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Suggest Treatment For Sleeplessness Due To Asthma
Question: when I can not sleep I have ambien 10 mg to sleep, which was originally given to me by a psychiatrist. I asked a question the other day, but I was not satisfied. I assume I did not ask or say something correctly. I asked to speak to an asthma doctor. at times when I have a flare up with my bronchitis-asthma, as I am currently having; I take xopenex and pulmicort with a nebulizer. if that is not enough, I take prednisone pills in a taper down fashion. I am now on the fifth day of prednisone at 40 mg each day. this is the first time, I am not to taper it down as I usually do; I guess it is called a spurt. I am to continue with the xopenex and pulmicort afterwards and call my doctor if I have a setback. xopenex and prednixone wind my up like I top, and I may use Xanax .5 mg up to 3 times a day. I am using the xanax, and as usual I still have trouble sleeping. My asthma doctor at those times prescribes atarax 10mg, 2 to 4 at a time at bedtime; and not to use the ambien. I am lactose intolerant; and when testing was done I definitely react to dairy. I eat no dairy when I have a flare up. The last time I wrote, I asked that my question be answered by a asthma/immunology doctor, but it was answered by a psychiatrist. I have read up on atarax; and I would like to know why that drug is chosen. I have recently been diagnosed with afib and I take diltiazem for that. I also see there is some interaction between a kind of lactose intolerance and atarax. I also read how it controls histamine and maybe that is a benefit. I assume that atarax is still the best choice sleeping aid during a bronchitis/asthma flare up. Maybe I am not giving enough info so the doctors can answer. I would like the answer to be answered by a asthma/immunologist even if the response will take longer. from recent experiences I like to question; and that takes time and many doctors do not have the time. I was given 750 mg of levaquin and a 50 mg, 5 day spurt of prednisone in a hospital, but my asthma doctor said that should never have been done. he read the tests and I never had pneumonia. The question is long, and if you wish to answer ok. this is the first time I have done this, but so much is changing in my care that I am scared and trying this option on the internet. thank you for your time
Brief Answer:
atarax is anti allergic and anti anxiety.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I have gone through your history and thanks for detailed history.
In my opinion you are having asthma exacerbation at present and because of this you are having trouble in sleep.
So our first priority is to settle your asthma.
Infection is the most common cause for asthma attack.
So you need to rule out this by chest x ray. Even if chest x ray is normal, I advice you to start macrolide group of antibiotic.
Your nebuliser medicines also need to be changed.
Xopenex is having levosalbutamol which short acting beta 2 agonist. Its action lasts for only 2-3 hours. So you need more frequent dosing. Better to shift on long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA). It's action lasts for 10-12 hours, so longer protection can be achieved.
You should also start combination of anti histamine and anti allergic (leukotrine receptor blocker). This will give you more symptomatic relief. and this will also help you in night time sleep problem.
Ambien is zolpidem. Which is habit forming benzodiazepine (BZD). While xapax is alprazolam which is newer BZD and not habit forming. So it is much better than ambien.
Atarax is hydroxyzine. Which is antihistamine. So I advice you to take antihistamine and anti allergic combination instead of atarax. This will give you benegit in both asthma as well as sleep problem.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
atarax is anti allergic and anti anxiety.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I have gone through your history and thanks for detailed history.
In my opinion you are having asthma exacerbation at present and because of this you are having trouble in sleep.
So our first priority is to settle your asthma.
Infection is the most common cause for asthma attack.
So you need to rule out this by chest x ray. Even if chest x ray is normal, I advice you to start macrolide group of antibiotic.
Your nebuliser medicines also need to be changed.
Xopenex is having levosalbutamol which short acting beta 2 agonist. Its action lasts for only 2-3 hours. So you need more frequent dosing. Better to shift on long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA). It's action lasts for 10-12 hours, so longer protection can be achieved.
You should also start combination of anti histamine and anti allergic (leukotrine receptor blocker). This will give you more symptomatic relief. and this will also help you in night time sleep problem.
Ambien is zolpidem. Which is habit forming benzodiazepine (BZD). While xapax is alprazolam which is newer BZD and not habit forming. So it is much better than ambien.
Atarax is hydroxyzine. Which is antihistamine. So I advice you to take antihistamine and anti allergic combination instead of atarax. This will give you benegit in both asthma as well as sleep problem.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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