Mums of asthmatic babes/kids

[mumofcheekychappy]

Hi - looking for advice please..... :-)

After a bad winter of wheezing last year and 2 hospital visits this month alone, my 2 year old son has been diagnosed with asthma. My husband's family are all asthmatic so it's no suprise!

I really need advice because despite following the hospital's advice as to giving him inhalers (preventer and reliever), and also my husband and I cutting back our social life (no socialising with people with colds!) he still gets very wheezy when he gets a cold....during the summer he was fine and when he is well (ie. no cold) he is fine too. He is also allergic to eggs and cow's milk.

It seems that when he gets a cold it is inevitable he will wheeze and it escalate to the point he needs to go to hospital.

What else can I do? And specifically do any of you out there also avoid going out in order to avoid bugs and colds? It's so depressing spending so much time at home, I think I am going insane sometimes, but it's terrifying to think of risking another trip to hospital.

Thanks!

Not really got any advice - but all 3 DS have asthma. DS2 gets it worse. Never been hospitalised, but had to go on nebuliser many a time and meds.
I can't say that i have ever kept any of them in. I am a great believer that they need their exercise and to be mixing with all and sundry to keep their immune systems fit and healthy.
On a positive note. My DH had really bad asthma as a child. He was constantly hospitalised. He is now a strapping 6'2" (doesn't necessarily inhibit growth) - who uses his inhaler only before doing an activity where he knows he is going to do vigorous exercise (not housework then [hgrin] ). It may be something that he gradually grows out of.

It shouldn't be 'inevitable' that your ds's asthma escalates to the point he is hospitalised. There must be ways to manage his symptoms so he doesn't get to that stage.

When my dd gets a cold, we up her dose of the preventer inhaler for a few weeks until the extra wheeze goes.

How is your GP on asthma advice? In our surgery there are 3 GPs and one has a special interest in asthma, so I always ask to see that one with dd.

You might also want to get in touch with Asthma UK. They have an advice line staffed by asthma nurses 0800 121 6244.

Do sympathise with you about the not mixing with people because of the cold catching! Do you have contact with an asthma nurse who may be able to advice re preventing the attacks escalating?. Will DS be going to nursery, they are hothouses for bugs and I personnaly am not convinced by the 'let them get everything when they're tiny' camp (sorry - I know a lot of people dont follow this view).

hello - thanks for advice everyone.

We don't have an asthma nurse but see a consultant at the hospital for check ups, and yes, we do up his inhaler dosage when he has a cold to avoid any wheezing....

And interestingly auntevil, my husband is 6ft5ins and his other asthmatic family members are all 6ft tall strapping lads - maybe there's a link we have discovered here?!?! And why is it boys who seem to suffer worse? :-)

DS is going to nursery in the spring, which I hope will be a 'safer' time for him, as his asthma symptoms seems to be less in the better weather.

Thanks Pixie, will be logging onto the support group!

PS. DS is taking Clenil preventer - now doubling up his dose so we'll see how it goes, he has not been taking it for long.

Could you look into getting a nebuliszer for ds?.

my ds has one due to the frequent hospital trips getting worse.

I have asthma, and DS who is just two is now showing symptoms which isn't a surprise but I'm still a bit :(

I don't think that keeping away from people is really a long term option - he needs to come into contact with the full range of germs to develop his immune system properly so I would just live life as you normally would.

If using the preventer from the first sign of a cold isn't preventing the escalation to hospital then something is wrong - either he needs different medication, or the technique you are using with the spacer isn't 100% correct (I know not easy with a toddler!!).
Has it been discussed that he should use the preventer all through the winter? I used mine constantly as a child and it really did work to prevent attacks - I was only ever hospitalised once. I don't know what current thinking is on this though with better drugs available but it is worth exploring all options with your consultant.

Some good advice so far - also when he starts with signs of a cold give him his blue salbutamol inhaler every 4 hours, regardless of symptoms. (You don't have to wake him overnight if he is sleeping well, but if he's symptomatic overnight then you might want to give it).

If he's bad over the winter even on max therapy of Clenil he may benefit from montelukast (Singulair) granules/chewy tablets. Also think about him having a flu jab, and ask the GP or consultant if he needs standby oral steroids to keep at home which may avoid hospital admission.