FAQ/Asthma
- Severe nasal allergies and asthma for about 40 years
- 16 year old son - asthma, chest pain, nausea, headache
- Asthma, allergies, headaches, earaches - 27 year old old female
- My son has asthma and reacts to a bromine swimming pool
- Asthmatic reaction to dogs but allergist says no
- Asthma, arthritis, wheezing, aching joints, facial hair growth, memory problems
- Any thoughts on gammaglobulin shots?
- Tried allergy shots for 10 years
Severe nasal allergies and asthma for about 40 years.
Sunday, October 27, 2002
Question:
I am a registered nurse and am writing to ask for some assistance/advice for my 82 year-old mother. She has had severe nasal allergies and asthma for about 40 years. She now takes Serevent and Ventolin for the asthma, a medication for BP, and prednisone and biaxin about 2x a year for colds that escalate to pneumonia. She is in good health, a "very young grandma". About 6 weeks ago, she started to experience severe pressure in both ears, the left in particular. Tinnitus as well, but it's the pressure that really gets to her. Her GP increased the BP meds as her BP was slightly elevated but the pressure continued. She has since been to another GP for a second opinion, to 2 ENT specialists, has had an ultrasound of her carotid (she was complaining that it felt "hard" and was painful at times - US was normal), a bone density test, and audiogram (she also purchased a new hearing aid for the Left ear, had already had one in the right ear, both are working well and helping her hearing tremendously),all bloodwork is normal.
No one seems to know what could be causing this "pressure" feeling. I just wondered if there are any other tests she should undergo, and if you have any ideas as to what could be causing this. She is not too bad in the morning, the pressure seems to increase as the day goes on and sometimes by dinner, she is exausted. She also was give flonase, no inflammation was seen in her nose but the md thought it may help (it hasn't). The audiogram also showed that she has some pressure in the left ear, but not enough to be considered severe. We also wondered if it could be allergy related since she normally has very severe allergic rhinitis, and this year has had no symptoms of this. It's just very sad to watch a once very vital and interesting lady become so house-bound by such a seemingly "small" thing. Any ideas or help you can give is much appreciated.
Dr. Roby Answers:
This type of pressure is common in the soft tissue surrounding the eustachean tubes. this causes the dizziness they can feel, the "pressure" she relates and since the area is swollen, it can back up pressure in the adjacent vasculature and she will feel the firm feeling around the carotids. Everything you relate can be caused by this allergic type of soft tissue swelling.
Try mucolytic enzymes, like quaifenesin, decongesttants if she tolerates them (pseudoephedrine). Cut any food that might cause swelling (dairy and carbohydrates). Lots of water or weak tea, keep her upright and moving as much as she can (walking). Anytime they get recumbent this increases the soft tissue swelling. So, the worst thing she can do is take to her bed. She must stay upright and moving
If she cannot tolerate decongestants you could double the prednisone for two or three days. That should do the trick. New pillows. Get a good air cleaner for her room.
16 year old son - asthma, chest pain, nausea, headache
Saturday, October 05, 2002
Question:
Dear Dr. Roby: I e-mailed you about a week ago, but am not certain it was sent. I am a "mom on a mission" and am desperate for answers. I have read several of your articles on allergy and asthma and am overwhelmed with the information you have provided. My son's allergist of 12 years has never provided such detail, or even the common sense information about how to properly use an inhaler.
My son is 16 years old - he has a history of asthma, having been diagnosed at age two, received allergy injections for 4 four years, and up until the middle of July this year, had very little need to use his inhaler, nor had he had any asthma attacks for the past 8 years. He was used to skateboarding 8, 10, 12 hours a day with his friends, he hunted and fished with his dad, and he lived a normal life.
Since July, he has been home bound and has not even been able to attend school this semester. His symptoms: pimples; nasal congestion (sniffs all the time); sneezing; clearing throat; shortness of breath; coughing; tightness in chest; chest pain; burping; indigestion; nausea; vomiting; frequent urination; fatigue; headache; canker sores in the mouth. Since he became ill, I have lost track of the ER visits we have made, and the visits to his allergist and the family physician. He presented several times in the ER with shortness of breath, vomiting, chest pain and scared to death. He has had several chest x-rays; EKG's; a cat scan of the chest, (normal); lab work (normal); a barium x-ray (they found acid relux); an echocardiogram (moderate mitral valve regurgitation); an upper GI scope (we are now treating a fungus in his esophagus with a 21 day supply of Diflucan). He had a four day hospitalization in September after having gone to ER three nights in a row with same symptoms. He has been on Augmentin - 1st ER visit July 27th they said he had asthmatic bronchitis, even though they said the chest x-ray was normal; they gave him Prednisone - our family physician took him off of it immediately; he has tried Serevent; Advair; Aciphex for the acid reflux, which the gastroentologist took him off of after finding the fungus. H! e is now on the Diflucan for the fungus; a nebulizer with .083% Albuterol; Combivent when/if needed; and Phenegran for nausea when/if needed.
