HumphreyCushion needs some advice re DS2's asthma please.....

[Saturn74]

DS2 (9) has spent the last hour in the GPs surgery on a nebuliser.
His peak flow reading was low - 140-150 when it is usually 230-240.
After the nebuliser it went up to 190.

He has been prescribed 8 x prednisolone tablets per day for the next week, then a Qvar inhaler as his other one made him sick.
And as much ventolin as and when he needs it.

So, he's just had the first two prednisolone tablets and some ventolin, but his reading is 180 and I just wanted advice really please.

Is the prednisolone likely to work wonders, or are we realistically looking at a trip to hospital later for more of the nebuliser etc?

Don't know what DS's SATs are, as they didn't have a monitor at the surgery, but he's got dark circles under his eyes, and his voice is catching when he speaks, plus the barky cough is quite frequent.

No infection on his chest, and no scooping in of the chest when he breathes, thankfully - I suspect the harvesting of the oil seed rape in the local area has had some effect on him.

TIA for any advice.

when did you give ds the prednisolone (I am assuming this is some type of steroid to ease his breathing) ?if so it can take some time to work (ie an hour or 2)

sorry cant be more help but maybe my post will bump thisfor you.

Thanks Poppy.
It was over an hour ago, so will do his peak flow reading again in a while and see how he is.
Won't be back on MN until later, but bumping in case anyone has any further they can add to help with me with regard to this.

.

don;t know about asthma, but wanted to say i am sorry he is having a bad time, and i wish him better ASAP ! x hope these cheer up a worried mummy x

how is he?

prednisolone something hes going to need to take full course of to see effect ( I was always getting told off for playing fast and loose with my steroids).

Also think your theory on oil seed rape could be right - is he ok generally? Car fumes and chest infections were my trigger and since I don't live anywhere that fumes are such an issue and have been lucky re chest infections I've not been too bad.

re his other symptoms that sounds like side effect of the attack -can well remember how very very ill I got at his age with them (I didnt ahve to to to GP as was lucky as dad a doc but was only time I remenber him worrying about me).

how is his peak flow now?

I don't have very much experience of prednisolone tablets and asthma but I thought they would have helped within the hour. He does sound quite bad poor thing- I would keep an eye on his peak flow and take him to hospital if it doesn't improve to be honest. Good luck.

thanks poppy - his peak flow still very low - I'm going to have to take him in aren't I?
He had an attack last October and will hospitalised for several days - again I think the farming calendar didn't help.
He's been robust and healthy since then.
thank you lulu - am feeling a bit wobbly and trying to find the line between not panicking and not responding early enough.

Thanks Tamum - waiting for DH to get home and then I'll call the out of hours doctors at the hospital.

I think you probably should then, sorry

I would get him seen again if you are at all worried it's horrible when they can't breath.

I was always told that if they can't finish a sentence then they need extra help.

Hope all turns out ok.

If his peak flow is low then I'd take him in, tbh Sorry to hear he's so rough with it.

Does he have a steroid preventative normally (like becotide?). When all this is over and he's recovering, it might be worth having a chat to the asthma nurse and have a medication review. Small doses of steroids inhaled regularly are better generally than occasional larger-dose ingested steroids (and more effective as they get straight to the part they're required, iyswim).

I've been asthmatic since I was pretty young (I forget how old now - I know I had a bad attack when I was 6-ish so must have been before then) and I've always been told that if you're needing ventolin more than twice a week then your asthma is not being controlled and you need to get a medication review asap.

Hope that helps and hope ds2 is much better soon.

Thanks everyone.
DS2 back home from hospital now after 6 more prednisolone tablets and lots of ventolin.
His breathing is much more stable, and he's got his colour back in his cheeks.
Hoping for a quiet night.

Oh phew HC, lovely to hear about the colour in his cheeks. Here's hoping

Oh good HC. Must have been very scary for you all - glad his breathing is easier now and hope you had a restful night.

all the best to miniHumphrey xxx

Thanks again.
He didn't wake at all in the night, and is still asleep now, so hopefully the attack has been nipped in the bud.

Thought I'd use the same thread.

So DS2 seems to be on the verge of another attack.

We have an appointment with the doctor booked, and he will no doubt be put on the nebuliser.

Could anyone please advise me if there any other option to prednisilone, as he has had it three times in the past eight months, once for an extended period of time?

Was previously advised by GP that is shouldn't be used more than once every six months.

TIA.

quick bump in case anyone has any advice re an alternative to prednisilone, as we have a doctor's appointment in 30 mins.

He has anti-histamine and Qvar (sp?)every day.
Just wondered if there was an alternative to prednisilone during an attack, as it is sooooo strong.
Don't have a neb at home, but would be great idea.
Where would I source one from please?

thanks, KM.
Our surgery have now started saying the properly used inhalers are as effective as nebs during an attack.
Will be kick ass in the surgery.