My fiance has an 8 year old daughter. His ex has her on a ton of medications that we're wondering if they're ALL necessary. The only doctor his ex has taken her to is her pediatrician that has diagnosed her with asthma, among other things. My fiance's family has a history of pretty bad allergies, which leads us to believe she only has allergies, not asthma (she's never had an asthma attack, has never had trouble breathing, no wheezing, etc.). Her meds include: Singulair, Zyrtec, Pepcid AC (the pediatrician diagnosed her with acid reflux because she had a stomach ache), Levsin (which is also for her stomach aches, I suppose), Flonase (she has a runny nose sometimes), and she also takes Pulmicort and Albuterol through a nebulizer. These are all medications taken DAILY. My fiance is in the process of getting all of her medical records (since his ex doesn't send him anything) showing what tests have been performed to prove these diagnoses. We plan on taking her to see an allergy specialist after we review her medical records. I understand that some allergies can cause asthma symptoms, but she's never had any. Has anyone ever heard of taking all of these meds at one time? Are pediatricians supposed to diagnose and treat something like this or should they refer you to a specialist for a second opinion to make sure?

Sounds normal to me. A lot of times patients with asthma, also have acid reflux issues. Also can have sinus and allergy issues.

A lot of times these meds are used as preventatives, or are what is keeping the child healthy. Take them away and she could end up having major issues.

As a parent of a child with cystic fibrosis whose son is on several of the same meds I would be IRATE if someone started questioning the necessity of some of the meds he's on.

But, could it be possible for the child to just have allergies and should be treated for allergies alone that would take care of the asthma symptoms? Kind of like treating the root of the problem instead of treating each and every individual symptom? As I've said, we've yet to review her medical records and have not seen a specialist yet, so this is all just speculation. We just think that given my fiance's family history of allergies and that there is no history of asthma on either side and that the child has never shown symptoms of asthma, it sounds like it could just be allergies and should be treated accordingly.

Hi Amberlea~ Sorry I don't have any input but I just wanted to let you know I was in a similar situation with my step daughter. She was on MANY meds and had never shown signs of what many of them were for. (If that makes any sense) Her mother would get very agitated when we would question them. Well about 3 years ago she moved across the state with her Mom and they had to go to a different doctor. She was taken off all meds. (Nebulizer with 2 different meds, albuteral and something else I can't remember, flonaze... the list goes on and on) She is now 13 and plays soccer and volleyball. (She was told before that she couldn't do anything so physical.) We are amazed by the difference. She was once a mini... for no better word hypocondriac, and is now a healthy active teen.

I can't say if your situation is the same. But you and your husband have every right to make sure that the treatment is correct. Doctors can be wrong... and when they are it is really too bad for the kids that can become dependant on medications their whole life. Good luck!!

If she's on singular she shouldn't need pulmicort or alburteral. Singular IS usually given in place of nebulizer medicine. I personally, would not put all 3 of those medicines into my child. Especially on top of the rest of that stuff!

I'd be getting a second opinion if you can.

Thank ya'll for your replies. We had a feeling it was just way too much. Especially, like you said, taking 3 different meds for just one thing (if she even has asthma at all). We called her doctor to request her medical records be sent to us (which takes a week), and after we review everything to see what, exactly, the doctor tested her for and her diagnosis, we'll know what to tell the specialist that we take her to. Problem after that will be, if the doctor does indeed tell us she does not need to be on these meds, it's convincing his ex to take her off of them. But, that's a whole other battle. Again, thanks for the responses and if anyone else has a similiar situation, I'd love to hear your story.