
Asthma Support Group
Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

deleted_user
Hi everyone I am Liz, mother to Kristin age 7.
She was just diagnosed in April of this year and had her first major flare requiring ER visit last week. Since she has other medical issues and hadnt had any asthma related concerns I never really took them seriously. I gave her the meds and just seemed to forget about it. Now I know it has to be taken more seriously. I need info on Singulair. She was prescribed it about 2 years ago for her allergies, way before the asthma diagnosis. Well, she always has belly aches and so the med was discontinued and the stomach aches went bye bye. Well, 2 weeks off the Singulair and we were in ER. Its been added back in and the tummy issues are back. What can be done to counter this side effect? She currently takes Flovent 2x a day 2 puffs, Albuterol (inhaler or neb) as needed, Singulair and Claritin. I also want to see about getting rid of some of this medication. Does advair work as it says it does?
Her other issues are: Pierre Robin Sequence-facial abnormalities, hypoglycemia, sinius tachycardia and a questionable LVH diagnosis.
Thanks for talk
Liz
She was just diagnosed in April of this year and had her first major flare requiring ER visit last week. Since she has other medical issues and hadnt had any asthma related concerns I never really took them seriously. I gave her the meds and just seemed to forget about it. Now I know it has to be taken more seriously. I need info on Singulair. She was prescribed it about 2 years ago for her allergies, way before the asthma diagnosis. Well, she always has belly aches and so the med was discontinued and the stomach aches went bye bye. Well, 2 weeks off the Singulair and we were in ER. Its been added back in and the tummy issues are back. What can be done to counter this side effect? She currently takes Flovent 2x a day 2 puffs, Albuterol (inhaler or neb) as needed, Singulair and Claritin. I also want to see about getting rid of some of this medication. Does advair work as it says it does?
Her other issues are: Pierre Robin Sequence-facial abnormalities, hypoglycemia, sinius tachycardia and a questionable LVH diagnosis.
Thanks for talk
Liz
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Advair is something I take and have been on it for the past 3 years. I think it kept me from more serious exacerbations until August 20th when my life changed drastically. Now, I'm on the highest dose they make. I don't like taking it but I admit, it helps.
I am also on Spiriva, Singulair, Zyrtec, Albuterol, Xolair and the list goes on.
Although I'm decades older than your young daughter, I think these drugs do work. Instead of being short of breath sitting, I can walk a half mile now. I've improved!
It could be that the Singulair is causing stomach issues, or it could be that she may have a type of gasttric reflux which can aggravate asthma. I'd investigate the possibility of reflux and have her referred to a GI doctor, just to be on the side, as there are safe and effective medications that can be given for this.
Another possibility, given her history, is drug interaction. I'd discuss all drugs with her primary doctor and make sure there isn't something else going on here.
Good luck and please post what happens.
I was put on a prescribed stomache acid reducer to controll the ache from meds. She is young. you might want to ask her DR. also ask how that would affect her ability to absorb nutrients.
My doctor has put me on advair several times when i've had flair ups and it works pretty good but the powder makes me gag and throw up so I had to quit using it. (I've only taken it with singulair so not sure how well it works on it's own) Hope this helps. Please let us know how things turn out.
I don't mean to be annoying or stupid. I just really need to know more then I do right now. I have been a huge advocate in her previous medical issues that I feel blindsided by all this.
Thanks,
Liz
First, this is NOT annoying or stupid- on the contrary, it's extremely IMPORTANT. Everyone needs to know how these meds works and what can happen.
And what you ask about meds and blood sugar is especially important. Yes, steroids effect blood sugar tremendously. For this reason some diabetics are limited in just how much their systems can take, (balancing steroids and diabetes meds). Ask your doctor about this and have her blood sugar monitored should she need to be hospitalized again. You need to be VERY careful with this issue and might need to start at-home blood sugar testing and monitoring.
Another important thing. Yes, these meds do cause big headaches and can trigger migraines, and also for this reason some migraine sufferes are limited in what their systems can handle (bronchodilators vs. migraines and migraine meds). This is due to vessels dilating/opening up. However, the good news is usually a certain tolerance is built up over time, (with the down side being it could take even more meds in higher doses to have the same effect).I'd also be VERY concerned about how these drugs, which up as "uppers," might effect her heart (sinus tachycardia) and blood pressure- all of which I would also recommend monitoring at home.
Other meds could also have an effect on body chemistry. Even giving her too much Tums for her body weigth (considering there are breathing/cardiac problems added to this) can cause problems with blood and respiratory acid/base balances which can be fatal in some cases.
In short, when it comes to drugs and drug interaction, especially with your duaghter's medical history, no question is stupid. What you don't know can, in fact, kill her. For that reason, go over all of this with whatever allergist/immulonoligst you use. They need to know her complete history including all meds to know how to handle her special case.
Again, good luck going forward with this and please post what happens.
I urge you to talk with the pediatrician about all of this. Also look into getting her tested/treated for reflux if this is a factor.
Because Kristin has ALWAYS had weight issues....less the 5% until this past summer...now in 25%, I have always had to administer OTC's by weight not age. I was reading some of your journal entries and it sounds as if you and Kristin share alot. She is always sick, pnuemonia, bronchitis, varying degrees of respiratory issues. She has had pnuemonia in July, both lower lobes. We have our appointment on Jan 2nd to see the Allergist/Immunologist. Hoping all goes well. With her other issues I have a very detailed binder of everything. Every dose, every time given and results. More so now since this exacerbation.
Thanks for all....
Liz and Kristin
Liz
If your daughter is on inhaled steriod it will not effect her blood sugar as much as being given iv steriods. the amount of steriod in an inhlaer is so minimal it has very little effect on blood sugars even in diabetics.
if you ahve any questions feel free to message me.
olive