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Post by tousabella on Sept 21, 2016 14:23:06 GMT -5
Hi there; I haven't been on for so long,. Sorry about that, but somehow this disease gets "in the way". My doctor, Canada, has recommended Theophylline for the 'tail end' of sufferers who have nothing else that works. Anyone taken this or know of someone who has, please add some info. it looks to be really critical to follow, and I'm not too excitied about trying it yet. Thought I'd throw it out to the site and see if some of you know anything about it. Thanks...you've sure been in my thoughts...just couldn't surf the web. Retta
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Post by gerald on Sept 21, 2016 17:06:05 GMT -5
I am prescribed 200mg / day to help the diaphram muscle work more efficiently. The drug has been around for a long time, side effects are well known.
According to my Pulm. Spec. it kind of fell otu of favor as newer drugs came along. One significant drawback (consistent) he was aware of is that it is very hard on the stomach.
I did try upping the dose to 400 mg / day but my stomach did not like that
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Post by joany on Sept 21, 2016 17:27:37 GMT -5
I was prescribed 300 mg of theophylline at bedtime after I had pneumonia recently. I haven't had any digestive issues with it. However, since I wasn't taking it prior to pneumonia, I decided to stop taking it after "I decided" pneumonia was gone (no dr's advice). Oops, I started having digestive problems. You know how it is - the thought of another med just boggles the mind. I'm now back to taking it at bedtime - for now.
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Post by gerald on Sept 21, 2016 19:27:08 GMT -5
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Post by John on Sept 21, 2016 20:10:59 GMT -5
I have been on 200 Theophylline @ 1 times a day for 12 years now . It was given to me for wheezing , having any scence . I take mine in the am as it did make me restless at bedtime . Went off it once for a week and went right back on as the wheezing came back .Like Gerald said it was about all they had years ago .
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Post by David on Sept 21, 2016 22:29:42 GMT -5
I was on it years ago. It didn't seem to help me. I didn't have wheezing or bronchitis anyway so maybe that's why.
Like it was said earlier it is an old drug and my doctors around here do not prescribe it unless you ask for it.
I remember I had to have a blood test every now and then . I don't remember why. Doctor had to monitor the build up of something that the drug causes.
I am no expert on the drug that's for sure
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Post by John on Sept 22, 2016 5:58:44 GMT -5
David; The blood test are make sure it doesn't build up in the liver . some people are on as much as 800mg
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Post by David on Sept 22, 2016 19:47:39 GMT -5
Thanks John, it had been so long I had forgotten what the blood test was for. I do remember the doctor checking my blood.
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Post by tousabella on Sept 24, 2016 22:54:28 GMT -5
Thanks, guys. For what I've read up on it, this seems to be a very thin line of good. It gets critical in that it causes extreme SOB, and could cause damage to organs and death. It also said something about no caffine nor fat in meat. I have an exaserbation about once a month, so I was a little gun shy to take the drug. Besides....I'd probably have worse side effects of not having my morning coffee!! . I had no idea that it's been around for so long. I have a new Dr. and he's from S. Africa, so guess they have been using it for some time, too. Thanks for the info. I'll do some more research, and hope for the best. See ya' for mornin coffee.
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Post by judi on Sept 24, 2016 23:49:28 GMT -5
I have not personally had experience with it but in researching something else read that the idea behind the newer low dose was that it causes some chemical changes in the cell that might help inhaled steroids work again. I would have a hard time giving up my coffee too but its something to consider. The lower dose might be less problematic. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15337792
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Post by gerald on Sept 25, 2016 11:15:49 GMT -5
First I have heard about the coffee aspect, I have not stopped drinking coffee.
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Post by John on Sept 26, 2016 6:12:31 GMT -5
I still drink coffee too ! We can't get the 200 in the states anymore so they give us the 400 which I have to split gaah pain in the butt
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