Hi, Michaela,
I've been lurking around this forum for months, but never actually posted before. �I'm curious to know which medicines you're talking about, but if you don't want to say, I understand. �Also, is the feb deadline due to the start of spring allergies, or something to do with your medicine access?�
I've also got an asthmatic ds (3yr 3mos) who worries the heck out of me. He also has environmental and food allergies. �We started this fall with inhaled steroids in addition to the allegra he's been on for a yr. I had initially tried doing the inhaled steroids only at the start of a cold, which our peds allergist suggested I could try, but after 2 absolute failures and subsequent oral steroid courses, I realized this wasn't working.�I hate throwing these drugs at my kid, and have struggled a lot with it. I also finally found a new home for my cat, which I feel very guilty for not doing sooner, and we're in the process of getting rid of all the carpet in the house to help with allergies/dust, etc. We've also got air purifiers, which I'm not at all sure have helped. But enough of me.
My suggestion would be to make up some sort of asthma symptom chart and run it for the next month or two. Theoretically, you should be able to get a good feel for his control short of 'did he end up in the hospital'. I think i understand that you're using the alternate drug right now? If you still think the behavior is better, then I'd suggest starting your trial with this one. I'd make a calendar and chart each day that your ds has to use his rescue inhaler/nebulizer, any wheezing symptoms that you treat with alternative methods, any night that he wakes up coughing, or any longer-lasting dry/hacky cough during the day. Then look back and add it up or take it to his doctor. If you've got really good control, like 2 or less daytime issues (cough, wheeze, rescue meds) per month, and 1 or less nighttime coughing spell, and you didn't wind up in an emergency room, then you're probably good to go with the less mood-altering drug. I wouldn't restart the other one if you can get this good of control with the alternative.
If his symptoms are much more frequent than this, you may need to consider a low dose of the drug you feel worked but caused mood issues, or a different one. There are a few controller options out there, but not as many as one might hope. You may be able to get away with a lower dose of the first drug if you continue the alternative one. That's more meds, but may be a preferable option. Remember, poorly controlled asthma in kids can cause long term issues with lower lung function over time, so it's more than just staying out of the hospital. If you can find an acceptable med plan that still keeps your son controlled, that's where you want to be.
You can also make a behavior chart of some sort, but this may be more tedious than it's worth. If you think his mood is better on the other drug, it probably is. �
I'm not sure this is terribly helpful for you, or answered your question, but just my thoughts. This stuff is no fun. Hang in there!
