allergic asthma - at what age did your dc show signs of it?

[whenwillisleepagain]

For the first time in a few years I'm feeling despondent about DS's allergies. He was found to be peanut allergic at 5 months (when we tried to enrol for the LEAP peanut allergy study), had a reaction of some sort at nursery a year later, which resulted in referral to the allergy clinic, and over the last few years he's been basically well and robust, although the list of allergies has grown - fish, nuts, eggs, house dust mites and tree pollen (a bit borderline with grass pollen and horses). He had a phase of viral wheezing 18 - 24 months, with two trips to A&E, nebuliser, pred, etc. Then we settled into a groove of IMO, well-managed allergic life - antishistamines in hayfever season, v low dose of preventer inhaler, and just being well and his early eczema greatly improving.

He started Reception class in Sept and I think one of the things that set me off was the epipen training with school nurse, which of course I greatly appreciated, but seeing lots of anaphylaxis photos and hearing people basically talking about administering an epipen to my child.The other thing is he's been a bit wheezy recently and is considerably stepped on preventer inhaler. I had a useful talk with asthma uk nurse because I was wondering about the levels of preventer but also wondering if this was a blip due to starting school. She was very helpful but also explained that allergic asthma shows itself from 5 on, which was certainly my experience as a child. I know things have changed greatly since the early 1970s in terms of preventers, relievers, things that didn't exist, but I am a bit gloomy about where we could be heading. Any tips or cheer?

thanks and sorry this is long.

Does your DS see a specialist for his allergies and asthma? If so, I would suggest making an appointment to review his asthma. It may be that he needs a slightly stronger preventer. Is he on Clenil 50 at the moment? My DS has a very similar history to yours and also started Reception in September. He too has been a bit wheezy on and off since he started but mainly because he's had cold after cold and usually does at this time of year. Thankfully since starting the preventer (Clenil 50 2 puffs twice a day) last November he hasn't been admitted with viral wheeze so it definitely seems to be working even if he does still get wheezy whenever he has a cold but the consultant said this was normal. The consultant did say that it is particularly important for children with allergies to have their asthma well under control as poorly controlled asthma can lead to a worsening of the child's allergic reactions so I do think it would be worth getting him checked out.

Thanks so much - yes he sees the paed allergy consultant, but because he's been so well and everything's been straightforward for the last two years, we see the allergy nurse consultant, who is brilliant. However I think we'll see the consultant again in a few weeks because he was around to supervise DS' flu jab at the hospital on Friday and he suggested a blood test which breaks down the different proteins in egg to see if DS could tolerate it cooked - and I think we go back to him for the results. The Clenil 50 2 puffs twice a day is what had been working so perfectly for DS for the last two years. Now we are on 1 - 4 puffs Clenil 100, but step up to 6 if he has a cold. The allergy nurse at asthma uk mentioned the importance of getting allergic children's asthma under control. It is really interesting that your consultant said what they did about a bit of wheezing being normal - I think I get sooo anxious when I hear I a wheeze that I need to get a grip on it - I had been wondering if a bit now and then was to be expected, IYSWIM. Thank you again, it's so good to talk to someone in same boat.

Not a problem, that's what this forum is for! Interesting that you were told to step up preventer if he has a cold because I asked the consultant about this and he said there was very little point as any change in preventer dosage takes at least 6 weeks to have an effect. We were therefore told to simply use his reliever when he's wheezy, up to 6 puffs every 4 hrs. It always amazes me how you can get such different advice from different doctors!

Btw I assume DS's flu jab went well? My DS has his tomorrow in hospital, DH is taking him as I have to work and I'm quite worried because he reacted to the 2nd MMR (only hives on face but still worrying). Hopefully it will all be fine and I'm worrying over nothing. I'll be checking my phone every 2 minutes though I'm sure!

DS was 3 when he had his first trip to hospital with wheezing. He also has multiple allergies.

Last year he ended up in hospital for 5 nights because the GP tried to wind down hie preventer dose. Thankfully he is now seeing a proper allergy consultant, I would recommend getting referred as our GP seemed clueless about asthma.

Oh and I agree that you shouldn't be upping the preventer when he has a cold, but start using the reliever. Have you got an asthma plan?

freefrom - just wanted to post quickly and say, yes, flu jab went fine. DS hasn't had one before - it was just good timing that he happens to have his annual allergy clinic appointment around late Oct and I asked about the possibility of him having it.

My GP always seems to be up to date with research findings about what you should and shouldn't do... hmm, I usually have confidence in him and he was adamant that there is something hot-off-the press about upping preventers when a cold starts. Also I think the asthma UK nurse said I'd been doing exactly the right thing - I did wonder though because I'd also heard that preventers take at least two weeks to give their full effect. But it is very interesting to hear both of your comments about the preventer. I wonder if I haven't been giving DS enough reliever. trixy DS doesn't have an asthma plan because this is all so recent and my GP is reluctant to diagnose anyway - he likes to 'watch and wait' between 5 & 7 (DS is 5 next week). I think we need one, as things are changing.

We were in the same situation as you, had a reliever and preventer as DS had been a bit wheezy, no diagnosis of asthma as he was considered too young, no asthma plan and IMO not enough guidance or information had been given. Then he had a serious attack and ended up very poorly in hospital for 5 nights. At no point was he wheezy during the attack, so I didn't recognise the signs because I was not aware that lethargy and waking at night were warning signs. I also didn't spot that he was tummy breathing and the skin was being sucked in around his ribs.

I happened to be off work as I had a GP appointment, but the GP took one look at DS and packed him off to hospital. On the way there I was saying to DH that they would send us straight home for wasting their time, but DS was whisked straight through and put on oxygen and nebulised and was there for 5 nights, was really very scary.

I would really really recommend getting a referral, as it sounds very much like your DS is heading down the same road as mine, without meaning to alarm you too much, sorry .

Thanks trixy - it's hard to judge how much of what's currently 'going on' with DS is my anxiety (just the slightest wheeze from him and I am somehow transported back in time to being a small wheezy child myself - I am working on getting a grip on this, because I know it doesn't help anyone), and how much he is really 'ill'. He seems fine in himself, just a little short on breath when he runs, but I guess one would expect this from an asthmatic child with a cold. Having done two trips to a&e when he was a toddler and then having had 3 good years, I am determined we don't go back down that route. I will talk to the GP about an asthma plan, but also wait to make the most of seeing the allergy consultant, hopefully within the next few weeks. My GP is good IMO and I would prefer to work with him rather than round him IYSWIM.

freefrom hope the flu jab went ok for your LO, let us know

Flu jab was fine thanks but didn't realise that he's got to have another one a month later - they never mentioned that bit! Hopefully I won't be quite so nervous 2nd time around.

I'm glad it went well freefrom. Yes, hopefully you can be more relaxed for injection no 2.