Ex didn't give DS6 his preventer inhaler medication this weekend

[Slummamumma]

DS has been prescribed a preventer inhaler to use when he has a bad cough during the winter months (about 2 years ago). He is to be given it twice daily. I gave Ex this information just before last weekend in a text, he responded "OK". DS spent weekend with his dad, no medication given at all despite info given and OK response! DS is not one to lie or make stuff up and I am inclined to believe that his father didn't give him the medicine. ex has mentioned before that he "doesn't like pumping him with steroids".Well, nor do I but surely a few times a year to help breathing issues is important? I don't know what to do about this. I have sent him a text asking him why he didn't give it to him but he has not responded. WWYD?

I hadn't been coughing in the summer either Asthma is not simply about just having a bad cough. He sounds like he needs a clip round the ear educating around asthma and the medicines and what they're there for.

Yes steroids are scary and yes I've put on a little weight this year because I've needed so many courses (and had my preventor steroid inhaler swapped to something stronger). But I'm taking half a stone. Not ten stone. I'm also given the same dose my DD is given to put it in perspective.

I'd just be firm with him next time OP, tell him he needs to have the medicine and if he's not prepared to give it him you may have to reconsider current overnight arrangements.

Yes, he shouldn't have him overnight if he's not responsible enough to help your DS take his inhalers. I've practised pharmacy for 8 years and have seen first hand what poor compliance with asthma meds can lead to.

Your poor wee DS.

Also, if, by some miracle, he'd NOT been coughing that would be because his medication was working and for it to continue working he needed to continue taking it!!!!!!! It doesn't work like cough mixture, just take a dose or two & you're grand; you need to use it consistently for a week or two (or longer or whatever your treatment plan says...)

A really clear written treatment plan is a must for anyone with asthma - does anyone know what the legal position is on withholding overnight contact from a parent who refuses to adhere to their child's treatment plan would be? Because he's putting his DS at risk...

I'd be suspending visitation and taking him back to court. This isn't like asking him not to give your DS sweets and having that ignored, this is actual GP prescribed medication for an actual potentially life threatening condition.

Can you call... I'm not familiar with how child services works in the UK (NZ here) but can you call child services and explain the situation and ask if it constitutes neglect, that he's refusing to administer the medication?