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Excess Asthma Meds for a Toddler?

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Posted 10/19/2006 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
My son is 2 1/2 and has severe asthma. But I am also concerned that he is on way too much medicine! Does this sound like too much?!

Every normal day: 1/2t. Zyrtec, 4mg Singular, 7.5mg Prevacid, & .25ml Pulmicort(nebulizer).

When his asthma flares (like right now): All of the above meds but the Pulmicort is .5ml morning & night and we have to use Albuterol (nebulizer) when he is severing retracting.

 

He is so young I feel terrible giving him all this medicine! He has also been in the ER 5 times since the time he was 4 months old. And overnight in the hospital twice!

 

I am just so frustrated! We can not pin point what his triggers are, the largest "break" we have had in flare-ups is 4 months through this past summer. There is no consistency to when it flares!

 

Can anyone else relate?

 

Posted 10/19/2006 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
i cant directly relate, but if you ask me, the most terrifying thing would be a toddler who has asthma, especially if youhavent found the pattern yet, i think that if the doc put him/her on that much then thats probly best,
evan if it seems like a lot, to some people with sever asthma thats probly nothing,
id go with what the doc said, but theres no harm in seeing another asthma specialist, or doing your own research,but its for sure not the kind of thing you want to just stop giving him or anything.
but if his symptoms are not being controlled, you need to figure out how to, and if this doc cant, then there is another one who can
good luck, and keep up posted
Posted 10/19/2006 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to Healingwell. :) I know it's scary to give our children medicine but I think that if it was my child, I would do anything including medicating if it eases asthma symptoms. My son is older (15) but has had breathing difficulties all his life. At the age of 4 he was using Albuterol with a spacer and even then I didn't like to give it to him but it did make his breathing easier. I would go with what the doctors suggest but like Josey said, if in doubt ask for a second opinion.
Posted 10/20/2006 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Like Josey said you should seek a second opinion. When i eas younger my mum brought me to almost a dozen of doctors. Now, being an adult, i undestand that she had done the right thing because i was sooo sick and not all doctors have the same experience in life. i am actually only using symbicort once a day and twice in times when i feel not well. I would recommend you to train your child and explain him and meke be at every instant be aware of its condition. As he grows he is going to be his own doctor and it is important that he realises he is different. I had a good friend of mine who died because he made as if he had a good condition and had and attack while playing.
I now know if there is change in my body and to respond to it thanks to GOD. it was very difficult when i was younger a a child with the lod of medicine i took. take real good care of your child and pray for him because and asthmatic is difficult to grow up.
Posted 10/22/2006 9:04 PM (GMT 0)

My oldest daughter was dx'd with asthma when she was 6 weeks old. I had her treated at the Pulmonary Clinic at Boston Children's Hospital. The meds your little one is one seem fine to me for that age, but as stated, if you're uncomfortable ask the doctor or get another opinion.

*hugs* to your son

Posted 10/27/2006 6:54 PM (GMT 0)

cool   :-)   I can relate to the topic to much asthma medications for a toddler. I believe miss that your son is probably taking the right amount. Like someone said It may seem like alot of medication, but if it is keeping it under control then its alright.

 My 4 yr son, has asthma Moderate. He takes Pulmocort 2 times a day. And he has allergies also. So he takes Singulair 4 mg daily, Nasonex nasal spray 2 sprays 2 times a day. Albuterol neb and Albuterol inhaler as needed. I have never seen his asthma this much in control before. He is doing wonderful on all this medication. His nose is not as congested as it was before the increase in Nasonex. He is breathing better with the increase of Pulmocort to additional dose a day.

I know it seems like a lot for a small child, but the doctors are educated and having schooling behind them. So I think they do what is best for our childrens health. I won't worry lady I can't remember your name. I am really new to this site. And I haven't posted many subjects. So I am getting used to how this works. And trying to remember peoples names, so forgive me. Thanks, Everyone, have a nice day. Younglady.

