Asthma or Not Asthma?

I was diagnosed with asthma with the same symptoms. The doctor needs to diagnose it though. Only give the medicine with wheezing, it has steroids in it, I remember how it made my heart race and is very uncomfortable when not nee. If it gets very severe they might give you a preventative medication but until then only when symptoms arise. When you go to the doctor and there is wheezing involved they definately should give him the 02 sensor (the machine that goes on the finger tip) and anything below 96% is bad so watch closely!

N., my son has something similar to that. He has RAD, reactive airway disorder. I noticed it 'cause he would start having trouble breathing and would start coughing really badly when he would play. I would say I noticed this about a year ago. His Dr. decided to try him first on Singular and that has worked wonders.

Hi N.,
I just wanted to say that I read so many emails with questions regarding children's health. I don't understand why you don't ask your doctor to clarify things. If you have a question than you have every right to ask and not feel stupid if you don't understand the first time. I don't know how you feel personally, but I think more people should ask their pediatritian regarding their child's health and not feel bad about asking- after all that is what you pay them for. If they make you feel bad, then maybe you should find another one that is more open and can spend more time with you and your child.

N.,
Is the wheezing come through his nose or mouth? If mouth then yes.. potential asthma if nose maybe he has some blockage in his nose?

My 8 year old had sport induced asthma and its a distinct wheeze that comes from the mouth and the chest raises up and down.

Have you ever considered non-toxic household products? I work with a company that have products specific to those with allergies and asthma. No bleaches, ammonias or harsh chemicals. If you would like more information about how this could help your son please email me.
thanks!
____@____.com

S.

My daughter had the same symthoms at the same age. the doctors always said the same thing. then one day when she was 5 yo, they said "oh, YOUR daughter has asthma!" I freaked out! I was like, "I knew it!!!" SO she was put on daily meds, which did not help. Its only after a home remedy, and now 7 years old that she is asthma free. no more meds, nebulizer, NOTHING! good luck, this is difficult.

Hello N.

First do not give your child any meds unless your Doctor has told you to do so or if he is sick. The Pulmicort is an inhaled steroid and the Albuterol is a bronchodilator to help with the wheezing. It acts directly on the muscles of the bronchi (breathing tubes) to relieve bronchospasm (muscle contractions of the breathing tubes in the lungs). This action reduces airway resistance and allows air to move more freely to and from the lungs. Anyway, my son is a severe asthmatic.... believe me you will know when he needs the treatments. We are on treatments daily because he hasn't gone any length of time without coughing.
I really think you should ask your Pediatrician or a Pediatric Pulmonologist these questions

Good Luck

Hi N.-
My 9 year old also had this same problem when he was an infant. The first pediatrician that I went to was well into his 70s and he called it "asthma", I switched to a younger pediatrician in the same practice as my older pediatrician began to cut back his hours.....THAT pediatrician said they don't call it "asthma" until they are much older, so they called it "reactive airway disease" or problems with bronchial spasms......my son was prescribed the same meds that you mentioned and they were discontinued when he was approximately 3. However, we are now having some significant problems again and we're seeing the local pulmonologist today, in fact. My son is very active, too and he has some problems with eating, too. His gastroenterologist mentioned that reflux (which my son has) and asthma often go hand in hand.

PS-I would only give the medication when the dr recommends.

heya N. ~ I went through the same problem with my son ~ when it started we lived in VA & it was MUCH worse there ~ putting us in the ER several times during cold season ~ once we moved here it got MUCH better ~ you will most likely have a hard time finding a doctor to tell you he has asthma ~ my son started as a baby too & he is 8 now! ~ He wasnt "diagnosed" with asthma until he was 6! ~ They gave him a test (3 hours) to see how well his lungs responded to medicine verses no medicine & they said he did much better with it ~ so he has "asthma" now ~ When he was young we used the nebulizer also ~ only when he got sick ~ but most times he would get sooooooo bad that we would end up in the ER with him on a nebulizer there along with oxygen ~ the good news is as he got older he has grown out of it quite a bit ~ he does still have problems breathing only when he is sick (which isn't very often) & he is only using a regular inhaler now ~ Good luck ~ I know it can be VERY aggravating to not get straight answers ~ I think its just because they try not to put them into that category unless absolutely necessary ~ because some kids DO grow out of it ~ you have to think about the times we live in ~ some places are much worse then others ~ but we do have pollution everywhere ~ smog, dirt, dust, mold, etc.. & it all triggers & starts reactions in little ones ~ just keep on trucking ~ use your best judgment ~ don't overmedicate ~ & if you are open to other methods ~ visit your local health food store & ask for some suggestions ~ our son takes a few herbal remedies now ~ which have helped us sooooooooo much :c) ~ good luck again ~ peace W.

