Changing things up here as I continue my daily battle with my sidekick ‘Lenny’ (the name I have given my COPD/Asthma) as I know I need to get more serious about what’s ahead for me and that includes being more serious about my therapy for which part of my therapy of sorts is to put into words how my battle may be going and then sharing it openly as part of what I call my responsibility.
That responsibility for my battle is to talk about my travels with ‘Lenny’ and share with others with the hope that maybe, just maybe, I will reach even one other person whom may read what I share and realize they are not alone.
Today I once again share where I am at and maybe how I may or may not be dealing with life and my own COPD/Asthma Travels.
Recently I shared about a really bad bout with dyspnea for which I nearly took myself to the hospital, but instead got through it and made sure I got in to see my doctor who in turn gave me a four week supply of a new inhaling type of medicine called ‘Breo Ellipta’.
Another change in my meds, something which I detest and am not very cooperative sometime because change is not conducive to my personalty – yep I just do not like change!
But then I got to thinking – how much do I really know about the meds I am taking and is it my responsibility to know?
The answer is YES and that is YES without any doubt – to be responsible to ourselves and those around while we fight this nasty thing called COPD/Asthma is something we each MUST do, and knowing your meds is possible as important as anything within this battle.
I looked up ‘Brea Ellipta’ and this is what it said:
“BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 is a prescription medicine used to treat COPD,including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 is used long term as 1 inhalation 1 time each day to improve symptoms of COPD for better breathing and to reduce the number of flare-ups (the worsening of your COPD symptoms for several days). BREO is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and won’t replace a rescue inhaler.” (from http://www.mybreo.com/)
Those who follow my travels here are aware of the fact that I not only have late Stage III COPD, but I am also a life-long asthmatic – so when my doctor changes my meds, especially involving the COPD side of things, I have learned to study up a bit even though the heavy medical language will leave my head spinning.
I read the material for this ‘Breo Ellipta’ stuff and look what I found headlining the possible health risks when taking it – “IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
People with asthma who take long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines, such as vilanterol (one of the medicines in BREO), have an increased risk of death from asthma problems. It is not known if LABA medicines increase the risk of death in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”
That got my attention and my wife was left speechless until I took the time to check my other meds and see if I could find any other reference to this beta2-adrenergic agonist like vilanterol, and thankfully I did not, well unless it is disguised under some other medical terminology or name for which I have no clue of. Not having that stuff in other medicines gave us a sense of relief which made us breath better, literally.
The experience here reminded me of the importance of having faith in your physician and pulmonologist, they have the training and education to do what they do so put your faith in their ideas and directions.
If you lose faith in your doctors than it is time to look seriously at changing to one who will work with you and your battle with COPD/Asthma.
Most important is to take your responsibility seriously and that means even with faith in your doctors, you still need to follow up and educate yourself on what is going on in your battle – know your meds, know your program, know your way to walk the way.
And that my friends is where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and me are at 4 today.
*** CONTINUE PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS FOR KAYCIE CHAPMAN ***
NOTE TO REMEMBER: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.
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.
I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.
(Copyright@2015, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com)
(Image used cleared by written permission for use by CrossDove Photography)
DISABILITIES DAILY 
The side effects are real, and are to protect the manufacturers from liability in the event of a lawsuit.
That being said, I loved being on Anoro Ellipta and Striverdi Respimat – until I didn’t want to be on either due to side effects and complications.
Good luck with your journey, and I appreciate your sharing your own anecdotal information.