Question:
I have been an asthmatic since 1998, my new pulmonologist ordered a DLCO,
and classified my asthma as "RAD" reactive airway disease. He didn't really
change my treatment much, but I seem to always have ups and downs, good days
and bad. I've never had used Atrovent before, but my first visit to my new
doc he was speaking with his student looking over my PFT, he said "see
atrovent is not indicated" im not even sure what that drug does anyway. A
few weeks later during an ER visit (asthma attack) the ER doctor perscribed
atrovent for my nebulizer twice a day in addition to everything else im
taking. The difference was incrediable! I've been symptom free except for
the occasional cough since the change, Ive not yet notified my regular
doctor of the change. My question is, how is atrovent different from other
medications? Is it similar to singulair in its actions? Because I'm already
taking that, someone said its classified as an 'anti-asthmatic' drug.
Sounds good, why use steroids?
Also, my other question, when my doc was looking over my PFT, and stated
that atrovent wasnt indicated, what was he seeing in the results ? If it
wasnt indicated, then why does it help so much?
Answer:
I use combivent, similar to atrovent, it's long (or slow)action
bronchodilator. I have also those up and down because an hyerreactivity to a
lot of allergen. It's usefull to COPD case much less in asthma but it work.
The doc want you to use it to prevent overuse of ventolin. In some case it
could be difficult for doctors to make diagnosis when you have more than one
desease, exemple; asthma and copd. Doc are scientific not God, theyre is
good one's, some other... Sometimes they have to collect data from you, they
have to try something to help you. Sometimes symptoms are high and visible
and sometimes everythings seems normal, welcome in the world of asthmatic
peoples. Here's an example, you see a first pulmo, he treat you for severe
asthma, you take your medication and everything go under control. Now you
move, change pulmo, the second one see a man whit just a few symptoms and Dx
light asthma. It doesn't mean your not a severe case and you may try a seond
pulmo.
