18 months possibly asthmatic: advice please

[Laugs]

DD was given a blue inhaler in Feb due to persistent cough, although doc couldn't tell if she was asthmatic. She's used it a few times.

Last week, she had hayfever and used it several more times, perhaps one puff a day.

Yesterday she was admitted to hospital with rapid breathing and immediately given 10 puffs on blue inhaler. We've now been told to continue with 6-10 puffs every 4 hours for next 48 hours. After that, to give 6 puffs as needed.

They still say they don't know if she has asthma and there has been no suggestion we need to go back to GP.

I am asthmatic myself and to me it seems really weird to give such high doses without any GP follow-up or giving her a brown inhaler.

Can any doctors tell me if this is standard practice? I'd obviously far prefer her to take preventative medicine than strong doses of the salbutamol. But now we've been told twice they can't tell whether she has asthma, is there any point in going back to GP?

Thanks x

I'm not a doctor but I am a medical researcher and I can tell you that it is well-nigh impossible to definitively diagnose asthma in a child under 4-5 yo.
Looking at the dosing guidelines, a child of your dd's age using a blue inhaler more than twice a week should be considered for a brown inhaler. I would probably go back to the GP and discuss this further with him/her. Another thought - does your GP practice have an asthma clinic or asthma nurse?They might be helpful.

I'm a GP, go back to your GP and discuss itthis week. Would never diagnose asthma in an under 2. very hard in youngsters as can't do peak flows. Its more likely to be post viral wheeze which is extremely common, lots of children grow out of it so I avoid labelling them. however if you have asthma she is unfortunatly more likely to have it. I don't know you or your child but it might be worth a try of brown inhaler for a month but if no improvement consider referral to Paeds at hospital as very young. But overall go and discuss with GP and work out plan of action. Try and see same GP too if possible at your practice as it'll give you a more coherent follow up.

6 puffs is excessive, the normal dose is 2 then another dose if this has not had an y effect. You should see your GP about having the brown inhaler.

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I actually rang back the hospital (it was paediatric ward, rowanmac) this morning to check that 6-10 puffs was right and they said that I should continue with it every 4 hours today, then if she's ever wheezing again to give 6.

She said I didn't need to see a GP and that they prob wouldn't diagnose asthma under 4. And that she doesn't need brown inhaler as long as the blue one keeps working.

But to me 6 puffs is loads. I would never take 6 myself and I'm about 3 times DD's size! Plus, I was always taught to try not to use my blue inhaler and take more of the brown if I needed it.