Blue inhaler but no asthma diagnosis?

[gingerbiscuitandacuppatea]

We went back to gp today after doing a Peak flow chart for over a week, and she has been prescribed a blue inhaler (ventinox) and to keep doing the peak flow for two weeks then come back.

The gp said that she had quite a variation between morning and evening peak flow, and that she probably had a reaction to the chemicals in the swimming pool (as a weeks swimming course this week has resulted in lots of tight chest and throat) but has not diagnosed Asthma.

Is it normal to give out an inhaler without a diagnosis? DD is 7.

out of interest, how long does the ventinox give relief for? two hrs after the pharmacist helped with first dose she was complaining of tight chest again, so i assume it is fairly short?

oops, I mean ventolin.

I think its quite normal to try ventolin before thinking about an asthma diagnosis.

It is prety quick acting, with DS it normally lasts for about 4 hours but when he is really bad can last less than an hour.

Ventolin relieves symptoms of asthma or bronchoconstriction, the GP is probably trying this out as she has some symptoms consistent with asthma. If the Ventolin works that may confirm the suspicion.

Duration of action is usually 4-6 hours

DS2 (4) has brown and blue inhalers (and a previous admission to hospital with breathing problems) but no asthma diagnosis. The doctors said that it isn't really worth getting a diagnosis unless it becomes a real issue (it's very well controlled atm) because he may well grow out of it. They're happy to prescribe the medication without diagnosis and also give him flu jags etc.

DS1 (13) has a diagnosis. The only difference it seems to make is that we have to attend annual reviews or they'll stop prescribing the inhalers.

When DS2's breathing is bad, he needs 10 puff of ventolin every hour or two. Luckily the clenil seems to mean he only needs it occassionally, and not so much.