Reactive airway/asthma from every little runny nose :(

[Biscuits & Gravy]

This is going to be a long, long winter if things keep going this way. DS is 2, and every runny nose turns into respiratory issues. Our family doctor diagnosed him with reactive airway. We keep it under control when he gets sick by using a nebulizer with albuterol. I am committed to continue nursing him through the winter to provide as much immune support as I can. We do everything we know to do in order to keep him healthy. I could really use some new ideas though. Right now I'm sneaking echinacea into bits of juice for him. I've tried elderberry but he refuses it. I'm dosing myself with extra vitamin C. What else can I do to get him through these little colds, as well as keep him from getting them? What else might help with the reactive airway?

[*farmergirl*]

subbing.

i have an almost 4yr old also with reactive airway. we have to treat with albuterol too.one thing that helps to ward it off is keeping him really well hydrated. 

[Peony]

Well, DD2's reactive airway officially was dxed as asthma this fall, she is 4 now and struggled with RAD her entire life. Every previous winter has been basically been hoping she won't get too ill too often. We've done nebs while ill, inhalers during the winter months only, it was never enough for her. What really got it under control was daily Singular, inhaler twice a day (we switched to new meds, Qvar and a new special inhaler for children, not the regular spacer/aero chamber that most pedi patients use, I am forgetting the name of it of the top of my head). We switch to nebs 2x a day at the FIRST sign of any illness, and I do mean any sign, if I think she is acting a little off then we switch. She uses albuterol and pulmicort in her nebs. For the first winter ever, she has not been that ill, she even got croup and the toddler was sicker then she was ! She got croup over the summer and landed in the hospital which was normal for her, that was before we made all the changes. 

[sbgrace]

As far as prevention of the colds healthy vitamin D levels will go a long way. Kids 2 and over can take 2000 IU of D3 per day. Handwashing will help...if he's not a mouther anyway. When my son was getting ear infections from colds I did xylitol nasal spray and that seemed to help him.

Singulair did a wonderful job for my other son in terms of keeping colds from triggering (what turned out to be but wasn't dx'd as such until he was much older) asthma.

I recently read where young kids with asthma symptoms were helped by dairy elimination and high dose b12 (I assume methyl but it didn't specify).

[Biscuits & Gravy]

He has been on singulair in the past. I'm going to call the doctor about getting him back on it. I'll add some vitamin D in, too. I know they make some in gummy form which he'll take with no problem. He is allergic to dairy, so he is already off that. I'll look into the b12.

Last night was awful. He was up all night. He has a low grade fever, lots of coughing. He keeps asking me for "more bear", the nebulizer is in the shape of a bear.

Thanks for the ideas and support!

[coyotemist]

He probably needs more than just the Singular.  Qvar, Flovent, or Pulmicort would be appropriate.  He needs a controller, albuterol is just a rescue drug (that should be used as often as needed but increases the heart rate and other side effects).  Long term bronchospasm can lead to remodeling in the lungs and a permanent problem can develop that doesn't respond to albuterol.  It takes a long time to happen, but is a possibility, also development can be delayed with chronic breathing issues, not to mention it's just not fun.

It is safe to give him "more bear" as often as every 2 hours. 

What about his "quality of breathing"?  Is he:

*flaring nostrils

*can you see his skin around his ribs and/or clavicles suck in when he breaths

*is he using his shoulders to breathe

*is he avoiding laying down because of his breathing

*avoiding eating and drinking (at the very minimum he needs to be taking 1 teaspoon of liquid every 15 minutes)

*Can you hear his wheezes without a stethoscope?

Honestly, if you answered yes to 2 or more of the above questions (or you just feel uncertain), I would bundle him up and head either to the ped or the ER right now. 

As a mom (all 5 of us have asthma, my middle child was considered disabled until 4 or so due to his asthma), and a respiratory therapist, I encourage you to get a pulmonologist AND a naturopath.  The pulm can help you get things in control pretty quickly, and the naturopath can help you work on long term things to hopefully get off the controller meds AND the albuterol.

