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ShawnaB Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 05 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: April 26 2006 at 12:21am | IP Logged
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Just wondering if anyone has experience with a baby having asthma symptoms when they have a virus. Ds, age 7.5 months has had 2 colds, and each time had much wheezing and labored breathing. This time, he's receiving levolbuteral (similar to albuterol) nebulized treatments, and a 5 day round of prednizone (which I am not thrilled about.)
I understand the science behind these conventional treatments, and I'm very thankful to have them available. However, I am wondering if anyone has had success with natural and/or preventative treatments? And, anyone who has given nebulized bronchial dialators or steroid treatments, what outcomes have you observed?
Thanks!
__________________ Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: April 26 2006 at 5:40am | IP Logged
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Shawna,
I've had five babies with virally-induced asthma. I'm not big on running to the doctor and I am a huge advocate of herbal/nutritional remedies. But...asthma is one that confounds the herbalists. We go with the conventional--usually Xopenex and Pulmicort via nebulizer; prednisone if we need the big guns. If it makes you feel any better, the first child to go through this was hospitalized every time he needed nebulizer treatments. Having nebs at home is a HUGE advancement!
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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ShawnaB Forum Pro
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Posted: May 10 2006 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Elizabeth. Baby Boy has yet another cold virus, and again, it has settled in his lungs with more wheezing. Our Dr. just prescribed Pulmicort along with the Xopenex this time. The home nebulizer option is a blessing. I'm finding my way and becoming a little more confident on how and when to treat at home. I am curious though...did your 5 babies outgrow the asthma? Or do they still need treatments when they are sick?
__________________ Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: May 10 2006 at 9:07pm | IP Logged
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Shawna, My son had two bouts of the viral induced asthma. We had the nebulizer with Xopenex, and I think Pulmicort, too.
My sister has similar experiences with her oldest son.
My son has not had repeat times since last winter...this winter his lungs stayed clear. So far, so good.
My sister's son has repeated infections of his lungs, but this year, no asthma requiring nebulizer.
Both these boys are almost 3, so we're waiting to see how it progresses.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Willa Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005 Location: California
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Posted: May 10 2006 at 10:21pm | IP Logged
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Shawna, my 6yo used to have regular bouts of viral-induced asthma. He hasn't had one for a couple of years now though -- the last one was when he was about 5, I think. He even acquired viral pneumonia in January but didn't have to go home with breathing treatments -- a first! So maybe some kids do outgrow it.
__________________ AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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ShawnaB Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 05 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: May 11 2006 at 10:08am | IP Logged
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WJFR So maybe some kids do outgrow it. [/QUOTE wrote:
Wouldn't that be nice! Thanks fo |
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Wouldn't that be nice! Thanks for the hopeful reports!
__________________ Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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Lora Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 28 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: May 11 2006 at 4:33pm | IP Logged
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Can you tell me what asthma looks like? My 3 yodd has for the 3rd time this year come down with what I thought was croup but now I am wondering. It starts with a runny nose, then it settles in her chest. Right as we speak she is sitting on my lap with a slight fever and has labored breathing. I hesitate to say she is weezing though. I know that as this progresses that she will get worse until she has a croupy cough. I treat with a lot of herbs and a homeopathic remedy and we can work through it in a 24 hour time period but I just feel so bad for her to have to go through this. It is not so bad when the worse it durring the day but it is not fun when we go through this in the middle of the night. I am so blessed and happy though that it does improve rather quickly. I'm just so confused as to why this would be her third time within a few months. Does this sound like asthma? Or am I right that it is just the croup.
Lora
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ShawnaB Forum Pro
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Posted: May 11 2006 at 11:00pm | IP Logged
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In my understanding, asthma is constriction and inflamation of the muscles lining the bronchi which inhibits the flow of oxygen. It is characterized by wheezing and labored/fast breathing. These symptoms often occur during a respiratory virus. Wheezing is a little tricky to identify...but it is a sound made on the exhale that can be a whistle, rattle, or "darth vader" sound. You may be able to identify rapid/labored breathing if you see the child's abdomen sucking in and out with each breath, or their neck muscles and shoulders heaving.
Dr. Sears (The Baby Book) recommends that if you suspect wheezing and asthma-like symptoms, have your doc check it out. A quick listen with the stethoscope will determine if there is tightness in the lungs. The new treatments for asthma are very effective, and I understand (and hope!) that often they can prevent scar tissue build-up in the bronchi, and decrease the chances that a child will have adult asthma.
I'm new at this asthma stuff...I know there are others with much more experience...
__________________ Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
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Sarah Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: May 12 2006 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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There is a difference between those children that have chronic childhood asthma and those who have asthma-like symptoms induced from a virus.
I have one boy-7 who has mostly outgrown these types of symptoms. They first came on when he was a baby. Possibly from RSV, since that can supposedly alter the lungs forever.
However, you have to very careful about an exact diagnosis of asthma. Once that diagnosis is made and recorded, it could effect your child long-term----their insurance and jobs in the future, not to mention their success in getting life insurance someday. Viral induced wheezing, although asthma-like is not the same as asthma. The benefits of being married to a doctor is getting these little facts (that and rarely seeing a waiting room ).
__________________ Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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