Son diagnosed with Asthma????

[dplusm2004]

In August of last year, my 10 year old son developed pneumonia.  From that day on, a severe cough would show itself about every two weeks. We would take him to the doctor and would be told; it’s the croup, it’s the croup and my son would be prescribed prednisone.  This went on until February of this year,  when my wife and I asked the doctor to check for some other problem… he diagnosed him with asthma and acid-reflux.  He was placed on two inhalers.. (Qvar 80mcg & ProAir HFA), as well as zantac 150mg.

Since the time that my son was placed on this medicine, he has begun to have constant coughing attacks. He has been taken by ambulance from school twice in the past ten days because he could not stop coughing long enough to catch his breath. Once he received breathing treatments both in the ambulance and at the hospital, everything was fine. It is getting to the point that we cannot take the child out of the house… my wife is actually on the way to the school right now because of another attack.

Is it possible that my son was misdiagnosed and this is some type of other infection or even a disease?
Is it possible that the inhalers or Zantac is actually causing this mess?
Could it even be a physcosomatic problem?

We are very displeased with my sons physician but are limited in our choices because our children are on Medicaid. Maybe we need to see an ENT and just pay for it out of pocket??? Anyway, thanks in advance for any responses. My wife and I are worried sick about our son and just do now know what to do at this point.

[JFriskie]

You should see an allergist I would call eeach and everyone within a 3-4 hr drive to see if they take medicaid. My son has asthma and Gerd and he is on a nebulizer, a steroid inhaler, and rescue inhaler sometimes prednisone too. If the breathing treatments are stopping the attacks maybe he can get a nebulizer that is travel size ours is and we take it everywhere we go he also might be allergic to something thats causing this you would be suprised my kids have food and outdoor/animal allergies! not fun!! Good luck I hope you figure it out! not knowing is the hardest part!

[caregiver222]

An allergist is a good idea, as is an ENT.

There is a good chance the medications are contributing to the problem.

As for GERDS, it can usually be treated by simply never ever eating while lying down and not eating for two hours before sleep-time. Certain foods, particuliarly chocolate and chocolate drinks contribute to GERDS because they contain methylxanthines, which cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Children often outgrow asthma. Asthma, as you know, is caused by the lungs over-reacting to the presence of an antigen (non-self substance) which triggers an inappropriate inflammatory response. Sometimes, with successive exposures, the attacks increase in intensity.

The problem is definitely NOT psychosomatic, although there is some evidence that asthmatic attacks can be conditionable.

The steroidal inhalers contribute to the problem by producing low-grade throat infections. When using a steroidal inhaler your son must gargle with water at least four times, spitting the water out and then swich water through his teeth.

An ENT isn't the worst idea, because often these re-current episodes are due to an encapsulated sinus infection. It is very likely that the original bout of pneumonia resulted in a colonization of bacteria in the sinus area. An MRI will sometimes pick these infections up, but they probably won't take one. I would look for a specialist in sinus infections.

Prednisone eliminates the immune response controling the bacterial infection and it goes out of control.  Yes, I know they usually give both prednisone and an antibiotic. My opinion is this is inappropriate, however it is difficult, if not impossible, to disuade hospitals/physicians from using tincture of bat-wing, as well.

A child is very much at the mercy of the pediatrician, and they usually do not register input from parents.

After a lung infection there are often numerous bouts of asthma, sometimes coming agin and again for weeks or months until things settle down.

Make sure the school does not hesitate to call 911 in the event of an attack INSTEAD OF CALLING the parents. Put this to them, and the school nurse in writing. They should NOT be calling your wife, except to notify them he is on his way to the hospital.

[JennBaskin]

Try getting a nebulizer so you can do breathing treatments at home.  Hopefully that will keep it more under control.  That's what I had to do when I was younger and first diagnosed with asthma.  I found mine at www.vitalitymedical.com

[dplusm2004]

Thanks everyone; we just got back from his doctor. After a very persistent conversation, we came home with a nebulizer, script for zyrtec & singular, as well as an appointment with a pulmonologist. Hopefully, we will find out very soon what the real problem is.
My son is quite upset because the doctor has confined him to our home; no school, no church or anything else. But, if it controls the attacks; it is worth it!

The final word was 5mg of singular & 10mg of Zyrtec per day; 4 nebulizer treatments and elemination of all inhalers until the pulmonologist visit.

[caregiver222]

Sounds good. You should rinse out the nebulizer once per day (you need not rinse the tubing). Although they specify four uses per day, if your son has difficulty breathing don't hesitate to use it again. They market a battery powered nebulizer that can be brought to school. Get yourself another accessory (container and mouthpiece) when you stop at the ER. They will generally give you one or two for nothing. Sometimes they get stepped on, the bowl cracks and you want a spare within arms reach.

Just remember to insure the gargling after using singulair.

Kepp us posted.