Hi mrsD,
My son-in-law runs a lab at a cancer hospital and he was telling me about BCQ, which is used as an anti-inflammatory. His idea was that it might help with my "small airway" problems.

I was just put on Alvesco (ciclesonide) Inhalation Aerosol. My body is reacting to it like it does to Prednisone. Moon face, weight gain, etc. That said, I am breathing better on it than I did with Advair Diskus or QVAR.

I was wondering if you have any knowledge, or opinions concerning this BCQ? I "googled" it and found it availble OTC in many places.

Thanks, Dave

This is what is in it:
from http://www.vitalnutrients.net/vnesto...ct_id=VNBCQ120

Well, it is hard to say ... what is causing your problems in the first place?

Steroids over time thin the skin and membranes and make matters worse IMO.

I found for myself that essential fatty acids improved my asthma tremendously. But I cannot say that will be your experience since you have long standing problems.

Do you use Singulair?

You can try the herb mix ..see what happens.
I'd check drug interactions for the ingredients at
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/
click on herbs. Typically they give the interactions at the bottom of the page.

On first look, I'd say the amounts of quercetin and curcumin are low in the product.

This link discusses Quercetin (which is heavily promoted by Dr. Weil).
http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetCo...chunkiid=21847
Another...somewhat better:
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTR...A_Review.shtml

The curcumin dose is low, and absorption of curcumin is poor, unless intentionally enhanced with other substances which then promote absorption. This product does not do that, so the curcumin will remain mostly in the GI tract. (for those with GI inflammation, that would be okay).

I think if you are looking for asthma, I'd focus on Quercetin, and read the links carefully, see if you have any contraindications with your other RX drugs, check with your doctor and consider the recommended doses for IT, and leave out the other herbs, to start.

Well, it is hard to say ... what is causing your problems in the first place? MY LUNGS HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, BUT THIS ONE IS ABOUT DAMAGE TO THE SMALL AIRWAYS. I HAVE "SECOND HAND SMOKE" DAMAGE TO MY LUNGS FROM MY PARENTS HEAVY SMOKING. I HAVE NEVER SMOKED IN MY LIFE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A BRONCHOSCOPY. I THINK THE NATIONAL JEWISH HOSPITAL MENTIONED I HAVE LOST ABOUT 20% OF MY LUNG CAPACITY BECAUSE THESE SMALL AIRWAYS ... DON'T WORK. CAN'T REMEMBER THE TECHNICAL WORDS.

Steroids over time thin the skin and membranes and make matters worse IMO. I DON'T LIKE THE STEROIDS EITHER, BUT AS MY MAIN PULMONOLOGIST SAID ABOUT PREDNISONE, IT HAS HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS, BUT WHAT IS THE SIDE EFFECT OF NOT BREATHING???

I found for myself that essential fatty acids improved my asthma tremendously. But I cannot say that will be your experience since you have long standing problems. THEY JUST FINISHED ANOTHER BATTERY OF TESTS. I AM NO LONGER ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THE 45 THINGS THEY TESTED FOR. I WAS FOUND TO BE ALLERGIC TO MANY THINGS IN 2000.
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS?


Do you use Singulair? I USED TO, THEY TOOK ME OFF OF IT.

You can try the herb mix ..see what happens.
I'd check drug interactions for the ingredients at
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/
click on herbs. Typically they give the interactions at the bottom of the page. I WILL.

On first look, I'd say the amounts of quercetin and curcumin are low in the product.

This link discusses Quercetin (which is heavily promoted by Dr. Weil).
http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetCo...chunkiid=21847
Another...somewhat better:
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/ABSTR...A_Review.shtml

The curcumin dose is low, and absorption of curcumin is poor, unless intentionally enhanced with other substances which then promote absorption. This product does not do that, so the curcumin will remain mostly in the GI tract. (for those with GI inflammation, that would be okay). MY INFLAMATION IS IN MY LUNGS. GI TRACT WON'T HELP THERE.