My Questions:
How does one determine whether the fungus has effected the bronchial tubes and/or lungs?
Was the fungus a result of the acid reflux? How does asthma effect GERD - or how does GERD effect asthma? Once a person develops the fungus - does it come back? What can be done to prevent it?
Long term effects or disabilities related to what has happened? What can be done to help my son get his life back?
Can you help him? How long does it take to get an appointment? Your courtesies are greatly appreciated and I truly look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Roby Answers:
I think the key here is the age and the "pimples". I see so many problems in young men and women who are allergic to their own hormones. Of course there are pollen and mold issues. Food as well (be sure to see the "foods to avoid" list and try that for five days). But the key as to "why now?" is the fact that he is reacting to testosterone.
We can see him within one week. We usually see out-of-area patients on Thursdays and Fridays. You can get the lab work done before you come. It is outlined on the site in the section on "Hormone Imbalance". For boys I get DHEA, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid as well as Testosterone and Progesterone Antibodies (IgG and IgM). The antibodies are done by Immunogenics Labs in LA and all major Labs in your city will have a contract with Immunogenics. They are the primary research lab in the US.
Keep a diary of symptoms. Try the food avoidance. If you don't get him "dried up" (i.e., stop the mucus he is drowning in) you will never get rid of the asthma and the GI problems.
The stomache responds to copious amounts of mucus as it would hamburger...it puts out large amounts of hydrochloric acid. Many of your questions relating to this type of hormone allergy and his other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section. Let me know how much of that material applies to him (fatigue, memory loss, inability to concentrate, etc.,). I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently. The section was written for women but has similar application to men.
Asthma, allergies, headaches, earaches - 27 year old old female
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Question:
I am a 27 year old old female who was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 11. Although my asthma has seemed to improve over the years, I still do not feel like it is under control. Over the past few years, I have also noticed that I am having more allergy symptoms than asthma symptoms (it used to be opposite). I now suffer from fatigue, headaches, itchy watery eyes, sometimes sneezing, and some earaches. The headaches are a constant in the fall, but if I remember my Allegra they are dulled - but they don't go away.
I am currently on Allegra, Flovent, Serevent, and albuterol for emergencies. Although I spend all of this money on these medications, I still am miserable. Lately, my chest is very tight in the morning/evening, but during the day I am mostly symptom free of asthma. Sometimes I wake myself up coughing in the night. But I rarely have serious asthma attacks anymore.
One of my biggest complaints is my reaction to cats (and dogs). If I am at anyone's house that has a cat or dog for more than an hour, I begin sneezing, get hives, and start having asthma problems. This is a major concern since I can't avoid all of my friends. Also, my serious boyfriend's parents have 5 cats and a dog. Since they live out of state, we stay with them when we visit. I am completely miserable on these visits and often over-use my albuterol to get through.
I need help getting under control, and I don't feel like my general physician knows enough to help.
Dr. Roby Answers:
If we get rid of the rest of your allergies, the cat and dog part will become much less of a problem.
As far as the asthma goes you look at my section on asthma to make sure you are using your meds correctly. My most recent research had to do with severe asthmatics and hormone allergy. We did spirometric exams of pts before and after treatment with drops of dilute progesterone and got over 80% relief of symptoms in seconds (see "abstracts" on my website).
The most interesting part of the study was that 80% of the women did not really have asthma. They had all the symptoms, SOB, chest tightness...but, the spirometry showed it wasn't really asthma. That is why so many women do not get complete relief from the inhalers and meds. They don't really have asthma...they have hormone allergy.
See my section on hormone imbalance for an overview of the tests I use and the methods to treat it.
My son has asthma and reacts to a bromine swimming pool.
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
Question:
My son has asthma but it has never had an effect on his swimming. He has been swimming on the summer outdoor team for 8 years and did some indoor swimming several years back without incident. I recently enrolled him in an indoor session at a facility that uses bromine to sanitize the water. When he gets home from swimming within 8 hours,(this occurs in the middle of the night) he becomes tight and stuffed up as if he had a very bad cold. These symptoms last for two days and everytime he goes back to swim the cycle continues.
