Does anyone have a LO with asthma?

[suzy100]

Maisy has had a terrible cough but only at night when i put her in her cot.
She doesnt cough at all during the day.
It is a dry, non-productive cough.
I have been having a look on-line and all sites say it is probably asthma. My OH has 3 sons from previous relationship and all have asthma as does he.
Just wondered how it is diagnosed and treated in babies.
Maisy is 12mths.

 

[chickadee1976]

Brians son has Asthma and has done since a baby.
He was diagnosed before my time so not sure about how, but he did end up in hospital a couple of times. So i would see the doctor if you are woried.
As for treatment he has been on inhalers since diagnosis, and ive been told the first couple of weeks were horrid, trying to get the mask on his face but he soon got used to it.

 

[Becky]

Lucy has asthma which started like you have described and then progressed into regular infections. Our Doctor said its difficult to diagnose in young children because they can't do peak flow tests (where you blow hard into a small device that measures lung capacity) so we had to take a trial and error approach.

So Lucy was prescribed a Ventolin (salbutamol) inhaler to try and see if her coughs improved. They did but not completely so we were given a preventative inhaler. She uses them with a spacer device which you puff the inhaler into and it holds the powder while you get the child to do lots of big breaths.

But Lucy was a bit older than 1 so I'm not sure how it would work. I think if you take your LO to the docs and describe what's happening then they can tell you how they want to proceed.

 

[Rosieroo]

My son is asthmatic. His was diagnosed at around 9 months and he's on 400mcg of clenil per day to help prevent the wheezing which he has via a spacer that's fitted with a mask. When he gets wheezy he has his blue inhaler, normally a couple puffs sorts him out.
He suffered with repeated chest infections, was sick every night through coughing and gagging and would also cough throughout the night.
Every cold tends to go to his chest and turn into an infection, but the sickness has stopped now which is great. He gets wheezy if he gets upset, too hot and sweaty and has been running around too much, but it's almost under control. He has the asthma clinic next month so we should find out what the plan is then for him

If you think she might have asthma then it's worth seeing a paediatrician.

 

[Flame]

My son is on Atrivent inhaler, they wont diagnose asthma under 1 years old but he has always been rattley and wheezy in his chest and getting coughs.

 

[fifi211]

My eldest was diagnosed with asthma when he was about 16 months old but he had suffered from being about 6 months old with repeated chest infections and dry cough. It took lots of visits backwards and forwards to the gp and a&e for us to get him sorted out.

He was given a reliever and preventer inhaler and a spacer with a mask and he was fussy at first but soon got used to it. He still has inhalers now but it is well controlled and only really bothers him when he gets a cold or infection.

My advice would be to persevere with the docs though, cos as said above they are reluctant to diagnose early. One thing which might help in the meantime though is sitting in the bathroom with the shower running hot and the door closed as the steam will help loosen your lo's chest and ease the cough, we still do this now. However if you do suspect asthma voice your concerns to your doc.

Hope you get sorted soon

 

[suzy100]

Ive got an appointment with my gp tomorrow morning for Maisy and i am absolutely dreading it. my SILs youngest was treated for asthma when he was a baby and was given a mask but she said he hated it and they had to literally pin him down to get it on him. i remember telling her to leave it with his other toys to play with so its not such a scary object and it worked although he only really needs it now when he has a chest infection etc.
wish me luck

 

[fifi211]

Good luck hun. I'm sure it will be fine, the mask is tricky but they do get used to it.

Let us know how you get on