Biologics
Anyone on biological therapy but still struggling with asthma symptoms? I’m on Xolair, Flovent, singulair, and albuterol plus I have a nebulizer for when my asthma doesn’t respond to any of my daily meds. My asthma is allergic asthma and I noticed it doesn’t just effect my breathing. It makes me tired with body aches and fatigued. I get light headed and stomach aches with bloating and pressure. My dr said it’s from my hyper inflated lungs pressing down on my gut. The fatigue is really bad when my biologics start to wear off at the end of the 2nd wk after I take my injections. My life is totally controlled by my asthma and it’s depressing. I can’t find a job because I’m allergic to everything I can’t be exposed to allergies or risk hospitalization. I’m wondering if anyone else struggles with working?
The hospital found tumors and granulomas on my ct scan and I was getting lung cancer screenings for a year. I’m done with the scans now. I was cleared and they told me the tumors haven’t changed so I’m good. My dr told me a work from home job would be best for me but I have no experience with computers. All of my jobs were manufacturing and childcare. My dr told me to stay away from working with kids because a virus could be really bad for me. I caught RSV and ended up in the hospital and shortly after I quit my job. It feels like my life is over and I have to shelter from everything! I hate asthma sooo much.
Hello,
. Thank you for sharing your experience, and I am so sorry that you are going through this. A few things -
First of all, great news on your scans! I'm sure that is a great relief.
Second, I suggest you talk with your doctor about different treatments. If Xolair is no longer effective, there are new biologics you can try. The most recent is called Tezspire - https://asthma.net/tezspire. Flovent is a single medication - an inhaled corticosteroid that reduces swelling in your airways. There are combination medications you can try that have 2 medicines that reduce the swelling in your lungs and keep the muscles around your airways from tightening. Learn more here: https://asthma.net/clinical/inhaled-corticosteroids My final suggestion is to talk with your doctor about Singulair. This medication does have a black box warning and may contribute to depression.
Does any of this sound doable?
I also was forced to quit my job so I could work from home. I can understand your frustration. ~ Lorene, team memberThank you for the information. My Dr stopped the singulair. Since then it seems to be getting better. I have allergic asthma so she says Xolair works best for my type. Since fall has ended I’m breathing better. She reassured me I will learn my triggers and I will be ok. Asthma is a lot harder to live with than I ever thought. I had no clue when someone else around me suffered with it, what they were actually going through until it happened to me. It’s not easy that’s for sure. As far as work goes, I’ve always worked in manufacturing so I don’t have much experience with computers. I’m blessed to have my husband. He says to just stay home and manage my health. For now I’m learning the disease and hopefully one day learn some new work skills also.
hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles right now. I can definitely relate to the frustrations of asthma - I am a full-time undergraduate student, and my lungs frequently get in the way of my classes/schoolwork.
Like Lorene mentioned, there are some other possible options for treatment as far as biologics go (and different types of inhaled corticosteroids, other maintenance meds, etc.) I've personally tried Tezspire, Fasenra, Xolair, and Dupixent - I've been on Dupixent off and on for 3+ years, and it's been the biologic that's made the biggest difference for me. Each one works on different pathways, so it might be worth evaluating other biologics with your physician.
I wish you luck with everything! Asthma is so aggravating and can seriously be debilitating. We know that first-hand here! Sending you good vibes 😀 -Corinne, moderatorCorrine Dilger, thank you for the reply and good luck with school! I’m learning asthma and how it work’s still lol. I’m sure once I know all my triggers and what to stay away from it will get better, I hope. Good luck to you on your studies and I hope good things come out of it for you.
thank you so much for your kind words! I completely agree that once you learn not just about asthma, but YOUR asthma, things get so much better and easier to manage. Take care! -Corinne, moderator
Hi Lorene
I definitely understand how frustrating living with asthma can be especially when you are trying to manage the disease. What type of MD is currently managing asthma? I first went to an allergist and a pulmonologist, but my asthma continued to be difficult to manage. After an anaphylactic reaction in the allergist office, I was finally sent to an allergy/immunologist and a pulmonologist that specialized in severe difficult to treat asthma. I am currently on a biologic, but not before my medications were optimized. Hand in there it is possible to manage your asthma. I hope your feeling better soon. In the mean time I will sent many well wishes your way
Mo
