| Author | |
amyable
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3798
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 7:50am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
My 3yo has been having progressively worse asthma over the past few months (we've also discovered she seems to be developing more food allergies too  ). Asthma-wise, she is still not bad, but I would appreciate some advice before we take her to the pediatrician for a "well child" visit next month. I like to go armed with my own facts and anecdotes from others, so I don't just take one doc's word as "law" (since they all disagree anyway, how can any one of them be right??   )
Soooo...right now my 3yo typically develops a few attacks during a typical cold virus (of which she catches any one in a 25 mile radius ), but now occasionally will start wheezing after running around outside, particularly if the weather is humid. She takes albuterol in a nebulizer, and we have a puffer of something  I don't remember what because we have yet to get a facemask and spacer to help her use it.
I have so many questions I don't know where to start. Like how do you know when its serious enough to go to the ER? Does *any* amount of wheezing necessitate medication? I'm still bad at determining the start of the wheeze...
Have your children gotten worse or better as they aged? Any home changes (removing carpets, air purifiers, etc) seem to help? And since I have never dealt with exercise induced asthma until now...what is up with that?? Do I just let her live a normal energizer bunny life and medicate her as necessary? Do I need to take her to the doctor even if she seems better after a treatment? (One acute care nurse seemed to suggest this)
ANY and all thoughts or or advice is welcome. Our doc has not been that helpful in teaching me to manage on a weekly basis (mostly because it has gotten worse since we have been there )
Thanks so much!
__________________
Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 8:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Amy, no advice here, but I was wondering if you go to an allergist in addition to the doctor? I've found more help having both, balancing things out.
But from my little experience, you have to seek out other advice and build up your knowledge base, as the docs just don't cut it!
Elizabeth has the asthmatics...but she's a little busy now. 
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Nina Murphy
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2006
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1546
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 8:36am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Really quickly, I have 4 asthmatics. I recommend preventative care (Flovent) as opposed to just Albuterol when needed. It has made the world of difference to have that mild steroid keeping things open and not just having to run to the dilators. Sometimes they juuuuust don't seem to work. Also, ultimately, we have to turn to the old favorite  PREDNISONE. Nothing clears up my little wheezer like a course of prednisone. It has side effects, but it WORKS and brings relief. Last winter, he was on one course after another out of necesssity. When he gets a respiratory infection, he starts wheezing. When allergy seasons start (here: May, October), he starts wheezing. When he gets around animals or goes outside in the grass to play, he starts itching and wheezing. So: meds are his best friend, and we accept them as God's Will, always trying to bring him relief.
Also: I call my docs if we have to administer the albuterol more than every two hours. That's our sign.
God bless you sooooo much!
__________________
God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mellyrose
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 12 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 939
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My oldest (almost 6) had his first asthma attack at 2.5 that put him in the ER. My sister has asthma, so I had some experience with it. We treated the symptoms as necessary, but when he needed his resuce inhaler (albuterol) at least once a week for a month, I knew it was time to go on preventative meds.
He's been on Flovent now daily for about a year. He is exercise-induced, and also seasonal allergy season affects him. We went from using Albuterol once a week, to once in the last year.
We did take a break from it May - August bc he doesn't seem to be allergic to anything in that time frame, and with the heat in AZ, he's not outside running around a lot and he was fine. When things started blooming in August, I noticed him starting to wheeze and we started back with the Flovent and he was fine in a day or 2. (Our doctor okayed the break) He also takes Flonase for his allergies, which cut his runny nose down to nothing (he was going through a box of tissues a day prior to the Flonase) We also take a break from the Flonase when it seems he's not allergic to much.
Melanie
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mellyrose
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 12 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 939
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 3:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, another note. I don't medicate at the first sign of a wheeze. If he's running or playing hard, and has been for a while, I have him sit down for a few minutes and try some relaxed breathing (not deep breaths necessarily, as he can't really make deep breaths - but slow and controlled breathing). This can help with the panic that sometimes occurs during an attack, too.