Dr. Roby Answers:
Well, stranger things have happened. However, I think it more likely that the pool that uses bromine is in a particularly moldy environment and it is this increased mold load that results in his middle of the night symptoms (see my section on mold allergy).
Asthmatic reaction to dogs but allergist says no.
Tue, 06 Aug 2002
Question:
I'm having asthmatic problems with dogs. Had allergy testing done and Dr. says no allergy. Then why every time I'm around a dog I start having an astmatic attack? I try to avoid dogs but they are everywhere as we are living in Germany for awhile. Can you suggest anything to prevent or help with this ? I do not even have to see the dog or know where it is for it start. Can allergy testing be wrong?
Dr. Roby Answers:
That fellow needs to go to High Scool. Perhaps he missed "Logic 101"??
I think it is quite clear you are sensitive to dogs. Doesn't he believe you? The test is flawed...your observation is not. I treat patients like you for their more common allergy to airborne and hormones and if that fails to make them comfortable then we can even desensitize you using sublingual drops of dog antigen. There is now a "standardized antigen" (e.g., certifiably pure) to dog.
See my section on “Hormone Allergy” on the website. Many types of allergy have their basis in hormone reactions. This is particularly of ladies who experience increasing symptoms as they undergo hormone changes, usually in their late twenties or after the babies are born.
Check out that section and let me know how those characteristics apply to you and then I can get more specific. You may find some useful areas to explore in your search for medical solutions. Areas such as dietary changes, low level exercise and alternative approaches to solving medical problems.
Asthma, arthritis, wheezing, aching joints, facial hair growth, memory problems.
Saturday, September 28, 2002
Question:
Wheezeing chest which sometimes becomes full of mucus so steroids are prescribed to allieviate symptoms. All joints are now aching & stiff, cartlidge in both knees are getting worn out apparently too far gone to have micro surgery on them. Facial hair growth which is becoming problematical on my upper lip, under my chin & eyebrows, the rest i can cope with. I have mood swings, do not sleep really well, and when i awaken in the morning i feel just as if i have not slept. My memory is not as it should be, and my concentration is getting worse, i used to pick things up quickly and retain information easily, in my job i need to be on the ball as i work as a senior care worker for the long term mentally ill. I value my job and feel i am now not doing it to the best of my ability, and am not giving my clients the full care that i once used to, this is not fair on them & i would like to get back to how i used to be. Please can you advise & help me?
Dr. Roby Answers:
Many of your questions relating to allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Imbalance" on my website. Please read that section again. Let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.
Obviously, your hormones are not whqt they used to be. I measure estrogen, testosterone, progeste4rone, cortisol, DHEA, thyroid and get levels of Progesterone Antibodies (IgG and IgM). When you have these values it is pretty simple to begin to push your hormone balance back where it used to be.
Your immediate attention might be addressed to a low carbohydrate diet (like Dr. Atkin's) and at least one hour of slow (I emphasize slow) walking.
Any thoughts on gammaglobulin shots?
Monday, September 02, 2002
Question:
Dr. Roby: Any thoughts on gammaglobulin shots? A Rast test I had indicated I was low in immunoglobulin A (just barely) and G (a little less than 200 points- 536 where minimum is 723) and in the IGG1 subclass (about a 1000 points - 3490 where minimum is 4559). My doctor is recommending gammaglobulin 2cc per month for a year. I am an asthma patient on Advair, Allegra and Singular (I also have some sinus and ear symptoms). My asthma symptoms are controlled with these medications unless I catch a cold or sometimes after flying if my ears become blocked. I seem to catch a cold every year or so, sometimes two in a year. (I live in Texas, previous cold climates were much worse.) Thanks for any information.
Dr. Roby Answers:
Seems a desparate measure. I would opt for more antihistamines. Also try my food allergy restrictions and see my research paper on preventing sinusitis using flu vaccine nose spray ( prevents colds you see).
Tried allergy shots for 10 years
Saturday, September 07, 2002 6:46 PM
Question:
Kingman , Arizona. Tried allergy shots for 10 years. My asthma is really bad, will go to the allergist as soon as possible . Would like to know how to get your program here in Kingman.
Dr. Roby Answers:
I don't know any allergists in Kingman. Look on my "links" section and find a Pan American Allergy Society allergist near you. If you cannot find one you can fly into Austin in the AM and fly home that same day. See my sections on asthma and in particular on "hormone allergy" (hormone imbalance) as that always has application to women with asthma. Many of your questions relating to allergy and other symptoms are addressed in my section on "Hormone Allergy" on my website. Please read that section carefully and let me know how much of that material applies to you. I can then address your specific questions much more efficiently.
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