I'm new; just found out about this site...

[DianeD]

HI, I'm new here. I am a senior ms'r. 65 yrs. old and dx'd at the age of 50.

I have RRMS. I mostly suffer from fatigue, numbness of my left hand, which makes my typing difficult.

I have had some recent problems with vision and will be going to have an MRI tomorrow. I've had many and in the last few yrs. they've been inconclusive as to changes as I start coughing (due to asthma and sinus problems) during the last few minutes! Very frustrating, as the neuro would like to see if there have been changes.

Laying flat for the MRI makes it much more likely that I'll cough! I keep wishing they'd find a way for us to sit up!

Looking forward to following this site. Seems interesting.

[lyndacarol]

Welcome, Diane. We older folks have lots of experience to share; I look forward to your contributions to this website.

I am intrigued by your mention of sinus problems, as MANY with MS have remarked about the same situation. Does your physician or ENT have any suggestions for reducing the sinus drainage (which I assume is the cause of the coughing)? As one who also has a problem with sinus drainage (mucus), I think this is SIGNIFICANT to MS!

[DianeD]

Welcome, Diane. We older folks have lots of experience to share; I look forward to your contributions to this website.

I am intrigued by your mention of sinus problems, as MANY with MS have remarked about the same situation. Does your physician or ENT have any suggestions for reducing the sinus drainage (which I assume is the cause of the coughing)? As one who also has a problem with sinus drainage (mucus), I think this is SIGNIFICANT to MS!

You are correct; sinus drainage is what causes coughing, though coughs also are caused by acid reflux...amazingly i have that too.

I took all the norm remedies, such as Mucinex, various cough meds. They didn't work. I went to a sinus specialist/ENT who did allergy tests, finally did surgery following x-rays and cat scans which showed a problem with the maxillary sinus. Infection. The surgery was not successful. Then he sent me to a Pulmonologist who dx'ed asthma. He put me on a miracle nasal spray (to me anyway) called Astelin. That took care of the cough for quite a whlle and if I start coughing now I take it. I also take Advair (inhaler) for the asthma.

Hang with me, my typing is awful due to the numbness in my hand.
I've already typed this once, hit the wrong key and sent it to limbo....

Anyway, I also do sinus irrigation, but someimes it causes vertigo if fluid gets in the ear canel.

I didn't have the incontinence/bladder infection problems I do now until the uncontrollable coughing. Impressive to see one of my cough episodes

Anyway, I could go on, but fully realize many here cope with multiple issues along with MS.

[lyndacarol]

Diane, once again I seem to be following you around; I have the best intentions.

I am not familiar with the drugs, Astelin and Advair. I do know that frequently corticosteroid inhalers are used for asthma; are these drugs corticosteroids?

Glucocorticoids increase the glucose in the bloodstream and consequently increase the insulin level, which is my focus as you probably remember. In my way of thinking, such inhalers are not helpful in the long run.

Just MY ideas.

[DianeD]

Hello again....I know Astelin, which is a nasal spray, is not a steroid.

Advair is.

I hate drugs, but the Astelin, in particular, has been very helpful. I hate to think where I'd be without it. It is also not considered habit forming.

The Advair...I'm not sold on it, but my pulmonologist is. I may as well stop seeing him if I want to go off it. Sometimes you have to have faith in your doc, but I must admit this is tough for me.

I know, from trying a few, that herbal remedies or vitamins just don't work for me. I take a few things, but I do believe you have to do your research of much that is OTC.

I have a good friend who is a holistic doctor and an herbalist; we just don't see eye to eye on somethings.

I don't think there are any really simple solutions for complicated disease.

I guess a person has to find a balance.

[Bubba]

The Advair...I'm not sold on it, but my pulmonologist is.

Advair is my saving grace. I am sold on it. dx with asthma since I was a baby, I have been inhaler (albuterol) dependent for 40 years. I was going thru an inhaler ever two weeks. since starting the Advair, I have had the same inhaler for 6 months! I never have to use it anymore...