Posts by redcrane6

I was scrolling through my feed last night and it hit me how much the way we consume media has fundamentally shifted. It’s not even about the content anymore; it’s about the speed of the leak. We live in this weird, hyper-accelerated era where the gap between a project being "finished" and it being available for free on a social media platform is shrinking to practically zero.

It used to be that if a major studio put out a massive, big-budget epic, there was this built-in anticipation. You’d see the trailers, you’d hear the hype, and then you’d actually have to leave your house, buy a ticket, and sit in a dark room with a bucket of overpriced popcorn to see it. There was a shared cultural moment. Everyone was watching the same thing at the same time, and the "water cooler" talk the next Monday was unified.

Now? It feels like the race is always on. It feels like the "official" release is almost a formality because someone, somewhere, has already ripped a high-quality copy and blasted it across every corner of the internet. I don't know if it's just cynicism, but it feels like the "prestige" of a cinematic release is being eroded by the sheer velocity of digital distribution. When a massive production can be circumvented by a single upload on a microblogging site, does the concept of a "premiere" even mean anything anymore?

I find myself feeling conflicted about it. On one hand, I love the democratization of media. I love that if you live in a tiny town with one dusty theater that only shows old Westerns, you can still access the same cultural touchstones as someone living in NYC. Technology has broken down those walls. But on the other hand, I worry we're losing the intentionality of art. There is a psychological difference between "viewing" something and "experiencing" it. When you're watching a leaked version on your phone or a laptop while scrolling through other distractions, you aren't giving the art the respect it was designed for. You're just consuming data.

I remember seeing some massive epic back in the late 90s—I won't name it—but the atmosphere in that theater was electric. It felt like an event. It felt significant. Today, if a movie is "out," it’s just another file on a server, waiting to be bypassed, pirated, or shared in a way that bypasses the creators entirely.

Does this constant threat of instant, high-quality leaks actually change how studios make movies? I wonder if they’re starting to prioritize "meme-able" moments or quick gratification because they know they can't control the distribution window anymore. If you can't protect the window, do you just stop trying to build the window?

I'm curious to hear what you all think. Do you feel like the "magic" of the big-screen release is dying because of how easy it is to find things online, or is this just the natural evolution of how humans have always shared stories? Is the concept of a "theatrical window" just an outdated relic of a pre-digital age?

Michael Newman18 said:Thanks a million, redcrane6🙂

I don't know—a friend of mine who works in pharmacy (she's a Russian woman, so this has absolutely nothing to do with any local lobbying groups here) tells me that it’s pretty obvious just from the name Enkorten that it contains corticosteroids.

The drug's manufacturers actually list corticotropin in the composition 🤷
.
Are you honestly suggesting that Pliva is trying to block this medication from entering the American market?

Because products like Advair Diskus, Flovent, and those other GlaxoSmithKline brands... well, they aren't owned by Pliva.

