Too many meds for a child?

[Tiger03]

I am really worried about a child I know. This young lady is 10 years old and was diagnosed with asthma about 3-4 years ago. She is on several medications. At first (according to her mother), she had every trigger and she had allergies. After seeing the medical records, she has 1 trigger (cold weather - not good for living up north) and no allergies. She is on Advair, Singulair, Zyrtec, Prevacid (I am assuming this is because of all the meds she has in her system is messing up her stomach), Astelin (or Astelat - can't remember), Rhinocourt, and Albuterol. Now, she is on Xopenex - Levalbuterol HCI in the nebulizer (but she only has to do it when she is at 2 certain houses). Is this too much? And would the nebulizer be necessary at certain houses when she has NEVER had an attack or symptoms at either one of these houses? Would you even think that this is doctor ordered? Aren't nebulizers for infants, elderly, and people who have severe problems where they can not take deep breaths? I do not have asthma, so I am claiming a bit of ignorance (I did attend an asthma class at a hospital). I would appreciate some feedback. Thank you!

[MountainReader]

I don't know anything about asthma dosages for a child, but her list of medications is almost exactly the same as mine. I too have a problem with allergies, cold air, etc... It took me about 6 years to get my asthma under control. Over the years, different medications were tried and added until I found something that works. I am an adult on: Advair 500/50, Singulair, Albuterol, Allegra, Flonase, Astelin, Prevacid (2x/day). I also went through immunotherapy for the allergies. All of these medications help control my main symptom of a chronic cough and allergies. My GI doctor said that a high percentage of people with asthma end up with the acid reflux as well. The high dose Prevacid is the most recent addition about a year ago.

As I have gone through ths process, I asked two doctors if I was taking too much. The response I got from both was that each medication tackles the problems differently.

What are this girl's symptoms when she is having problems? I would imagine there have to be some that concern the doctors if they have her on so many medications. If cold air is the only trigger, does she have any problems when the air warms up?

[Tiger03]

As far as I have seen, her asthma is only bad when it is cold. She visits the south during the summer and does wonderfully with the warm/hot air.

[tarheel247]

sounds like she should have her IgE levels checked. Xolair has been awesome for my bf's son. his IgE levels were above 5k. the doc said he's never herd of anyones levels that high. anyway he put him on Xolair and it has made a world of difference for his asthma and his eczema. he hasn't had any problems with his asthma since he started the injections.

[kmansmama]

Hi

That sounds like alot of meds. My son has asthma, that has been pretty bad at times. He's been hospitalized on three occassions. He also had pneumina (forgot sp?) as an infant. His asthma is triggered by colds and dust mites.

A couple of months ago his Allergist put him on Pulmicort and Nasanex, it seems to be working. My son was diagnosed when he was about 2 and now he's 9 so he's been on all different kinds of meds. I think it's a trial and era thing.

My son's primary care physcian had him on meds that were too strong and his Allergist told me never to go back to her again for his Asthmatic care. He does'nt realize that he is always booked

I would get a second or even a third opinion,maybe you could take her to a specialist, usually the meds is prescribed by the severity. I also have a touch of asthma but mine is not severe. My Dr. has me on Flovent and Albuterol.

Take Care
KM~