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Original poster

Any parents of Asthma sufferers able to help?

98 replies

Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 20:57

Last winter, my daughter was diagnosed with Viral Wheeze. This winter the GP seems certain it’s asthma she is suffering from. We now have an asthma plan and are booked in again after Xmas for an asthma review with the nurse.

The good news is, the wheeze seems to have gone and the blue inhaler was very effective for that.

The problem that I’m having this evening is dealing with DD’s persistent cough. Is it likely this is all caused by the asthma? She can’t sleep because of it so is sitting upright in my bed with me but the cough just isn’t easing. She can speak in full sentences so she isn’t struggling with breathlessness like she has done previously.

I’m going to take her back into the GP in the morning. Any advice to help us through the night?

OP posts:

Chinnychinnychinnychib · 16/12/2019 21:00

Asthma UK is your best bet - their website will tell you everything you need to know. Don’t take advice here, it’s not safe.

Chinnychinnychinnychib · 16/12/2019 21:02

Also - follow the instructions on the red part of her asthma plan. Good luck

Bramblespoint · 16/12/2019 21:02

How old is she?

Keep going with blue inhaler as that will help the cough.

Plenty of pillows to keep her upright. Keep the room humid with damp flannel on radiator.

Warm milk can help, my kids also find harbio helps sooth the throat enough to get them to sleep

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IpanemaGallina · 16/12/2019 21:02

How old is she? Have you taken her peak flow? I have a 9 and 13 yr old with asthma.

PlanDeRaccordement · 16/12/2019 21:02

Coughing is a common symptom of asthma. Your DD actually sounds like she is having a mild attack. She should take two puffs (2mins apart) with her blue inhaler. Then, I would also call 111 and have a nurse speak with her to evaluate her breathing and give further medical advice. If the coughing is bad enough such that she has trouble speaking, you will probably need to go to A&E for a nebuliser treatment.

IpanemaGallina · 16/12/2019 21:03

If you have any doubts, I’d head up to a and e.

IdiotInDisguise · 16/12/2019 21:05

The coughing can be her asthma getting worse, keep using the inhaler even if she doesn’t seem wheezy.

IdiotInDisguise · 16/12/2019 21:06

(And straight to the GP first thing in the morning)

Or even better, ring NHS direct for advice.

PlanDeRaccordement · 16/12/2019 21:07

NHS direct is via dialling 111

DrMadelineMaxwell · 16/12/2019 21:09

No mention of a daily preventative inhaler prescribed, which she really should have if they think it is asthma.

MrsSchadenfreude · 16/12/2019 21:10

Ring 111. In the meantime sucking on an ice lolly or ice cube helped DD1. Avoid dairy - it can help mucus production and make the cough worse.

Original poster

Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 21:11

She is 6. We got given this asthma plan last week. I’m studying for an exam so DH has just taken her downstairs to sit with him and watch TV. Being upright has massively eased the cough. I did try propping her up loads on pillows but it doesn’t seem to be enough. As soon as she lies down at all, it gets bad. She’s so tired, I really feel for her. I think I’ll keep her home from school tomorrow regardless of how she’s feeling. She needs to give her body a rest.

Any parents of Asthma sufferers able to help?

OP posts:

PlanDeRaccordement · 16/12/2019 21:12

Depends on the asthma whether a preventative inhaler is also prescribed. In many cases they prescribe montelukast instead. Especially with children.

123bananas · 16/12/2019 21:12

When dd is bad she coughs a lot. Try giving the inhaler to see if it improves the cough, if up to 10 puffs back to back doesn't work then she needs to go to A&E to be seen by a doctor via an ambulance.

Original poster

Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 21:13

She’s to take the preventer inhaler from now on. 2 puffs, twice a day, from October to March. We only started it last week and I know it can take a while to kick in.

Would call 111 but the cough has now eased massively. Irregular cough (every 5 minutes) now compared to coughing every 10-15 seconds when she was lying down.

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 16/12/2019 21:13

The coughing absolutely is likely due to the asthma - coughing at night is a key symptom.

I was diagnosed as an adult after a childhood of my mum just telling me to shut up - she is very guilty now!

What does her asthma plan say about escalating when she isn't well? As I would do that now.

Plus does she only have the blue reliever inhaler and not a preventer - usually brown? Get booked in before Christmas - ideally tomorrow.

The point where you can't speak in full sentences is really really bad. You can be very unwell a long time before you can't speak in full sentences so please don't take that as a sign of it being 'OK'.

Original poster

Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 21:14

So the 10 puffs of the inhaler didn’t stop the coughing, but sitting upright has worked.

OP posts:

PlanDeRaccordement · 16/12/2019 21:14

OP I urge you to call 111 and get medical advice now. The fact she is coughing and can not breathe when lying down is an urgent situation.
Asthma is not something you can cure with sitting watching tv and resting.

ShadowsInTheDarkness · 16/12/2019 21:14

Hi OP, I agree with the other posters that the coughing is another symptom of asthma. I fact my DS has never wheezed in his life but has fairly severe asthma and has been admitted many times due to an attack where the only symptom was persistent coughing.

I'm sorry as I've forgotten whether you said DD or DS - have a look at them breathing without a top on - are they sucking in their tummy under their ribs with each breath? Children's tummies shouldn't be moving much when they breathe so if it is that's a sign of shortness of breath. I would always give blue puffer for coughing. You can do more than 2 at once, I'd do 4 initially if the coughing is keeping her awake and then give more in 2s if she is still struggling. And yes call 111 if that doesn't work or 10 puffs doesn't alleviate symptoms. And doctors soon to push for preventers.

Original poster

Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 21:16

She is up now, eating an ice lolly and she hasn’t even coughed once now in almost 10 minutes.

OP posts:

PlanDeRaccordement · 16/12/2019 21:17

The inhaler will have done what it can. If it doesn’t seem to be working, that just means the asthma is bad and needs medical attention.

ShadowsInTheDarkness · 16/12/2019 21:17

OP if 10 puffs hasn't worked you absolutely must call 111 now. Asthma attacks unfortunately aren't dramatic or obvious but they are very serious. I strongly urge you to get medical advice right now, explaining that 10 puffs hasn't alleviated symptoms.

AnnaMagnani · 16/12/2019 21:18

Honestly, I'd call 111. As an asthmatic, if I was coughing every 5 minutes and couldn't lie down for coughing I'd feel shit, scared and very very breathless.

Don't muck about with asthma.

AfterSchoolWorry · 16/12/2019 21:18

Get her into a hot shower, steam can help alleviate the spasm. I've also brought a kettle into the bedroom before, which worked well. Obviously with you supervising the kettle.

I also find an antihistamine helps alleviate the coughing. I use Zirtek, the paediatric one.

Original poster

Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 21:18

Calling now...

OP posts:

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