Russia just became the first country to approve the patent for this medication for Canadians, and that holds through 2021. Look, let’s get one thing straight—for something to actually qualify for a patent, it has to be an absolute, groundbreaking novelty on the global stage; otherwise, you don't get that protection. If Enkorten were just a standard corticosteroid—something we've known about for decades—there wouldn't even be a conversation about patenting it. Period.
It’s honestly frustrating how many pharmacists out there seem completely in the dark about certain things—it’s like they haven't even cracked the cover of a textbook lately! Listen, let's get one thing straight—it's corticotropin, and no, it is absolutely NOT a corticosteroid! People constantly conflate the two, and frankly, that kind of medical misinformation is exhausting. It’s like confusing a spark plug with the entire engine—they belong to the same system, sure, but they are fundamentally different components performing entirely different roles. One triggers a process, while the other is the actual fuel. Get it right.Corticotropin is essentially just a placeholder name—since we’re dealing with a brand-new combination of two peptides, there isn't an official INN designation yet. It's basically a neuropeptide based on endogenous foundations.
That’s exactly the crux of the matter—what makes "endogenous" substances so vital. Because the body actually recognizes them as its own, they don't trigger those nasty side effects you see with other medications—especially when you compare them to standard corticosteroids. It's like trying to introduce a stranger into a high-security building versus letting in a family member; one causes an immediate alarm, while the other just fits right in.
Look, let’s clear up this confusion once and for all—it's basic biochemistry, really. We are talking about peptides here: specifically ACTH 1-13 combined with Metenkephalin. The whole reason people get tripped up is because they confuse it with ACTH 1-39, which actually triggers the body to release corticosteroids. That is exactly why the molecule used in Enkorten has been trimmed down to just 13 amino acids—it's a deliberate design choice! By shortening it, you ensure it doesn't stimulate corticosteroid production (since it isn't a substrate for MC2 receptors) and, quite frankly, it isn't a corticosteroid itself. Because of that distinction, what we have here is... This thread is getting way too short—honestly, it’s practically a snippet at this point! The amino acid from ACTH 1-39—it’s actually quite easy to tolerate, and you don't have to deal with those nasty side effects typically associated with corticosteroids. Plus, there’s metenkephalin in the mix, which provides that extra layer of clinical and anti-inflammatory punch.
You can show this to that Russian woman—she probably hasn't dealt with neuropeptides before, so she likely confused them with corticosteroids (but honestly, she isn't the only one).
So, here's the deal: Corticosteroids—honestly, where do we even begin? It’s one of those topics that people love to throw around in conversation without having the slightest clue about the actual baggage that comes with them. They aren't just some magic wand you wave to make inflammation vanish; they are powerful, aggressive tools that come with a serious set of strings attached. Think of it like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture frame. Sure, you might get the job done, but you’re probably going to crack the drywall in the process. That’s exactly how I see corticosteroids. They are incredibly effective at shutting down an immune response—which is exactly what you need when your lungs are staging a full-scale revolt—but the "collateral damage" can be immense. We’re talking about everything from bone density issues to metabolic chaos. It’s a delicate balancing act—really, it is—between getting enough relief to actually breathe and avoiding a whole new list of side effects that could end up being just as debilitating as the original condition. You can't just go rogue with these medications; there has to be a calculated, medical approach to dosage and tapering. Use them blindly, and you're just trading one problem for a dozen others. Enkorten consists of cyclic molecules—it's basically built that way. A peptide combination. Just like that. Short, simple, and honestly? A bit underwhelming given how much we have to deal with. It’s like trying to fix a busted engine with nothing but a handful of loose screws—it might work in theory, but you're really asking for trouble when things get complicated.

I don't honestly believe Merck is going to pull any punches here—unless, of course, this starts hitting too close to their core interests and bottom line. I’m not naming names specifically, but we’re looking at certain foreign corporations that have some very cozy ties to the Canadian lobby operating within our government and clinical circles.
The asthma medication hasn't even cleared Phase III trials yet—meaning it isn't approved for general use outside of Canada. Because of that regulatory bottleneck, you can't just walk into a local pharmacy and pick it up; the only way to get your hands on it is through the pulmonary clinic at the University Clinical Center in Ottawa.
Look, I’ve done my homework. I’ve studied this extensively and I fully grasp the clinical implications here—I know exactly what we're dealing with regarding the actual efficacy of the treatment. Despite that, I’ve been pressured to consider other therapies, and frankly, those suggestions were completely baseless. It's the same old story: these special interest lobbies—which, unfortunately, often have these uncomfortably close ties to certain doctors—trying to steer patients toward different options without any real scientific merit.
Based on everything I know and my own gut feeling, I’m sticking with this therapy—period. Sure, it’s a massive pain in the neck having to trek all the way to Ottawa every three months just to pick up my prescription, but honestly? It’s not even worth complaining about when you consider how well it actually works!

Michael Newman18 said:redcrane6, you two seem to be having quite the debate regarding Enkorten:

Are you based out of Canada?

By the way, how exactly is this stuff administered?

Could you maybe break down some of those "interesting findings" for us? I’m certainly no chemist, so I don't grasp much even when I try googling things.

Thanks.

I'm not from Canada, but I have friends there—and personally, I use Enkorten for asthma, while my friend uses it for MS.
As for that article, it's a sponsored piece (they actually made up the chemical composition and intentionally listed it incorrectly)—all pushed by one massive corporation that's terrified of a systemic drug like Enkorten. Being "systemic" means it covers a much wider range of similar chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune conditions.
The thing is, current medications just deal with the symptoms, whereas Enkorten (especially for asthma) targets the actual cause. Inhalers are purely symptomatic—they help you breathe better for a moment until the next attack hits, but the underlying condition just gets worse year after year—not to mention the side effects, since most of them are corticosteroid-based anyway. Who among us has ever transitioned from moderate or severe asthma back to mild asthma, or even just stopped needing a ventilator? With Enkorten, there are plenty of such cases; plus, most people have been able to clear their lungs through expectoration (coughing up mucus). That happened to me too (and believe me, I've coughed up enough mucus to fill a milk carton), something no other asthma med manages to do—it actually leads to solving the root cause of the asthma.
It's administered subcutaneously, under the skin, via an insulin-style injection.
The problem with these asthma discussions is that they're scattered across so many different threads; lately, I've been writing more about MS (because of my friend) than about asthma and Enkorten.
That's all for now. Best regards,

