Asthma inhalers - do you need to remind DC to use?

[Blueberryme]

If you have DC around 10yo do you need to remind them to use their asthma inhaler AM and PM? This is specifically for preventer purposes obviously, not reliever.

The reason I ask is that DS(10) was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago but most of the time he needs to be reminded to do the 1 puff of Symbicort AM & PM - I wondered if other DC always remember or need prompting?

The inhaler, spacer, and peak flow meter sit on the kitchen bench right under his nose and yet I would say 8/10 he needs reminding to use it. I just would have thought that at nearly 11 years old and being in the same routine for nearly 2 years it would be automatic to do it.

It also worries me when he goes camping with Cubs and now Scouts that we need to rely on the staff to tell him as he just wouldn’t bother/remember. He has no other memory issues but I’m finding this frustrating.

DD9 has had an inhaler since she was 4. I mention it when I tell her to get ready for bed (or when she gets up), at the same time as mentioning her tablets and brushing her teeth… but she knows that she has to use it and doesn’t rely on my reminders. I’ve had no worries when she’s been to cub camp, band camp or summer camp.

I think it’s helpful that it’s part of a routine. DD uses her inhaler immediately before cleaning her teeth.

I no longer need to remind as such but i still do say - “upstairs, inhaler, teeth, bed” kind of thing. So i guess i still remind!

I am a grown up and I still struggle to remember to use my inhaler.

I now have a checklist of all the things I need to do when I get up, and another for all the things I need to do before I go to bed.

Would that be an option? You could laminate them on a piece of paper. I use my phone but I assume that's probably not an option at 10.

My 6 year old has been using one for a year and I rarely have to remind her as she’s always done it before brushing her teeth so it’s part of her normal routine not an extra thing if you know what I mean. Doing teeth before getting out of or into pyjamas is embedded so it’s part of that.

*typo

Yes. But then we all have ADHD so my parenting consisted of an alarm on my phone to remind DC, and once they had phones, alarms to remind them. A morning and evening checklist also helps.

DS is 12 and I still prompt. He says he takes it, but then he tells be he's brushed his teeth even when he obviously hasn't...

On Scout camp they should have records for medication and go through at the appropriate times.

My 10 year old DD is reminded morning and evening, I'd say 70 percent of the time she's done it before the reminder, but there are times she forgets. I'd expect that on school trips and scouts trip the staff are responsible to tick that off their medication list so would have to remind regardless.

It also worries me when he goes camping with Cubs and now Scouts that we need to rely on the staff to tell him as he just wouldn’t bother/remember

Speak to the cub/scout leader to find out how they manage medication on camp. As a cub leader, we ask all parents to fill in a medication/health form, with all medication listed, including doses and approx time to take it. We hold all medication (except relievers/epi pens) in a locked box, and will make sure all children are taking their medication at the correct times - we have one designated leader in charge of this, and they have to sign the form each time medication is given, with another leader witnessing and countersigning.

If this is not being done by your scout leaders, find out why. No child should be left to remember to take their own medicine.

My (very recently just turned) 11yo / Y6 has been taking their reliever every morning and evening for 18 months or so without prompting. Like others say it's part of pre teeth brushing routine.

Spacer and pump is kept in main living area so if I dont think I've seen them take it I still ask out of habit every now and then (9 times out if 10 they have taken it!). They are good about remembering to pack it for sleepovers / trips as well.

I’m 45 and I need someone to remind me to use mine. 😬