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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:
pumpkinpie01 · 16/12/2019 22:13

My Ds 6 was diagnosed with asthma about 18 months ago , getting a cold is his trigger. We were told to give him the steroids ( brown inhaler) in winter when he is more susceptible to getting a cold. Is his breathing faster than usual ?

MigGril · 16/12/2019 22:15

Peak flow meter to get an idea of and then monitor air levels.

It's unusual for a 6 year old to be able to use a peak flow meter correctly. Which is why you haven't been given one or your child tested with one. Diagnosing asthma at this age is all down to see if an inhaler helps the symptoms.

DS is 9 and has a peak flow meter and even he can struggle to blow into properly. Although we have had one a couple of years now.

AnnaMagnani · 16/12/2019 22:15

Have a look on the Asthma UK website for common triggers - pets, bedding esp feathers, fragrance in toiletries and fabric conditioner/detergents, mould, cold weather.

I have a load of triggers, take an anti-histamine year round, avoid feather pillows like the plague, think all fragrance is poison - a trip into the White Company to buy a dressing gown resulted in inhaler use and so on.

You get quite wise to them as time goes on and then something comes up and bites you like going into work when they are having painting done. I'd only use low/no VOC paint in my house and think the money was worth it for breathing purposes.

The Asthma UK website is utterly fab.

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BarbaraStrozzi · 16/12/2019 22:19

Swapping to a synthetic duvet has really helped DS at night.

Advice up thread on shower/kettle - I wouldn't go for this until your DD feels better, as for some kids (eg my DS) steam can cause an attack.

Once you've got the current situation under control, I suggest making an appointment with whoever specialises in asthma at your GP's to check your DD is getting the hang of the brown preventer (they can be quite tricky to use effectively).

Flowers OP - it's very scary when it feels like the blue inhaler isn't doing the trick.

Original poster
Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 22:23

It’s so frustrating waiting for this call back with no clue as to how long we’ll be waiting. Could be any minute, could also be hours from now. I have an important exam on Friday that I’m totally behind with my studies for. I know none of that matters and that DD is my top priority but I just feel like I’m drowning. I am also struggling with my mental health at the moment.

Sorry, I know I shouldn’t be making any of this about me when poor DD is suffering. I’m just so drained.

OP posts:
Thistly · 16/12/2019 22:25

Hope she is doing better now.
I always found lying on my back terrible for coughing. I lie on my front with a hot water bottle under my chest and coughing is much easier to control in that position

Barbara Strozzi... A synthetic duvet was an improvement on what type of bedding? My dd has a wool duvet which seems ok for her.

Fouroutoffour · 16/12/2019 22:28

Having a poorly child is stressful and any type of stress is worse when you have MH problems. Be kind to yourself!

Foxes157 · 16/12/2019 22:28

Asthma control is about finding the right treatment plan.

My son was a cougher and not really wheezy. It turned out his asthma is more severe than thought. The brown preventer wasn't enough, he's on symbicort. It's stabilised his asthma

Please ring for advice we've had the hospital admission as we didn't realise how serious his cough was

Thistly · 16/12/2019 22:29

Sorry you are waiting for a call back. Winter pressures are really high in the nhs at the moment. The staff in the call centre will be working their way through a huge number of calls.
Sounds like its really stressful for you a t the moment so 💐 to you.

Bonkersblond · 16/12/2019 22:31

Helllppppp sorry you are having a tough time, DD has allergy related asthma (dustmite allergy), from my experience there’s every chance your DD could get admitted tonight, if I were you I’d be getting my hospital bag together along with your studies, you won’t sleep in hospital but DD will and you can get some work done maybe? Really hope it doesn’t come to that but DD has been admitted before via a blue light when I didn’t think she was that bad but her oxygen levels said otherwise.

Original poster
Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 22:35

Thanks so much for the support everyone.

For some reason, this part of the course I’m studying doesn’t have a textbook in paper format. I can only access it online. I need to access it on my iPad and then access other software to complete the tasks on my laptop. Would the hospital be likely to have Wi-fi I can use on the ward? I’m so far behind because both of my kids have been unwell lately and it’s been really hard to find the time to study around caring for them.

OP posts:
BarbaraStrozzi · 16/12/2019 22:35

Thistly before the asthma diagnosis, DS had a down duvet (yikes - about as bad as you could choose from an asthma perspective). I'd imagine wool would be okay.

Erinaz · 16/12/2019 22:36

My son has the same problem i found blue pump works but use with spacer so it gets to the lung morning and night then hoover all the bed mattress floor use non bio on sheets an pillows .. don't dry washing in doors and keep room cool not dry or to warm and if outside breath air through a scarf to warm it as cold air aggravates the lungs..Hope this helps.