Posted 1/16/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. My son, Willie, aged 2, was just diagnosed on 1/9/07 with asthma. He was put on Singulair 4mg in the evening and given an albuterol nebulizer if he has coughing/wheezing fits. So far, we haven't had to use the nebulizer, but I did have to give him saline drops for congestion yesterday. The allergist said to give him albuterol syrup that we had before diagnosis if he started coughing away from home. Good luck. We are getting ready to get some cold weather, so I'm guessing I'll have to bring out the nebulizer, as that seems to be the only time he had a problem with coughing/wheezing(he's been doing it on and off since he was 6 months old).
Melissa
Posted 1/16/2007 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I have a 17 month old daughter and she is on  a lot of meds too. I hate pumping her tiny body full of so many drugs but if I don't her breathing gets very labored and fast. Right now she is on nasonex (1 spray each nostril), pulmicort (.25 3x a day), singulair (4mg), albuterol neb (.5 every 4-6 hours), and prednisone (11 mg 2x a day) plus an antibiotoc for pneumonia. We have been to the ER several times and just had our first overnight stay this last week.  She had a swallow study done last June to make sure she wasn't aspirating and that came back clear. They tested her for allergies and she was clear there too. She too had 4 months without needing albuterol this summer. Her only "trigger" is illness. The only time I have noticed anything in our environment that caused her to wheeze was when our power was out for several days and everyone was burning fires to stay warm. There was so much smoke in the air that we had to use albuterol nebs several times because she was wheezing quite a bit. We saw an asthma Dr last week and he is concerned about her right lung. In three different x-rays ranging from when she was 6 months old until now, there is an area in her right lung that doesn't look right. So when she is healthy she is going to have a CT scan. He is wondering if it is scar tissue but can't tell from the x-ray. It is so frustrating to have a sick child and to not know why or how to help prevent it more. I feel for you! Good luck.

Melissa

Posted 1/16/2007 10:50 PM (GMT 0)

Sorry to hear that your little ones are having a rough time.  The meds you mentioned are definitely needed to control the exacerbations.  The meds are bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and anti-histamines.  The bronchodilators dilate the airways to make breathing easier, the corticosteroids work to decrease the inflammation in the airways, and the antihistamines are used to control any allergies.  Please try to keep the little ones away from all fireplaces, lg candles, etc., including food cooked w/charcoal (such as charbroil grilled at fastfood restaurants).

Even if the allergy tests show no triggers, barometric pressure changes affect asthma pts.  hope your littles are better soon.

Posted 1/17/2007 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
pegleg, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am trying to get as educated as I can so I appreciate your input. I never dreamed I would have to worry so much about my daughter's every breath. She has not officially been diagnosed with asthma because she is not two. Everyone talks about her asthma but in her charts it is reactive airway disease.

I do have a question for you if you don't mind. Last week when she was very ill she had a chest x-ray done. It showed that part of her right lung was collapsed. The right side of her diaphraghm was significantly higher than the left. The Dr's said it was not too serious and that it is common with reactive airway disease. Can you explain this more to me? Thank you!

Melissa

Posted 1/17/2007 6:12 PM (GMT 0)

Glad to answer any questions ... Knowledge is Power!

Many children are diagnosed w/reactive airway disease because they are too young to give a difinitive diagnosis of asthma.  The symptoms are many times the same, so the symptoms are treated.  Reactive airway disease can cause atelectasis in the lobes of the lungs ... in other words, she is not taking deep enough breaths to keep the alveoli open.  The alveioli look like tiny clusters of grapes & this is where the oxygen exchange in the lungs take place.  You can help her by purchasing the little party blowers ... the ones the children blow & the toy goes in & out.  By simply playing w/this party favor, she is in reality exercising her lungs.  Don't be surprised that she starts coughing a lot.  This is a good sign ... it shows that there are secretions in her lungs that she needs to cough & expel.  I  have had nothing but success w/children using this party favor, in fact, I have to keep plenty on hand as they play so much with them, they wear them out and ask for more!  This is also the way I teach young children the technique of pursed-lip breathing to rid the lungs of trapped air which can cause chest pressure & shortness of breath.  Sometimes the children call me "The Play Lady" as they don't see their treatments as "medicine".  Try this & let me know.  Have her to blow out & hold it out to the count of 3 ... older children I have them count to 5 & up.  If she starts coughing a lot up, you are on the way to recovery! tongue yeah

Good luck! :-)

Posted 1/17/2007 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
The party favor idea sounds great! Thank you! Next time I am out I will definently purchase some. I don't know if she is old enough to understand me if I ask her to hold it out for three seconds. She will be 17 months next week. Maybe she will surprise me!

