Mr. Asthma

Question:

Hi, My 6 year old son has had asthma since he was an infant. I run a support site for parents of kids with asthma, which includes a discussion board. It’s not commercial and there are other parents that visit regularly so you might find some assistance there. http://www.jacy.com/asthma/ Best wishes, Jeanne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello, >  This is my 1st post to this group.  I am concerned about my 5 year old >Son.<snip>

Response:

>Thanks for the Reply Tina… >   We will certainty bring this possibility up to our pediatrician.  How bad >does this condition render you?  Do you need any special medication to keep >it under control.  Thanks in advance for any additional info you can supply. >Bob

   I will reply personally to BellAtlantic with the added info. Although Bronchiectasis has symptoms very close to asthma, (close enough that the Docs thought it was asthma until after the pulmonary functions test I had; Asthma developed later) I don’t think it proper to reply at length about it at this NG. If however, anyone wishes to have more info on this subject, feel free to e-mail me and I will forward you the info on the disease.

Response:

We have been thru hell and back with my son who is 5 1/2 years old.  We just went up to Boston (I am from NJ) for our 4th pulmonary opinion.  I agree with others, get lots of info, ask many questions, go with your gut feeling and don’t give up on yourself or your son.  I f you are not comfortable with the docor, his opinion or your son’s care, look for another doctor. We are finding out that everything the dr.s told me my son grew out of, he hasn’t and that he really doesn’t have typical asthma but other problems that cause him to wheeze and cough. That his problems are rare with his age, but can keep occuring and some kids don’t outgrow.  He is one of them.  Keep your hope up and if you need to talk or have questions you can email me. Gina

Response:

Thanks for the Reply Tina…    We will certainty bring this possibility up to our pediatrician.  How bad does this condition render you?  Do you need any special medication to keep it under control.  Thanks in advance for any additional info you can supply. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I think you may want to look into other possibilities. I had >bronchopneumonia at the same age as your son, the result of which was lung >scarring and bronchiectisis. >   Basically, my bronchial tubes became too wide, resulting in a "barking" >cough ( I think I sounded more like a seal ). Because of this, sputum tends >to stay in the lungs and cause episodes of bronchitis with almost every >cold! >   Mention it to the doc, it is a rare occurrence these days, but Pneumonia >is a big cause, and yes it is much like asthma ( the cough, wheeze, and >exasperation with colds). >   It is a small possibility, but worth checking out. >   Best of luck for you and your son! >Tina in Montreal

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >  This is my 1st post to this group.  I am concerned about my 5 year old >Son.  He had Pneumonia approx 2 yrs ago and his cough never really left. It >subsided for a while but really never fully was gone.  He doesn’t cough >everyday and it’s not a fit of coughing, it’s just whenever he does cough >(which may be as little as once or twice a day, or more on other days and >somedays nothing) his cough sounds like a bark like croup.  He’s not sick >but the cough sounds like he has a very bad cold.  In May he’s started to >wheeze occassionly.  Can anyone lend advice on how to proceed in regard to >confirming if he has asthma.  One of our pediatricians wanted to give him an >inhaler and then changed his mind after a more detailed explanation of his >cough was given.  I do not want to start him on Ventolin or Preventol unless >necessary.  ( I was diagnosed with asthma after pheumonia when I was 36 ). >Anyway… We could really use some advice from the knowledgeable people who >frequent this group.

If your doctor is unsure what the problem is theny you should ask for a referral to a specalist. For many doctors prescribing a ‘rescue’ inhaler such as Proventil is one of the ‘rule of thumb’ tests they make in the diagnosis (if it relieves the symptoms then it tends to confirm the asthma diagnosis). It would be a good idea to get the prescription for the Proventil.  If he actually does have asthma, having a rescue inhaler available may literally turn into a lifesaver.

Response:

I think you may want to look into other possibilities. I had bronchopneumonia at the same age as your son, the result of which was lung scarring and bronchiectisis.    Basically, my bronchial tubes became too wide, resulting in a "barking" cough ( I think I sounded more like a seal ). Because of this, sputum tends to stay in the lungs and cause episodes of bronchitis with almost every cold!    Mention it to the doc, it is a rare occurrence these days, but Pneumonia is a big cause, and yes it is much like asthma ( the cough, wheeze, and exasperation with colds).    It is a small possibility, but worth checking out.    Best of luck for you and your son! Tina in Montreal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >  This is my 1st post to this group.  I am concerned about my 5 year old >Son.  He had Pneumonia approx 2 yrs ago and his cough never really left. It >subsided for a while but really never fully was gone.  He doesn’t cough >everyday and it’s not a fit of coughing, it’s just whenever he does cough >(which may be as little as once or twice a day, or more on other days and >somedays nothing) his cough sounds like a bark like croup.  He’s not sick >but the cough sounds like he has a very bad cold.  In May he’s started to >wheeze occassionly.  Can anyone lend advice on how to proceed in regard to >confirming if he has asthma.  One of our pediatricians wanted to give him an >inhaler and then changed his mind after a more detailed explanation of his >cough was given.  I do not want to start him on Ventolin or Preventol unless >necessary.  ( I was diagnosed with asthma after pheumonia when I was 36 ). >Anyway… We could really use some advice from the knowledgeable people who >frequent this group.

Response:

Bell Atlantic I wish you the best of luck–I started this saga when my duaghter was 7 months old–its not an esy one. The first thing you need to do is ask a lot of questions of your dr–find out as much info as he’s willing to give as to why the inhaler was stopped–and then ask more. Keep records–keep track of your sons cough, how it sounds, when he has it, etc.  Pay attention to where he is and what he’s been doing. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion–or even a third or a fourth. The barking cough, and the wheezing, as well as his not ever really getting over the cough or signs which may indicate ashtma. Keep on top of  it and never hesiste to ask questions–if you’re not comfortable with the answers, let the dr know and don’t hesistate to find another. Lesa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >  This is my 1st post to this group.  I am concerned about my 5 year old >Son.  He had Pneumonia approx 2 yrs ago and his cough never really left. It >subsided for a while but really never fully was gone.  He doesn’t cough >everyday and it’s not a fit of coughing, it’s just whenever he does cough >(which may be as little as once or twice a day, or more on other days and >somedays nothing) his cough sounds like a bark like croup.  He’s not sick >but the cough sounds like he has a very bad cold.  In May he’s started to >wheeze occassionly.  Can anyone lend advice on how to proceed in regard to >confirming if he has asthma.  One of our pediatricians wanted to give him an >inhaler and then changed his mind after a more detailed explanation of his >cough was given.  I do not want to start him on Ventolin or Preventol unless >necessary.  ( I was diagnosed with asthma after pheumonia when I was 36 ). >Anyway… We could really use some advice from the knowledgeable people who >frequent this group.

Response:

Hello,   This is my 1st post to this group.  I am concerned about my 5 year old Son.  He had Pneumonia approx 2 yrs ago and his cough never really left.  It subsided for a while but really never fully was gone.  He doesn’t cough everyday and it’s not a fit of coughing, it’s just whenever he does cough (which may be as little as once or twice a day, or more on other days and somedays nothing) his cough sounds like a bark like croup.  He’s not sick but the cough sounds like he has a very bad cold.  In May he’s started to wheeze occassionly.  Can anyone lend advice on how to proceed in regard to confirming if he has asthma.  One of our pediatricians wanted to give him an inhaler and then changed his mind after a more detailed explanation of his cough was given.  I do not want to start him on Ventolin or Preventol unless necessary.  ( I was diagnosed with asthma after pheumonia when I was 36 ). Anyway… We could really use some advice from the knowledgeable people who frequent this group.

Response: