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Original poster

Wheezing into 2013 - Support thread for parents of asthmatics

993 replies

Sirzy · 26/12/2012 14:19

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!

OP posts:
alibobins · 02/01/2013 18:44

We are not there for asthma he's got other health issues that no one knows what is causing it.
How is your ds doing today?

cedmonds · 02/01/2013 20:31

Ds is better thanks the pred and Ventolin seem to being doing there job for once. He is so complicated he has not got straight forward asthma and the normal treatments don't always work. He is also seen at GOSH for other health issues as well no one could find any answers. They were great and got to the bottom of it all. How are you going to get there? Be prepared to wait for a long time sometimes they are on time other times i have waiting a couple of hours. Bribing with a trip to Hamleys always works for dsSmile

cedmonds · 02/01/2013 20:33

Opps did my cross out wrong Blush

alibobins · 02/01/2013 21:00

Dh is coming with me as I am mardy lol we were planning on driving but not so sure. The train will cost around £65 for us all so not sure which one will be the cheapest option.
Hopefully they will get to the bottom of his problems and offer a different treatment plan or medication as at the moment the only option is surgery but ds has had 8 operations now and reacted quite badly to the last anaesthetic Hmm beta blockers have been discussed then dismissed due to his asthma it's all so complicated.

cedmonds · 02/01/2013 21:13

Hope it gets sorted. Can you not claim the train fair back? no idea if you can. I will have a look when i am up there on Friday to see i can find any car parks. Im not sure how much the congestion charge is and there is the emission thingy as well dont know if that is relevant.

Original poster
Sirzy · 04/01/2013 11:47

How is everyone doing?

OP posts:
weblette · 04/01/2013 12:17

Referal back to paed as even after all the meds he's had lately and is still on, ds's lung function is about 20% below what it should be and he's still wheezing. Fingers crossed it comes through quickly!

How about everyone else?

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/01/2013 12:30

All good this end . Sorry to hear everyone is having a rotten time still :( hope your appointment comes they quickly web

Original poster
Sirzy · 04/01/2013 12:32

Hope you get answers quickly Web, perhaps he needs his inhaler doses increasing now?

DS is still grumpy and lethargic, but seems to be getting better slowly.

OP posts:
cedmonds · 04/01/2013 18:33

Hi
Ds was seen at GOSH and he has got an infection again or left over from the last timeHmm He is on a different antibiotic one he has never had before and has got to go back in 2 weeks time. They have increased his mouetlakast and he is staying on the higher dose of seritide and are talking about putting back on an antibiotic all the time to see whether that helps with the infections
They are also writing a letter to school about the lack of ventolin etc being given so hopefully that will sort that problem out.
ALLI There is parking meters outside of the hospital but there were spaces when we got there(early) but when we came out they had all gone and people were struggling to find spaces.The only other thing i thought about was seeing wether there is a NCP car park in Holbon or Russel Square and walk.

Original poster
Sirzy · 04/01/2013 21:10

hope that all helps Cedmonds.

Ali, could you park at a tube station outside london and then get the tube to Russell square? I know very little about london though!

OP posts:
alibobins · 04/01/2013 21:30

Cedmonds hope ds gets sorted soon ds1 was put on longtem azithromycin by the consultant and it really helped his letter says he has got an endo bronchial infection. They are still very careful when he goes under ga and give him iv steroids.
Dh has been googling places to park lol think we are going to go on the train and make it exciting for ds1
Ds2 has had a bit of a bad day today and is coughing up lots of gunk the gp has said if it continues then he may a have to be admitted as he says his body can't take mich more :( to me he does seem better as he is walking around and talking not sleeping all the time so I'm keeping everything crossed.

Original poster
Sirzy · 05/01/2013 20:52

Ali, how is he today?

OP posts:
ballroomblitz · 05/01/2013 22:43

Thanks for the oximeter recommendation won'twearsocks . I ordered one yesterday for ds, although I'm getting quite adept at knowing when his sats are falling (by counting how many breaths per minute sleeping) but will give me a bit of reassurance at times.

As per your advice I asked the gp on his follow up about the brown inhalor and she agreed to put him back on it. Unfortunately he has come down with another bad chest as well as myself and 3mo dd so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. Gp checked and no wheeze or crackling atm but said she knows how quickly things can change so get him straight to docs if I'm worried (and I'm coughing up green crap myself so God knows what his body must be going through)

Sorry to hear about you lo's web and Ali . Hope everything's ok.

ballroomblitz · 05/01/2013 22:52

Can someone remind me is it brown before blue or other way round? I remember there's a specific way your meant to give them. Forgot to ask the other day and google didn't help much.

Original poster
Sirzy · 05/01/2013 22:53

I don't think it really matters, but I always give blue first!

OP posts:
ballroomblitz · 05/01/2013 23:54

Last time he got out of hospital they told me a certain one before the other. Can't remember which though. Have it in my head alphabetical for some reason so maybe that's it.

cedmonds · 06/01/2013 14:35

I have always been told that you should give blue first as it opens up the airways so the steroid will be better absorbed.

weblette · 06/01/2013 17:48

Yup, blue first to open up the airways and wait a few minutes for it to take effect.

Ds managed a session of rugby this morning for the first time in months! Inhaler half way through but it's a start!

alibobins · 06/01/2013 19:11

Ds2 ended up spending Friday night on the ward he has now got different antibiotics as he developed a secondary chest infection we have a fast track consultant appointment on Wednesday to monitor his progress they do just think he is having an unlucky run but have took loads of blood to rule out anything more serious Hmm
How is everyone else

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 06/01/2013 19:36

:( aw I'm sorry to hear that ali Hope he recovers soon bless him x

weblette · 07/01/2013 07:49

:( Poor thing ali, hope they're able to shed a bit more light on what's going on.

DizzyHoneyBee · 07/01/2013 12:04

We're off for the asthma review today. I'm hoping to get his reliever inhaler changed as it got to the point where he would only be able to swim a length without coughing, as he swims competitively that is a big deal for him.
It's annoying as he's fine at night now and doesn't cough all night but the swimming is no good. It's only when he swims first thing in the morning, in the evening he can do 40-50 lengths and be fine.
Not sure how much they will listen to me though.

Original poster
Sirzy · 07/01/2013 12:47

How are things now Ali?

Hope you get answers dizzy. Does he have ventolin before he starts?

OP posts:
DizzyHoneyBee · 07/01/2013 13:20

Thank Sirzy, yes he has the ventolin beforehand. The asthma nurse wasn't sure but she thinks he should go on the purple inhaler, she's going to talk to the GP and phone me this afternoon to let me know what he says.
How things with you all? sorry I've not been on much, I had a big project to complete for work.