7 year old with asthma so CONFUSED! HELP - Asthma Message Board

spreadkindness · 03-14-2007, 04:55 PM

My son has asthma with his allergies. He was prescribed ProAir (albuterol) to use 3 times a day as needed. He went for his 2nd visit today & was given Pulmicort to use twice a day & also given Prednisolne. The directions for Prednisolne are "as needed at bedtime for flare ups." I spoke to the pharmacist about this & she said she had never heard of having prednisolne "on hand or taking it at bedtime." The Dr. didn't even give a dosage on his prescription!

First of all my son has never had a full blown attack. I took him to the allergist after he kept clearing his throat in class. The Dr. said it was an allergic reaction to mold in the school. He wheezes occassionally if running very hard during baseball practice. He does not cough. And his sleep is not interrupted. He has never missed school or a sport due to asthma.

I have heard that Pulmicort can stunt growth in a child & that Prednisolne is just bad news unless you really need it. (which honestly I don't think he does) Can he stay on the albuterol daily? Are there reprocussions?

I have also heard that he should take the albuterol first then the pulmicort. Is this correct? The Dr. did NOT TELL US ANYTHING about it.

I am very confused & frustrated. I will be calling another Dr. tomorrow!

Any info or questions to ask my Dr. would be GREATLY appreciated!!

MillyMollyMandy · 03-15-2007, 01:50 AM

Hi
I have a 14 yr old who has had asthma from being a baby. Firstly, dump the Doc. and get a new one. My son has to take Prednislone occasionally, for 5 day bursts if he is really bad. I don't like him taking it but know it can be a life-saver, and he has not had any ill-effects from it. It's unbelievable that the Doc did not even give dosage instructions, however going on what you have said he probably doesn't need it. They don't know if he needs it when he has not even tried the Pulmicort yet.

If your son needs albuterol every day, then he probably needs to be taking the Pulmicort. I know how you feel about it, I went thru the same emotions when my boy was small, but inhaled steroids have very little effect on the rest of the body, they go straight to the lungs where needed, so smaller doses are given as opposed to oral steroids. I have also heard the stories about stunted growth, but the doses would have to be massive. If this is reassuring, my son has been on them since he was 3, he's now almost 15 and approaching 6ft in height!
Good luck with the new Doc!

Mandy.

MillyMollyMandy · 03-15-2007, 01:54 AM

Sorry, I just re-read your post and realised I missed a question. It's a good idea to take the albuterol first, as this opens up the airways, so the Pulmicort can go right in where it's needed. If the airways are tight, the Pulmicort may not go deep enough. Wait 10/15 minutes after albuterol, then give the Pulmicort. Hope this helps to explain it.
Mandy.

tandjsmom · 03-15-2007, 09:31 AM

Both of my boys have asthma and have both been taking singulair and pulmicort regularily since Oct.
Neither has experienced a growth "stunt". In fact my older son (who is in the process of weaning off) has grown 1 1/2 inches since he started it. And my younger close to an inch.
I do know how you feel, I still feel that way, but my sons had much more severe symptoms and it has been a blessing not to worry so much. They haven't missed school and can play sports again.
Good luck.

spreadkindness · 03-15-2007, 01:28 PM

Thank you both very much!

I canceled our next appt. & rescheduled with a new Dr. It is reassuring to know that your sons' growth as not been affected. And thank you for letting me know to use albuterol first & then pulmicort!! I did it opposite last night. Ugh!

~Heather