representative of the general asthmatic population.

Response:

Ann quoted: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A recent report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology documents that self-treatment among asthmatics is common and is associated with increased risk of hospitalization. This risk appears to occur when patients use alternative treatments and delay appropriate medical care. The study looked at 601 asthmatics who were under the care of pulmonologists and allergists.  The researchers found that over the course of a year, 16% of patients used some form of self-treatment; 8% self-treated with herbs, 6% used coffee or black tea, and 6% used over-the-counter preparations of ephedrine or epinephrine. Of note, herbal use was associated with a 2.5 times increased risk of asthma hospitalization compared with asthmatics who did not use herbs. This report adds further evidence that alternative treatments for asthma are not effective and often delay the administration of appropriate care with increased risk for hospitalization. This is probably "old news" to some of you, this website says it was last updated in ‘96.

Some questions: If the drugs worked effectively why did some people use herbs? Were the people hopitalized as frequently before they took herbs? This article mentions an "assciation" which is turned into "evidence" at the end of the article. Where is their double blind placebo controlled proof? Where is the scientfic evidence that any or all alternative treatments for asthma are not effective? Obviously, inappropriate use of herbs may lead to serious problems. My point in posting the first article is that asthma drugs aren’t effective equally for everyone, so more and more asthmatics are looking for an alternative to make breathing easier. Or, nobody has a monoploy on symptom suppressers. Bruce Nilson

Response:

But more to the point — when people pushing herbs are challenged they frequently argue that the drugs are safe even if not effective and therefore there is no harm in using/selling them. This is one example of the harm. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D.     Ann quoted:     A recent report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology     documents that self-treatment among     asthmatics is common and is associated with increased risk of     hospitalization. This risk appears to     occur when patients use alternative treatments and delay appropriate     medical care. The study looked at 601 asthmatics who were under the     care of pulmonologists and allergists.  The researchers found that     over the course of a year, 16% of patients used some form of     self-treatment; 8% self-treated with herbs, 6% used coffee or black     tea, and 6% used over-the-counter preparations of ephedrine or     epinephrine. Of note, herbal use was associated with a 2.5 times     increased risk of asthma hospitalization compared with asthmatics who     did not use herbs. This report adds     further evidence that alternative treatments for asthma are not     effective and often delay the administration of appropriate care with     increased risk for hospitalization.         This is probably "old news" to some of you, this website says it was     last updated in ‘96.     Some questions:     If the drugs worked effectively why did some people use herbs?     Were the people hopitalized as frequently before they took herbs?     This article mentions an "assciation" which is turned into "evidence" at the end of the article. Where is their double blind placebo controlled proof?     Where is the scientfic evidence that any or all alternative treatments for asthma are not effective?     Obviously, inappropriate use of herbs may lead to serious problems.     My point in posting the first article is that asthma drugs aren’t effective equally for everyone, so more and more asthmatics are looking for an alternative to make breathing easier. Or, nobody has a monoploy on symptom suppressers.     Bruce Nilson

Response:

Or, nobody has a monoploy on symptom suppressers.

No yet: Knight-Ridder Tribune      Four out of 10 Americans use alternative therapies       and spend $27 billion out of picket on them a year,       according to a new survey.      Alternative vs. doctor visits, visits in millions, 1997           Alternative practioners – 629           Primary-care physicians – 386      Out-of-pocket spending, in billions           All doctor services – $29           Alternative therapies – $27 Reading through business journals, such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, etc., leaves the impression that these alternate numbers are on the low side.

Response:

This is the JAMA study that has been discussed in another thread. I think the numbers are one the high side. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Or, nobody has a monoploy on symptom suppressers. No yet: Knight-Ridder Tribune     Four out of 10 Americans use alternative therapies      and spend $27 billion out of picket on them a year,      according to a new survey.     Alternative vs. doctor visits, visits in millions, 1997          Alternative practioners – 629          Primary-care physicians – 386     Out-of-pocket spending, in billions          All doctor services – $29          Alternative therapies – $27 Reading through business journals, such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, etc., leaves the impression that these alternate numbers are on the

low side.

