Recent content by stevehof

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    800mg tobramycin reasonable? Urgent!

    Thanks for that info. At least I know it was a good decision based on official protocols. A different doc on the CF team came by this morning and changed out Tobra for Zosyn. I have no problem with Tobra but at 67 and already needing two hearing aids, and being marginal on Creatinine <sp> from...
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    800mg tobramycin reasonable? Urgent!

    help. I am in hosp for my first in hosp tune up in 20 years. New hosp. Kaiser Los Angeles. I am 67 years old and 170 pounds. I have a pretty bad lung infection. They want to give me 800mg Tobramycin IV, I think once a day. I've never had more than 250mg in the past at home. Doc says it is a...
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    Anyone take aspirin for anti inflammatory purposes?

    Aspirin is notoriously hard on your stomach (it can cause inflammation and irritation in the stomach). So, I doubt anyone with CF is taking it for GI tract inflammation. Quite a few of us are already using omeprazole and other stomach acid reducers on a regular basis.
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    Effectiveness of inhaled antibiotics after months of use?

    No, I haven't tried liquid albuterol in saline. I do take a couple of puffs on my inhaler before each inhaled antibiotic treatment and another puff afterwards. I doubt changing to liquid albuterol would help much. My lungs get so irritated by the inhaled antibiotics after a few days use that I...
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    Effectiveness of inhaled antibiotics after months of use?

    Stephen, Thanks for the reply and suggestions. I would have no issue with burning through $5k to clear my doughnut hole, if I thought the meds were helping. Obviously, you believe Cayston is helping you. I'm sure it helps a lot of folks. I'm looking to see if there are others who not only...
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    Effectiveness of inhaled antibiotics after months of use?

    I have had very little actual sustained clinical improvement from using either inhaled Cayston or Colistin. Plus my lungs are reactive and both these meds make me wheeze a bit. After several months usage, there seems to be even less positive result. I don't see any reduction in sputum...
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    Advice on Stomach Issues?

    I am experiencing the same thing. Since about the middle of last summer. I had an ultrasound to check for Gallstones a couple of months ago but that came back negative. I think some of the gas pain is due to the dual lower hernias I have developed, probably from a lifetime of coughing my brains...
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    Sinus issues: I can't smell anything

    Yes, diagnosed at 9 weeks and then confirmed again via sweat test in 1980. I was tested for CF genotype last year and didn't have the combo that worked with that new drug. I don't remember the exact gene sequence. Not one of the more common ones I think.
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    Anyone using a hand held percusser like the Foredom or Flimm Flighter?

    Just trying to figure out which hand held percusser to buy. I used to own a Foredom years ago. I have been doing without a percusser for the last 10 years. Exercise and forced coughing seemed to be enough. Not to sure that is working well enough now...I tried the Hill Rom vest for a few weeks...
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    Sinus issues: I can't smell anything

    I don't want to sound discouraging and we all are different in how we present and age. I haven't had a sense of smell for at least 45 of my 66 years. Too many sinus infections can ruin those receptors for good. That's just the way it goes. I have been doing sinus rinse daily for about 35 years...
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    How many CFers are 55 and older??What is your age if you do not mind telling us? :))

    I am a certified 65.9 year old CF geezer. I about gave it up at 9 weeks with double pneumonia. My Mom was a trooper and got me out of it somehow (1947). My brother and sister both also had CF. I just had the gene test and doc didn't tell me what combo, just that I didn't qualify for the new...
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    how well does cayston work for you?

    Would you mind explaining what SoB is? Thanks. Cayston is very expensive if you don't have good insurance. I paid $25 copay when I had private insurance with Kaiser So Cal. Now that I'm on Kaiser's Medicare Advantage it costs around $1200 and since I went into the doughnut hole, they now want...
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    anyone taking beta blockers for high blood pressure?

    Thanks for all the useful replies!! Yes, it's GREAT fun trying to sort out old folk's 'normal' health problems....NOT...lol Truthfully, I think I was happier thinking CF was going to run my life's credit card to the max. Now I also have to worry about, cancer, kidney failure, high blood pressure...
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    anyone taking beta blockers for high blood pressure?

    I can now add high blood pressure to my list of health issues. I am 65 and I suppose I should be just happy to be around still but..Lol... Is anyone here taking beta blockers. My GP just prescribed (Atenolol) for high blood pressure. I see the side effects include possible broncho spasms...
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    inhaled colistin, few questions

    Hi, my Kaiser pulmo doc has arranged for me to try inhaled Colistin. This is a first for Kaiser So Cal and a first for me. I see that many of you guys who are using Colistin use 75mg twice a day. My CF friend who is seen at the CF center at UCSD uses the 150mg bottles and 2ml of Saline to mix...
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