I think if you are looking for asthma, I'd focus on Quercetin, and read the links carefully, see if you have any contraindications with your other RX drugs, check with your doctor and consider the recommended doses for IT, and leave out the other herbs, to start.
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Thank you, I am only seeking to reduce the inflammation in my lungs right now.

mrsD, maybe I should put it another way, after running the "contra-indications" and finding BCQ is ok there....... What if I just tried it for 60 days? If I can breathe better, it would seem it is working. If I still cannot get a "deep breath" --- well, guess it won't help me.

Last question, quality control on the BCQ, any opinions as to the most reliable place to get it? As you know, saving a dollar and getting inferior products is not a good deal.
Thanks again, Dave

I don't think there are other places making that product. I only find one company calling their product that.
Its your money... just be careful.

If the air sacs in your lungs are destroyed...ie. emphysema, they will never come back.

If you have progressive destruction now, steroids will delay it.
That is a continuing inflammatory process...independent of past damage.

But steroids taken by inhaler primarily deposit in the lining of the bronchioles, not the end point air sacs. They prevent spasms and
what is called bronchoconstriction.

*edit* by Chemar

there's not one but two kinds of sleep apnea, there's obstructive, which responds well to a cpap machine, and then there's central sleep apnea, which responds well to diamox.

http://http:
//emedicine.medscape.com/article/302773-overview

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/304967-overview

don't just take a corticosteroid and think you'll be better those things have side effects man.

i think you'd be better off not taking those steroids and going with a good ol albuterol inhaler and maybe look into taking diamox or acetalozamide, look it up, it's used for ashtma(off label) i think, and also for central sleep apnea, which is a very often untreated and undiagnosed condition.

and also don't underestimate garlic capsules in helping out your ashthma/inflammation of your lungs, the stuff really does help, and whacks your cholesterol too!

sorry man i didn't mean to hurt your feelings by what i said.

bruegger84 --thanks for the PM and for taking time to offer some assistance. I find it easier to answer in ALL CAPS, otherwise I will forget one of your suggestions/ideas:

there's not one but two kinds of sleep apnea, there's obstructive, which responds well to a cpap machine, and then there's central sleep apnea, which responds well to diamox. I KNOW ABOUT SLEEP APNEA. I SLEEP ON A VENTILATOR WITH OXYGEN. My numbers are off the charts for what is defined as "normal". I have OA, Cheyne-Stokes Respirations, PVCs, etc. I have the software to monitor these areas and hit 30 cmH2O more often than I like to think about. I have hit 30cmH2O for approx. 30 straight minutes and no one can figure out why. The doctors at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver said a pressure of 20 cmH2O is like a hurricane in our throats. Thanks for thinking of me and pointing me in that direction, but I am highly aware of it.

http://http:
//emedicine.medscape.com/article/302773-overview

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/304967-overview

don't just take a corticosteroid and think you'll be better those things have side effects man. THE CORTICOSTEROIDS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME "BETTER", AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEY JUST SLOW DOWN THE INFLAMATION IN THE SMALL AIRWAYS. I AM LIVING WITH THEIR SIDE EFFECTS. MY HAT SIZE IS NOW 8 1/4. PLEASE DO NOT MISCONSTRUE FACTS WITH WHINING. INDEED, IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE.

i think you'd be better off not taking those steroids and going with a good ol albuterol inhaler and maybe look into taking diamox or acetalozamide, look it up, it's used for ashtma(off label) i think, and also for central sleep apnea, which is a very often untreated and undiagnosed condition. ALBUTEROL FELL BY THE WAYSIDE ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO, IT DOES NOT HELP ME. XOPENEX SOMETIMES HELPS. DIAMOX? I CAN ASK MY PULMONOLOGIST ABOUT IT.

and also don't underestimate garlic capsules in helping out your ashthma/inflammation of your lungs, the stuff really does help, and whacks your cholesterol too! GARLIC MAKES ME THROW UP. VERY NAUSEATING. MY CHOLESTEROL IS FAIRLY LOW FOR A GUY RAISED ON FRIED FOODS.

TAKE CARE...
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nice, also instead of albuterol, try both, albuterol-ipratropium bromide(atrovent). theophylline and diamox are also used.