Post by Colleen-NC on Apr 15, 2008 8:36:57 GMT -5
Brovana
« Thread Started on Apr 1, 2008, 9:16pm »
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Hi, My name is nan and I was diagnosed with asthma/copd in late Sept. of 07. Now my Dr. says no asthma , Emphysema.
I'm taking Advair 500/50, Spiriva, and abuterol in the neb. as needed. Dr. wants me to stop the Advair and try Brovana. I read some posts on here were some of the posters were going to try it Brovana but didn't see any posts on how it worked for them or how they liked it.
If anyone can tell me their experiences with Brovana, if they are still using it, how they do or don't like it, I would appreciate hearing about them.
Even though I have sob most of the day I'm hesitant to give up the Advair to try the Brovana, especially since the Dr.s can't seem to make up their mind if there is an asthma component to my copd or not and Brovana isn't recommended for chronic asthma from what I read about it on the net.
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
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canyon711
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #1 on Apr 1, 2008, 11:18pm »
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They could give you a steroid inhaler to use with the Brovana. Why do they want you off the Advair? Both Serevent which is the other part of Advair and Foradil (which is basically Brovana) carry warnings not to use unless your asthma is not controlled with other meds. They are not used for rescue. Ask your Dr. for a steroid to go along with the Brovana as that is what is needed to keep the inflammation down.
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nan
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #2 on Apr 1, 2008, 11:43pm »
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Thanks for the reply canyon. Dr. wants me to try the Brovana because I have sob almost all the time even though I'm on Advair, Spiriva, and albuteral in the neb. as needed. But, that's why I'm afraid to try the Brovana, no steroid for the Asthma part of the copd that Dr. said I had and has now changed his mind and said I don't have an asthma component. I guess I don't have to much faith in him right now and am going to wait and talk to my Pulmanary Dr. about the Brovana on my next visit to him.
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Colleen-Pa
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #3 on Apr 2, 2008, 6:09pm »
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Hi Nan and welcome. I have tried Brovana and didn't see any difference than the Foradil so I stuck with the Foradil because its just easier. Regular Foradil you don't need a nebulizer, its a dry powder inhaler. I now have switched to Symbicort and that has a steroid in it and I like the two together, makes taking meds. quicker and easier. I hope this didn't confuse you. The onset of relief is quicker than the advair in my opinion. Sometimes you have to play around with your meds with your doctors permission to find what works best for you. Good Luck.
PS I live in the Pocono's, we could be neighbors LOL!!
« Last Edit: Apr 2, 2008, 6:09pm by Colleen-Pa » Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
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nan
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #4 on Apr 2, 2008, 8:16pm »
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Colleen Pa. I'm not very far from the poconos. Use to work at Jack Frost Mt. if you've ever heard of it. Thanks for the info about your experience with Brovana. I really don't want to even try it because it has no steriods in it from what I understand. Going to just have to have a talk with Dr. on my next visit and hope he understands my concerns.
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Colleen-Pa
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #5 on Apr 2, 2008, 8:25pm »
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Hi Nan, yes I am familiar with Jack Frost/Big Boulder. I live about 10 mins from there. My daughter worked the holidays at Split Rock.
Now, if your concerned about having a steroid, you could ask him for a sample of Symbicort. It is a combination of Foradil and Pulmicort (steroid). This is the one I have settled on and I love it. Easy to take and the onset of relief is much quicker than Advair. I was on Advair for a few years and find I do so much better with the Symbicort. My Lung function is quite low at 14%. Don't forget to ask for samples, if they don't work for you, it s not going to cost you anything. If your doctor is good he will work with you. Finding the right mix of things can take some time. Good Luck.
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canyon711
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #6 on Apr 2, 2008, 9:23pm »
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Talk to the pulmonologist. He is the one that should be handling this since you have one. Brovana is very expensive and whereas it is covered my Medicare if you can find a supplier that will bill Medicare for you. If you have a supplement they will pick up the other 20%. It isn't available like Albuteral and other neb meds are.
