Xolar for Asthma/COPD with Lots of Other Disorders

[HiCaliber]

My doc wants to talk to me about taking Xolair for moderately severe asthma. (IgE 350 -415 - varies) I'm currently on 4 different meds - have had allergies since infancy. But, I'm concerned about the increased risk of cancer. Also wondering what it will do to other conditions: failing thyroid, so-called irritable bowel syndrome, Sphincter of Odi hypersensitivity, frequent rashes (no good reason given despite biopsy), chronic and acute sinusitis (often disabling) fibromyalgia degenerative arthritis, and lack of digestive enzymes affecting at least B6 & B12 and probably D.

I really want something to work so I can at least get off some of the meds and feel better but I'd really like to hear some first hand accounts of what patients have experienced, especially in relationship to their other conditions.

I tend to react adversely to so many drugs that I'm always anxious about trying something new. One doctor, about 3 years ago told me there was no reaction to xolair because it's a bio-something-or-other but I've read about anaphylactic shock. It's still pretty new.

Thanks for any input.

[shespeaks247]

I was one of the first adults in my area to have Xolair admisistered. Breathing problems (air hunger, no med is 'working') occur often in un or under-treated hypothyroidism. So, my thyroid doc got that 'under control' first.

My IgE was well over 22,000 (not a typo) and they were looking into me having HIE. At any rate, we really did NOT feel anything was 'working' for my asthma. I was administered the highest dosage of Xolair for every other week for seven months. It had little effect. My 'saving grace' was getting the right 'mix' of meds (it's fomoterol and budesonide for me).

About a YEAR after the last Xolair injection...it started to have an effect.

I'm firmly convinced that the Xolair helped, although if you read the information on it carefully, you will find that amongst the adults given it, most have to keep taking it to have full benefit.

I did not have COPD, the 'criteria' for the insurance paying for the Xolair was that my IgE was extremely elevated.

Pam