Asthma problems teen dd

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Hello,

My teenage dd has quite bad asthma. She wakes a lot of times every night and struggles during the day, unable to play any sport at all. Her daily total of ventolin exceeds 15 puffs and I and her consultant agree that she needs it. She copes with it extremely well and realises that this cannot be cured but hopefully, with a bit of luck, eventually more controlled. She takes;
A new inhaler similar to Seretide (on a drug trial for this)
Avamys
Antibiotic
Prednisolone
Singulair/montalukest
Anti-histamine

The issue really is the severity and suddenness her attacks. She had an especially bad one this March which left her hooked up to a ventilator - and all of us very shaken up.

My question is: is there any other drug we can try? Her consultant seems to think there isn't. And would love to talk to some mums who know where I'm coming from.

TIA X

P.s - she's isn't allergic (bloods/prick tests) so isn't a candidate for xolair.

My preventer is Clenil Modulite. I stopped Seretide as it made me lose my voice. This works well for me. My asthma nurse says the aim is to use steroids such that you rarely need your reliever. I don't know if this is the same for teenagers, but you might want to get a second opinion. The asthma nurse was better informed than the doctor.

A few years back we went to the Allergy show and they had some great talks there about Asthma and any new research was discussed by people at the forefront of the area I thought.

My asthma was terrible as a teenager. Things that helped me as an adult were getting rid of the triggers - getting rid of all carpets (except stairs), new beds, washing bedding regularly, a latex mattress helped for a bit. I appreciate triggers differ for everyone. A massive one for me was steam cleaning behind radiators every autumn when the heating comes on. You would be surprised how much radiators move dust around a room constantly. This made a huge difference as I was always worse in the winter for about 20 years before figuring this out. Now I am constant all year.

Dear OP, I know exactly where you're coming from. I have 2 children, one of whom has cystic fibrosis and the other severe asthma. Yet it is my asthmatic DC who I worry about more due to the unpredictability of the condition. I have no idea if there are any other drugs that will help your DD but what I would say is that it is essential that one is treated at a specialist centre for respiratory disease. If you live anywhere near London, get a referral to Royal Brompton hospital. They are peerless. If a place like that can't help, then no-one will be able to. I'm not suggesting that other hospitals or indeed your DD's consultant are not up to the mark, but what I learnt early on with my childrens' conditions is that you have to go to the best, and IMHO that is Professor Andy Bush at RBH. I really hope your DD improves, wishing you well

Symbicort has made a massive difference to ds2 (age 10)

He was really struggling with control at the start of the Summer. His allergy responses also ruled out Zolair. The consultant at the John Radcliffe suggested we try it and it's helped a lot with his allergy response asthma.

He still has attacks but has had only had one course of Pred over the last three months instead of three the preceding period.

MrsM - my children have also found Symbicort v helpful. Think I remember reading about Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs, saying Symbicort had been a revelation for him.

That said, he's back on pred this morning with a probable chest infection brewing...

Have you tried to help her with change of diet? There are ways of improving health condition by ie.: eliminating all kind of junk, fast food, juices, sugar, also emotional support (if needed) .....
The medications at present are must for her, however I know many people who have changed what they were eating, and their conditions got much better.
Good luck.

I was very asthmatic as a child, though not as severely/constantly as your daughter sounds.

I can't help with medication. My asthma improved as I got older and is now controlled by only symbicort. I'm very lucky in that respect.

I would like to make a suggestion but I'm a bit concerned it might sound flippant!

I started playing the flute when I was 12. This involves breath control. It was difficult to play on days when my asthma was bad but I feel convinced that over time my asthma has been helped by playing the flute.

Your poor DD can hopefully find different medication that will help her, but the flute thing might be worth a go if lessons are possible financially. It's a hugely enjoyable pursuit as well!

Just realised how many of us have found symbicort so effective!

Maybe worth a go if it hasn't already been tried.

I had my meds changed/added to constantly as a teenager and symbicort was a turning point for me.

Another vote for Symbicort.