Response:

Question:

My cat had asthma also. For about three years come May / June she would have an attack. the medicine would take care of the problem. Since it was so seasonal, I am assuming that it was a spring allergy which she outgrew. Hope you have the same kind of luck. I felt so sorry for her when she would cough as her whole body would shake. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HI there..I’m new around here, but I thought I would ask for a little advice.  We have a one year old cat named Max.  A few months ago I noticed that he would cough a lot…sort of a dry hack that seemed like a furball, but nothing would ever materialize. I brought him to the vet, who suggested that Max may have asthma.  He put Max on a drug called Prednisolone, 2.5 mg twice a day.  His coughing almost vanished, from numerous coughing spells a day to maybe one every third day or so.  When I went to get the pills refilled, the vet changed the dosage, which had an adverse effect: Max was coughing as much as he was before.  With the vet’s permission, I changed to dosage back to what worked before.

Response:

HI there..I’m new around here, but I thought I would ask for a little advice.  We have a one year old cat named Max.  A few months ago I noticed that he would cough a lot…

My Zo

Question:

I think I am having a mild side-effect due to the sudden increasing of my Neurontin dose to the max.  2700 mgs a day.  Almost my entire back feels numb… tingly really.  That’s the only thing I’ve noticed.  I am also on nebulizer treatments for asthma, but I don’t think it is due to that…I’ve heard some comments linking the Neurontin to the numbness here on the NG. Doesn’t bother me for any particular reason, just is.  I am sure will go away once i have adjusted to it. Lsia —  **On Feb. 10th 1998, less than 1/3rd of Maine’s registered voters, repealed an amendment that added sexual orientation to the existing Maine Human Rights Act.  They allowed discrimination against gays and lesbians to continue in our state.  Make sure you are registered to vote and GO TO THE POLLS!  Don’t let 31% of your state’s registered voters decide critical issues for your entire state.  Gays and Lesbians in Maine will not give up our fight to stop discrimination**   http://home.att.net/~farklegirl/index.html          ICQ# 675575

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I think I am having a mild side-effect due to the sudden increasing of my Neurontin dose to the max.  2700 mgs a day.  Almost my entire back feels numb… tingly really.  That’s the only thing I’ve noticed.  I am also on nebulizer treatments for asthma, but I don’t think it is due to that…I’ve heard some comments linking the Neurontin to the numbness here on the NG. Doesn’t bother me for any particular reason, just is.  I am sure will go away once i have adjusted to it. Lsia — **On Feb. 10th 1998, less than 1/3rd of Maine’s registered voters, repealed an amendment that added sexual orientation to the existing Maine Human Rights Act.  They allowed discrimination against gays and lesbians to continue in our state.  Make sure you are registered to vote and GO TO THE POLLS!  Don’t let 31% of your state’s registered voters decide critical issues for your entire state.  Gays and Lesbians in Maine will not give up our fight to stop discrimination**   http://home.att.net/~farklegirl/index.html         ICQ# 675575

Lisa… When I got up to 2700 mg. of Neurontin, I had some tingly feelings.  Most of it was in my hands and feet, but I did have some in my back.  I was also increasing my Depakote at the same time, but I had been on 1000 mg. of Depakote before with no problems, so I attributed it to the Neurontin.  The tingly feelings did subside in about 3 to 4 weeks. Marette

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Question:

FInsulin is a specific treatment for diabetes,  asthma medication is symptomatic (steroids) or where there is a scientific theory, the medications have very unfortunately proved to be dangerous and not comparable with insulin, see Barnes PJ "Effective treatments for asthma exist but morbidity and mortality have continued to climb" I have read this article.  I got the impression that the author was stating that the medications used for the treatment of asthma are safe and effective but many doctors do not use them properly.

