Hi
My 12 year old DS, previously fit and healthy apart from hazelnut allergy and allergy to silver birch pollen, is now breathless on minimal exertion. Even going upstairs this morning (roughly 20 treads), I can hear him breathing harder than normal when he comes down.
The GP has been treating him for asthma - steroid inhaler and Monteleukast. He doesn’t like taking ventolin prophylactically because it makes him shakey. There’s no night time cough, and no actual wheeze to hear. His peak flow is around 300 - even when he’s breathless after a small amount of running (1 minute).
Been back to the GP this morning- couldn’t get his usual one, and so had a younger one who openly said she didn’t know what was going on. No sign of a cardiac murmur, chest was clear. He’s now had an ecg and routine bloods.
He looks well in himself, slim build, previously could run 5km with no problem- now struggles to run 400m.
We’re going back to GP next week. I’m not looking for anyone to solve this - but any pointer would be helpful. Do I insist on referral to the hospital? But apparently that will take 20 weeks- and this has been going on for months. I think he’s a bit better than he was before GP started steroid inhaler - but I also know the GP thinks he’s on a strong dose.
We do also have a dog - supposedly hypoallergenic- but could that be the issue? Breathlessness happens away from home too.
Any advice appreciated