It makes sense that she is not getting enough air in to keep the alveoli open because when she gets bad her resp are around 60-70 a minute and sometimes as high as 90. She is taking such shallow breaths. So when the alveoli are not opened is that what shows up on the x-ray as a collapsed area in the lung? One of the Dr's said if they x-rayed her lungs 10 minutes later, that one area might look better but another area could be collapsed. When they told me part of her lung was collapsed it scared me but they didn't seem too alarmed. They are more concerned about the area in her right lung that looks shady. They have diagnosed her with pneumonia twice because of this area but now they are wondering more what it is because it has not changed over time. The questionable area is by the right side of her heart. They are scheduling a CT 3 weeks from now as long as she is healthy. From day one this child has caused me to wonder if I know how to take care of a little one even though she is our third and I have baby-sat my whole life! She is constantly throwing curve balls at me that really aren't in her control. She is cute though so I guess we will keep her! LOL

Melissa

Posted 1/17/2007 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Melissa: Children's respiratory rates increase when they are ill, but 90 is much too high. Please take her to the ER ASAP if her rates get that high. Good luck on the CT scan, keep me updated.
Posted 1/17/2007 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Dear EJSMOM,

 I understand where your coming from. My son is 4 in a half and he takes. Zrtex,Singulair,Albuterol, Pulmocort twice daily. I used to feel that way about giving my son too much medication, but it all keeps him stable. Before he started those medications his problems were alot worse, and harder to keep stable. I totally trust my son's Allergist/Asthma doctor FULLY. I don't believe my son's doctor would be prescribing all the medication if it was not beneficiall  to my son's condition. Try not too worry. Doctors do know what there doing " that is my believe.. Best Wishes to you and your family. Brandi

 

Son--

EcZema

Allergic Asthma

 

Mold, Latex, Bannana's, Dog's

 

Medication- Son

ZRTEX- before exposure to Dog's

4MG Singulair daily

Albuterol inhaler- and nebulizer as needed

Pulmocort twice daily by Nebulizer.

Posted 1/17/2007 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
If my little ones respiratory rate gets between 60 and 70 and albuterol doesn't help, that is when we head directly to the Dr. When she hit 90 we were in the ER already. Her respiratory rate is my biggest clue she is in trouble. I also watch for retractions which she usually has when she gets breathing that fast. I can't always hear her wheezing so I am learning to watch for other signs.

Melissa

Posted 1/18/2007 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hope your son is doing better. Your right to see more doctor's. But, me I don't feel it is necessary to go to several doctor's. If all the medications is working then leave it at that. You are doing the right thing about asking question and learning all you can about Asthma. :-)
Posted 1/20/2007 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
mom2jjk: I think it's great that you know how to watch for retractions ... too many do not. Watch for nasal flaring also, this usually starts occuring before the abdominal retractions begin. Hope you little one is better!
Posted 6/14/2007 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
My 17 month old is also on all of the meds you listed. They don't seem to be working, however. Her nose is always running. She wheezes constantly.
We have not seen a pulmonologist yet. Her peds doc also wants her to be sweat tested. Has anyone had to do that?
Posted 6/15/2007 3:53 PM (GMT 0)

I am sorry you are having problems with your little girl. My 21 month old has had wheezing from 2 months on but when she is healthy it is well controlled with pulmicort and singulair. Her problems come during cold and flu season. Most of the time she ends up on steroids when she has a cold because her breathing gets so bad. After three lung infections this winter she had a CT which came back clear. The pulminologist had her do the sweat test and that too came back normal. Out of all the tests she has had from x-rays to swallow studies to allergy testing, the sweat test was the easiest for her. It is important to have your child well hydrated so they can collect enough sweat. Then they just put a small battery looking thing on each arm that sends small pulses into the skin to stimulate sweat and collect it with a special pad. Have your daughter wear a long sleeve shirt so you can hide the testing area while you wait. Good luck with everything. I know how hard it is!

mom2jjk

Posted 6/15/2007 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks mom2jjk!
We went to get a chest xray and rsv test yesterday. Both negative. Thank you for the sweat test advice!
mimimom
Posted 12/30/2007 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
My son is 30 months old and has reactive airway. I don't know how to deal with the emotional end of things. Example: sometimes when he really starts laughing hard he then starts coughing and now says "something is wrong with me." Any suggestions out there?
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