If we're home, I offer hot tea. (My sister swears this helps her when she is at the start of an asthma attack.)
Then, I re-assess after 15 minutes. Is he still wheezing? Is it worse? If it's gone, or almost gone, then I let him go about his day but check him again 30-45 minutes later. If the wheezing is getting worse, or hasn't changed, then we will use the rescue inhaler.
Melanie
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would pursue the food allergy situation with an allergist. Sometimes food allergies can present with asthma-type symptoms (from what I've read, wheat especially can trigger this. It's the gluten.) We have food allergies and both kids have seen the allergist. He was very helpful.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen E.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1161
|
| Posted: Oct 06 2006 at 9:11pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My middle daughter has asthma. It manifested as coughing with every sniffly nose, and the coughing could get unbelievably bad (to the point of vomiting.) We started her on the preventative med as well -- Pulmicort inhaler. It has made a huge difference in the quality of her life! We now only have to use the Albuterol once in awhile. Our sign to go to the doctor is if the daily preventative, isn't cutting it, and the Albuterol every four hours isn't cutting it, and she can't sleep at all due to the coughing, we go to the dr.
__________________
God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
humanaevitae
Forum Pro
Joined: May 31 2005
Location: Minnesota
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 411
|
| Posted: Oct 07 2006 at 12:38am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our routine is the same as the ladies above.
We must use the nebualizer as soon as she starts a cough or it flares into bronchitis immediately.
I came from a non-medicated family that was mostly always health. My Dh heads up an ER and has asthma himself.
It took awhile for me to realize how important it was to give Elizabeth medicine. I didn't see how a few hours or even days could hurt. I thought it was a cold that she would just get over. It took a few times of watching my Dh stay up with her all night as she hacked and hacked even though my Dh poured lots of meds down her throat to get through to me.
Using the inhaler or neb machine really helps to prevent Dr. visits and greatly lessens her suffering.
Yes, we still let her run around and surprise! she is the most athletically inclined so far. Dh says that the excercise is good for her.
If your Dr. hasn't been helping you learn to manage your child's asthma, I think you should look for a new Dr. Someone you are comfortable asking question to and will run through various scenerios with you and how you should respond.
Good luck!
__________________
Nicole-Zane 10, Elizabeth 7, Xavier 4, and John Patrick 2
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Nina Murphy
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2006
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1546
|
| Posted: Oct 07 2006 at 9:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I second what Nicole said about exercise. I used to pamper my son Nicholas when he would start to wheeze because it "scared" me to see the effects of hard exercise on him. So I'd say, "oh sit down, take it easy, maybe you should stop", etc. I think we should have pushed him more despite the hurdle.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation really emphasizes the importance of exercising and strengthening the lungs and forcing the children to be as active as possible. My husband saw his brother with CF (who LOVED sports and would not sit out no matter how bad things got) literally having to stop and gasp for breath and cough up the thick secretions throughout any physical activity. I don't think it shortened or prolonged his life to strain himself, but he had FUN and played with the other boys and tried to live a "normal" life (even though it was very short ). I am learning the lesson to make sure my CFers PLAY and RUN and do not sit on the sidelines because they are afraid they are too "sickly". Go for it! God can do amazing things.
__________________
God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Oct 07 2006 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Absolutely agree about the food allergist. Get a comprehensive one -- the one where they do blood cultures-- so you know exactly what foods provoke a mild response, which ones provoke a delayed response, etc.
Food allergies and asthma are on the rise, it has been for the past 10-15 years. It has a lot to do with our being in an industrialized country. But even moving isn't the answer -- I asked my environmental engineer cousin and she says most places, including China which is getting more and more industrialized, are starting to have problems. *And* that states and countries, for the most part, are doing their best (I asked if we should move to Oregon which has the cleanest air in the country). The thing is, we can't turn back the clock and return to no cars, no pollution, no GMOs, etc.
