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2 yr old gulping during asthma attack..is this normal??can't take inhaler

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Posted 6/18/2013 6:59 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

My 2 yr old has been diagnosed with asthma and is on steroids now, his attacks have gotten more frequent and my question is; it seems when he gets an attack especially at night or in the car he'll cough, cough real hard and start gulping and gulping really hard and its almost as if no air is coming in or out and he can't take his inhaler (and he then panics).  Can anyone tell me why is he gulping like this, is it normal, is it some sort of spasm or is he trying to just swallow and can't? Is this something seperate from the asthma attacks?

Thank you for any feedback, I wish he could just tell me but since he's just a little guy he really can't explain anything. **oh also when this happens if were at home I put him on the nebulizer with albuterol.

Posted 6/18/2013 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
In the aftermath of polio people who had great difficulty breathing often gulped air like a fish out of water. (There are a few of us post-polio patients wtill out here.) It's a sort of reflex out of desperation to breathe.

You need to report this to the doctor right away. If this were my child I'd be desperately seeking a treatment that works for this situation. I would have some treatment with me at all times and train any babysitters in its use.

I'd also get some training in artificial respiration, specifically for a case where the trachea closes up, or whatever part of the breathing system is swollen. I'd get some advice in how to calm the child when he's panicking.

I have a serious reaction to albuterol which started suddenly after I had been taking it for a while. What would you do if this happened to your son?
Posted 6/18/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
That's what I was thinking too, it was some kind of reflex..that's what it looks like to me! I live both in Japan and CA half and half and in both places we are not near a pulomonligist but I have a trip scheduled to see one in San Fran but have to wait 2 more months. I haven't had a lot of luck with the peds here having much of an idea of what is going on and if he's not wheezing they usually say well he doesn't seem sick...but little do they know I've been up all night treating him, bringing my nebulizer with me wherever I go... Thanks for the response!
Posted 6/19/2013 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Is there an allergist available? They have a lot of training in pulmonary function.

You're doing a good job, Mommy. I know what it's like staying up all night with a sick child.
Posted 6/26/2013 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you, there are some allergists here and that will prob be my next step. I try, Its so hard when you just wish they would get better.
Posted 6/30/2013 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Mommylife, when my son was an infant we got him a portable battery powered nebulizer, that way we didnt need to use the inhaler for rescue, since it didnt usually do enough most times for him. The unit was in a bag that was about 8x8x4 and it was very light.
Posted 6/30/2013 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Mommylife, when my son was an infant we got him a portable battery powered nebulizer, that way we didnt need to use the inhaler for rescue, since it didnt usually do enough most times for him. The unit was in a bag that was about 8x8x4 and it was very light.
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