I’m reviving this old thread because I feel compelled to share my positive experience for anyone who might find themselves needing care near a small town in Ohio. On Christmas Eve, I was hospitalized there due to a respiratory infection that flared up my asthma. From the moment I arrived at the ER, everything moved incredibly fast; the technician and doctor were so kind, and they handled my blood work, chest X-ray, and pulmonary function tests in record time. I was admitted to the first ward under the care of Dr. Vilim Kolarić, who is also my regular specialist for asthma management—an absolutely brilliant physician and a wonderful human being. The nursing staff on the unit were equally lovely; their professionalism and genuine kindness truly caught me by surprise. Even the food was surprisingly good! The soups were hearty with plenty of noodles, and every meal was delicious. The only thing that stood out was that I was the only young person on the floor; every other patient seemed to be over 60.
As far as I understand, Tobradex is also a combination drop containing both an antibiotic and a corticosteroid. Since Tobramycin serves as a powerful antibiotic reserve when other treatments fail, wouldn't these be considered quite effective drops?
My doctor prescribed Maxitrol for me as well. Honestly, isn't the combination of antibiotics and corticosteroids in this one actually more effective than Garison?
I’ve actually been in the kitchen several times right while the pest control crew was working. I asked the team if breathing in that mist was actually dangerous... The head veterinarian on the crew told me it wasn't too bad, though she did mention it might cause some minor respiratory irritation. Since I deal with asthma, she even handed me a mask just to make sure those strong odors wouldn't trigger any issues for me.
One Sunday, I was sent from the ER to an ENT specialist because of a severe ear infection and a fever of 104... At the local hospital, the doctor on duty actually insulted me! He told me it was shameful to show up on a Sunday and yelled at me, asking why I couldn't just wait until Monday like everyone else. Then, I calmly informed him that his behavior was what was truly shameful, and that if Hippocrates could see how he conducts himself, he would be turning in his grave... I honestly regret not reporting him to the local news... Anyway, fast forward a week: my ear pain had escalated to the point where I could barely function, yet he had the nerve to claim the infection was completely cleared. He even insisted that I couldn't see any other doctor because he was the one who treated me in the first place. Before me, there were parents with a toddler, maybe three years old. Naturally, the child was crying while he was poking around their nose. He actually yelled at the parents, asking why they hadn't "prepared" the child for the exam. I mean, seriously? How are you supposed to prepare a toddler for something like that? So, what do I do? I drive over to Scranton to make an appointment, and they manage to see me within two days. They examine me, switch my treatment plan, and the infection clears right up. The doctor there asked why I had traveled all the way from Savannah to Scranton, and I told her the truth: my ear still hurt despite the previous doctor claiming I was fine, and that he was acting completely irrational—so I shared the whole story with her... Only to find out later that she is actually his godmother!😂
Of course you can, it’s really no big deal—they won't even ask you why you need it. Honestly, if you're feeling anxious about it, isn't it much better to just buy something sterile rather than risking an infection by using something that's already been used? For instance, I've gone out and bought just the needle quite a few times, without needing the actual syringe, just to fix a hangnail.
vividsailor7 or Nicholas Myers, I have a few quick questions
If my pulmonologist schedules annual checkups involving spirometry, plethysmography, and a FeNO test—or even just spirometry—is my primary care physician allowed to refuse to write the referral for those yearly exams?
How is my doctor supposed to accurately monitor my asthma if they don't have access to spirometry, which is the fundamental tool for assessing lung function? Honestly, after he prescribed four different antibiotics in a row for what turned out to be an asthma flare rather than a bacterial infection, can we really trust his stethoscope alone?
Does he actually have the authority to alter the treatment plan my specialist laid out? For instance, could he deny my prescription for Alvesco and instead opt for a cheaper corticosteroid from a different class, especially since I understand there isn't a generic version for Alvesco yet? Thank you for your help
About a month ago, I started having this incredibly heavy trouble breathing. My lungs were wheezing so bad I just couldn't catch my breath. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat... nothing. A few days before that started, I was also dealing with a super runny nose and some coughing. And honestly, the coughing hasn't really let up. Anyway, I went to see my doctor and she told me it's Asthma. I spent a whole week doing daily nebulizer treatments and taking antibiotics. The thing is, my doctor didn't suggest any follow-up tests or allergy testing, which kind of annoyed me because I feel like she should probably figure out if this is allergic asthma or something else entirely. Plus, once that week of meds was over, she didn't even mention coming back for a check-up. I'm feeling a bit better now, I guess, but I'm definitely still feeling the effects. For instance, I can't be anywhere near cigarette smoke because I'll struggle to breathe for hours afterward and get this weird bitter taste in my mouth, almost like I was the one smoking. Even my physical activity has dropped since I get winded so easily whenever I push myself. The only thing that seems to be helping is Yoga, where I'm learning how to actually breathe properly, and I have to say, it's helped quite a bit. I was wondering if anyone here knows more about this stuff and could maybe give me some advice on what I should do next.
Thanks in advance 🙂
Your doctor is acting a bit strange. She shouldn't be diagnosing Asthma based solely on a stethoscope exam. You need to ask for a referral to a Pulmonologist and for a spirometry test (there's really no point seeing a specialist without spirometry, as that test measures your lung capacity and vital stats). Since this is your first diagnosis, getting a chest X-ray would be a smart move too. A Pulmonologist will then decide if you need allergy testing or perhaps an IgE test. If it is indeed Asthma, you'll likely be prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (to prevent the lung inflammation that triggers attacks) or a combination of corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators (which open up the airways to make breathing easier). Ventolin should only be used for immediate relief during an actual attack. Basically, insist on those referrals for the Pulmonologist and spirometry, because only a specialist can provide a definitive diagnosis and tailor the right treatment plan for you. Don't let your doctor brush you off; you deserve to see a specialist.
I noticed this question was posted two years ago, but I wanted to share my own experience with Alvesco for anyone reading this down the road. Before switching to Alvesco, I was using Advair, and because that medication hits the throat so directly, I dealt with constant throat irritation. Since moving over to Alvesco, that inflammation has vanished, likely because it’s designed to target the lungs more effectively. My asthma remains just as well-controlled as it was with Advair; the only real hiccup was during that initial two-week transition period while my body adjusted to the change.