Asthma

[jamesong55]

I'm pretty sure this is the wrong forum so mods please move if so.

My 5 yo ds has been diagnosed with asthma for 4 years. He was a month early and was in nicu for a couple of weeks with breathing problems. As he has gotten older he is always having asthma flare ups from at least September till sometimes as late as April or may. He is on singular and albuterol and pulmocort breathing treatments. Everyone he has problems I take him to our general practitioner and the same thing "ears look good, throat looks good, just keep up normal treatment we know he always has these problems this time of year"

To top it off 3 weeks ago another flare up keep him home a couple of days. He goes back to school for 2 days and they call come get him they want him tested for whooping cough well he was positive for that so 2 weeks out of school. Gets to go back today but still coughing horribly. My question is do I keep going to a general dr or should I be going to an asthma specialist I work for Walmart and our insurance sucks???? I want to do what is best for him but I can't afford to waste any money. Just wondering about other takes on asthma experiences???


Thanks

[deminc]

Hi, has your child been tested for allergies? I would at least get a second opinion. Asthma can be linked to environmental allergies or food allergies. My nephews have dustmite-related asthma attacks, and used to go into hospital at least once a month. They have an anti-dustmite regime at home, and my cousin installed an air filter next to the bed and she said it helped. The elder boy outgrew it around 7 years old and is fine now. If it's seasonal, it could be pollen or something. One of my best friend has asthma and all three of her children have it as well from birth. They go to all the best doctors, but once there's an attack, it's the usual routine at the hospital. The main approach is prevention through an anti dustmite regime and dietary awareness.

My ds2 is allergic to dustmite and it shows up as eczema (apparently the dustmite species attributable to eczema differs from that for asthma). We also have an anti dustmite regime at home, and in the middle of a flare-up, we have to wipe him down nightly before bedtime to control the reaction. We have been warned that his allergies can advanced into asthma as he grows up (the allergy march) - or he could outgrow it. We are trying very hard to keep a lid on things.

It can also be due to food. Another mum's two daughters would have very bad asthmatic attacks in school because of the school food. If you read up on the failsafe diet, there's apparantly a link between salicylates and asthma in vulnerable individuals. Maybe you can look into that.  

Try to look for a pattern and then have a management plan planned around the potential triggers.

[coyotemist]

Seeing a pulmonologist is not a bad idea, and IMO, not a waste of money.  Also, seeing a naturopath might be good for your daughter as well.  We are using some natural remedies recommended by the naturopath that are helping my daughter.

I also second the air purifier in the bedroom!