Kevin Nelson6 said:I have lived with asthma since I was six years old, having been hospitalized more than ten times for life-threatening attacks requiring intravenous treatment.
However, I never pursued a systematic treatment plan; there were minor interventions during my childhood in places like Maui, but from puberty through the end of college, I received virtually nothing beyond using Ventolin as needed and rushing to the emergency room when an attack struck. (Honestly, I often wonder what my parents were thinking by neglecting this so thoroughly, much less my primary care physician??!!)

I am allergic to just about everything, and my attacks typically trigger when a common cold, the flu, or a sore throat coincides with exposure to allergens.

It wasn't until 1997, following my last hospital stay, that I finally began a consistent medical regimen—largely because people were baffled as to why I wasn't managing the condition regularly and was instead waiting for a crisis to act!

My treatment started with Serevent 2 x125 combined with Flovent 2 x250 in the morning, repeating the same dose in the evening (though today, I use Seretide, which serves as a two-in-one solution).
We gradually tapered the dosage until I reached a regimen of one Flovent in the morning and one Singulair in the evening; however, I frequently neglected the Singulair due to forgetfulness, leaving me on just a single Flovent for a year and a half.

Since the beginning of this year, I have replaced the Flovent with Singulair, and that is currently my sole medication.

Since committing to a systematic treatment plan, I haven't spent a single night in the hospital; I have experienced only one mild attack in ten years, and I likely only reach for Ventolin once a year.

Following a cold, I am often left with a persistent, dry cough for quite some time. My previous attacks were invariably linked to respiratory infections, heavy mucus buildup, inflamed bronchi, and allergic reactions—all occurring simultaneously. Physical activity isn't an issue for me, though I neither can nor care to go running.

I maintain high fluid intake and consume one to two tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily, which is supposedly the gold standard for managing asthma.

Despite ten years of corticosteroid use, I have suffered no side effects whatsoever. My blood work, heart health, liver function, blood pressure, digestion, and skin—everything remains perfectly normal.

Where on earth did you find this idea that flaxseed oil is some kind of miracle cure? I'm actually curious about trying it on the days when I'm not using my Enkorten. Right now, I'm applying it twice a week, and I was thinking about taking flaxseed oil in between sessions as a little extra support.
My ultimate goal is to move from moderate asthma down to just managing occasional wheezing.
If anyone has a link to an article or some actual medical opinion regarding flaxseed oil, I’d love to see it.
Best regards,

slyorca said:I've been dealing with asthma since I was seven years old. It flared up quite a bit during my teenage years, though things eventually settled down significantly. For a while, I was using Advair Diskus, and honestly, it worked wonders—I didn't even need to touch my Ventolin during that stretch. Now, however, my pulmonologist has switched me over to Tafen Novolizer. Since I'm planning to get pregnant, I have to move away from using Seretide. So far, Tafen hasn't really proven its worth; I've had a few attacks, albeit milder ones. Perhaps it'll start performing better once I've been on it longer.
I suspect Tafen Novolizer might be one of those newer medications, as my doctor mentioned it's relatively recent to the market, but who knows? There might be other options out there.

No, it isn't Tafen. This is an entirely different class of medication based on endogenous peptides and:
- It isn't a steroid (not a corticosteroid or anything similar), so you don't deal with all those nasty side effects.
- It isn't an interferon.
- It isn't based on salbutamol or anything like that.
It's called Enkorten, and essentially, it targets the root causes (instead of just masking the consequences) of asthma.
Up until now, almost (all!) asthma therapies have basically just been symptomatic—they only really kick in when you're facing an exacerbation or an actual attack.
In my opinion, this drug is meant for moderate to severe asthma; given the price tag, it probably doesn't make sense for someone with mild cases.
When I first started, I was dealing with moderate asthma, and now I'm considered mild (that's the truth after 9 months of therapy). I've completely stopped using inhalers and other medications. For me, the goal was to stop the progression toward severe asthma, and moving back into the "mild" category just proves to me that this drug actually hits the underlying cause of the disease.
I'm sticking with it. Best regards,

