Asthma IM SO SCARED?

Question

How do I know if my child is having trouble breathing while sleeping is she has just been diag. with asthma and dr said breathing machine every 4-6? I am scared. She sounds terrible

Answer 1

I know just how you feel. Well, maybe I don't, because I am in the position of your child. But my mom has been suffering with the same fears and the panic that you are for three years now. I have had asthma my entire life, but it has progressed into EXTREMELY severe asthma these past three years. I am telling you this so you understand you are not alone. There are even support groups for parents of children with asthmatics.

Here is my advice to you.

1.) If you ever feel in over your head, or you aren't sure what is going on with your child's breathing, call 911 immediately. It is ALWAYS better safe than sorry.

2.) I don't know how old your child is, but he or she needs a peak-flow-meter if he/she doesn't have one. Monitor the readings periodically, and check them before he/she goes to bed, before and after treatments, and every few hours or so.

3.) take an active role in treatment. Do research and ask questions.

4.) Never guess about treatment. Follow doctor's orders to the letter.

5.) Talk with teachers, have them keep an eye out, and even your child's friends can help out. I know mine are always watching out for me.

6.) As for sleeping, asthmatics typically cough when they are having a problem. Keep your child's door open and sleep near by so you can hear if there is a problem. Wake him/her up every 4 hours for a treatment, to keep breathing under control. It may be kind of a pain, but it's necessary. Check peak flow meter readings then too. You could also use a baby monitor to hear coughing or unusual wheezing.


Good luck, and hang in there with your child!

If you have blue cross insurance there is a program you should look into where you can be in contact constantly with a nurse for questions and advice.

Oh and good asthma meds that have worked for me include:

(For controller Meds)

Advair
Singulair
Spiriva

For Allergies

Nasonexx
Astelin
Claritin

For Rescue
Xopenexx

For Chronic Coughing without wheezing or asthma symptoms
Lydocain (spelling I believe is incorrect)

Watch out for wheezing, blue nails and lips, funny noises when breathing, constant coughing, chestpain

If your child experiences these you should call a doctor or 911. Especialy with the blue nails / lips. That is an automatic 911

Answer 2

Asthma is a scary thing especially to parent's who have a child with it. The best thing you can possibly do for her is to follow the directions of your physican exactly. Even if you think your child is sounding better and doesn't need one of the treatments- give it anyway. There's a reason that you were told to administer every 4-6 hours and with holding a treatment could be detrimental to your child's ability to breathe.

Wheezing sounds very obvious - a high pitched sound that you can hear if you put your ear to her mouth and listen to her breaths, or if you put your ear to her chest or back. My guess is that she's probably on Albuterol and something else like Pulmicort or Xoponex. The Albuterol is the med that is going to really help her if she's having problems breathing--that's the one that's called the rescue medication for asthmatics.

The medicine may make her jittery or nervous feeling, but it will also help her to breathe sooo much better. Good luck! And if you think that the treatments are not working, by all means, take her into the ER.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Asthma is an allergy and is triggered by something. The best non medication treatment for asthma is learning your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are smoke, dust, mold, mildew, plants, dust mites, pets and grass/weeds.

If you can not figure our your triggers, you may need to see an allergist and have allergy screening done. This may point out your triggers.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and the Expert Panel of Diagnosis and Management of Asthma both agree if you have to use a prescription inhaler such as albuterol more then two time per week, your asthma is NOT in control and you will need a prescription controller medication.

Controller medications are steroids (Asthmacort Asthmanex, Flovent, Pulmocort), Leukotriene modifier (Singulair, Aculade, Zyflo) or mast cell stabilizers (Cromolyn sodium, Intal, Tilade).

You may want to talk to your doctor about several strong controller medications and maybe Xolair shots.

If you want a proven, all-natural way to cure your asthma, without having to pay for useless medications with harmful side-effects, then this is the most important page you'll ever read.

Answer 5

If she has a whistling noise to her breathing either in or out, if her lips are blue or her breathing seems labored you need to wake her up and have her use the breathing machine. If she's really having trouble she will wake on her own and you can give her the nebulizer that the doctor perscribed. Don't be scared, be knowledgable. Get som e infor on Asthma, go on line or better yet check with your doctor. Also the library might be a good sourse of info.

Best wishes.

Answer 6

Just sleep with your kid when he is having bad symptoms. That's what I used to do. I knew right away when something was wrong.
Make sure his head isn't flat on the bed... elevate it... makes it easier for your child to breathe, most of all if he has a cold while having asthma symptoms.
Follow doctor's instruction (4-6?). I hope you have one that your child can use even when he is sleeping.... just hold it in front of his mouth and nose while inhaling in and out.

Answer 7

I don't really think those breathing machines work very well for asthmatics well at least not for me.......the best medicine for your child is a drug called Singulair....I've had asthma for years and believe me this is a wonderful discovery! It's not dangerous and your doctor can prescribe it....usually your child would have to take it in conjunction with perhaps Advair too.........believe me the regimen is worth it.........if she sounds terrible she needs to see a specialist....let the doctor know right away that your child is still struggling........most problems occur at nite......ask your doctor about SIngulair. (FYI-if she really having trouble take her to the nearest emergency room and get help.....asthmatics get first priority at all emergency rooms...that's how serious it can be)

Answer 8

Keep in regular touch with your doctor, or call the ER if you are having trouble with her breathing even after breathing treatments.