We are supposed to try singulair

[mom2happy]

DD is 7 and has a terrible spasmodic cough every year since she was 3.
It starts in OCtober and clears up in about April. She has times that she just has a little cough for a few weeks and then it flares up and it is terrible.
I have tried and spent tons of money on a homeopath, Ive tried a natropath, several herbal formulas. We have done elimination diets. NOTHing comes close to even helping it.
She's been to 3 pediatricians, 2 allergists and one ENT. They all say her lungs are perfectly clear.
MOst of them of course want to give her daily drugs. Im at the point where I realize I have to do something. She isnt growing out of it.
They tried xopenex, claritin, benadryl, zyrtec, regular robitussin dm and nothing works. Now the allergist says she wants her to take singulair every day with an inhaled or oral steriod. EEK!
Anyone with an asthma kid with words on this?

[belove]

I'm in the same boat as you,but my child is already on inhalers and only 2.5 yrs old.

Singulair is a very bad drug. Do your research on it before you decided what to do.

[mamefati28]

ugh, this situation is SOOO HARD!
So, although I hate to say this: singulair has been amazing for my son and the only thing that we have found to work. We have spent thousands of dollars on a homeopath, supplements, chiropractor, herbalist, and eliminated his diet. Nothing would budge. My DS has a dust mite allergy and we do all the environmental stuff, took out the carpet in his room, $500 austin air purifier and saw little results. Before singulair he had constant flare ups, would catch any cold and it would turn to pneumonia. He was sick for almost a year straight. For the past 3 months he has been on it, he has gotten one cold and it didn't go to his lungs. He has not needed his inhaler either. I have not noticed any behavior side effects.
I HATE that my kid is on a daily med, I HATE that I nursed him to almost 3 and never gave him vaxes and only ate whole organic food and that he is now on this. But, I am also very grateful that he has been well and not needing steroids, etc. I am also hoping that it will allow his lungs to heal and rest and maybe benefit him in the long term (that could just be mom wishful thinking)
Also, I researched and found that the chewable tablets have a form of aspartame in them, so I called my ped. and had them switch him to the oral granules. I think after they turn five, the tablet form is the only thing available. I am hoping he will not need to continue on this, I would love to talk to any parents whose little one took this and then transitioned off as they outgrew their sensitivities, etc.
Good luck, I know how hard this is. It isn't easy with any of the choices available.

[Zuzia'scub]

oh boy! glad to see your thread...I'm in a similar boat. My two year old son's asthma has been worsening since 18 months. Last two episodes sent us to Urgent Care. I've been trying the preventative route and using essential oils in bath, massage, and diffuser during flare ups. Last episode got me very scared...his pulseox was hovering around 89/90 and nothing I had at home (albuterol and steriods) was making a difference. We ahve a wonderful pediatrician who has been on the same page with us on avoiding daily maintenance meds. But based on last two episodes we need to hear more of our choices. Going to allergist for testing in two weeks. I'm certain they will suggest singular and steriod inhaler. I wish I had something helpful for you...as you can see I could use good advice myself!
Mamafati...I hear you! We're still nursing and I am so careful about his nutirition and environment...yet here we are. Sucks!

[changingseasons]

Have you had your house tested for mold? Has she been tested for environmental allergies?

[Mama Mko]

My 5 year old has been on singulair for 2 years and it really helps him. I haven't noticed any side effects.

[mom2happy]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Have you had your house tested for mold? Has she been tested for environmental allergies?

She has been tested and is allergic to mold, dust and a crazy amount of pollens and grasses.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Originally Posted by belove

I'm in the same boat as you,but my child is already on inhalers and only 2.5 yrs old.

Singulair is a very bad drug. Do your research on it before you decided what to do.

I am curious about singular being "very bad" my dd has been on it since she was 3y and just turned 10 last week. It has made a huge difference for her since she has asthma.

[mamefati28]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

I am curious about singular being "very bad" my dd has been on it since she was 3y and just turned 10 last week. It has made a huge difference for her since she has asthma.

I am thinking she was referring to it having bad side effects, especially behavioral. If you do a google search, that is what shows up. I almost needed anti anxiety meds, I was so freaked out about giving it to my DS (not really, but you know ) It was an emotionally exhausting decision.

[spedteacher30]

we tried singulair last winter, and decided then that our son failed the trial due to complaints about his behavior at school. but, then, we took him off everything, and they still complained, so we switched him to another preschool.

No complaints about his behavior from them, so we might try the singulair again. his lungs were nice and clear all spring and summer, but he is using his albuterol once a day right now, so we need to do something.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I never even looked it up the one I agonized over was Advair. It took me 3 months before I tried it with dd.