We use quercetin (found in the supplement section of your local health food store) as a anti-inflammatory, can often stop my oldest (who now has the worst asthma in the family) bad attacks without prednisone.  Sprinkle it on apple sauce, it does have a pungent flavor but works amazingly well for us.  Also, extra omega-3 (cod liver oil of you can get it in, otherwise little gel caps) helps a lot with inflammation.  Also, castor oil rubbed on the chest and back (where the lungs are) can help, put heat on it if he will tolerate it (my 2 year old won't).

[Aridel]

I think everyone had great suggestions.  It sounds like you need a daily inhaler, and a protocol set up for what to do when.  We have an action plan that goes through when to up the daily inhaler, when to start albuterol, and things like that.  That way, you don't have to wait until he's wheezing.  The pulmonologist would the best person help you with figuring out medications. 

Does cold air seem to bother him?  If so, try having him wear a scarf over nose and mouth when leaving the house in the winter.  Does he have any other allergies or potential food allergies? Continuing to nurse him will help so, so much! 

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I ended up taking him to urgent care yesterday. He does have some infection in one lung, so he started on antibiotics yesterday. The only other time he has had them was for the same thing last year. One dose and he is already a different kid from yesterday, so I'm glad I went with my gut and took him in.

We saw an allergist recently to find out how severe his dairy and peanut allergies are. I think I'm going to call after the holidays and make an appt. to talk about an action plan for the reactive airway. I think I need a more concrete plan, and one that helps more with prevention. Thanks again for the advice!

[coyotemist]

Your very welcome, I'm so glad you took him in.  Hope the healing is fast!

[DevaMajka]

I'm glad your LO is on the mend.

I want to thank you for this thread- it sounds exactly like what's happening to ds2 (18mos old). He's been hospitalized twice, and the Dr's have never mentioned reactive airway (and I'd never heard of it). They say it's probably a virus (he tested neg once, and pos the 2nd time), but it seems really wierd to me that it progressed *exactly* the same way both times- runny nose, gradually more labored breathing, etc, and on the exact same timeline (down to the same things happening the same time of day, pretty much). "Reactive airway" makes more sense to me. I'm not a Dr, of course, but they didn't see how it progressed each time.

[coyotemist]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka 

I'm glad your LO is on the mend.

I want to thank you for this thread- it sounds exactly like what's happening to ds2 (18mos old). He's been hospitalized twice, and the Dr's have never mentioned reactive airway (and I'd never heard of it). They say it's probably a virus (he tested neg once, and pos the 2nd time), but it seems really wierd to me that it progressed *exactly* the same way both times- runny nose, gradually more labored breathing, etc, and on the exact same timeline (down to the same things happening the same time of day, pretty much). "Reactive airway" makes more sense to me. I'm not a Dr, of course, but they didn't see how it progressed each time.

 It sounds like you need to see someone who can give you a bit of help.  At the very least you should have an inhaler and spacer at home.

[DevaMajka]

We have both, and I keep meaning to get some herbal stuff that I read could help (maybe from you?) He has the start of a cold now, and we're going to give him the puffer today a few times and keep a very close eye. I have a feeling that the puffer will keep it from going downhill too much. None of the doctors, nor his family doctor (who we saw 2 weeks after the last incident), seem very concerned. Seems odd to me. I guess they're waiting for it to happen again until they'll be concerned?

[puffingirl]

I just came on here looking for the very same info for my 3 year old DD.  We were at the hospital this week and are just getting started with a protocol and I am glad to see that a lot of the stuff that was in our plan is reflected in others. Also glad to see some non-drug ideas too! Our neb machine broke tonight and we're dealing with the spacer (which DD hates) until we get a replacement tomorrow.  This was the 1st hospital trip for us and, man, was that scary!  Glad to see other mamas here who have BTDT.  Best of health to all your LOs. 

[coyotemist]

Originally Posted by DevaMajka 

We have both, and I keep meaning to get some herbal stuff that I read could help (maybe from you?) He has the start of a cold now, and we're going to give him the puffer today a few times and keep a very close eye. I have a feeling that the puffer will keep it from going downhill too much. None of the doctors, nor his family doctor (who we saw 2 weeks after the last incident), seem very concerned. Seems odd to me. I guess they're waiting for it to happen again until they'll be concerned?

2 things...

We found that family doctor's didn't take us nearly as seriously as pediatricians.  Family doc's are good for well things, but not specialized in kids enough for serious things.  But that was just my observation with 2 different practices.  Other practices might be different.

