Asthma, Chronic Pneumonia or Other?

[jackie217]

My son is 6 years old.  He has been hospitalized 17 times in the past 4 years for asthma, complicated by pneumonia, complicated by hypoxia.  More often than not he has presented to the ER with no symptoms of pneumonia upon examination.  But when the xray is taken, usually at my request, the film shows what has been diagnosed as pneumonia and treated with intervenous antibiotics.  On the rare occassion of no pneumonia diagnosis I have been told that there are spots of atelectisis (sp?).  My son also suffered from PICA from the time he was almost 2 until he was approx 4.  Given the hypoxia he requires supplemental oxygen over a minimum period of 48 hours. I am not sure whether there is an underlying problem considering that the "pneumonia" is always in the same spot, the left lower lobe.  Can you shed any light on this?  Thanks much.

[National Jewish]

I believe from the picture you have described that your child has a fairly severe respiratory problem.  It is impossible to tell whether this is all due to asthma or to other airway causes.  I would highly recommend having your son evaluated by a Pediatric Pulmonologist and/or coming to National Jewish for a complete evaluation.

[jackie217]

thanks for your input.  we have found a new pediatrician and are scheduled to meet with a pulmonologist.  we are also having an xray done while he is not sick to see whether the lungs appear clear.  thanks again.

[NoOnesGirl110787]

Is it posible to go from having serious Asthma attacks to having no sign of Asthma, but then years later get acute Asthma?

[starion]

Dear Friend,
I believe the LungLine nurse only reads the initial question posted from each entry.  If you would like to post a question that you would like them to answer, you need to post it as an original question rather than a comment to someone else's question.
I have NO medical training, but from what I understand of asthma (having had it for over 40 years), you can go through periods when it is better controlled and more poorly controlled, but once you have asthmatic airways you always have them.  When the condition is better controlled you have fewer symptoms.  Control can include allergen avoidance (if allergies trigger or worsen asthma), medication, and an appropriate exercise program.
You can read lots of great info about asthma by going to www.NationalJewish.org, particularly their MedFacts, Understanding series and Asthma Wizard.
Your local branch of the American Lung Association can also provide you with free information about asthma.
Aloha,
Starion