Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Can we start a new asthma support thread now dreaded winter season is looming?

987 replies

Knackeredmother · 21/09/2011 09:26

Hi,
I can't seem to find the old support thread. I lurked on it during many long, lonely and frightening nights and admissions with ds over the past year and a half.
My ds is 21 months now, was hospitalized at 8 weeks severe bronchiolitis (really thought he would die) then every 3-4 weeks since whenever he gets a cold. No symptoms in between colds but a wet, crackly chest with some wheeze with every cold. Plus of course the dreaded tracheal tug and sternal recession that heralds an admission.
It is all so bloody draining and heartbreaking!
We are just starting with a new bout today after a whole 8 weeks of being well. I am debating whether to call in sick for my nightshift tonight or leave poor hubby with an inevitable hospital admission AND our 4 year old!
Anyway, would be good to hear from others going through similar so we can all support each other ( or direct me to the original support thread!)

OP posts:
cedmonds · 06/05/2012 21:04

Hi Sirzy
He is kind of older enough but needs watching to count inbetween puffs and to make sure the spacer is sealed etc. Also he would have to ask to be given it.
They have just said that they are not allowed to give it. But what happens if he has a bad attack or if a child has an epi pen i don't know. Its not like antibiotics or something its an emergency medication in an attack situation.

alibobins · 06/05/2012 21:30

cedmonds I really can't understand that kind of attitude from school. Have you got a specialist nurse who would be able to talk to school?
Ds1 has got a care plan in place listing what medication to give at what stage, they have even got a supply of pred incase.
At the moment ds1 has ventolin at lunch at school but if extra is needed they give it no problems.
Do they not understand that by not giving him his inhalor they are putting is life at risk!!!! Angry

Sirzy · 06/05/2012 21:34

Do the school not realise how serious an asthma attack can be? Like you said its not the same as them giving antibiotics or something. I would be contacting the LEA to ask them to clarify if they are allowed to refuse. What would happen if you weren't in a position to go in?

I am just looking to move Ds to a different nursery and that was the first thing I checked that they can give the inhalers.

cedmonds · 06/05/2012 22:25

Hi
alibobins They had a care plan etc but the school nurse said they were legaly not able to give any medication at school. I am lucky that i only live a few mins drive from school but what would happen if i was out for the day and my mum for eg had to get him she is half hour from school he could be very ill be then. I said this to them and they said it was out of their hands.

alibobins · 07/05/2012 07:12

I would do what sirzy suggests and contact the LEA as I'm not sure they can refuseConfused I work in Early Years and have never come across a school refusing to give medication.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 07/05/2012 09:27

cedmonds DS also has a dairy and soya allergy. Let me know if you need ideas... Re: no medication at school: I would contact Asthma UK. They have been really brilliant at advising me about DD1's episode where she was having an asthma attack at school, asked to go home, said her heart was racing, but wasn't allowed home Angry. Took her to GP and she was tachycardia, O2 at 85%, so had to be stabilized before she got into ambulance. The A & E doc asked her what had happened and only then did we get the story. Sad

Other than that, is there an asthma nurse at GOSH who could advise? I remember your school has been less than helpful with your DS asthma.

cedmonds · 07/05/2012 11:23

Hi
ilove thats is horrid your poor dd. When did you get her at pick up time had they left her like that Sad Shock
He is being seen at GOSH soon so will ask they have sent two letters to school so not sure what else they can do. Any food ideas for soya allergy would be great i cant find any bread which he would eat(no seeds in) so its really hard to make packed lunches for him. School complained as he had flap jack and they said it wasnt healthly and seen to be sweets Hmm

ilovemydogandMrObama · 07/05/2012 12:27

cedmonds yeah, the teacher came out and said she wasn't well. It was obvious to me that she was struggling, but she doesn't wheeze like Darth Vadar, so can be missed. I would have had more sympathy/understanding for the teacher had DD1 not said to her, 'my heart is racing' and 'I feel sick...' Sad. At least the teacher had the good grace to apologize, backed up DD1's version of events, and sent DD1 a card. The head teacher has been very responsive/helpful as has the SENCO.

Re: non soya bread. Tesco own brand oat is dairy and soya free. As far as spreads, we use Pure Sunflower. Be careful with pita breads though. Some have soya and some don't. Most bagels are OK, as are breadsticks (plain ones). I check the ingredients almost constantly though as one brand that previously didn't have soya, added it. Hmm. Sandwiches ideas: turkey, chicken, tuna etc. Crisps, tortilla chips. Smoothies.

cedmonds · 07/05/2012 13:03

Hi
Thanks ilove we use pure spread i will look out for the bread as well.
poor dd at least the teacher had the guts to say sorry and tell the truth. Thats also ds problem in a way the he doesnt whezze much but can still be finding it hard work and tucking.He will also keep on going when he shouldnt be and is tucking away.

