Here is a good example of how strong my commitment is in being willing to share with others the path I am traveling while battling ‘Lenny’ (name I have given my COPD/Asthma). It is that responsibility which I want to take seriously even when I expose myself to my feelings of silly with sometimes little insight, little knowledge and a few questions.
But with this social media stuff I know I can reach out to others who are fighting the same or similar battles and hopefully get some input on others who may have had similar happenings and/or diagnoses with similar programs of medical attempts at help and/or remedies.
Recently I shared that my home physician along with my pulmonologist would like to try a drug called ‘Xolair’ and we were waiting to see how my health insurance would handle it or in my words – see how much of the high cost would I be stuck with and could I afford it.
‘Xolair’ is a humanized antibody originally designed to reduce sensitivity to inhaled or ingested allergens, to be used in the control of moderate to severe allergic asthma which may not be responding to other medications such as corticosteroids. Like any pharmaceutical medication there are always a chance of side effects and as usual we run full speed into the dose with the utmost hope that I will not be a victim of any of those ‘possible’ side effects.
What does amaze me is the outrageous (my word) cost of such drugs as this once a month shot of ‘Xolair’ will cost nearly $4,000. Thankfully between my current insurance and a grant from the folks that make ‘Xolair’ it will only cost me $50, so the deal is done and now we wait to get the appointment set for my first dosage of ‘Xolair’.
Since my COPD seems more developed from a lifetime of severe asthma that was not helped by my choices of environments presented by several jobs – my wife and I are hoping that maybe, just maybe this ‘Xolair’ thing will help me get past those SOBs (Short of Breaths) I suffer from when doing anything physical for more than 15 minutes.
So until that first shot of ‘Xolair’, life once again is in that mode of be patient and wait or is it wait and be patient.
And that my friends is where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and Me are at 4 today.
Most postings I try to finish with a question, today I ask this question – What medications are working best for you and your battle with COPD/Asthma? I am saying thanx for your willingness to respond to my question of the posting, responses which I hope you will post at the posting website of wheezingaway.com.
As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.
Remember – a person without breathing is a person without life itself.
As always I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.
(Copyright@2015, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com)
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DISABILITIES DAILY 
I’ve been on Xolair over 3 yrs. Before taking treatments, all my life since my teens, I was always hoarse and would lose my voice mid sentence. It was terrible b/c I couldn’t talk on the phone or Skype to my sister and her little kids out of state. She just adopted to more little ones. This is a miracle drug for me. They are very expensive injections $14,000 a month for 2 treatments. I am on disability. Unable to work because of back problems. I had Medicare and Medicaid until I got divorced then I lost my Medicaid. I didn’t see that coming. Unfortunately, because I only have Medicare and can’t afford to pay for a secondary insurance, I’m not going to be able to continue treatments. When I started it, it took 2 months before my hoarseness totally cleared up, I don’t want to go back to not being able to talk. As of today, they told me I owe $1,100. I’m barely making it on my disability. I have no idea how I am gonna pay it. 😦
I hope the new medicine helps you .Finally got put on oxygen lastyear.Seems like eachtrip to the hospital i end up losing more and more groundBecause ihad cancer last year must wait five yearsAt almost 61i dontthink transplant is possible so doesn’tseem like theres much left to choose from.Lots to do and i dont consider myself old but can’t do much .Dragging oxygen around help.