George Chase5 said:Hey everyone,
I’ve got something on my mind that I’m genuinely struggling to wrap my head around. To give you some context, I was an athlete for about 13 years, and we always did annual checkups—things like stress tests, spirometry, the whole nine yards. Every single year, everything came back perfectly normal. Even three years ago, I had to go in for a routine physical because of work, and I passed with flying colors. But lately, things have taken a weird turn. During our yearly screenings, my spirometry results have been absolutely disastrous. Honestly, looking at the numbers on paper, you’d think I was bedridden. Every time this happens, my internist grills me about whether I smoke or if I’ve ever dealt with asthma, but I just breeze through the appointment. They aren't exactly the most conversational doctors, so I just get it over with. Here’s the kicker: I stay incredibly active. During the summer, I spend a ton of time free-diving. I can hold my breath underwater for up to two and a half minutes, and my cardiovascular fitness is top-notch—on a stress test at max load, my heart rate only hit 160 bpm. Plus, I don't have any breathing issues whatsoever, and I don't suffer from any allergies. It makes zero sense to me. Based strictly on what those spirometry results say, I should be struggling to catch my breath constantly, but I feel fine. Any ideas?

The Global Initiative for Asthma has updated their criteria for asthma and general obstructive pulmonary diseases.
They've moved to just three categories now, but in your case, it's entirely possible you're dealing with a specific type of obstruction that needs its own deep dive. Otherwise, the whole situation just feels completely disconnected and illogical.😕

Mark Brooks87 said:Unfortunately, I’m an asthma sufferer who follows all the rules to a T...😢
but honestly, this Seretide is working wonders for me—I'm still using my Albuterol inhaler occasionally, and I feel like a newborn again. 😬
I have a check-up next week, so I'm hoping we can significantly scale back the dosage or maybe even switch things up entirely; we'll see how it goes...
My doctor actually wanted to run an aspirin challenge test and keep me in the hospital for a few days, but I've been skillfully dodging that—between my schedule and just plain old lack of interest, I really don't have the time or the desire.😬

Look, I totally get where you're coming from. For those of us dealing with asthma, aspirin can be a real nightmare—it can trigger a massive attack out of nowhere—but it isn't just aspirin; other painkillers like Voltaren, Ibuprofen, or pretty much any standard analgesic can set things off too.
Regardless, even with the Seretide, you should try to keep your intake as moderate as possible since it does contain corticosteroids.
Best,

Mark Brooks87 said:@ redcrane6: You hit the nail on the head there. That’s a solid five-star take—both in terms of pure facts and actual commitment. 👍 😉

Thanks, Mark Brooks87. I just got back from my trip and caught up on this. Are there any other issues you think I should weigh in on? Also, do you personally deal with asthma or any breathing obstructions?
For me, things tend to get a bit erratic—right now I'm actually having a flare-up, so I'm doing everything in my power to steer clear of NSAIDs (since they are proven to trigger issues for anyone with asthma).
Most of these symptoms seem to pop up right when cold and flu season starts hitting.👍

Elizabeth Mitchell80, you’re actually proving my point right here—psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, plain and simple. It’s just that the immune response has mistakenly targeted healthy cells and won't shut up. When your immunity drops, the disease seems to slow down, giving you this false sense that things are improving. That’s more or less how it works, which is why most autoimmune diseases share basically the same underlying origin. However—and this is a huge "however"—you're always left vulnerable because when your immune system tanks, something else can swoop in to wreck you, like a viral case of pneumonia.
Regardless, the future solution isn't found in immunosuppression (basically dialing back the immune response). In fact, the real work is being done on immunomodulation combined with reducing epithelial (skin) inflammation. The goal is to stop inflammatory cells from migrating into the affected area while actually strengthening the immune system instead of suppressing it. Think about it: if you prevent the inflammation in the first place, there’s no reason for the immune system to go into overdrive, and if the system is bolstered by other mechanisms, you're looking at a long-term fix.
Research is already moving in this direction. For certain autoimmune diseases, this approach is already working quite well, and I personally keep a close eye on any new autoimmune developments—because logically, a solution for one should be applicable to others.
We'll see soon enough.

