DD's peak flow has dropped - can I talk asthma with someone?

[Katymac]

She is 12

She normally has a peak flow of about 250

Since she has been ill (pretty much the whole of last term) it dropped to about 150

She saw the specialist last week and is currently on day 7 of prednisilone

Tonight her peak flow is about 105/110

So she is perky & OK in herself - but should I be seeing the GP again tomorrow? (we saw him on Monday evening)

[FluffyForLifeNotJustForXmas]

Have you increased her ventolin? How many pufs has she had so far?

[weegiemum]

DH (GP) says take plenty ventolin and see if it improves!

[nellie12]

how is her breathing now? is it laboured? can she talk in full sentences? is she using her stomach and shoulder muscles to breathe?

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

Is she coughing, if you listen to her back does she sound crackly - do you think she has an infection? Maybe it would be wise to go back to GP, maybe she needs to change/ increase her preventer? Deffo increase her ventolin.

[Katymac]

Her Seretide has been increased - 50 (x2 twice a day up) until Sept then 125 (x2 twice a day) & now 250 (x2 twice a day) from last week

She has changed her bricanyl to ventolin (this week) but it isn't doing much

She is NOT having an asthma attack she just has a low peak flow - not coughing much at all

She is having 'other' investigations at the hospital - I just don't know if I need to go back tomorrow because it is too much of a drop or if I should just monitor it

I sound a bit wet don't I

[Katymac]

god can she talk in sentances - I can't get her to shut up - singing, whittering - did I mention she was 12

She really is OK

[nellie12]

oh well in that case dont worry too much. It could have been a poor technique just go by how she looks. If she looks worse get her seen if not dont worry. But I would take her back for review when her steroids are finished in any case.

[Katymac]

That is what I thought - her peak flow doesn't match her symptoms iyswim [puzzled]

[FluffyForLifeNotJustForXmas]

How many puffs of ventolin did she have when she last used the inhaler?

[shallishanti]

our asthma nurse gave me a handy chart with v clear alert lines for go to hospital now/GP tomorrow/increase blue inhaler etc.
But, I think she was confident about their PF technique. Maybe ask for advice re that, then you might avoid this dilemma.

[Katymac]

I think I will monitor it over night

Thanks

[ClaireOB]

Don't know if you have already done this but you can ring the Asthma UK adviceline free from a landline 9-5pm, mon-fri: 0800 121 62 44 . It's staffed by asthma nurse specialists and they will try to answer any questions you have about asthma. In my experience they're very friendly and knowledgeable.

[SkipToMyLou]

DS is like this sometimes, low peak flow and no obvious reason. Maybe it's because all the kids are cooped up in the classrooms all day with the snow, I always find he's a lot better after he's had a good couple of hours charging round in the fresh air.

Hope she's OK though, it's worrying isn't it!

[Katymac]

Well she was up to 120 this morning so I sent her to school (as she wanted to go)

I emailed them to say if she was ill I would come & get her, but I didn't tell DD that

That is a useful number about Asthma - thanks I may ring if I get all befuddled again

[nellie12]

do you usually do peak flows am and pm or was yesterdays pm a one off? peak flows are usually lower of an evening so if she was fine that may be normal for her if you dont take evening pf regularly. (if you do ignore that!)

[Katymac]

We do (generally) do both - but I know what you mean

[Katymac]

It's down to 100 now - so I am making her take some ventolin - under duress

[Katymac]

She is a bit brighter - I am just confused as there are so few symptoms, if she were ill I'd get her help as soon as possible, but she is lively and 'up' iykwim

I have an appointment on Monday & I spoke to a Dr on Friday - but if she gets 'ill' - I will go out-of-hours asap

[Katymac]

We have just had another serious chat about ventolin

She was taking too much & the consultant said to take less

So she hasn't been taking any - just telling me that she has

[Katymac]

Phoned NHS direct & they are getting the OOH to phone me

Something just isn't quite right but I can't put my finger on it

She has had 6 puffs of ventolin & her chest is hurting

[nellie12]

tbh if her chest is hurting then I'd bypass ooh and go to a&e. sorry - not what you want to hear saturday night.