Patients . like me, have been left with no medications as the substitutes cause severe reactions. We went through this in 1997 and nothing has changed. Those suffering from various chemically induced asthma, reactive airway diseases have been ' written off'. my pulmonologist warned me early and I'm on my last azmacort, which I've had to use nasally also since 2002 when Nasacort stopped being made. ( all others include an antihistamine, which exacerbates symptoms.) We're excluded from conical trials so ' officially its not known that about 3 million of us even exist.) maxair, my rescue inhaler will be gone in 2013. I'm unable to 'suck in' to use the auto inhaler so  the canister is inserted into an old max air holder.  I still have Intal on hand as several doctors gave me free samples, etc. Congress and FDA refused to address what kind of asthma one had when Congress gave a waiver to allow cfc inhalants to still be made. If they had addressed difference maybe we would have had replacement medications. Linda Joy Adams (In 1997 medically documented records submitted for hearings per request) No one asked us this time. And two big groups have been added since then: 9/11 victims, and BP oil spill victims.

James Thompson, MD, Health Pro

3/ 5/11 8:33pm

Thank you for your comments Linda. I've with rare exception had patients that intolerant to most of the inhalers you referred to. Although many people are intolerant of some of the additives of some medications, most can tolerate alternative forms. Adjustments in inhaler technique, spacers, and combinations of select medications can sometimes help. There are no aerosol nasal spray steroids currently available but apparently there may be one coming.

 

Hopefully a health-care provider can better assist you at some point soon.

Please don't give up.

 

Best Wishes,

 

J. Thompson, M.D.

Pat

3/ 5/11 9:35pm

Help is in place for person dealing with asthma and many other health needs And it is not a medcialtions But a Superfood, and it does the body good...NatraBurst.  Tou can find more abouth it at www.handsnthings.com   Please let's all GET HEALTHILY....

alicia

3/ 8/11 11:16am

Can you die of asthma.

James Thompson, MD, Health Pro

3/ 8/11 7:01pm

Hi Alicia,

 

If I were forced to give a one word answer I would say, "Yes". Fortunately I can elaborate and tell you that although asthma can be fatal, the majority of people with the diagnosis of asthma do not die. In the early 1990s there were more than 5000 deaths per year attributed to asthma in the United States. Data from the about three years ago approximated about 4000 deaths annually (and falling). The bad news is that there are still people that die from asthma. Furthermore, the more than 20 million people that have asthma in this country are more affected by the impact of the disease on their quality of life.

 

 

Mortality and morbidity (in other words death and poor quality of life) are greatly reduced when asthma management is appropriate. Well controlled asthma leads to minimal impairment from breathing problems no limitations on activity, and a duration of life that is equal to someone who does not have asthma.

 

 

So, yes you can die from asthma, but good asthma management can prevent it.

 

Best Wishes,

 

J. Thompson, MD