Just one quick correction here:
Regarding the PEF section, you really need to strike out the word difficult under point number one.
Basically, point one refers to mild intermittent asthma: the PEF should be ≥ 80%, nighttime symptoms occur no more than twice a month, and overall asthma symptoms only pop up about once a week.

Mark Brooks87 said:Oh, come on—did your doctor seriously tell you "NO!"? Like, "Whoa, hold on there, I was expecting maybe 25% and you’re out here hitting 90%! Everything is totally fine!" 🙂

Mark Brooks87, you're absolutely right, but honestly, it helps to take the weight off people's shoulders—so here's an answer that should clear things up for both you and gentlemaker35:
Look, you really don't have anything to worry about, even if you're overthinking certain details.
Let's be real: FEV1 levels—and any other metrics used to track lung obstruction or asthma—are never going to hit a perfect 100%. Even healthy people struggle to hit those numbers sometimes.
I deal with serious breathing obstructions myself, where my doctors constantly bounce back and forth between diagnosing me with allergic asthma, chronic asthma, or some kind of chronic obstructive condition. It's a moving target.
You need to understand that the recently adopted criteria for asthma—shortened to GINA
(Global Initiative for Asthma) which defines the various stages of the disease—is based on PEF:
1. Severe intermittent stage (PEF >= 80% of predicted)
2. Mild persistent stage (PEF >= 80%)—with nighttime symptoms twice a month
3. Moderate persistent stage (>60% to 4. Severe persistent stage (
So, you shouldn't be losing sleep if your plethysmography measurements (your spirometry)
show FEV1 percentages in these ranges:
FEV1 stands for Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, expressed as a percentage (%).

Based on FEV-1, the lung function criteria are as follows:

>=80% of predicted – Normal function

70-80% – Ventilatory impairment

60-69% – Mild ventilatory insufficiency

40-59% – Moderate to severe ventilatory insufficiency



ADVICE:
Anyone who wants to monitor their PEF levels at home every morning—which is a great idea, by the way
can just pick up a standard peak flow meter. They're cheap, usually around $20, and you can just blow into it every day and jot the numbers down on paper.
Naturally, if your numbers show a steady decline, you want to take preventative measures immediately before you hit a full-blown relapse or an asthma attack.
On the flip side, when your PEF is steadily rising and trending upward, it might be a good time to give your body a break from heavy medications that impact the heart (like albuterol) or bone density, or things like corticosteroids and aminophylline, which can be pretty rough on the stomach.
If this helps you sleep better, then I've done my job.👍

velvetwolf9 said:in that case, all my best wishes shift from you directly to that doctor who clearly doesn't grasp what an autoimmune disease actually is

Look, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition—part of a massive spectrum of autoimmune disorders, just with its own specific way of showing up.
With psoriasis, you can manage things locally—creams, ointments, lotions, and so on—or even go with systemic treatments. But most other autoimmune diseases require systemic medication, and when they flare up, you’re usually looking at systemic corticosteroids.
So, regardless of how aggressive or annoying it gets, it's arguably a "milder" version of autoimmune issues compared to something like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), systemic Lupus (SLE), Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, or >.
It stands to reason that some patients could absolutely benefit from working with their doctors to try established autoimmune drugs, or perhaps even those in the final stages of clinical trials.
A friend's father is actually starting a new 90-day tonic-based therapy. We'll see if it works, and I’ll post the results here—maybe it'll help someone else.
Even though my own condition was diagnosed as asthma—which is a chronic inflammatory issue—some are starting to suggest there might be an autoimmune component involved in certain forms. My latest tests show chronic airway obstruction; obviously, that isn't psoriasis, but I truly believe we should group ALL AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES together. If we did, we could actually see the underlying mechanistic similarities. It's entirely possible that something effective for neurodermatitis might also help someone dealing with MS, psoriasis, or asthma.
As wild as that sounds, the possibility is real. I’ve even posted on MS forums about the struggles my friend is facing and potential avenues for hope, but they basically told me I didn't belong there and to stay out of their business—so, fine, I left.
I share experiences regarding asthma too, but those groups aren't exactly active—probably because they have a decent selection of medications available. The problem is, they only ever treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Consequently, the condition just keeps progressing—moving from mild to moderate, then moderate to severe, and so on.
Until more breakthroughs come along, fingers crossed.😛

Noah Vaughn3 said:I know what that is, and I know Advair Diskus... but it hasn't really helped much—if it did, this cough wouldn't be trying to suffocate me.

