question about stopping some of my medications

[catboogie]

i am going to see the allergist for the first time next week. they sent instructions saying that i am supposed to stop some of my medications that may interfere with my allergy testing. for me, these include: advair, flonase, allegra, and albuterol. i think this is going to be rough! (especially since my allergies have been bad, with medication, lately.) but it will be good to see what impact stopping them and starting them up has on my body. i mean, sometimes you're on stuff for so long that you can't really tell if its doing good or not--and you don't want to stop it just to see in case it is still helping!

so, my question is, the way i see it, it's going to be pretty much impossible to stop my albuterol at the very least. three reasons: i NEED it to mix with my hypertonic saline everyday; i am still recovering from recent colds/oral antibiotics; and because i've started mucomyst and it seems to be making me short of breath. i've run this by my doctor and he says go without what i can and the rest just make sure i tell the allergist what i've been on the last week. i guess i'm afraid that i'll get there and he'll say he needs to reschedule it for another time when i haven't been on any of this stuff but i can't see when this could ever be, honestly!

what have you guys done who have been allergy tested???

 

[catboogie]

i am going to see the allergist for the first time next week. they sent instructions saying that i am supposed to stop some of my medications that may interfere with my allergy testing. for me, these include: advair, flonase, allegra, and albuterol. i think this is going to be rough! (especially since my allergies have been bad, with medication, lately.) but it will be good to see what impact stopping them and starting them up has on my body. i mean, sometimes you're on stuff for so long that you can't really tell if its doing good or not--and you don't want to stop it just to see in case it is still helping!

so, my question is, the way i see it, it's going to be pretty much impossible to stop my albuterol at the very least. three reasons: i NEED it to mix with my hypertonic saline everyday; i am still recovering from recent colds/oral antibiotics; and because i've started mucomyst and it seems to be making me short of breath. i've run this by my doctor and he says go without what i can and the rest just make sure i tell the allergist what i've been on the last week. i guess i'm afraid that i'll get there and he'll say he needs to reschedule it for another time when i haven't been on any of this stuff but i can't see when this could ever be, honestly!

what have you guys done who have been allergy tested???

 

[catboogie]

i am going to see the allergist for the first time next week. they sent instructions saying that i am supposed to stop some of my medications that may interfere with my allergy testing. for me, these include: advair, flonase, allegra, and albuterol. i think this is going to be rough! (especially since my allergies have been bad, with medication, lately.) but it will be good to see what impact stopping them and starting them up has on my body. i mean, sometimes you're on stuff for so long that you can't really tell if its doing good or not--and you don't want to stop it just to see in case it is still helping!

so, my question is, the way i see it, it's going to be pretty much impossible to stop my albuterol at the very least. three reasons: i NEED it to mix with my hypertonic saline everyday; i am still recovering from recent colds/oral antibiotics; and because i've started mucomyst and it seems to be making me short of breath. i've run this by my doctor and he says go without what i can and the rest just make sure i tell the allergist what i've been on the last week. i guess i'm afraid that i'll get there and he'll say he needs to reschedule it for another time when i haven't been on any of this stuff but i can't see when this could ever be, honestly!

what have you guys done who have been allergy tested???

 

[kybert]

i dont see why you would need to stop albuterol. the only things you need to stop are antihistamines and anything containing steroids.

 

[kybert]

i dont see why you would need to stop albuterol. the only things you need to stop are antihistamines and anything containing steroids.

 

[kybert]

i dont see why you would need to stop albuterol. the only things you need to stop are antihistamines and anything containing steroids.

 

[catboogie]

i forgot to add: my doctor also prescribed me an Intal inhaler to go with the mucomyst. with as short of breath as i was today, i'm thinking that if i continue on the mucomyst that i'm going to need both the intal and the albuterol.

kylie, it says "albuterol" specifically on the list. i don't know why...like i said, this is my first visit.

 

[catboogie]

i forgot to add: my doctor also prescribed me an Intal inhaler to go with the mucomyst. with as short of breath as i was today, i'm thinking that if i continue on the mucomyst that i'm going to need both the intal and the albuterol.

kylie, it says "albuterol" specifically on the list. i don't know why...like i said, this is my first visit.

 

[catboogie]

i forgot to add: my doctor also prescribed me an Intal inhaler to go with the mucomyst. with as short of breath as i was today, i'm thinking that if i continue on the mucomyst that i'm going to need both the intal and the albuterol.

kylie, it says "albuterol" specifically on the list. i don't know why...like i said, this is my first visit.

 

[coltsfan715]

Hey Laura,

I say I would call the Allergist and make them aware that you are NOT going to be able to stop taking the albuterol and whatever other meds you HAVE to take - such as possibly the advair. Just make them aware of the situation you are in with having CF and the status of your breathing and how labored it has been lately. You are NOT the only one to have serious breathing issues and have allergies or allergy testing - they should be able to work around it.

When I had allergy testing done several months ago they told me that I had to be off antibiotics and I could not take a decongestant or other allergy med for a week before testing - I was still able to take my albuterol and advair. There were no issues. They may put that on there because they prefer people NOT take them - but they might not be deal breakers.