Your child may not have asthma or be diagnosed as asthmatic at this time. My son was born premature and has weak lungs, so he uses his nebulizer and gets Albuterol treatments only when he starts wheezing when his cold gets bad. But as he has grown, his lungs have gotten stronger and is needing the Albuterol less and less each time he gets sick.

Certainly let your doctor know that he no longer is wheezing and ask him if the treatments can be discontinued.

My son just got prescribed the nebulizer machine and the inhaler with a chamber to inhale the medicine. He takes oral steriods too. I just spent $106 for all his medicines. This new doctor heard him wheezing and saw that he has food allergies and just accessed the wheezing (bad cold) as asthma. There is no family history of asthma either. I understand that bad colds can cause wheezing---I've had two other children. My poor son 21 month old has suffered most of his life -- turns out he had food allergies we didn't know about till he wil 17 months old-I was told to keep giving him all his medicines cause he now has ashtma!!!!!!!!!I am confused too- but for now with his cold I will treat him as an asthma patient.

Two of my children had asthma when they were youngsters. Hubby also had it when he was very young. He out grew it, but developed it again when in his mid forties. The two children have had no further problems since pre school. We went through the meds, nebulizers and the numbing fear. We are looking into other options to help his asthma to avoid the harmful side effects of *prolonged* use. We are learning that while meds are good they are also bad. There ARE other ways to consider. Accupuncture has been very successful for my hubby and almost got the nebulizer ready for the storage shelf,however, you wouldn't want to use that for a baby. May I ask if you are aware of the miraculous benefits of water? The Seven Pillars of Health was written by Dr. Don Colbert of Orlando,Florida which is a practicing MD for over 20 years and explains the value of water and it's ability to increase healing. Water helps break down the thickness of the mucus and helps it to dilute therefore making it possible to cough up and clear the airways. This is true, my hubby is living proof. Most mothers (as I did) push juices when they should be pushing water. If I'd have known then what I know now,,,,I would have. Search Dr. Colbert on google and see if you can find the information you need, I think you will be surprised. Hope this points you in the right direction.Debbie.

they said my daughter, two yrs at the time, had "acute" asthma, i guess basically it was the same thing, she only got it when she got a cold. We use a cold mist humidifier EVERY night in her room, and she has had alot less issues. Good luck.

all three of my kids have been put on a nebulizer at some point in time. when my 12 yr old was 2 yrs old he had broncial endused asthma. it would only bother him when he had a chest cold. he has outgrown that now. my youngr two kids (and one of them is 18 months now) have had allergies so bad that they were put on pulmecord and albuteral at the same time,also. the drainage was so bad with them, the doctors put my 2 yr old on presciption singulair along with the nebulizer, when kenny was 12 months he was taking pseudaphedrine (thats about all i could give him) along with the nebulizer,but all the drainage building up on the chest caused wheezing. once the nebulizer cleared up the wheezing i didn't use it anymore,i have to keep an eye on them and when they start showing signs of allergies, i give them claritin before it builds up and causes wheezing. it's been a year since i've used the nebulizer. has the doctor thought about allergies?

from a RN and a mother of a 21 month old, i know how scary it is to see your child struggling with breathing. do what your doctor says, only give the neb treatments with wheezing, and only the prescribed amounts. not more often, because it can increase his heart rate. as for a diagnosis of asthma, i have found working in the ER that most MD's wait to use an actual diagnosis of asthma. just do what your motherly intuition tells you, and if your child is wheezing and the medicine does not seem to be helping, call your doctor back. the good news is that lots of children outgrown the wheezing. good luck!

Hi N.!