LargeGlassofRed · 07/05/2012 15:35

Sorry just need to vent,
we were reluctantly released this morning, totally had enough of hospital, dt2 managed without oxygen last night although, only found out when i looked at the sats monitor at 6 that it had been off!
Asked the agency nurse why it was off and she said it kept alarming at 89 90 so she turned it off!
He had a temp of 38,2 in the night so had had calpol.
Saw the doctor, who was debating wether to let us go, at this stage dt2 running around the ward and sats 94 so I begged and said we have a home sats monitor.
Anyway back home sats 92 then but him down for a sleep breathing awful again tugging hard bpm 45/50 sats averaging 88. Temp 37.6
Arrrrghh really don't want to go back! He's playing happily now and sats back up to 94.
Don't know what to do, to tired to think straight.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 07/05/2012 15:55

large when in Children's Hospital with DD1, I ask for her to be reviewed at specific time so we can plan. So, maybe it would be an idea to make a decision around 17:00 or earlier, what you're going to do. Maybe if it's just calling the ward, assuming you have an open bed and don't have to go through A & E again. As you know, oxygen levels go down at night, but aren't necessarily the full story.

Sirzy · 07/05/2012 15:55

Oh no. I assume he is still on 5 puffs of ventolin 4 hourly? If so I would take him back if they dip again. x

LargeGlassofRed · 07/05/2012 16:00

Thanks so much for your replys, he's on 10 puffs of ventolin every 4 hours then a stronger ventolin type one every 6 hours and a preventor twice a day.
He started a different antibiotic at lunchtime.
We've been given 48 hours open access to the ward.
I'm tempted to leave it to see how he goes when he sleeps tonight, arrgh just don't know :(

Sirzy · 07/05/2012 16:03

It's strange how different hospitals work in different ways, ours won't discharge if your still needing 10 puffs!

You have to go with what feels right, I would be tempted to have a proper meal and then see how he is but go back before bed if needed knowing chances are overnight will get worse.

alibobins · 07/05/2012 17:17

I think I would head back in or at least ring x I hate the waiting around to decide so my new motto is if I'm worried enough to ask then I take him to be checked over x x

Sirzy · 07/05/2012 17:19

That's what I have just decided to. I also give up with gps as they see his history and panic and send us to a and e anyway or they tell me he doesnt have asthma and give antibiotics he doesn't need!

Ds is coughing lots tonight and only managing 3 hours between ventolin so hoping it calms soon x

LargeGlassofRed · 07/05/2012 17:28

Thanks again, trouble is I know they ll say come back if I ring, he's playing happily at the moment sats 94 so will carry on at home for now I think.

LargeGlassofRed · 07/05/2012 17:33

Sirzy, hope your little one starts to improve too, it's so horrible, think I'm going to push for a referral after this as this is his 3rd admission in 8 weeks.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 07/05/2012 17:47

large if you're happy, then fine. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules, but probably him being with other twin at home will help. I tend to feel guilty when I push for a discharge, but unless she is on oxygen, then any other medication can be given at home, and it isn't as if you're in the Shetland Islands are you? I mean in a remote location, I don't know where you are, so if he does deteriorate, you can take him back.

LargeGlassofRed · 07/05/2012 18:05

Thanks ilove, hospital is only 5 mins away so very lucky.
I'm going to but him to bed as usual, then check him every half hour he's due his next lot of inhalours at 8 so we'll see how he goes.
At least temp not got any higher,

Sirzy · 07/05/2012 18:06

I would push, it is only because of Ds consultant care we have got him as settled as he is (or was!) at last!

cedmonds · 07/05/2012 18:13

HI
Agree with sirzy it has only been since ds was transfered to GOSH we have sort of got his asthma under control. We have a sat monitor at home for ds and if he is averaging 92/93 we take him in as he can get worse very quickly .
Well we have had a rough weekend ended up in A+E today and he is on ventolin every 4 hours 10 puffs and got yet another course of pred.Sad I have still got the bag packed so hopefully we will stay out of hospital.
Those of you that have school age children would you send a child in when they are on pred and so much ventolin.Especially with how school are about him. I would have to go in at lunch and do his ventolin so could see how he is . I was going to keep him of school but DH say i and being over protective.Hmm Any ideas

Sirzy · 07/05/2012 18:19

From what you have said about the school I would keep him off until it has all been sorted and you are happy that he is safe.

DS isn't school age but I don't send him to nursery when he is on pred, or if he is needing inhalers more than 6 hourly. I know they can cope with it really well but it doesn't seem fair on him or them!

cedmonds · 07/05/2012 18:26

thanks i just needed someone else to agree with me Grin

ilovemydogandMrObama · 07/05/2012 19:15

cedmonds no, I wouldn't, especially as he deteriorates so quickly.

We have a system in place now where DD1, if she doesn't feel well, can call home. The internal system phone goes to the office and the office calls me. She also has a 'key worker' who is not her teacher who checks on her 2-3 times a day, and she meets with him once a week for a couple of hours, mainly to build up a relationship as she was very scared to go back to school Sad Sad and that she wouldn't be able to get help with her breathing Shock Sad

Swipe left for the next trending thread