Good luck with the allergy testing hope it all goes smoothly.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Hey Laura,

I say I would call the Allergist and make them aware that you are NOT going to be able to stop taking the albuterol and whatever other meds you HAVE to take - such as possibly the advair. Just make them aware of the situation you are in with having CF and the status of your breathing and how labored it has been lately. You are NOT the only one to have serious breathing issues and have allergies or allergy testing - they should be able to work around it.

When I had allergy testing done several months ago they told me that I had to be off antibiotics and I could not take a decongestant or other allergy med for a week before testing - I was still able to take my albuterol and advair. There were no issues. They may put that on there because they prefer people NOT take them - but they might not be deal breakers.

Good luck with the allergy testing hope it all goes smoothly.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

Hey Laura,

I say I would call the Allergist and make them aware that you are NOT going to be able to stop taking the albuterol and whatever other meds you HAVE to take - such as possibly the advair. Just make them aware of the situation you are in with having CF and the status of your breathing and how labored it has been lately. You are NOT the only one to have serious breathing issues and have allergies or allergy testing - they should be able to work around it.

When I had allergy testing done several months ago they told me that I had to be off antibiotics and I could not take a decongestant or other allergy med for a week before testing - I was still able to take my albuterol and advair. There were no issues. They may put that on there because they prefer people NOT take them - but they might not be deal breakers.

Good luck with the allergy testing hope it all goes smoothly.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[NoExcuses]

Bravo for allergy testing! I think you will be thrilled at the improvement in your lung health that you will experience once you learn what your allergies are and you are able to avoid them (dust mite covers, etc). If shots are an option, those can be a God-send as well.

Why do u need to mix your hypertonic saline with albuterol????

 

[NoExcuses]

Bravo for allergy testing! I think you will be thrilled at the improvement in your lung health that you will experience once you learn what your allergies are and you are able to avoid them (dust mite covers, etc). If shots are an option, those can be a God-send as well.

Why do u need to mix your hypertonic saline with albuterol????

 

[NoExcuses]

Bravo for allergy testing! I think you will be thrilled at the improvement in your lung health that you will experience once you learn what your allergies are and you are able to avoid them (dust mite covers, etc). If shots are an option, those can be a God-send as well.

Why do u need to mix your hypertonic saline with albuterol????

 

[catboogie]

amy, first of all, it can make me a little tight or wheezy. secondly, i add it to the 10% hs solution to dilute it.

good idea, lindsey. i did try calling them once and was hard-pressed to get past some secretary who seemed to know nothing about this kind of thing, but i will give it another shot.

 

[catboogie]

amy, first of all, it can make me a little tight or wheezy. secondly, i add it to the 10% hs solution to dilute it.

good idea, lindsey. i did try calling them once and was hard-pressed to get past some secretary who seemed to know nothing about this kind of thing, but i will give it another shot.

 

[catboogie]

amy, first of all, it can make me a little tight or wheezy. secondly, i add it to the 10% hs solution to dilute it.

good idea, lindsey. i did try calling them once and was hard-pressed to get past some secretary who seemed to know nothing about this kind of thing, but i will give it another shot.

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Laura,

Four years ago, I worked as a Medical Assistant for an asthma and allergist. I also performed scratch and intradermal skin tests daily. This what we advised our patients prior to testing:

*Discontinue all use of anti-histamines 4 days prior to testing. (i.e. Allergra, Claritin, and even Benadryl.)

*Discontinue all use of nasal sprays 4 days prior to testing. (i.e. Flonase, Rhinocort)

***WE NEVER TOLD THEM TO STOP ANYTHING ELSE.***

THEY WERE TO REMAIN ON ALBUTEROL AND ANY OTHER BREATHING MEDS.

I even had a test performed on me back then and was instructed to remain on my Albuterol, Serevent, and Flovent. I had a few mild allergies but nothing impressive. Call your CF doc with the instructions that you were given by the allergist. I am sure that he/she will want you to stay on your breathing meds. They will probably want you to then call back the allergist and confirm any changes. Good luck!

 

[Jennifer1981]

Hi Laura,

Four years ago, I worked as a Medical Assistant for an asthma and allergist. I also performed scratch and intradermal skin tests daily. This what we advised our patients prior to testing:

*Discontinue all use of anti-histamines 4 days prior to testing. (i.e. Allergra, Claritin, and even Benadryl.)

*Discontinue all use of nasal sprays 4 days prior to testing. (i.e. Flonase, Rhinocort)

***WE NEVER TOLD THEM TO STOP ANYTHING ELSE.***

THEY WERE TO REMAIN ON ALBUTEROL AND ANY OTHER BREATHING MEDS.

I even had a test performed on me back then and was instructed to remain on my Albuterol, Serevent, and Flovent. I had a few mild allergies but nothing impressive. Call your CF doc with the instructions that you were given by the allergist. I am sure that he/she will want you to stay on your breathing meds. They will probably want you to then call back the allergist and confirm any changes. Good luck!