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« Thread Started on Apr 1, 2008, 9:16pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, My name is nan and I was diagnosed with asthma/copd in late Sept. of 07. Now my Dr. says no asthma , Emphysema.
I'm taking Advair 500/50, Spiriva, and abuterol in the neb. as needed. Dr. wants me to stop the Advair and try Brovana. I read some posts on here were some of the posters were going to try it Brovana but didn't see any posts on how it worked for them or how they liked it.
If anyone can tell me their experiences with Brovana, if they are still using it, how they do or don't like it, I would appreciate hearing about them.
Even though I have sob most of the day I'm hesitant to give up the Advair to try the Brovana, especially since the Dr.s can't seem to make up their mind if there is an asthma component to my copd or not and Brovana isn't recommended for chronic asthma from what I read about it on the net.
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
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canyon711
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #1 on Apr 1, 2008, 11:18pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They could give you a steroid inhaler to use with the Brovana. Why do they want you off the Advair? Both Serevent which is the other part of Advair and Foradil (which is basically Brovana) carry warnings not to use unless your asthma is not controlled with other meds. They are not used for rescue. Ask your Dr. for a steroid to go along with the Brovana as that is what is needed to keep the inflammation down.
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nan
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #2 on Apr 1, 2008, 11:43pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the reply canyon. Dr. wants me to try the Brovana because I have sob almost all the time even though I'm on Advair, Spiriva, and albuteral in the neb. as needed. But, that's why I'm afraid to try the Brovana, no steroid for the Asthma part of the copd that Dr. said I had and has now changed his mind and said I don't have an asthma component. I guess I don't have to much faith in him right now and am going to wait and talk to my Pulmanary Dr. about the Brovana on my next visit to him.
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Colleen-Pa
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #3 on Apr 2, 2008, 6:09pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Nan and welcome. I have tried Brovana and didn't see any difference than the Foradil so I stuck with the Foradil because its just easier. Regular Foradil you don't need a nebulizer, its a dry powder inhaler. I now have switched to Symbicort and that has a steroid in it and I like the two together, makes taking meds. quicker and easier. I hope this didn't confuse you. The onset of relief is quicker than the advair in my opinion. Sometimes you have to play around with your meds with your doctors permission to find what works best for you. Good Luck.
PS I live in the Pocono's, we could be neighbors LOL!!
« Last Edit: Apr 2, 2008, 6:09pm by Colleen-Pa » Link to Post - Back to Top Logged
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"NEVER REGRET ANYTHING THAT MAKES YO SMILE"
nan
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Location: northeastern Pa
Re: Brovana
« Reply #4 on Apr 2, 2008, 8:16pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colleen Pa. I'm not very far from the poconos. Use to work at Jack Frost Mt. if you've ever heard of it. Thanks for the info about your experience with Brovana. I really don't want to even try it because it has no steriods in it from what I understand. Going to just have to have a talk with Dr. on my next visit and hope he understands my concerns.
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Colleen-Pa
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #5 on Apr 2, 2008, 8:25pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Nan, yes I am familiar with Jack Frost/Big Boulder. I live about 10 mins from there. My daughter worked the holidays at Split Rock.
Now, if your concerned about having a steroid, you could ask him for a sample of Symbicort. It is a combination of Foradil and Pulmicort (steroid). This is the one I have settled on and I love it. Easy to take and the onset of relief is much quicker than Advair. I was on Advair for a few years and find I do so much better with the Symbicort. My Lung function is quite low at 14%. Don't forget to ask for samples, if they don't work for you, it s not going to cost you anything. If your doctor is good he will work with you. Finding the right mix of things can take some time. Good Luck.
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"NEVER REGRET ANYTHING THAT MAKES YO SMILE"
canyon711
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Re: Brovana
« Reply #6 on Apr 2, 2008, 9:23pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk to the pulmonologist. He is the one that should be handling this since you have one. Brovana is very expensive and whereas it is covered my Medicare if you can find a supplier that will bill Medicare for you. If you have a supplement they will pick up the other 20%. It isn't available like Albuteral and other neb meds are.
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