Some things that have been recommended to us and that we're trying to accomplish one at a time:
All carpeting has to go (haven't done this yet, no money)
When you change to hardwood, be careful what you pick isn't treated with harsh chemicals so you don't run into the same problems.
Have the kids play outside everyday, BUT do it at low-emission times, i.e., not while there's rush-hour traffic anywhere nearby, etc.
Cotton clothing and sheets only. Preferably organic cotton (yikes at the prices though!)
Vacuum carpets daily. Shampoo carpets monthly.
Wash sheets in 120-degree water. Change sheets once a week.
Use allergen-free sheet protectors, and wash them in hot water too.
All towels are washed in hot water as well. Breaks down the fabric faster, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
I still can't figure out the wheezing part, so can't help you there. Hubby has had asthma all his life so he's the one who tells me if kids are wheezing or not. I cannot detect it and tend to resort to medication more quickly than hubby does, so it helps when he's here and can evaluate breathing.
If there's a tight cough all day though, (my 7-yo who has lots of food allergies, same as dad's, and who has had one major bout with pneumonia, but no asthma), we put him on nebs (Albuterol plus something else I can't remember the name of -- but it's not Prednisone) every 4 hours, plus I give him an expectorant and LOTS of water. This lasts a day, then we quickly taper him off (next day every 8 hours and only the Albuterol, next day 2x/day, next day off). But ONLY when it's really bad and drinking lots of water doesn't help. Dehydration can be really bad for people with asthma/food allergies.
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Nina Murphy
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2006
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1546
|
| Posted: Oct 07 2006 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Stef,
This is SO true! What great advice. Makes me sad to read, though....
Oh, it's painful to read....  We desperately need NO CARPETS and hardwood---we have allergies, asthma, and CF---we've been told by all the docs---but no money for it, too.
We wash with All Free, no fabric softeners, we can't have any fragrance sprays or candles or oils (which I LOVE); we had to get rid of most stuffed animals. (They are a major problem for anyone with any respiratory or allergy issues.) We were told to put plastic covers on all of the mattresses as people don't realize that mattresses actually hold pounds and pounds of dust mites and are a common cause of night itching and restless sleep.
Yes, the children so need that fresh air....and yet: whenever my children play outside, I know I'm in for scratching and wheezing for the rest of the day due to the grasses and trees. It's so challenging. Sometimes I'd rather keep them inside. We live in one of the highest allergenic areas in the country...Sacramento Valley is a total bowl, collecting everything.
Several of my children have had the blood testing for foods and for common environmental allergens (it's required for CF) and one of my CF-ers has an epi-pen. Knowing which foods helps of course, but the environmental one there isn't much you can do about, really. You just have to be on meds and as the allergy doc said, "keep the windows shut, no whole house fan". ARGH----I so believe in fresh air and circulation! But they say, no. It totally goes against my instinct.
(My husband had a prick test of 27 allergens. He tested allergic to 27/27. It is unbelievable. Thank heavens I don't have any allergies. But it seems like none of my genes went to my children..... )
__________________
God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen E.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1161
|
| Posted: Oct 08 2006 at 7:08am | IP Logged
|
|
|
humanaevitae wrote:
It took awhile for me to realize how important it was to give Elizabeth medicine. I didn't see how a few hours or even days could hurt. |
|
|
True here, too. It was my dh who first suggested that it could be asthma. He basically had to push it with our doctor to consider the possibility.
humanaevitae wrote:
Yes, we still let her run around and surprise! she is the most athletically inclined so far. Dh says that the excercise is good for her. |
|
|
Funny -- same thing is true here! She's our most athletic, and yes, it does seem to be good for her. My oldest is more like me ... my idea of a sport is scrambling for the last piece of chocolate, or reaching for the next book.
__________________
God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Asthma