My son is now 7 years old but I have been going through the same thing since he was about your child's age. At first I followed all of the doctor's instructions because he was my first child and it was scary how he would wheez. I could not sleep at night worrying that he would stop breathing. I followed the dr's instructions but I never liked my son being pumped up with albuterol and steroids at such a young age. Anyway, he only gets like that after he has had a head cold. He would start out with a runny nose and than it would go down to his chest, triggering the asthma/wheezing. After several years of going through this, I have come to the conclusion that he has seasonal asthma. I mentioned it to his pediatrician and he agreed. He only gets like that during the winter months when head colds are more prevalent. Here is what I do, as soon as he gets the stuffy/runny nose, I give him over the counter Dimetapp or Walmart brand nasal decongestant/antihistamine medication as needed so that it does not travel down to his chest. I never liked my son being pumped with steroids and albuterol but if he is wheezing badly, than I will give him the nebulizer treatments as directed. Every case is different, every child is different so before giving him any over the counter medication, make sure it is ok with your pediatrician and make sure your child is not allergic to the ingredients in the over the counter meds. My son has gotten so bad that his skin was extremely pale and his lips almost blue, so I know how scary it can be. But like I said, through my own personal experience, I have found that giving him the nasal medication at the first sign of a stuffy/runny nose helps act as a deterrent to his asthma. If he is already wheezing, than give him his nebulizer treatment as directed. I found it very helpful to have a stethoscope at hand so that you can listen to his lungs. I did that everytime I suspected he was wheezing. You do not want to administer steroids and albuterol to your child if he is not wheezing. I also have given my son Robitussin, the chest decongestant one when his symptons were not as severe. It helped break up the mucus and made it easier for him to excrete the phleghm. Anyway, if he is really bad, than give him the nebulizer treatments as directed and the steroids if it is an oral steroid should not be used for more than 3 days straight. Also, give the nebulizer treatments time to take effect. There were times when I was ready to rush him to the hospital because I felt it wasn't working fast enough for him, so I would call the doctor and tell them that he is still wheezing and the doc would tell me to give it about an hour and make sure he is sitting up or have pillows propped up because lying down exacerbates the asthma. Sorry for the long email there are so many little things that I have learned since I have been going through this for 7 years. Well, feel free to contact me if you wish. You can email me at ____@____.com

My oldest two children had the same problem. One doctor said it was asthma, but later I was told it is reactive airway disorder. They only need the medicine if they're having a problem (usually when they have a cold or bad allergies). I was told they would probably outgrow it; and they did!

you should get him to a chiropractor.

mine is great with kids. natural healing & wellness is the key!

Andrew Smith in PBG. ###-###-####

Please let him know i referred you.

K. F.
All Computer Works, LLC

Whether he has Asthma or not, his condition can be greatly improved through optimal nutrition. Nutrition is SO powerful in healing the body. Does your son eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables? He needs at least 5 servings a day from a wide variety. Is he drinking enough water every day? He needs to drink half his weight in ounces. Eliminate dairy products from his diet. Dairy irritates asthmatic conditions.

Medication should only be used after you have tried improving his diet and he continues to have the same issues. Medication masks the symptoms, it doesn't get to the root of the problem and provide a cure!

A great website to go to for more information is Dr. Joel Furhman's- http://www.drfurhman.com Type in "asthma" in the search box and you will get articles from his site on the topic. You also need to read his book called "Disease Proof your Child". You can buy it on his website or on Amazon.

I also sell a supplement called Juice Plus, which is 17 raw fruits and vegetables that have been juiced and powered and put into a gummie or chewable form. It is not a replacement for eating fruits and vegetables, but it will give him a head start toward getting more in his diet. Email me offlist if you are interested.

Hello there N.. My son and daughter both have whats called reactive airway disease. Im sure many others may have mentioned something about this to you. My son gets the wheezing when he catches a cold and Im on the same boat I have give him nebulizer treatments as well. I do have to agree with one the responses on this though. Ever since the doctor put my son and daughter on Singular they dont get as sick as often plus when they get sick they are able to fight it off easier without me having to give any treatments at all. The best thing about Singular is that its a natural medicine . Which I totally go head over heals with. HOpe I gave a helpful opinion.

N., My oldest daughter had the same thing my doctor called it cold induced asthma. when she got a cold she would need to be nebulized or use advair (steroid). You should check with your doctor about when to give him the medicine. My doctor wanted me to use the steroid during the winter from Nov - March I did not do that I only used it when she got a cold. I also promote a wellnes company and have to tell you that she has been asthma free. I use safer cleaning products and it has made a huge difference. I would love to share with you this amazing wellness company. My website is below.

C.
Mom to Danielle, Nicole, Amanda & Joe-Joe
http://colleend.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

Good morning N.,

I have my baby Ashley she is allready 2, but since she born she had the samething, Doctor never said 100% that she had asthma but he was giving medicine like she had it. Albuterol and pulmocord, and my doctor also give me a medicine just to prevent.But what my husband and I always agreed it's that kids gets use to use the medicine which is not good, my baby ashley improve a lot from 1 year & half and 2 years, You can try to change few things in your house like try to clean floors every day so you keep dust out, wash her pillow & sheets from her crib, somehing that you don't want for sure it's stop giving the medicine when your baby is wheezing,they can get worse so quick and the idea it's to get better, I realy hope and wish you luck, but must powerfull medicine in this world = God
pray every day and present your baby and this asthma to him ask him to take away this from your baby, whatever you feel to ask him, he will listean to you and every time you pray always end saying in the name of Jesus. (his son) Amen.

My best wishes for you,
Y.