Definition of Bronchodilators
- Friday, July 24, 2009, 12:29
- Asthma
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- Ryan:
- I have a few questions. I have a moderate case of asthma and I’ve been taking Primatene tablets for about six years now. I’m trying to find an alternative and I’ve heard a lot about these different bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories or whatever, and I don’t know which one to do. The Primatene really it makes me nervous and I can’t sleep at night when I take it and I [usually] take that twice a day.
- Rick:
- Okay, Ryan you say you have moderate asthma? What does that mean to you?
- Ryan:
- In other words, if I jog I’ll start wheezing and when I sleep at night I have a wheeze and I do have somewhat of a persistent cough too.
- Dr. Stempel:
- I think you’ve told us all of the reasons why it’s time to stop the Primatene and to speak to your physician. I think with the fact that you’re wheezing with activity, wheezing at nighttime, it’s time to start on an anti-inflammatory medication, drugs like Flovent, Beclovent, Azmacort. Those are all anti-inflammatories that you might consider.Then have something available like an Albuterol inhaler to control your immediate symptoms. I think this would be a good combination to start with. I’m certain that you and your physician can work out a schedule that’s going to work for you, allow you to jog and allow you to sleep through the night. I think you’ll find that this is going to be a worthwhile task to go to your doctor [and ask questions like], “tell me about the anti-inflammatories,” “which inhaled steroid do you think is best for me?” and “what symptom relievers should I have available?”
- Dr. Redding:
- One of the things that Dr. Stempel is telling you and I think is very important is that we now think of asthma as being a management problem for both the patient and the physician, and that they need to work together. In going to talk to your physician, you don’t have to be accusatory, but you can certainly say “I’ve heard about new things, tell me about how I can control my asthma better.” The National Institute of Health has recommended that you’ve discussed this, that you actually have a written plan that you both can agree on that’s doable and effective. And that takes a few visits sometimes for trial and error, but we at least know the kinds of medications that you’re likely to benefit from.
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