Asthma

[krisp]

Thanks ladies. We are now trialling a Seratide puffer with spacer, started yesterday. The Singulair did absolutely nothing for his cough and it's going on for over 2 months that he's been coughing now. I didn't realise it gets worse during the cold months - the Dr hasn't told me that, seem pretty obvious, I feel a bit silly that I didn't put the 2 together now! That's just another reason I'd love to move back home to Newcastle or even lovely warm QLD....

[KimB]

Hey Kris, my DS2 was diagnosed with asthma at 6 months. It was so scarey at times because he used to get asthma and croup together and I can't count the ambo trips to hospy but he is now 9 and has pretty much out grown it (thank goodness). When he was a baby they had him on a liquid (can't remember name now sorry) as well as the ventolin. The singulair was when he was older and is a preventor. When they get the cough you are supposed to use the ventolin as well so your dr gave you the wrong advise there!!! I started off with a nebuliser to give them the ventolin and then progressed to a spacer. I still have the neb tho as sometimes it is easier to use. I would make sure that your dr is very up to date with asthma control and if he/she is not then do as others have suggested and get a new one that does or try the hospital. They will be able to tell you who is excellent. Good luck with this and if you have any questions feel free to pm me

[*Beema*]

Hi Krisp

DD has chronic mild asthma and issues with her right lung (in sufficient surfactant when she was born or damage form one of the respiratory infections she had last year). She was diagnosed at about 15 months of age, but for her Venotlin only works to a point then she needs O2.

We had to call the locum out Tuesday night and were back at the GP's on Wednesday, with nasty cough and traecheal tug both times (not significant enough to me take her to the ER and Dr's agreed).Her GP has started her up with Flixotide (preventer) morning and night, Prednisolone (steroids) for three days and if she goes down again another 3 day dose each time, and ventolin 6 puffs (equivalent of a Neb) 2-4 hourly if we can stretch it. If she hasn't improved by tomorrow we have to take her back tot he GP, she still has rapid and shallow breaths, and a traecheal tug, but hopefully the second dose or Pred will help. DD uses a spacer and has from the start.

She has a detailed asthma plan which I have just had updated for Daycare. It is definitely worth having a Dr who is proactive, we areally happy with ours the the Private and Public Paeds she has had have all been brilliant, she had 5 trips to the ER last year and two long stays, but we found things got signifcantly worse September/October, the early winter months were mostly Croup, ad Bronchiolitis, then later she had Bronchiolitis and Pneumonitis (parent of Pneumonia) and her last admission for her breathing issues was due to the common cold!

I hope the Seratide makes a difference It is horrible seeing our little one's suffer

[LisaFire]

I have had Asthma since I was a baby and my DSD has asthma.

IMO, singular was not an effective treatment for S (I never had it as kid). S is now on Seritide morning n night and Asmol (salbutamol/ventolin) when needed. This combination works best for her.

I am on Seritide, Atrivent (nebs/inhaler), Airomir (nebs/autohaler) and the occasional dose of steriodal meds when required.

My best advise is to be referred to a Pularmury Medicine Specialist for an accurate review and to have an action plan drawn up. It sounds as though the Singular is not effective for your son and he may need combination therapy (treatment with combination of reliever, and preventer and or symptom controller).

PM if you ever want to chat about Asthma as I have done heaps of research so I could better understand mine. I now tell the doctors how to treat mine as I know what I require. Education is one of the best ways to control Asthma as it enables you to identify triggers.