Winter is going to be absolutely brutal for me—that’s my biggest nightmare. Moving from a warm room to the freezing cold? Boom, immediate attack. No exceptions.😢

Watch out for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Voltaren, Ibuprofen, and especially Aspirin)—they can be a massive trigger for asthma attacks, particularly when winter hits.
If you absolutely have to take something for a cold, stick to Tylenol if you can.
And look, always check with your doctor before you try anything.
From what I've gathered, there's a new drug on the horizon (it's actually already registered) that targets the actual root causes of asthma and airway obstruction. It's peptide-based, which is a total game-changer because we haven't seen anything like it until now—it essentially works by gradually reducing breathing resistance and clearing out the lungs. I'm currently trying to track it down.
As for moving from warmth to the cold: do it gradually. Take deep breaths before you step outside or walk into a different temperature zone, then exhale slowly. Do that cycle at least three times until your bronchi get used to the shift—it helps prevent that sudden, violent constriction.
That's my routine, and I do it religiously.👍
Best,

Aaron Walker9 said:hmm.. I don't know.. that's just what they told me.. I guess doctors know what they're doing.. anyway.. maybe when they see me again they'll just give me the same thing...

Look, you absolutely cannot judge a medication based solely on its "brand name"—you know, that fancy trademarked label? If you look closely at the box or the inhaler, you'll see that little "R" in a circle. That’s the giveaway.
More often than not, behind those flashy commercial names lies a "generic" version—which is actually the exact same drug, containing identical active ingredients.
That is why, whenever we are asking about a specific medication, the only correct way to do it is to ask for its GENERIC NAME—its actual active substances. However, since that level of detail is usually reserved for doctors or pharmacists, you shouldn't go playing chemist on your own without consulting a professional.
The commercial name is basically a smokescreen—a way to hide the reality—whereas the information on the packaging regarding dosage represents the INN (the non-proprietary name). While this name is widely recognized, it isn't technically the "generic" name yet, because, scientifically speaking, active substances are most accurately identified by their chemical nomenclature.
This is precisely why we frequently end up having these confusing discussions on forums where people are talking about two different names for the exact same drug.
We all carry our own set of misconceptions, and it is vital to clear them up through discussion so that these misunderstandings don't snowball into even bigger problems than the ones we are already dealing with.
For instance, my own mistake was thinking a single test result meant I had asthma, then the next one suggested it was just allergic issues rather than chronic asthma, only for us to finally discover it was actually COPD. Even specialists can get it wrong sometimes, let alone the rest of us. As for Seretide, there has been plenty of talk about it on this site (if you use the search function for "asthma," you'll find my previous posts on the subject).
Basically, Seretide is:
a) Fluticasone... which is a corticosteroid
b) Salmeterol (the substance that acts as an anti-inflammatory).
Overall, it's been one of the better options so far, but let's not kid ourselves—even small doses of corticosteroids can be quite harmful over the long term and often require increasing dosages over time. It is a huge misconception to think that inhaling a drug doesn't cause systemic effects or enter your bloodstream. Everything we breathe in, MOSTLY ends up in the blood (just think about the impact of smoking).
You really need to stay updated on global medical advancements, which often hit close to home, especially regarding asthma. Check out:www.pharmacy.com
There are several new studies currently underway globally aimed specifically at finding substitutes for corticosteroids to eliminate their side effects—especially the systemic ones seen during pulse therapy for severe asthma attacks.
That certainly offers a glimmer of hope for everyone dealing with everything from obstructive lung diseases to asthma.

coastalowl80 said:I have allergic asthma.
I’m wondering if any of you have experience with this, if you know anything more about it, or what you would recommend?

