Daily struggle symptoms and conditions

Hi all. I am a 37 year old female. I was diagnosed with severe asthma when I was 30. Nothing helped me, nothing! I was coughing blood, in and out of the hospital, had to leave my job and for two years resigned myself to knowing I was going to die sooner rather than later. It was a daily struggle just to walk through the house.

Eventually a pulmonologist started me on Advair 50/500. Almost immediately my breathing became better. I had my life back. I had the energy to start my own business and am doing things I never thought was possible.

Sure, I have experienced some of these side effects...weight gain, moodiness, leg cramps, slight swelling in my throat and a very annoying urge to constantly clear my throat. BUT...I AM ALIVE!

I have read some of these other posts. If you can get by without the Advair then maybe it is not the best choice for you. If simply drinking enough water, as one stated, made me not have to use my albuterol, I would never even consider taking it. Hopefully someday there will be something better that does not have these side effects. But...until then, if you are like me, and need it to literally survive, then these side effects are worth living to spend another day with my family.

Although, I will say that it is a shame that it has to be so expensive. Since there are people that need this medication to survive, they should come up with a better plan to lower the costs.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in April of this year (2007) kind of by accident through a routine checkup. I had gained a bit of weight over the past two years, but that was really my only symptom. I was begun on 75 mcg of a generic brand of Synthroid, levothyroxine. Since I began this medication, I have rapidly gained another 15 pounds despite a 1,000 calorie per day diet. I retain fluid horribly. My ankles, wrists, hands and face swell daily. My muscles ache, especially my legs, upon walking across a room. I'm fatigued, short of breath. My LDL cholesterol level has skyrocketed in only three months and now I'm being told I need to be on a statin drug. I cry frequently and feel uncharacteristically anxious and irritable, but this could be due to the frustration I am experiencing with the loss of my sense of well-being. In essence, I felt much better before being placed on the medication. I may, in fact, discontinue the medication totally and see if over time I begin to feel better. Like so many other stories I'm hearing, my doctor seems totally unconcerned.

I began taking Celexa, once 2 years ago and decided to give it another try 1 year ago. It has worked for me. I have noticed weight gain over the last year but not sure I can attribute it to the Celexa. I have MS and chose Celexa when I was having a very emotional time, many things, Cancer, a relocation and everything that goes with MS. I chose only to go on 10mg of Celexa the 2nd time around. I now am cutting down to taking it every other day. I am waiting to see how I feel and taking it slow. What I have found is that I have been sleeping great. I also have picked up in my life: coaching a 2-3 grade team, and exercising when my young ones are in school/preschool. I am a stay-at-home mom and the exercise and coaching feeds my unused energies. I also find at least once a month time to get out with the girls. I find much strength in my women's bible study as well. One thing that I have learned is: At the time I took the Celexa I really needed it to pull me out of the slump. It will be a daily struggle just like MS to sometimes stay on top. Just as I have to keep track daily on my calendar my vitamins and MS drug therapy, I need to be aware of what brings on my depression. (at least those things I can control) Also!! ...When it takes me more effort on those days to stay on top, I need to remember that I am not any less a person because I have to work hard at it.
To me Celexa is a quick fix just as other drugs are. Change your life style. Slow down and sit in the sun!
This positiveness can come and go but it is something "I Choose" to work at. It is work! JS