When to stop taking asthma maintenance inhalers

[Martina77]

my 4 year old son has been using seretide inhaler for more than two years, he is asthmatic and from time to time we got admitted in the hospital for asthma related incidents. His pedia put him into this maintenance but he still get asthma attacks, and he also using ventolin inhaler for occasional coughs. My question is : do this inhalers have long term side effects as they have been used for a long time?when is the right time to stop using this?your comments are highly appreciated...thanks.

[banyan_kitty]

My five-year old has a lighter symptom.  He had two asthma attacks (wheezing sound) in the spring.  His ped has put him on Pulmicort for three months and I was wondering if this kind of preventer really worked.  After he stopped using that, a cold triggered cough again.  I really don't want my son on a long-term medication either.  And our family doesn't have an asthma history.  I talked with many friends, and some of them recommend more swimming and outdoor exercises.  I think I will let my son has more exercise gradually because that's the only way to improve his own immune system.  I think Pranayam practice sounds interesting and useful.  We'll try that for sure.

[hava]

Pranayam was practised by sages centuries ago in India. Now a sage (Swami Ramdev) has simplified the technique, so ordinary people can understand how  to do it, and people are reaping benefits. Basically the body can heal from inside, when the cells are energised with the extra oxygen going into the blood with pranayam.
Try to do it in a fun way with the child, and he will enjoy it.
Keep a note of what you notice, regularly, as it will help you explain to others, what you are experiencing.The benefit is gradual, so do the pranayam daily.

[Martina77]

thanks for the suggestion, I have not heard of  pranayam before, what is its origin, Oriental or something?I'll try this one myself first, I dont know if my son who is 4 years old will do this with me, but I'll try, I'll let you know about the results, thanks.

[hava]

In addition to the medication for asthma, start doing this pranayam everyday, and you will be able to control the asthma. Children only need to do 5 to 10 minutes.You can post your feedback when you notice the benefit.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.Do it with the eyes closed, and concentrate on the third eye(between the two eyebrows).

[caregiver222]

There are apparently degrees of genetic sensitivity to the various asthmatic medications. I use Foradil, for example, a long-acting medication, without any side-effects that I can notice (I am a very happy camper with this product), but others have used this medication and have had many serious problems. It is very important always to have the child in possession of an emergency albuterol sulfate inhaler, even if there has not been an episode for an extended period of time.

[Martina77]

thanks everyone for the added info...

[achilles2]

I agree with you.

[geminigirl1963]

All medications, whether they be prescription or over the counter, have side effects.  However, by prescribing the medications, your son's doctor has determined that the benefits of the inhaler/s outweigh any potential risks of side effects (of course, barring any allergic reaction to the med).

Definitely keep him on the inhaler/s as long as the doctor deems necessary.  Since you've already had hospitalizations for his asthma, it's even more important to not stop the medication without doctor's orders.

If the cost of the medications is a problem, there may be some assistance programs available either through your local Social Services Department or through the manufacturer of the medication itself.  Many medication manufacturers have patient assistance programs that can provide the meds at either a reduced cost or for free.  Simply contact the manufacturer (will be shown on the prescription box/bottle) and ask if they have any patient assistance programs and if so, what you need to do to see if your son would qualify.

The fact that your pediatrician is also a pulmonologist is even more reason to continue to listen to his recommendation of keeping your son on the medication - he's had additional training/education in this field and could be even more knowledgeable about it than a "regular" pediatrician.

I hope your son continues to improve.

[achilles2]

There are side effects to inhalers it took me forever to find one that I do not shake so bad that I cannot even stand. (Thankfully my rescue inhaler is now xopenex). Also I cannot have Advair or (or any other drug that contains sereven)t because it is known to affect the thyroid-- it even has a black box warning.

I am not saying to stop using inhalers I am saying that there are known side effects! All prescription meds have some side effects. (I am not against prescriptions meds, I have quite a few different scripts for my health issues and I am thankful for how much they have helped me).

[moocowmadge]

Hi ,, i was diagnosed with asthma when i was 2 years old , and Have been taking inhalers everyday since then , there a no known side affects of inhalers however if your doctor thought it were not needed he would take you son off them, and by not taking your son of them it means he still need them especially as he is at a young age so more at risk ! x hope this helps

[Martina77]

Thank you for your posts, my husband and I are also asthmatic, my husband had outgrown his asthma, while for me, my asthma occurred when I'm already an adult and when my son has attacks I also have my own attacks because I become  stressed when he is sick, I'm also taking seretide and ventolin. I admit this really is an additional strain to our monthly budget, but I also understand that this is very important and the health of my son is top most of all. Im hoping than my son would also outgrow his asthma. His pediatrician is also a pulmonologist, she changed our combivent nebule into seretide using baby haler, and im thankful because its more convenient...thanks

[Martina77]

Thank you for your posts, my husband and I are also asthmatic, my husband had outgrown his asthma, while for me, my asthma occurred when I'm already an adult and when my son has attacks I also have my own attacks because I become  stressed when he is sick, I'm also taking seretide and ventolin. I admit this really is an additional strain to our monthly budget, but I also understand that this is very important and the health of my son is top most of all. Im hoping than my son would also outgrow his asthma. His pediatrician is also a pulmonologist, she changed our combivent nebule into seretide using baby haler, and im thankful because its more convenient...thanks

[caregiver222]

You really have to ask your pediatrician about this, and, as suggested, try an alternative treatment plan. Your concerns are justified. There are side effects, but on balance they are not serious in relation to the benefit. On the other hand, asthmatic attacks develop suddenly and without medications can be fatal. So it isn't reasonable to stop them without careful consultation with a pulmonary specfalist.

Sometimes children grow out of asthma, and in coordination with your physician, you might try an experiment in which your child is constantly monitored and has an emergency albuterol sulfate inhaler available, to see if the problem has diminished.

[bsmsl]

Hi,

I totally agree with the other poster - He needs to stay on the medication as long as his doctor says he needs them.  

One option would be to see an allergist.  Controlling asthma triggers goes a LONG way in controlling the disease and can reduce medication use.  An allergist may be able to work with you to find an effective treatment plan that you are more comfortable with.  If he is being treated by a primary care provider at this point, an allergist (or pediatric pulmonlogist) may be very helpful.  I have heard it said that primary care providers treat to keep the patient out of the hospital while a specialist will treat for a better quality of life.

To my knowledge there are no long term side effects from the medications he is on.  They are farely common.  

I hope that helps you some.

God bless.

[melipops]

Hi, you need this medication for as long as your dr tells you. I know it is called a preventer and you feel why isn't it preventing asthma? It has prevented your child from more attacks and the severity of them. Good luck keep giving these meds to your child. Take care