Wheezing into 2013 - Support thread for parents of asthmatics

[Sirzy]

As the old thread is filling up I thought I would get a new one started!

This thread is for anyone with a child with asthma, or asthma type symptoms. Between us we have to much experience of inhalers, nebulisers, steroids, sats and all things asthma!

Oh ced! Poor little ds! Have been there with both mine, it's not nice :(
What will be, will be. I will make sure he has it....at some point! :)

Anyone got experience of being on Xolair?

Middley kid (8) has difficult/severe asthma - missed half his schooling last year.

Just out of hospital - another life threatening episode, sigh. Chronic management is excellent, the acute stuff, rubbish.

He's on everything (seretide 125, ventolin, monteleukast daily, reducing dose of pred as required. Which is all the time), and long term steroids last winter gave him an ulcer/bone thinning and his metabolism's stuffed.

So, proposal is a trial of xolair - a monthly jag of some sort of binder of the allergic factor in his blood?

Nurse said to read up on the side effects, which all look a bit ghastly. But, then, so is his asthma, and so are the steroids.

Thought I'd ask you lot - anyone used it?

I have heard of it but not tried it as DS is too young to be considered. Given the trouble he is having I think I would give it a go, I have heard good things from adults who have had it.

My DS is too young too. They will trial it on kids when there's no other option.

Which is pretty bloody depressing in itself.

That's good to hear about the adults though, the side effects look unpleasant, but then, the list of side effects always does.

Actually, there's no choice. He's running out of luck, can't tolerate another winter on pred, and, as you say, they don't do this on kids.

So, that's that.

Hi all
Lost you there for a little while how is everyone?

Gussie sorry I've not heard of it or know anyone on it, however, by the sounds of it, it's defo worth a shot!

DS is doing ok, he has had his appt through for the nasal spray flu vaccine, did someone mention upthread that asthmatics are not suppose to have it?

gussie no experience of it either but sounds well worth a go. Virtual hand holding if required

Thanks, guys. I've been put in touch with Asthma UK who have a focus group locally, which is handy.

I think that's where they put parents of the "blooming eck" wheezers together so they can collectively vent frustrations?

Honestly, if ONE MORE PERSON says "don't worry, he'll grow out of it"...

Thanks, guys. Hope your wheezers, well, don't, and you have a quiet winter. x

lollipoppi The nasal flu vaccine is not recommended for people with active wheezing, the insert has this counter indication in section 4 if I remember.

How's everyone doing?
Called the doctors about DS flu vaccine and got him booked in for the jab instead

DS is still plodding, had an asthma attack at nursery last week which scared the staff -especially as he doesn't wheeze so it was harder to notice at first - but he has bounced back and is doing ok. At the consultant next week.

Still not had a flu jab as the GP have mucked it up and had none suitable for under 5s when we went for his appointment last week. Hopefully getting it on friday but not hopeful!

Team Edward - I think the problem is that if your DS has "severe asthma" then he cannot have the nasal spray as it is a live vaccine and could trigger an attack, that's what I understand anyway.

DS is booked in for his jab on Monday! Along with DP, I'm putting bets on who will cry more

Sirzy glad your DS made a quick recovery!!

DS is doing ok, on ventolin at the mo, it's his 3rd birthday tomorrow and having a party on Sunday he can't wait

My understanding is that for most of the country the spray is only being given to children aged 2 and 3 as standard. Others in "at risk" groups are being given the injection as normal.

how is everyone doing?

DS had his consultant appointment this week but saw a different doctor who didn't fill us with confidence but has given him a different antihistamine to try - which are currently struggle to get hold of but hopefully when we do it will help!

Got to give him 5 puffs of ventolin before any exercise now to see if that helps.

Hey Sirzy, hope the new antihistamines help!

DS is doing ok! Been on his ventolin this week and it's keeping things at bay

Here we go
DS been up all night coughing and no better today,I have that horrible feeling that it's going to be a bad one.

Dosed up on ventolin and resp rate is ok at the mo but getting his bag packed just in case!

I hope it does - if we ever get hold of it!

Hope you DS is ok Lolli.

Not doing too good at all, probably the worse I've seen him

Horrible day, went to the docs and his stats were 88, was kind of expecting doc to say il phone for an ambulance, but instead told me is be fine in a taxi called hospital to let them know I'm on route as he has open access and they hit the roof!!!! Told me to march back in to the docs and demand an ambulance, receptionist told me it's not an emergency and wouldn't dial 999, taxi arrived and I got in it. Got to hospital and after assessment they actually called my doctors to tell them what a disgrace they are!!

Anyway, lots of Nebs and oxygen so far and he isn't doing great

Poor thing :( hope he feels better soon.

And I hope you are going to put a formal complaint in about your GP!

Still on hourly Nebs, wheeze improves with them but resp rate and heart rate too high and O2 levels too low

I'm gutted as we have had trouble in the past with another doctor there who I now refuse to see, this doctor today has always been great with DS and now I don't trust him either

how is he doing lolli?

Much better thanks, we got home last night and the nurse has been out to see him today, his stats are ok just very breathless and a slight wheeze.

I think this time as he is a bit older and he is more aware and he was panicking a bit that he couldn't breath properly bless him

Glad he is feeling better.

It must be scary for them when they are having an attack :(