nebulizer question for a newly diagnosed 2 yr old with asthma

[maznwmn]

We just spent 3 days in the hospital with our two year old. She was diagnosed with asthma, RSV, low oxygen saturation levels, and pneumonia.  We were sent home yesterday with nebulizer to use every 4 hrs as needed.

I have a couple of questions.
1. SHe hates these treatments altogether, but the mask is completely impossible to use. In the hospital they were using the "blow by" method, and we are using this at home, too. What i wnat to know is if she is drinking from her bottle, and she is sucking the steam/vapor through her nose while drinking, is she getting the medicine at all? My husband gave her her treatment and that was the only way we could calm her down enough to get her to let us stick the steam in her face. Can we do this and still get her a decent amount of the medicine?

2. How do i know when she needs treatments? Is it just the raspy, fast breathing or is it when she starts coughing?

Any help would be great. Thanks.
Cathy

[AngeleL]

My 18-month-old has asthma and we spent many nights in the hospital.  It would get triggered by viral infections.  It wasn't under control.  Just this month, we bought the jet nebulizer to give him the treatments and he hates it just as much as he did when we were in the hospital.  They clearly said that he wouldn't get as much medicine if he had a soother or a bottle in his mouth.  They actually liked the fact that he would scream and cry because this increases the amount of med he gets.  Unfortunately, it breaks my heart when he screams and stairs me in the face crying : ' maman'
The Ventolin and Flovent wasn't contolling the asthma so we started a pill Singulair this month.  He has spent the last 2 weeks breathing normally which is a huge change.  You may want to look into this medication.  
Good luck

[Kestra]

I am not sure if this will help, but it occurs to me that you may want to try some of the specially designed children's masks.  They have some out there with all kinds of cute designs that your daughter may like.

Another option would be to buy an additional mask for your or your husband to wear with her.  If she sees you wearing them, maybe she will feel less afraid.

If she really has difficulty having the mask strapped over her head, you could try letting her just hold it.  This might help her to feel more in control, and less frightened.  Maybe she could get an award (like an M&M or a sticker) every time she takes a breath from the mask.

`Kestra

[miscdesign]

I feel for you.. been there, done that.  It's my opinion (I'm not a doctor) that she is getting enough while you are feeding her.  I used to do that too.  My son, thankfully, loves the mask - he has a fish face one.  I used to hold it at the chin area and let the steam rise into his nose.  

Do the treatments every 4 hours for a few days at least (that's a night too, sleeping is the best time, they breath in sooo deep). That way it will get her to where she needs to be. After that, it's what signs she gives you.  I judge by my sons cough.  When he starts coughing (not a dry air cough, but a constant - can't get rid of cough), then I give him treatments, I also give him treatments when I notice that he's starting to get a cold.  That's a trigger for him.  When he has colds, his asthma acts up so I try to head it off before it becomes a problem (and yes I have spent many a nights in the hospital before I got it right with him).  When you find that you have to give treatments less than every three hours it's time to call the doctor.  If it's within every two hours, it's time to go to the ER.  

Good Luck! Feel free to email on my reg email... my son is now 5 and I've been dealing with this since he was a baby... ***@****.