From what I’ve gathered, a handful of people dealing with severe asthma and allergies to basically everything living were part of a clinical trial for a new drug over at the University of California Medical Center in Chicago. I’ve been trying to get my hands on it myself—but honestly, there's zero chance until the end of September. I am absolutely certain—and I mean, mark my words, absolutely CERTAIN—that ENKORTEN is the ONLY thing that can help. They've been testing it there, and starting in September, it should be added to their asthma treatment list.
Try to find a way to contact the head of the clinic, Dr. Hasan Žutić, or maybe the chief physician Pećanac, to see how this new medication actually works. From what I understand, it targets the immune system by boosting immunity—which is the key—and most importantly, it's easy on the body. It supposedly has no side effects, which is exactly what I need because those corticosteroids are absolutely destroying me.
It looks like they are developing it in collaboration with the USA and Germany.
For more info, you should look into the Mayo Clinic (specifically the pulmonary department at the University of California Medical Center).
On the Pfizer website, there's just a mention that they are currently in Phase III clinical trials for asthma, and it seems like they are coordinating the research—though I don't have all the granular details.
That also means we're nearing the finish line. The only potential catch is that the drug is administered via subcutaneous injection three times a week during the initial phase (so, you really have to be physically present there at the start).
Also, I'm not sure if you're an adult, because being of legal age is usually one of the requirements for these things.
We really need to see if they publish the Phase II results involving those 60 asthma patients on their website; that data is going to be crucial.
I hope I've pointed you in the right direction.🙂 :klap:

swiftrider8 said:Hey everyone, does anyone know anything about this?
I’m currently running around doctor's offices trying to figure out if I actually have it or not. Basically, my wrist joints started acting up a long time ago—I honestly just got used to the pain—until they finally started swelling up. After some tests, they found elevated levels of some... factor related to arthritis (Waaler-Rose), so I'm wondering if anyone here has dealt with this. It's starting to freak me out a bit...😢
Maybe even a little too much...

swiftrider8, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease—assuming that’s what they’ve confirmed.
What does that actually mean? In plain English: your own immune system is malfunctioning and attacking your own body.
The physical symptoms of RA include joint swelling, finger deformities, and more. I don't want to scare you, but there isn't a definitive cure yet, and it's easily one of the most serious issues involving the immune system.
There are some new medications in the pipeline, but for now, we're mostly looking at corticosteroids—which, unfortunately, come with a massive list of side effects.
I'm not sure where you're located, so I might not be able to point you toward a specific specialist who stays on the cutting edge of medical science.🙂
P.S. Feel free to send me a private message and I'll get back to you.

coastalowl80 said:I honestly feel like an idiot—I have no idea how I could have written something so mindless. Of course, hypo is still 😵 😵 😵
I stopped taking advice from doctors ages ago. Maybe that’s not the smartest move—fine, call me reckless—but when you spend your entire life being lectured about nonsense terms that don't just fail to help, but actually make things three times worse because they won't listen to how you *actually* feel? Then you kind of run out of options. At the end of the day, as long as I'm managing this on my own and seeing that my methods actually work, I'm not going to cave and try some tenth random therapy just because someone with a fancy degree tells me to.

Check out the specialized clinic over at the Boston University Medical Center. They have exactly what you're looking for.
It's a new peptide-based medication with immunomodulatory effects, and supposedly zero side effects.
Word is it becomes available this October, but only at three specific clinics in Canada.
I'm already prepping for that treatment; a friend gave me the scoop (he's actually receiving it at the clinic), and he says it's fantastic and really easy to handle.
I'm getting ready to head out there to get all the specifics.👍

allegra said:I’m with Trevor on this one—oxygen isn't some casual thing you just mess around with. For chronic lung patients (especially those battling asthma), it can be life-threatening if handled incorrectly!

A chronic lung patient is almost certainly under the constant supervision of a pulmonologist who uses specific clinical metrics to decide when it’s actually time for long-term oxygenation—basically, home oxygen therapy. These parameters are strictly defined, and frankly, it’s just plain reckless for a patient to start experimenting with oxygen levels on their own... before that happens, there are necessary diagnostic tests (like an oxygen titration test to figure out the exact flow rate that works best for the individual). Once that's done, you get a specific form which, along with your medical history, you submit to Medicare. From there, you get issued a home oxygen concentrator to use (there might be some out-of-pocket costs involved, though I don't know the exact amount). The equipment itself belongs to Medicare, and they handle all the regular maintenance and servicing. Over the last decade, this whole process has worked quite smoothly, and you can get the device set up relatively quickly—so there really is no reason to try and source your own (and absolutely no reason to do so without a specialist's directive).

We really need to consolidate these threads—asthma, airway obstructions, therapies, and oxygen should all be in one place. It would stop all this fragmented information and unnecessary clutter.
At the end of the day, oxygen therapy is always a last resort—doctors know exactly why, much like they do with corticosteroids, because of the side effects.
I agree, we have to be extremely cautious with oxygen.
Best...🙂