As far as I know dd hasnt had any behavioral issues but then she has been on it so long I am not sure.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by mom2happy

She has been tested and is allergic to mold, dust and a crazy amount of pollens and grasses.

That's why I was wondering if you've had your house tested. Often in the winter, when humidity is higher and the house is closed up, you'll have higher concentrations of mold. So someone who is sensitive will flare up during the winter. Do you have a HEPA filter in her room that runs while she sleeps?

[belove]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

I am curious about singular being "very bad" my dd has been on it since she was 3y and just turned 10 last week. It has made a huge difference for her since she has asthma.

A very dear, natural mama had to resort to Singulair because of no other meds working and not wanting to use steroids. Well, her son was on it for 5 yrs and he was a very troubled child. Suicidal,homicidal ect and she switched doctors who told her to take him off the meds immediately and wouldn't you know it that all his mental issues went away.

I've been doing a lot of research on Singulair since that is what my ped wants to do now. We've had three ER runs in the last 6 weeks and i'm at my wits end. My naturopath wants him to take the drug until we get through this last big flare up,so he's taking it and I haven't seen a change but from my research and my friends expirence-i'm really against it.

I did the ALCAT for food intolerances and we just did allergy testing we are waiting on the results from.

[mamefati28]

Originally Posted by belove

A very dear, natural mama had to resort to Singulair because of no other meds working and not wanting to use steroids. Well, her son was on it for 5 yrs and he was a very troubled child. Suicidal,homicidal ect and she switched doctors who told her to take him off the meds immediately and wouldn't you know it that all his mental issues went away.

I've been doing a lot of research on Singulair since that is what my ped wants to do now. We've had three ER runs in the last 6 weeks and i'm at my wits end. My naturopath wants him to take the drug until we get through this last big flare up,so he's taking it and I haven't seen a change but from my research and my friends expirence-i'm really against it.

I did the ALCAT for food intolerances and we just did allergy testing we are waiting on the results from.

With 3 ER visits in such a short time, I would definitely give Singulair a try. My DS was unable to baseline for almost a year until he was put on it. I know it is not what we want for our children, but I feel like for now it is what I have had to do for my child.
I am also continuing all of our alternative care. This winter will be a huge test as to how much he is affected, as colds seem to really flare up his asthma.
Good luck, momma! I know how hard it is to make choices that you would have never thought you would choose.

[mom2happy]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

That's why I was wondering if you've had your house tested. Often in the winter, when humidity is higher and the house is closed up, you'll have higher concentrations of mold. So someone who is sensitive will flare up during the winter. Do you have a HEPA filter in her room that runs while she sleeps?

We didnt have the house tested and from what I understand could not afford it. I do have a hepa filter/ air purifyer in her room. It doesnt help at all.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by mom2happy

We didnt have the house tested and from what I understand could not afford it. I do have a hepa filter/ air purifyer in her room. It doesnt help at all.

You can buy a little home test kit from Lowe's or any hardware store for about $10. Then if mold does show up, you can mail it in for an extra $30 or something for them to tell you what kind of mold it is. Worth a shot!

[rhesp1212]

If you haven't already tried a steroid inhaler, you might want to try that first. Then, try the singulair. It does say in the package warnings that it can cause nightmares and behavioral changes. If you see those, stop the meds immediately, but alot of people tolerate it just fine without any side effects. I personally take it every year from fall through spring for my allergies and asthma on top of a steroid inhaler to keep it all under control.

[mom2happy]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

You can buy a little home test kit from Lowe's or any hardware store for about $10. Then if mold does show up, you can mail it in for an extra $30 or something for them to tell you what kind of mold it is. Worth a shot!

Thank you, I will.
I thought to really have your house tested you had to hire someone and they had to take sheet rock down.

[motherhendoula]

Singular

My youngest brother, my nephew, and now my son - all had horrible coughs through the winter months. My brother grew out of it - it affected him from about 11 yrs. old to about 14. My nephew is 13, and my son is 12, - he has been on Singular (from Sept - June) for two years now and it made a big difference. Of course, im hopeful he will outgrow his allergy to tree pollen like my brother did - and its easier to give a kid his age medicine (compared to a toddler). So far, - we were warned Singular could cause behavioral problems - so far, there havent been any problems.

[belove]

UPDATE:my 2.5 yr has been give the Singulair for the last few days to get through his last flare up (which has passed) until we could find other alternatives and he's been waking up in the middle of the night and inconsolable. It's heart-breaking.

Called his ped to see if there is any alternatives...

*feeling hopeless*