BarbaraStrozzi · 16/12/2019 22:39

Hellpppp I imagine it varies from one hospital to another, but when I was in hospital recently there was free WiFi.

And don't worry about thinking about yourself. I'm a single parent, so I totally get how the added stress of knowing you're getting behind with work adds to the stress of having a sick child.

MyNewBearTotoro · 16/12/2019 22:39

Obviously every hospital is different but my local hospital has free wifi available in A&E and on the wards and so have the other two nearby hospitals I’ve visited lately.

Walkon · 16/12/2019 22:40

You don't by any chance have any scented candles lighting do you?
I am an asthmatic and thought both my son's would be too. They had a few episodes and were both taking inhalers for a few months.
One winter my DS was 3 and had this persistent cough constantly, was on steroids and even a trip to A&E on Xmas day.

I stopped using smelly candles after that Christmas day and he never coughed like that again.
I'm not suggesting that is your DDs issue but I'd be mindful they may aggravate her.

PlanDeRaccordement · 16/12/2019 22:40

How is she OP? If she’s the same or even slightly worse I’d be seriously tempted to call 999 as you’ve been waiting at least an hour now.

Thistly · 16/12/2019 22:42

Ah yes, feathers can be really bad for some people. Thanks Barbara

FanSpamTastic · 16/12/2019 22:43

Do you have any Vicks in the house - if you do this can help a little bit. Spread a thin layer across her back and front.

Does her breath smell bad/weird/ not normal for her? DD always used to get a really strong pungent smell on her breath when she was poorly. She had pneumonia and was hospitalised a few times. It got to the point that I could smell it in her breath when she was poorly - normally sweet smelling but not when she was poorly.

DD has asthma and suffered a lot until brought under control. She was always more poorly over the winter than in the summer. The coughing is from nasal drip - so propping up on pillows will help.

Our DD needed montelukast and brown preventative inhaler to bring it under control. She did not have any bad reactions to montelukast but know some people don't react well to it.

Hope your DD feels better soon.

IdiotInDisguise · 16/12/2019 22:46

Honestly OP... if she is having an asthma attack your exam tomorrow doesn’t matter. Get her dad to get her to A&E if you are worried about your studies but don’t put off her health problem for later.

Asthma is no joke, it may not be as dramatic as other illnesses but it is a serious thing. I took DS with a cough to the GP one morning, I didn’t think he looked that bad but as soon as they measured his oxygen levels he was put on a nebuliser, 20 minutes later the GP called an ambulance.

We ended up in a ward full of asthmatic children, there was one in there that looked so bad, his skin looked grey, not kind of grey, proper grey. They took him into another area, the mum never returned for her bag. I dread to think he didn’t make it.

Original poster
Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 22:49

That’s awful @IdiotInDisguise 😢

Don’t worry, I would never put my studies before getting DD the proper care/treatment she needs. That is and will always be my top priority regardless.

OP posts:
Whycantyoulickmyfootmummy · 16/12/2019 23:08

My DD has just had the exact same issue. We went back to the asthma nurse who tweaked her plan to reflect weather changes, cold symptoms etc and it has helped massively. We try not to use anything with a strong smell (this included changing our cleaning sprays and no spray deodorant). I'm also encouraging her to put her scarf over her mouth when she goes outside to help her lungs cope with the change in air temperature.

At night, a damp towel drying in the room can help as it keeps the air moist (I think that's how it works; my mum did it for me when I was little with severe asthma and it seems to help my daughter.)

Asthma is a really scary thing to witness and support as a parent, it sounds like you're doing everything you can though.

Hope they feel better soon!

Original poster
Helllppppp · 16/12/2019 23:10

She’s on her way to out of hours. DH has taken her as we have other DC asleep in bed and it makes sense for me to stay and study but I feel so guilty for not going 😢 I will update you when we know more.

OP posts:
thecalmorchid · 16/12/2019 23:13

Just hopping on to say go and see the asthma nurse at your surgery. They know a lot about it! Usually more up to date than the GP and they will get the GP involved immediately if they need to.

It's sounds like the asthma isn't being controlled properly and you might need a preventative inhaler too.

My main triggers as a child were feathers and wool. Long before inhalers had been invented.

Yes to calling 111 and running it by them for peace of mind.

chuck7 · 16/12/2019 23:25

Hope she's OK OP. Been there a few times with DS 6. I fact tonight his own coughing has been troubling but inhalers are doing the job for now.

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