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.
Hi my name is Angela and I will give you a little history. I have 5 beautiful children. My fourth son Weston was born at 34 weeks and stayed in the NICU for 10 days. He came home with an apnea monitor and stayed on that for three months. He had recurrent ear infections and had ET tubes put in December 2006. He had RSV at 4 weeks old and had pheumonia in March 2007. Weston was hospitalized in May 2007 and again in October 2007. We saw a pulmonolgist the middle of October. He is currently on Flovent 110 mcg 2 puffs twice a day, Singulair 4 mg chewable nightly and Albuterol as needed. He is not allergic to molds, dust, cats, or dogs. He is allergic to something but needs further testing. His only trigger that we know of so far are colds. He gets a cold and it goes straight to his chest. He goes from doing good to horrible in less than 6 hours.
On October 8, he started coughing which is always the beginning for his attack. I started him on 5 ml of Prednisolone twice a day and nebulizer treatment every four hours. He does not have any retractions, no labored breathing, he is active and playing and eating fine. The only problem is he is still coughing. I don't know if I am doing all that I can and if I should take him in. According to his asthma action plan he has been persistent "yellow zone".
It is so hard having a child with asthma. I have four other children and it is hard to give them attention when I am doing constant treatments. I am very snappy. I don't know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Angela
On October 8, he started coughing which is always the beginning for his attack. I started him on 5 ml of Prednisolone twice a day and nebulizer treatment every four hours. He does not have any retractions, no labored breathing, he is active and playing and eating fine. The only problem is he is still coughing. I don't know if I am doing all that I can and if I should take him in. According to his asthma action plan he has been persistent "yellow zone".
It is so hard having a child with asthma. I have four other children and it is hard to give them attention when I am doing constant treatments. I am very snappy. I don't know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Angela
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
It is so stressful, isn't it? Having a child with this is not easy as you write.
I'm just a middle aged woman with compassion here. Maybe someone else can comment on a site for parents of kids with asthma...that type of site seems more appropriate. I'll look for one for you and report back if I find something, okay?
Take care Angela,
Rona
It is important to keep in close contact with the doctor while Weston's asthma is active as it is at this time.
You did the right thing starting him on pred and the nebulizer and not letting things get even worse uncontrolled. But you should also call the doctor and let them know what's going on.
Your instincts are right when you observe he can go from being fine to being in a life-threatening situation within hours, that's the way asthma is. And pred and the nebulizer might not be enough to prevent this situation. He may need a shot of pred (solumederol) as well as other injectible/IV meds that can't be given at home - and this is not a home game.
"Yellow" can go to "red" in a heartbeat so don't hesitate with calling the doctor or even taking him in announced or just going to the ER if he gets bad. Always err toward taking action rather than not. You will never regret taking action, but you might regret not doing so.
As for having 4 other kids to deal with and divide attention among, all I can say is make them aware as is age-appropriate for them of what is going with Weston and make them part of the process where you can (this might be necessary as time goes on). But more then this, also give them special time and attention where and when you can explaining to them the limitations due to what is going on with Weston. Let them know they are all individually special in their own special ways and support these talents where and how you can.
It might be best to look for a local support group for siblings of sick children which would allow them them to talk out out their feelings. School guidance counselors or local mental health agencies would be the best places to start looking for such a group.
Asthma is a chronic condition. It does not improve over time (though sometimes becomes temporarily dormant during teen years). Like any other chronic conidition this is something you and Weston's siblings will always have to deal with and cope with. It is best to find the means to do this before a crisis and not during one.
Best of luck in controlling Weston's current asthma and in handling your other children as well during this time. Please post what happens both with Weston and in getting some help for youself and his siblings.
As far as Weston goes, I think my prompt action helped Weston greatly. I took him to our PCM today and all is well. We live in Utah and have the inversion which makes for bad air and the dr. believe that may have contributed to this episode. Since he didn't have any cold symptoms. His oxygen sat was 98% which is great.
I agree with RonaS as far as finding a group that specializes in asthma and children with siblings. It is difficult at this time to get away for some R&R due to my husband being deployed. I am also part of the military families group. I know this site will be helpful though as far as Weston goes with information.
Thank you
Angela
I think some good advice has already been provided but stay in close contact with your ped. with any concern and maintain the routine follow-ups with your child's pulmonologist.
Dr. Jeremy