Asthma Question and Suggestions?
BarryWalker
Posts: 75
My girlfriend has asthma which usually isn't too bad to deal with but every now and then she has a bad attack where if she doesn't have her inhaler it can get very scary. One time she even had her inhaler not work so we had to rush to the hospital. Does anyone know of a good nebulizer that is inexpensive, dependable and portable? Also how much is the medicine that goes along with it. I found a few online but have no idea which ones we'll need.
Thanks
Thanks
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Sounds like you're on a budget. Maybe ask your local public health department if they can direct you to an affordable provider.
I have been asthmatic for most of my life and it can be very scary.
I use Albuterol for emergencies and Asmanex as a stabilizer.
The Asmanex has been life changing. I was using my emergency inhaler several times a day, but now can go a few days without it. I can even walk up hills and do little sprints without it. I have not been able to do that for TWENTY years! :eek:
It is expensive. It costs me $30/month, but it costs my HMO $135/month. The Albuterol is much cheaper. I think my HMO and I are splitting the cost, paying around $15 for each inhaler.
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I was on Advair. My HMO didn't cover it, but they do cover the Asmanex. I don't know how they decide these things, but I think it would be worth checking out. Besides, it's their medical duty to make sure she is being cared for properly.
Sorry I don't have any info on nebulizers.
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"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
For those who have used Asmanex and Advair, how do they compare in terms of how well your asthma is under control. I take Singulair, and the 100/50 Advair.
One thing I've noticed is that at certain times of year I can use Advair 1x per day as opposed to the normal (suggested) 2x per day dosage and have the asthma under control.
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A nebulizer delivers the same medication as an albuterol inhaler, it just delivers the drug more continuously and passively on the part of the person than an inhaler does. So if someone is in the middle of an asthma attack and their albuterol inhaler isn't doing the trick, then, yes, a nebulizer machine to deliver the albuterol will help. But your girlfriend is better off being on a good preventative regimen with Advair, Asmanex, etc, and REMEMBERING to always have her albuterol inhaler on hand (or keeping an albuterol inhaler in the places she commonly goes, i.e. at work, at your place, etc...)
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I have Aetna HMO and it covers it - although the copay is still around $25. I only need to use it once in the morning all year long and it keeps everything under control.