Question about Asthma

[Calidris]

DD (15 months) has a cold with a nasty, heavy cough and some very laboured breathing when she sleeps (like heavy snoring), I just took her to the ped today and she said the lungs are clear, seems to be something viral, and suggested that the cough and snoring might be asthma. I had childhood asthma, (but wheezing) and it runs in DPs family as well, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise, but still....
The ped perscribed Ventolin syrup, so I am curious about peoples views on that, will it help prevent the cough from turning into wheezing (the ped sorta implied that) are there negatives that I might not know about (like with antibiotics), what will happen if I don't give the Ventolin? (I'm gonna wait a day or 2 anyway, because I think she is just starting to get over it). Are there alternatives (no access to all the cool homeopathic stuff ). I like our ped, she's great with bfing support, but I think she's a bit quick to perscribe stuff.

[Bethla]

My son was given an albuterol inhaler which he only uses when he does have a cold and coughs a lot with wheezing. We also have a nebulizer which we've only used once. I've heard of the syrup you're talking about but I don't know much about it.

He's also been prescribed a steroid to take when things have gotten really bad. My son has a heart condition and would get really sick. I'm definitely suspicious of all the meds that doctors seem to easily subscribe. You may be able to do some internet searches on the meds. I bought a nurses guidebook to meds to better understand all the stuff.

[ent_mom]

I have asthma and use the ventolin (the brand name for albuterol) inhaler. It is fast acting, unlike the anti-inflammatory drugs, but I hate the side effects of racing heart and messing with my blood sugar levels. Since you have asthma too, you probably already have experienced this yourself. I've found that often 1 puff will knock out the wheezing and coughing rather than the prescribed 2 puffs. This way I can often avoid the side effects.

Anyway, I too often have my asthma flare up when sick. The albuterol doesn't do it for me, I have to go on flovent (corticosteroid anti-inflammatory) to clear it up. I also have tried to stick it out and not take anything, but that's never worked. However, your daughter may be able to fight this on her own, who knows!

I second the advice posted on the toddler forum in response to your question - try lots of steam first, an inhaler would be less "invasive" than a syrup (try to get her to rinse with water ASAP so she doesn't swallow any residual), and if you have to try drugs then talk to your doctor about an anti-inflammatory rather than the bronchodialtor, ventolin.

I'm in the process of switching from Flovent to Intal because it falls in a safer FDA pregnancy category (safe being relative, of course!).

I hope your daughter feels better soon!
Kim

[Calidris]

thanks for the responses