My husband and I are not avoiding pregnancy, but are not "actively"
trying to conceive. I have severe asthma (have been hospitalized
several times) and I am concerned that the medications I am taking may
harm the fetus if I become pregnant. I am currently taking two puffs
Flovent (fluticasone propionate, 220 mcg) BID, 2 puffs Atrovent
(ipatropium bromide) BID, Zyrtec (cetirizine HCl) BID, and Nasacort AQ
(triamcinolone acetonide - nasal spray) 1 spray each nostril BID. I
really depend on these medications, but I am concerned about their
effects on a developing fetus. Have you had patients on these
medications that have had problems? Or do you think they are okay? Are
there safer options to treat my asthma during pregnancy? I greatly
appreciate your advice.
--
Erika
Dear Erika,
Some people who have asthma, have something called Alpha-1-Antitrypsin
Deficiency. The World Health Organization(WHO) recommends that all
individuals with COPD, as well as adults and adolescents with ASTHMA(an
estimated 30million Americans)be tested for Alpha-1.
If you have this or are recessive, you may have some other treatment
options. I have this in a recessive form but had very low levels
following long periods of stress or trauma and excabertations following
pregnancy which you want to avoid in addition to any harm from Rx. I
was so sick for years before I heard of this and was tested. Now it's
controlled and I haven't had an excabertation in 3years and haven't had
to use an inhaler since then. For me it meant geting AAT levels up with
Vitamin "E" for others it may mean therapy with something called,
"Prolastin" or fewer/different medications.
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin-Deficiency(AAT Deficiency or Alpha-1)is one of the
most common serious hereditary disorders and can result in
life-threatening liver-disease in children and adults or in lung-disease
in adults. An estimated 26million people in the U.S. carry a single
deficient gene(may be asymptomatic) that causes Alpha-1 and may pass the
gene on to their children so you may want your husband tested also.
--
Alpha-1 is widely under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed.
Less than 10%of those predicted to have Alpha-1 have been diagnosed.
It often takes an average of 3doctors and 7years from the time symptoms first
appear before proper diagnosis is made.
Alpha-1 can be detected by a simple blood test. (Phynotype, serum levels may be
in normal range when you are sick as ATT is an acute reactant)
Alpha-1 is often misdiagnosed as Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease(COPD)or
ASTHMA.
For more information on Alpha-1, or to obtain free blood-testing kit,
please call the Alpha-1 Foundation toll-free:
1-877-2-CURE-A1 (1-877-228-7321)
http://www.alphaone.org/
Marie
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