my daughter went back to the specialist today. We have been going every two weeks for awhile now to adjust meds and get things under control. He upped her to the Advair 250/50(from the 100/50) and added Pediox as needed for headaches/runny nose(we also kept the same dosage of singulair)........ he said she had a "harsh cough" ..... I thought she was doing fine........the cough she has is NOTHING compared to what she CAN GET like........I just wish we could get rid of it COMPLETELY!!! He mentioned checking her immunoglobulins(?)...............said we will probably do this next visit............also keeps mentioning immunotherapy.......I don't want to go there......she is only 6 and not a big fan of needles........

They will check her immunoglobulins to make sure that she doesn't have an immune deficiency.

If she is an allergic asthmatic, the theory behind that is that most of the asthma is caused by allergies. Take away the allergies, and you put the asthma in remission. Immunotherapy may help IMMENSLEY with this. She'll get used to the needles. Explain to her that if you do this now then it will stop things from happening in the future, like her having to inject herself with an epipen because of an anaphylactic reaction. Let alone any hospital stays and the like which would be entirely more painful and scary. I know some kids who get immunotherapy get to do their shot and then go for a small toy at the dollar store. This may be something to think about.

I've been getting allergy shots since I was three years old. For most people, allergy shots are safer than drugs, both oral and inhaled. If they will improve your daughter's health outcomes as well as lower her dependence on meds (especially steroids, even the inhaled kind), they will be worth it for both of you in the long run. My friend's six year old just had allergy testing and did pretty well with it. It has helped them figure out what triggers she needs to avoid in addition to make other decisions about treatment.

my daughter went back to the specialist today. We have been going every two weeks for awhile now to adjust meds and get things under control. He upped her to the Advair 250/50(from the 100/50) and added Pediox as needed for headaches/runny nose(we also kept the same dosage of singulair)........ he said she had a "harsh cough" ..... I thought she was doing fine........the cough she has is NOTHING compared to what she CAN GET like........I just wish we could get rid of it COMPLETELY!!! He mentioned checking her immunoglobulins(?)...............said we will probably do this next visit............also keeps mentioning immunotherapy.......I don't want to go there......she is only 6 and not a big fan of needles........

Danitom:

Like your daughter, I am a asthmatic who is allergic to pollen, grass, trees, dust, and mold. I started getting my shots when I was 13 years old. I had allergy shots(3) for 14 years and it didn't do much to reduce my symptoms. So, I stopped getting shots 6 years ago.

As for the Advair prescription, I have heard many good things about it. It is supposed to be combonation of the inhalers Flovent and Servent. I am pretty sure he increased her prescription as precaution to prevent the onset of respiratory infections that she may encouter going into Spring season.

As for the Advair prescription, I have heard many good things about it. It is supposed to be combonation of the inhalers Flovent and Servent. I am pretty sure he increased her prescription as precaution to prevent the onset of respiratory infections that she may encouter going into Spring season.[/QUOTE]

On 250/50 of Advair, I'm pretty susceptible to bronchial infections, but they never get that bad. On 500/50 of Advair(need to burst sometimes with flare ups), I get some pretty nasty lung infections. During a year of 250/50 I had 3 episodes of bronchitis and in 3 weeks of 500/50 I had pneumonia.
More isn't always better. Esp. if shes susceptible to lung infections like me.
Oh don't remind me about spring season, i'm making sure I go 2 school everyday now, no taking days off..so I have my days saved up for when I need them lol..

As for the Advair prescription, I have heard many good things about it. It is supposed to be combonation of the inhalers Flovent and Servent. I am pretty sure he increased her prescription as precaution to prevent the onset of respiratory infections that she may encouter going into Spring season.

On 250/50 of Advair, I'm pretty susceptible to bronchial infections, but they never get that bad. On 500/50 of Advair(need to burst sometimes with flare ups), I get some pretty nasty lung infections. During a year of 250/50 I had 3 episodes of bronchitis and in 3 weeks of 500/50 I had pneumonia.
More isn't always better. Esp. if shes susceptible to lung infections like me.
Oh don't remind me about spring season, i'm making sure I go 2 school everyday now, no taking days off..so I have my days saved up for when I need them lol..[/QUOTE]



Pink:

At the end of the day, the issue of whether more is better really depends on the patient and the severity of thier asthma. Like you, I have severe lung infections :confused: . So far, the increase in my medication has been a blessing. I am currently on Slo-Bid ,Flovent,Servent,Singular, Albuterul and nebulizer inhaled meds. :ventolin and atrovent (taken when I have low peek flow). So far, I have manged pretty well. :wave: Knock on Wood :bouncing: .

