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!

[Arachnophobe]

Sorry I should have added that a&e first visit said can give ten puffs an Hour! This friday-Sat I only gave 10 every four hours as and in the weke at follow up GP said not to and to only give 2, 4 x a day. I went with the 10 puffs but stretched them over four hours as read that on here and did it for 24 hours before taking him back. Again a&e said its fine to give 10 puffs but straight after GP Said no...aaaagghhh.

[Sirzy]

Does she have any sort of preventative inhaler?

2 puffs of ventolin 4 times a day seems to be the standard GP advice. I have been told by our consultant that I can give up to 5 puffs every 4 hours without seeking help, and when bad he has had 10 puffs an hour (on medical advice, normally in hospital)

I guess what I am saying in a waffley way is there is no thing as too much ventolin (although it can cause headaches and shakes) its more a case of knowing when further help is needed.

[Arachnophobe]

Hi Sirzy Thanks for your reply. No preventative inhaler. He had a follow up appointment in the week as advised by the original a&e Doctor to discuss this. Unfortunately there's only one GP you can ever get short notice appointments with (there is a reason for this...). He said that it is seasonal wheeze give 4x2 ventolin daily but ten puffs too much. I asked about a preventer as the Paed had mentioned it but GP dismissed him as too young.

[alibobins]

Maybe ask the gp to refer him to a hospital consultant or even see if there is an asthma nurse at the surgery. It's so hard when being given conflicting advise have they ever done a chest X-ray when ds1 was younger he had a persistent cough after a chest X-ray he was put on long term antibiotics 3 times a week and that helped.

[Sirzy]

hope everyone has a peaceful night to bring in the new year!


DS is wheezing too much for my liking tonight. Hoping it settles down quickly!

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Oh dear :( hope he's ok sirzy

[alibobins]

Wishing everyone a wheeze free new year :)
Sirzy hope ds settles down soon.
Ds2 was coughing all night last night but seems happier in himself today

[lollipoppi]

Happy new year everybody, wishing you all a hospital free 2013
Sirzy hope DS is ok x

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Happy new year guys :)

[Sirzy]

How is everyone today?

[Arachnophobe]

Happy 2013 All .
Thank you for advice Ali I am going to keep trying for an appointment with a more thorough gp. He had a chest x ray when we went to a&e on 21st. It was clear.
We are ok thank you and took the DCs to a 'do last night they loved it especially baby he loves to dance I am so pleased he was well enough for it.

[cedmonds]

Happy New Year Ds is back on pred and ventolin every 4 hours Weare going to GOSH on friday so will see what they say about getting it back under control again.

[Sirzy]

Hope he is better soon Cedmonds and you get some answers on friday

[weblette]

Hello

Was on this thread yonks ago but as ds2's asthma's been worse this Winter than ever before so thought it might be good to come back :)

He's 8, had bronchiolitis at 3 days old, repeated attacks of viral-induced wheeze to the point of hospital admission. Diagnosed with viral-induced asthma at 4. We were told he would probably grow out of it... :(

He's been on Seretide and Montelukast for the last two years but since the Summer he's rebounded from chest infection to chest infection, amoxycillin no longer works and I fear Clarithromycin doesn't now either. Start of each bring on an intense attack, he's nebbed with Ventolin if needed and has a course of Pred until the wheeze eases. We don't monitor sats but use a peak flow meter to gauge how he's doing - plus the tug usually gives it away...

So he finished a course of Clarithro on Saturday and is already back with the deep coughing, sore chest, temp and lack of appetite. Luckily we've an appointment with the most switched on GP on Friday, he's determined to sort this out.

And to add to the joy, looks like ds3 has viral-induced wheeze as well.

Anyway, enough misery

Something someone raised earlier about when to give Pred, we used to always give it when he woke up. I guess because he's had so many courses of it the hyper effect doesn't kick in as much now.

We found that for him it's far more effective given in the evening to get his body through its naturally-low steroid levels during the early morning - it takes about six hours to be effective.

While having lots of it as a toddler did affect his growth at the time, he's now up to the 75th centiles for height and weight.

[weblette]

Doh, start of each virus, respiratory or otherwise

[alibobins]

Cedmonds we are at GOSH on the 12th have never been before what is parking like? Hope ds feels better soon
Ds2 seems to be finally eating better he's coughing like mad but has been destroying the house again today :) he has slept for a few hours this morning the went to bed at 7.
Ds1 is on another course of antibiotics but is easily kept still with the computer so easier for him to rest.
Web I an remember you from the old thread it's so frustrating when you feel they are doing well then they get poorly again :( I can't wait for the day either ds's have just a 'normal' cold.

[Sirzy]

I don't think DS has ever had a "normal" cold. Its 3 years next week since he was first ill and its been non stop since!

His antibiotics finish tomorrow and he still isn't right, will see how he is in the morning and might take him back to the GP

[alibobins]

It's 3 years yesterday since ds2 was admitted for 10 days with broncholitis :( he'd only been out of nicu 1 week.
Hopefully you will get him sorted soon Sirzy.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Know what you mean ali

This time two years ago I was in hospital with dd2 with bronchiolitis too.
So far she's ok but I still live in fear that the next cold will be the one that hits her chest. they warned me that she's more likely to developed asthma as a result. She caught it twice.

Dd1 seems to be getting better at fighting it just hope it lasts.

[weblette]

Hello again ali :)

Next door's dd caught bronch at around the same time as ds, her asthma has definitely improved over the years. We just seem to be unlucky!

Today's cough has turned croupy, oh joy and peak flow's down so neb here we come.

[Sirzy]

Bronchi is horrible!

DS still isn't right, plodding on though for now which is good

[alibobins]

Been back to the doctors with ds2 and they are happy with his progress he did have some wheezing so want to give him 3 days pred to keep on top of things.

[Sirzy]

That's good Ali

[cedmonds]

Alli parking is a nightmare plus you have to pay for congestion charge. And the traffic is bad as central London. We get the train up and it's about 5-10 mins walk from russel square underground.

[cedmonds]

Sorry pressed to soon stupid phone. I dont know where the nearest parking is as all the parking outside and near are for ambulance and disabled. Are you there for Asthma is for who are you seeing.Glad d2s is better.
I wonder how many of the children in the uk who have asthma have had bronchi as a baby. Ds had it three time and was admitted twice with it.