Flovent, Singulair, Albuterol experiences

I was recently involved in a blind study of Flovent and Singulaire.
I have multiple allergies -- PA, tree nuts, many many foods, and many environmental allergies.
I had been taking Flovent for quite a while. I also take Claritin daily backed up with Actifed and Benadryl as needed and also with Prednisone available for some emergencies. I also have Albuterol for asthma relief.
In the study, we did not know what drug we were taking. I took a pill which looked like Singulair daily and also used an inhaler which looked like Flovent twice daily.
The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether a pill or inhaler resulted in better control. It was a very large study.
First we were taken off Flovent or whatever medication we were taking for a month. Then we were given the drugs we were to take and charts for our progress along with a device to measure peak flow (breathing term).
After about six weeks, I was taken out of the study because my breathing had degenerated so badly. So had my energy level. They immediately put me on a double dose of Flovent for a month. Therefore, I was able to figure out that I had been taking Singulair as my medication. It didn't work.
I have been on inhalers such as Flovent for eons. I don't seem to have a problem. In fact, they really help me. My husband also uses Flovent with no adverse effects. I am 61.
I am sure that Singulair probably is fine for some people but Flovent has been best for us.
I would go along with the doctor's regimen and watch it carefully. Keep a little calendar to record the slightest changes, etc. because what might seem to be nothing to you could be very important in long range allergy control.

In my opinion and experience (with my daughter and my sister), you have been given the best drugs on the market for asthma.
Flovent has been around for a long time. The Flovent is the steroid, it is the drug that helps prevent and/ or maintain the asthma. Usually you are on a continual maintenace program with flovent. This helps to prevent the inflammation of the airways, otherwise known as an asthma attack. If you are already experiencing shortness of breath before you start using the flovent, you will notice that it may take two to three weeks before the flovent is able to control the asthma. It is soooo important to continue your prescribed doses of flovent because it is this drug that will eventually be the one that makes you better. It is your long term relief drug. Many people get frustrated with it and stop taking it too early and then never get rid of the inflammation in the airways and always have the asthma. You hear people say, "it wasn't doing anything!", and that is because it's benefits are not seen right away.
The albuterol, (in Canada known as Ventolin) as Cindy described above, is your reliever medication. It's used when you get that feeling where you can't breath. You can't breath now!! You need reliever, or albuterol. Albuterol does nothing for long term healing of the inflammation, it simply opens the airways temporarily, for a couple of hours so that you can breath right away. It is prescribed differently for different situations. Some people are on a constant dose, so many times/ day, others are told to use it when they have trouble breathing. Usually a more constant dose is used when you are just learning how to control your asthma.
Finally, the Singulair, is wonderful! At least it is for me. It is not necessarily meant to be used without the Flovent, although some people are finding that it is all that they need. It has helped so many people get off the steroids. ...and has helped so many other people decrease the amount of steroid, Flovent that they use. For example, my daughter used Flovent, 2 puffs/4 X/day when she was having a bad attack, and now only has to use Flovent 2 puffs, 2X/day. Singulair is a very new drug, and has had very few side effects and most be very minor things! It has been raved about in the asthma community as being very helpful! It's also not real noticeable until you go off of it and then you realize how much help it is. ...but obviously not to everyone, as the lady above mentioned!
Lastly, I believe you will not feel better until the asthma is controlled. Many people with asthma have weak immune systems. Controlling the asthma is going to help a ton!
...and all this is just my opinion and understanding of asthma, I'm not a doc!!
Good Luck!

Adam's 3 1/2 year old brother was on flovent as he has had 3 bouts of pneumonia in the past 6 months. Children are on flovent 50, adults are on I believe flovent 125.
The steroid in flovent made him wild. He is already on the active side, but this was too much. He was seen by a pediatric respirologist who said he could be on singulair, but at 1/2 the pediatric dose as it is usually not recommended for children under 6. The respirologist also told us that some respond to this medication, some don't, there was no way of knowing who would or would not respond. It was not to be taken with flovent. There is no steroid in singulair.
So far, Shaun hasn't had any wheezing, but still has a cruddy chest from croup 3 weeks ago. He has only been on singulair 2 weeks.

My 4 year old, Logan, has been on flovent and singulair for over a year now. He has been taking albuterol since he was a baby. Recently the doctor added serevent to his routine, but it seems to cause some emotional side effects in Logan. The albuterol can tend to make one jittery, but Logan hasn't had any adverse side effects from it or the flovent and singulair.
Rebekah

My PA son is on Singulair, Flovent and Nasonex. He is only 2. He has many triggers to his asthma and gets viral pneumonia easily and quickly. I find that he is much better while on the meds than off, because being sick or having an asthma attack is much worse. It is his first time sleeping through the night after his medications also. I hope this helps.

Just to clarify, flovent 50 is not necessarily only for children and vice versa with the flovent 125. It depends of the severity of the asthma. Both of my children use the 125 dose, and have had to use it 2 puffs/4X/day. It's just that the 50 is often prescribed for children, but for many children with severe asthma it is not enough.
Also, Flovent and Singulair are safe taken together, and often it is beneficial to take them both as it can lower the amount of Flovent you need to take.
Sorry just felt I needed to clarify, I know that this was not the original question. My advice would be to revisit your doctor and tell him you are better with just the albuterol, it may be all you need. If the allergen or trigger is no longer present than you should have no further problems. Good Luck!

Dakota3030,
You will find that both Claritin and Flovent will take a while to "kick in" and are best used as preventive measures. They both help me a lot. I try to prevent asthma if possible so that I don't have to go on a prednisone regimen. I avoid prednisone whenever possible.

Okay, now that you've clarified I'll expand my answer. The albuterol will help you with the immediate reaction you're having (although prolonged) from your horrible experience in Beliz. The flovent and singulair will help you prevent further breathing difficulties from your other day to day airborn exposures. Forgive me for not remembering, but have you taken prednisone to get the reaction from Beliz stopped?
Rebekah [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]