I understand your situation with school. Because, I also went through alot complications when I was in grade school and college as well( working on my Bachelors and Masters Program). All I can tell you is hang in there. Also, you may want to find a good pulmulogist.-This definitely made a difference in my situation. Good luck with school! :angel:

Pink:

At the end of the day, the issue of whether more is better really depends on the patient and the severity of thier asthma. Like you, I have severe lung infections :confused: . So far, the increase in my medication has been a blessing. I am currently on Slo-Bid ,Flovent,Servent,Singular, Albuterul and nebulizer inhaled meds. :ventolin and atrovent (taken when I have low peek flow). So far, I have manged pretty well. :wave: Knock on Wood :bouncing: .

I understand your situation with school. Because, I also went through alot complications when I was in grade school and college as well( working on my Bachelors and Masters Program). All I can tell you is hang in there. Also, you may want to find a good pulmulogist.-This definitely made a difference in my situation. Good luck with school! :angel:[/QUOTE]

The increase is amazing for me as far as lung functions go, I can do anything, do gymnastics, work out, sometimes(SHOCK) even run!(SHOCK) (lol), wake up in the morning without needing albuterol..
Right now I'm on Advair 250/50, Flonase, Clarinex, Singulair, Yasmin(my body is so messed up my hormones all outta whack), Albuterol inhaler & Xopenex as needed. I'm doing alright now on all this, (AHH knock on wood for me lol) this is the longest i've gone without being sick or having a flare up in..wow since like ..august maybe? I didn't realize that till just now wow..hehe.
School is tough. Last semester I missed 16 days of school(you can only miss 18 and they will withdrawal/fail)..not the most encouraging thing for your parents when you want to leave home for college. How did you deal with college and being away from home with asthma? I can take care of myself, I do most everythign for myself(remembering meds, refills, appts, tracking pfs, etc) but I don't wanna be miserable at school, or even take the chance. I don't know what I would do if I had a severe attack or got reallly sick. How did you manage all that?

Pink:

At the end of the day, the issue of whether more is better really depends on the patient and the severity of thier asthma. Like you, I have severe lung infections :confused: . So far, the increase in my medication has been a blessing. I am currently on Slo-Bid ,Flovent,Servent,Singular, Albuterul and nebulizer inhaled meds. :ventolin and atrovent (taken when I have low peek flow). So far, I have manged pretty well. :wave: Knock on Wood :bouncing: .

I understand your situation with school. Because, I also went through alot complications when I was in grade school and college as well( working on my Bachelors and Masters Program). All I can tell you is hang in there. Also, you may want to find a good pulmulogist.-This definitely made a difference in my situation. Good luck with school! :angel:

The increase is amazing for me as far as lung functions go, I can do anything, do gymnastics, work out, sometimes(SHOCK) even run!(SHOCK) (lol), wake up in the morning without needing albuterol..
Right now I'm on Advair 250/50, Flonase, Clarinex, Singulair, Yasmin(my body is so messed up my hormones all outta whack), Albuterol inhaler & Xopenex as needed. I'm doing alright now on all this, (AHH knock on wood for me lol) this is the longest i've gone without being sick or having a flare up in..wow since like ..august maybe? I didn't realize that till just now wow..hehe.
School is tough. Last semester I missed 16 days of school(you can only miss 18 and they will withdrawal/fail)..not the most encouraging thing for your parents when you want to leave home for college. How did you deal with college and being away from home with asthma? I can take care of myself, I do most everythign for myself(remembering meds, refills, appts, tracking pfs, etc) but I don't wanna be miserable at school, or even take the chance. I don't know what I would do if I had a severe attack or got reallly sick. How did you manage all that?[/QUOTE]



Pink:

Wow! We have a lot in common. I am also on Yasmeen because my hormones got messed up as well after they had put me on Prednisone (doctors sometimes put you on this stuff for bronchitus). Try to avoid this medication. :nono:

As I look back on it, I think it was blessing that I made through college. :angel: For one thing, my family was very supportive and about a hour or less away from my college. Also, I was very fortunate to be an participant in a asthma clinic study and my pulmulogist was very supportive. :) Also, during my Bachelors years, I was able to have an apartment which was close to my college's medical center.

Another thing you may want to do is register with disable student services at your university.-Before an emergancy arised, they were able to notify my professors regarding my medical status,serve as an advocate, and assist in making needed adjustsment as necessary.

I sincerely hope that I am able to shead some light on your situation. Good Luck! :wave:

Pinkbanana- you really scared me with the Advair actually making you MORE suseptible to infections!! My daughter is also very suseptible but I think she will be more like Sandson and it HELP her.....she did have a cough when we went to the doc Tues. and since he upped her meds it has just faded out.....kinda amazing actually.

As for missing school...my daughter is only in kindergarten but has missed 17 days so far this year!! She was out a full week with pneumonia in December which prompted the change from the pediatrician to the allergist/asthma specialist