Accumulated symptoms and conditions

After reading this accumulated several years of reporting below:
Yes to higher heart rate and BP for sure - after several days using albuterol in the home nebulizer I have had - it is for emergencies and every severe asthma attack but one (Oct 06) it kept me out of the hospital. I also tho have a GERD ulcer in my throat that causes caughing - Nexxium is THE ONLY med proven to heal those btw - and they do still come back! But anyways, this latest irritated throat followed by uncoltrollable coughinghas been on the "other" side of my throat for 6 days -
(this is all separate from my bronchial and lung coughing from asthma and the lung infections that come with it).

So anyways - ta daa - I came here suspecting the new spot in my throat that is super-sensitive is due to the nebulizer and after reading the other comments- maybe this really is it! The forced air in particular - because I just don't get coughs like this when I stick to my little purse canister.

Olsen: Isn't it ironic that 3 persons close to you all came down with the same symptoms. When I mentioned the possibility of my husband having Lipitor-induced Parkinson's Disease to my internist, he was adamant about it and said Lipitor had been on the market a long time and that my husband was probably going to get Parksinson's whether or not he took lipitor. After reading of so many instances in this site, I cannot agree with my doctor . I asked my husband's neurologist (who treats his Parkinson's with medication that doesn't help) if there were any data banks that accumulated information from people diagnosed with Parkinson's to see if there was a common thread that would link Parkinson's with anything in particular, and he said there wasn't anything like that. It seems that a questionnaire asking what medications they take, what type of work they did, what chemicals they had ever handled, etc. should be given to all Parkinson's patients to fill in data and sent to a Parkinson's Institute for evaluation. I hate to see my husband's quality of life taken away and wish there was something I could do to make things better. I've also had to become the designated driver.

Have been taking Prednisone since January for a severe eye problem. Since there was a strong possibility that I could go blind, I had to take it. So far, I've only gained about 10-12 pounds...but keeping the pounds away has been tough! I'm now down to 7.5 mgm alternating with 5 mgm daily and my appetite has decreased, thankfully. All of my weight has accumulated from the waist up....which is typical. I continue to be bothered with hot flashes that come on suddenly and disappear within a few minutes. Eating a banana a day has eliminated the muscle cramps. Also, cutting back on salt helps the ankle/leg swelling. When I was on 60-30 mgm/day, I lost ALL sense of TASTE and SMELL! You'd think that would help with the appetite...but no! (One day, I ate six apples...as fast as I could!) Taste and smell is slowly returning.
Here's my two cents worth: 1. Prednisone is a powerful drug...don't mess around with it. If you stop taking it without tapering, you could place yourself in a life-threatening situation. 2. If Prednisone is precribed for you for an extended period of time, GET A SECOND OPINION. It is always possible that a newer, safer drug is available that your doctor may not be aware of. 3. Use the internet for finding the latest research pertaining your condition. Take copies of your findings to your health care providers. Be convinced that Prednisone is your only option.

My best to you all.....Mary

I had a stroke 4 yrs. ago and in the tests given it was found that I have Vasculitis. Dr. insists that a low daily dose of 4 mgs. per day will be fine. Have gained 45 lbs. Cheeks are puffy. Itching. Have tried using 2mgs. but sed rate is not good. Have accumulated fluid around the heart. Naturally this causes shortness of breath. Have any of you had similar problems?? Does anyone know an alternative drug??? Would appreaciate hearing from you.