Yep,  but he was also calling for new new initiatives (in medication deveolpment, of course!) and less refinement of established medications.  I think he took a gloomy view of present medication.  If he

Question:

Oh come on Colin…….maybe they’re REAL GOOD seeds…..:-) Oh well, at least he isn;t as bad as the guy who sent me an email advertising his ‘apricot pit cancer cure’ (apparently based on the theory that apricot pists contain cynaide and that cynaide kills cancer cells).

Wait a minute!!!  That must be laetrile (or was that made from peach pits?  Same problem though).  I thought that bit the dust 20 years ago! Geesh, just goes to prove that a good quack cure never dies… Loki

Response:

Its well known that lightning cures asthma.  Have you ever heard of anyone struck by lightning continuing to suffer from asthms?  ;-)

No no no…lightning CAUSES asthma.  I had lightning strike right next to me once as a child, and have had adult-onset asthma… …don’t get me started on ozone, either… Scott T."his demonstrates the importance of wearing rubber shoes all the time, especially in the summer.  Also it’s great fun to say, "my biggest fear is being struck by lightning…again."

Response:

Its well known that lightning cures asthma.  Have you ever heard of anyone struck by lightning continuing to suffer from asthms?  ;-) Ted – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh come on Colin…….maybe they’re REAL GOOD seeds…..:-) Oh well, at least he isn;t as bad as the guy who sent me an email advertising his ‘apricot pit cancer cure’ (apparently based on the theory that apricot pists contain cynaide and that cynaide kills cancer cells). Did you ever get the one from the Russian guy claming X-rays could cure asthma ? I also had a similar one claiming large magnetic fields would do the trick too. Chris — Chris King http://www.csking.demon.co.uk

Response:

Hi, Have you heard of treatment of asthma with seeds?  This is the latest therapy in the world. For details contac me.

Response:

Hi, Have you heard of treatment of asthma with seeds?  This is the latest therapy in the world. For details contac me.

IMO this dosen’t even qualify as ‘quackery.’  ’Stupidity’ is much more appropiate.

Response:

Hi, Have you heard of treatment of asthma with seeds?  This is the latest therapy in the world. For details contac me. IMO this dosen’t even qualify as ‘quackery.’  ’Stupidity’ is much more appropiate.

God Colin, I hate it when I have to agree with you. Sharre T.                          Truth is infinite; therefore,                      Truth cannot be known in finite terms                                           – Joel Goldsmith

Response:

Hi, Have you heard of treatment of asthma with seeds?

Yes, I have – Flax seeds, and other seeds containing high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids! This is the latest therapy in the world.

Oh, no it isn’t. Seeds/omega-3 (and 6) fatty acids have been touted-about for some years as dietary suplements/treatments for asthma and almost every other ill – except "poor relations" …  :-) For details contac me.

Your not related to Pat Carroll are you? Pete

Response:

Oh come on Colin…….maybe they’re REAL GOOD seeds…..:-)

Response:

Oh come on Colin…….maybe they’re REAL GOOD seeds…..:-)

Oh well, at least he isn;t as bad as the guy who sent me an email advertising his ‘apricot pit cancer cure’ (apparently based on the theory that apricot pists contain cynaide and that cynaide kills cancer cells).

Response:

Oh come on Colin…….maybe they’re REAL GOOD seeds…..:-) Oh well, at least he isn;t as bad as the guy who sent me an email advertising his ‘apricot pit cancer cure’ (apparently based on the theory that apricot pists contain cynaide and that cynaide kills cancer cells).

Did you ever get the one from the Russian guy claming X-rays could cure asthma ? I also had a similar one claiming large magnetic fields would do the trick too. Chris — Chris King http://www.csking.demon.co.uk

Response:

Hi, Have you heard of treatment of asthma with seeds?

Yes, I have – Flax seeds, and other seeds containing high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids! This is the latest therapy in the world.

Oh, no it isn’t. Seeds/omega-3 (and 6) fatty acids have been touted-about for some years as dietary suplements/treatments for asthma and almost every other ill – except "poor relations" …  :-) For details contac me.

Your not related to Pat Carroll are you? Pete (Posted this a couple of days ago, seems to have got lost between my server and the rest of the world – here goes again)

Response: