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DS2, 3, has had a cough for months. Went back to docs this morning, he suggested it could be asthma. Got an inhaler.

Gave him a puff a little while ago, and if anything, his cough is worse than it was.

Are they linked? Doc said if it isn't asthma the inhaler won't do any harm, but I'm in 2 minds whether to try again.

Hi There, we are in the same situation. my dd has had a cough on and one for 18 months and until this week I always being told it was a virus, standard cold etc. This week doc gave us a blue inhalfer and said it may be asthma. her cough is bad and is sometimes sick with it as well. I have recently bought a humidifier for her room at night and that has really helped as well as it keeps the air moist and I also keep the heating to a real miniumum in her room aslo. xxx

is it an easi breathe or an inhaler with a volumatic spacer

DS (21mths) has been using both a brown and a blue inhaler for about 3 months due to the fact he had a very persistent cough, especially at night.

The results were'nt immediate, and he will often have a big cough after he has been given the brown inhaler, so my advice would be to persevere at least for a few days. As I understand it the medicines are fairly mild so even if it doesn't clear the cough, it wont do any harm iykwim?

Unfortunately after using them for a few months the cough cleared up and I stopped usingn them. He has recentley been unwell and as a result the cough has come back. He is coughing at night for around 25 mins at a time. I feel so wretched for him as there's nothing I can do. I actually came on to see if I could find out any more about what I can do to ease the symtoms, it's interesting to hear about the humidifer.

HTH

a wet towel on a warm radiator, can help humidify the room, if you can't buy a humidifier for a while (just a tip)

If you are using a coloured inhaler (rather than blue) the important thing is to keep taking it - it has a culminate effect rather than a immediate treatment. Also it is vital to have a drink (for a younger child) or to gargle after your inhaler. This is a preventer

The blue inhaler is a reliever, and should reduce symptoms, however when my DH has a lot of phlegm on his chest the blue inhaler can make it easier to cough it up

With the age of your DS Bethandherbrood you should have a spacer of some sort which is a clear plastic container (of some shape) which you use to administer the inhaler over more breaths

Katymac that is really useful - Thanks! The nurse I have seen did explain the difference to me but didn't really say how they worked, iykwim.

But do drink after the coloured inhaler - it is really important

katy is right about the drinking, as the brown steroid inhalers can cause oral thrush if you dont wash it out of the mouth and invariably,especially with children,quite alot stays in the moth despite the volumatic or arochamberss.

Thanks for all the advice.

DS2 has a blue inhaler, with a spacer. We've used it 3 times now, I'm not sure if it's doing anything. We have to use it for 2 weeks, keep a diary, and then go back to the dr's.

Thanks again for the advice, it's so awful seeing your kids ill, isn't it?

Message withdrawn

just dipping in on this one as ds now 3 has had a chest infection 3 weeks back but still coughing loads at night - took him back and chest clear - we have blue inhaler and im up here now as i gave him a ocuple of puffs whilst he slept and now he seems to be coughng more than ever

I would try and persist with the inhaler for a couple more nights - I dont think the effect is always instant.

FWIW I went out an bought a humidifier for DS's room yesterday and he slept soundly with no coughing fits all last night, all afternoon for his nap (I had to wake him!) and so far this evening. Previous to this he was waking up and coughing for about 20-40 mins at a time - was awful to listen to. If you dont want to shell out on one maybe a damp towel on the radiator might help?

thanks we actually have one of these on loan from a friend and it does do some good but makes the room v warm so i tend to turn it off as i go to bed.