Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Soo... completely off-topic - Asthma resources?

So, I know this doesn't have anything to do with giftedness, or 2E, particularly, but I thought you guys might be able to help. My DD6 was recently diagnosed with asthma and we've been working quite hard the past 2 months to get it under control (a round of prednisone (3 days) along with 3-4 puffs of albuterol every 4 hours, then we went up to an inhaled steroid 2x a day and 4-6 puffs of albuterol every 3-4hrs) and it's finally getting a little better. Her primary symptom was just a nagging cough that wouldn't go away. Her x-ray showed lots of inflammation in her lungs, typical of asthma and the dr could hear wheezing in her lungs.

I'm trying to find good resources online to read up on asthma, but I can't find much that matches her symptoms. I really want to know what her chances are of having a full-on asthma 'attack' given the way she presented.

If anyone has any good resources, I'd love to know. Thanks guys!

http://www.sneezwheezdoc.com/education.html
These guys are great, they combine allergy expertise with asthma expertise, which I think is key.
They have us charting our peak flow measurements morning and night to really understand triggers, and watch stability.

Our ds had the nagging cough 'nuisance cough' someone called it...recurring sinus infections related to allergies and unexplained lethargy. Recovery after a cold took forever. Now things are looking up considerably.
We tried several inhalers before landing on one for daily use that works really well, combined with allergy med and flonase for histamine blocking. In addition to that, a fast acting inhaler for right before exercise or if symptoms flare up.

This page links to some articles/sites. Good luck!

Both of my sons have asthma - the oldest was severe when he was little. And asthma can greatly affect performance in school. If you're not getting enough oxygen, the brain just doesn't function as well.

Albuterol and steroids are good to stop an ongoing flare, but what you may want to ask your doctor about is adding a medication to prevent an attack. Every attack leaves scar tissue on the lungs, so prevention should be the goal. The oldest did well on Advair while the youngest has responded better to Singulair.

The "asthma cough" is the body trying to force air out through an inflamed airway. It is an indication that the asthma flare is not under control. We fought our insurance and got a portable, ultrasonic nebulizer and found that using nebs instead of puffs helped immensely. Nebs are far more effective than puffers, but insurance will try to keep you in a puffer since they're cheaper. We also used a stethoscope and O2 Saturation meter with the youngest since his 2E coordination issues make getting accurate readings impossible any other way.

DM me if you have more questions, I've done the whole all-night ER visits and other exciting things that come with managing asthma and am happy to share what worked and didn't work for me.

Tips that we've found helpful:

a) have a clear ACTION PLAN from your physician. That physician may need, especially initially, be a specialist in allergy/pulmonology. Finding out how to avoid triggers is KEY.

b) along with avoiding triggers... the single BIGGEST way to do that is to undertake whatever means necessary to avoid respiratory ILLNESSES. We are fanatics about handwashing-- our house rule is that it is the first thing you do after you empty your hands when you come into the house. We also fully vaccinate our entire household to the extent allowable under medical advice. This was very scary when my DD could not get a flu shot.

c) use a nebulizer for kids up to about eight... and thereafter, during illness, it's still just a really nice thing to have.

d) per our physician's advice, when we notice ANY signs of a flare starting... or possible onset of illness, even... we begin tracking peak flow numbers several times daily (as opposed to a few times a week) and as soon as they dip, we begin treating with a LABA-Steroid inhaler. This has actually made illness more-- well, more "normal." In other words, a cold doesn't leave her bedridden and limp for WEEKS the way it used to.

e) if triggers are aeroallergens, be AGGRESSIVE about avoidance, and if they are not easily avoidable... consider daily allergy medication. You're preserving lung function and preventing airway remodelling for the long term, which = lower lifetime steroid use. Win. Meds like cetirizine are really well-tolerated and very very safe. My daughter has been taking an adult dose (and sometimes more than that) since she was about three.

Good luck!!!

Oh-- and if you are limited to a metered dose inhaler, (and there will, flatly, be times when you are by virtue of simply not having your nebbie with you)...

use a SPACER. Way, way, WAY more effective.

My DD and I both have asthma.

I have two with asthma. I know that DS's situation won't apply to everyone but wanted to put it out there in case someone finds it helpful. My DS7 would get the nagging cough that wouldn't go away with every cold. Every infection triggered a month of the nebulizer. He also got strep at the drop of a hat. We finally got his tonsils and adenoids removed last winter. It has made a HUGE difference. He has been able to recover from "colds" in about a week with no month long neb ordeal. His asthma has improved significantly. The ENT and allergist theorized that he always had a low grade infection in his tonsils that contributed to systemic inflammation. Life has been so much better for him. He still has asthma but it is much more "normal" now.

We're an asthma family - sigh. Me, my brother, and my ds all have "the cough". My sister and mom have the typical wheezing. I think wheezing gets diagnosed much earlier. For us, my mom and sister have had more serious complications (hospitalizations, ambulances) but I think asthma is serious no matter. I'm interested in the resources given here also.

My sister has lung damage due to poorly treated asthma. We never NEVER go without a rescue inhaler (I'm spoiled because, even if I forget one...someone else in the family has theirs).

Crazily enough, my asthma had almost completely disappeared since having kids. My OB said 1/3 of asthmatics worsen with pregnancy (my poor sister), 1/3 stay the same, and the lucky 1/3 may find indefinite relief.

The thing I hate for my ds is how his meds change his moods - especially Singulair (and prednisone...eek). Luckily, my ds only needs bigtime meds in the spring.

Everyone has chimed in with great ideas and suggestions. One other thought: Google asthma and GERD (reflux). Research suggests a connection between the two, and the idea is that reflux can exacerbate asthma because the acid coming from the stomach while someone is sleeping can increase lung inflammation. If your DD has the nagging nighttime asthma cough you might want your DD to be evaluated for GERD as well. People with asthma are twice as likely to have GERD as well.

Indeed. My DW didn't even know she could experience asthma until she was nearly 30 years old and got her first dog. Understanding triggers is essential.


In avoiding respiratory illnesses, specifically upper respiratory infections (which are usually the first trigger to other problems), I cannot recommend a neti pot highly enough. I would typically experience 3-4 painfully severe sinus infections a year, and I began using one when I had a particular one that failed to respond to antibiotics. The neti pot helped me recover fairly quickly, and I haven't had a significant infection since.

For obvious reasons, I wouldn't recommend it to the little ones.

On another note... don't despair. Children outgrowing asthma is common, as the airways expand and become less likely to be blocked by inflammation. I experienced it myself... I was the kid who was regularly rushed to the ER at midnight, and my last attack was age 5. The military will accept applicants with an asthma history prior to age 13.

Yep...I'm dealing with a simple cold that is settling in my chest. I always end up on Advair for about a month after colds. We all get flu shots (and can't do the nose spray one tor risk of an attack).

I'm wondering, now, about getting a nebulizer for my ds...er only use the spacer. Hmmmmm....thanks for the input everyone.