Also, docs might not look very concerned, they are trained to not look concerned.  You can't have medical professionals flying off the handle in the middle of a code.  It does happen, but it's not well thought of.  It doesn't mean they aren't concerned.  It doesn't mean they don't care, they just have really good poker faces and filters. 

The puffer will help, if you are seeing a response.  Put him on a "QID" schedule, (8, 12, 4, and 8).  Add in a Q2prn (another 2 puffs in between if he needs it), and use it as needed at night (don't wake him, sleep is important).  But, honestly, if he needs too many prn's, he needs steroids and another opinion.  He also needs another opinion of he needs that QID schedule more than a couple days.
 

Originally Posted by puffingirl 

I just came on here looking for the very same info for my 3 year old DD.  We were at the hospital this week and are just getting started with a protocol and I am glad to see that a lot of the stuff that was in our plan is reflected in others. Also glad to see some non-drug ideas too! Our neb machine broke tonight and we're dealing with the spacer (which DD hates) until we get a replacement tomorrow.  This was the 1st hospital trip for us and, man, was that scary!  Glad to see other mamas here who have BTDT.  Best of health to all your LOs. 

Walgreens has nebulizers now for $179 or $189 dollars.  I'm not sure if they bill insurance, but good to know in a pinch.  Also, sometimes you can find them on Craigslist (they often get flagged, it's technically illegal, but :shrug, you might find one for $50 or less).

[coyotemist]

Also, chart what you are doing and if you go to the doctor bring it with you.  They'll take you more seriously if they see you are doing everything possible at home. 

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by coyotemist 

Originally Posted by DevaMajka 

We have both, and I keep meaning to get some herbal stuff that I read could help (maybe from you?) He has the start of a cold now, and we're going to give him the puffer today a few times and keep a very close eye. I have a feeling that the puffer will keep it from going downhill too much. None of the doctors, nor his family doctor (who we saw 2 weeks after the last incident), seem very concerned. Seems odd to me. I guess they're waiting for it to happen again until they'll be concerned?

2 things...

We found that family doctor's didn't take us nearly as seriously as pediatricians.  Family doc's are good for well things, but not specialized in kids enough for serious things.  But that was just my observation with 2 different practices.  Other practices might be different.

Also, docs might not look very concerned, they are trained to not look concerned.  You can't have medical professionals flying off the handle in the middle of a code.  It does happen, but it's not well thought of.  It doesn't mean they aren't concerned.  It doesn't mean they don't care, they just have really good poker faces and filters. 

The puffer will help, if you are seeing a response.  Put him on a "QID" schedule, (8, 12, 4, and 8).  Add in a Q2prn (another 2 puffs in between if he needs it), and use it as needed at night (don't wake him, sleep is important).  But, honestly, if he needs too many prn's, he needs steroids and another opinion.  He also needs another opinion of he needs that QID schedule more than a couple days.
 

Originally Posted by puffingirl 

I just came on here looking for the very same info for my 3 year old DD.  We were at the hospital this week and are just getting started with a protocol and I am glad to see that a lot of the stuff that was in our plan is reflected in others. Also glad to see some non-drug ideas too! Our neb machine broke tonight and we're dealing with the spacer (which DD hates) until we get a replacement tomorrow.  This was the 1st hospital trip for us and, man, was that scary!  Glad to see other mamas here who have BTDT.  Best of health to all your LOs. 

Walgreens has nebulizers now for $179 or $189 dollars.  I'm not sure if they bill insurance, but good to know in a pinch.  Also, sometimes you can find them on Craigslist (they often get flagged, it's technically illegal, but :shrug, you might find one for $50 or less).

We got our pediatric nebulizer at Walgreens for under $50!  Insurance did not cover it there for some reason, but we submitted the receipt for payment with no problem.

[Amila]

No advice really but my DS was like this since 3 months old. Every cough was croupy, and he had bronchiolitis all the time. He turned two in july, and thus far, he hasnt had any wheezing or respiratory issues this season! We all had a nasty virus a few weeks ago, and although he had a cough, it never got how it used to. Our doc told me a while back that most kids outgrow it, and even if they do get asthma, they usually outgrow that too. :)