I’m 32 years old. I had asthma all my life and I usually ended up in the emergency room twice a year, well there is actually 2 occasions where my asthma was completely controlled. The first one was when I was 12 or 13 years old I started seeing an allergist. I got desensitized and it worked. The treatment is based on a series of vaccines and it completely took away all my symptoms. I was a "normal" person. I jogged and danced and nothing ever got my breath away until I turned 20 or 21. After my first child it took me a long time before I found a treatment that worked, but I finally did after being in the ER twice in one week. I got an asthmatic doctor who told me he was going to give me the treatment he used and he said that I wouldn’t get an attack again. Okay it was Flovent twice a day, Nasonex once in the morning, Foradil twice a day, and Singulair once a day and for the past 2 years I’ve been asthma free. I don’t even take my Albuterol with me everywhere. I actually don’t use it (I don’t recommend this), but I’m truly happy with the treatment and I know is a lot, but it becomes part of your daily routine just like washing your face or brushing your teeth! I hope at least one person benefit from this comment. It has been life changing for me and I hope it would be for someone else. Published: November 13 ::

I was diagnosed with COPD about 15 yrs ago after suffering from Asthma for almost 25 yrs. I was forced to go on disability and have managed to lead a fairly normal life except I lead a very sedentary lifestyle due to shortness of breath. I quit smoking 17 yrs ago after smoking for 35 yrs. I had tried many times previously but failed until I used a nicotine patch. Thank God for that success. I know I have shortened my life but have managed with meds like Advair, Singulair, Spiriva, Theodor, Ventolin inhaler, and sometimes Predinsone to get along. I only wish I had been able to quit smoking sooner than I did but I suffered from terrible withdrawal symptoms. I lost my best friend last week to COPD. My advice - don't quit trying to quit smoking! You can succeed! Published: August 17 ::

I have been using Advair for my asthma for a few years, and I don't know what I would do without it. I use it once in the morning and at night and when I am finding it difficult to breathe (from colds or illness). Since using Advair, my need for Ventolin has diminished dramatically. It also allows me to go for a run and figure skate, which was always difficult to do before using Advair. Published: February 10 ::

I have had asthma since birth and couldn’t be treated until I was 3. I have taken a bunch of stuff over the years, and nothing has worked as well as Advair HFA. It's the first time in my life I've been able to breathe "normally." My doctor tries to get me off of it every six months or so because it can cause loss of bone density. I say, “At least I'll still be able to breathe!” Published: December 02 ::

One size doesn't fit all. I tried Albuterol and Levalbuterol Tartrate. Albuterol made my heart pound and I had insomnia. After 2 months, I had to use it day and night until, while in the shower, my lungs closed completely and I grabbed my old bottle of Primatene Mist and it saved me. Levalbuterol Tartrate had less side effects but I had to use it more and more until it was also day and night instead of once a night that I needed while taking Primatene Mist. I didn't have a pounding heart or insomnia on Primatene Mist and I used it for 23 years. Now the FDA is taking it off the shelves and my life will be ruined! There is a lot of incorrect information out there about Beta 2 agonists. My drug information that came with the Albuterol, said it actually causes asthma and causes paradoxical reactions. Not all people can take it! Taking Primatene Mist off the market is cruel to people like me and people who have no insurance. Published: July 30 ::

I developed asthma-like symptoms at age 40. I was treated for five years with Prednisone and developed cataracts in both eyes by age 44! I weaned myself off the prednisone because I had developed osteoporosis. My latest hospital visit was for thirty-six hours where they gave me intravenous Prednisone every four hours. I didn't take the prescribed oral drug at all after discharge and suffered no side effects. Prednisone doesn't cure anything, it just hides the symptoms. Besides making one fat and short tempered, there are some real bad side effects that will make one’s life miserable. Antibiotics, Albuterol, and Singulair helped me recover from this latest attack. Published: October 12 ::

The Aerobid inhaler has been a life-saver! I have been on Aerobid for some years and haven't had an attack in all that time .... though now my insurance plan has moved it to a level 3, so the co-pay is $100 for a 90-day supply. If it is that expensive now, I don't know what I will do in the future. Published: May 08 ::