A.S. asks from Keller, TX on February 01, 2007
18 Month Old Son with Asthma
My son was finally diagnosed with asthma a few weeks ago. We've been to the doctor so many times since all this began when he was about 4 months old. Now he's 18 months old, on breathing treatments every 4 hours (until he clears up) and he is still only 21 lbs.! Does anyone else have a small child with asthma that can give some advice? He coughs, not wheezes, and he doesn't sleep all night every night. He doesn't eat much at a time and sometimes just wants to drink. I'm worried about him being on such strong medicine but, then again, he hasn't been "clear" in a long time. We elevate his bed, use a humidifier only when he's really congested,dust and clean about every 3 days, have plastic on his crib, clear his nose with saline, etc.
We really like our pediatrician and allergist but I didn't know if there was anything "creative" anyone had done that has helped their child.
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T.R. answers from Dallas on February 01, 2007
After the breathing treatments pat him on the back hard but not to hard about 20 times. It helps I thought it was funny when Childrens told us what to do.
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A. answers from Dallas on February 01, 2007
Have you ever considered taking him to a chiroptactor? I know this may seem odd to you, but it wont hurt to give it a try. I have heard wonderful stories about how much chiropractic care has helped children with all kinds of problems seemingly unrelated to chiropractic care. Find someone who has worked with other children, and give it a try. I wish I could recommend someone, but we recently moved here. I would also look into nutritional changes as well. Best of luck, I am sure you must be frustrated with him being "sick" constantly. ~A.~
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D.M. answers from Dallas on February 02, 2007
A.,
You need to get your son to a pulmonologist. Our son has allergies and asthma, but it wasn't until we saw a pulmonologist at 9 months of age that we discovered reflux and that he aspirates fluids (sucks them into his lungs). We used to see Dr. Mandujano at Medical City, but now see Peter Schochet at Presby Plano. Both are good doctors.
In our house, we are very careful of the scents and smells. This means no candles, no perfumes/colognes, scent-free laundry detergent and I only use the cleaning products from Target that have the light smell or are natural and non-irritating.
It's quite an adjustment to have a kiddo with these problems b/c it means changing your lifestyle a little bit too. Good luck!!
K.J. answers from Dallas on February 02, 2007
A.,
My daughter was finally diagnosed with Asthma at 11 months and hospitalized at the same time her oxygen level was so low, our pediatrician kept telling us she was fine I finally went to a pulmologist LOVE him Dr. Sugerman at mmedical city he was vote in "d Magazine as best doctor for the past 5 years. After our first stay in the hospital I vowed we would NEVER go back, she is 8 years old now and we have never had another hospital stay. I can relate on the sleepless nights and no eating or drinking mind me asking what they have him on? we went to Zopenex cause the other meds made her too shakey and no sleep. No their is nothing creative to help asthma other than to make the environment he lives in allergin free. what type of action plan are you on?
K.
L.F. answers from Dallas on March 02, 2007
While my son has it. but it not as bad. as some are. But my mom told me to not give him and milk or anything with milk in it. cus it cause flim to form.. are u can put peppermint oil in there. u can get it at herbs store. it works. if u dont like using the meds..
K.W. answers from Dallas on February 02, 2007
my daughter has had asthma for a very long time. she is now 5. they gave her singulair. its a medicine she takes every nite.
T.L. answers from Dallas on February 02, 2007
HI A. MY NAME IS T. AND I HAVE 6 CHILDREN . HAVE YOU TRIED A VAPORISER WITH VICKS FOR CHILDREN IN HIS ROOM AT NIGHT?
YOU CAN ALLSO USE VICKS VAPORROM FOR CHILDREN ON HIS BACK AND CHEST IT COMES IN CHERRY SMELL SO IT WANT GAG HIM. SOME TIMES TH OLD REMEDIES WORK BETT THAN THE DOCS. THEY ALSO HAVE CINGULAR FOR CHILDREN CHEWABLE OR DISOLVE ON TOUNG. AS FAR AS HIS EATING ITS HARD TO EAT WHEM YOU CANT HARDLY BREATH SO AS LONG AS HE IS DRINKING HE WILL BE FINE JUST MAKE SORE WHAT HE DRINKS HAS ALOT OF ELECTRITES IN ITHOPES THIS HELPS. T.
D. answers from Dallas on February 02, 2007
See Dr. Andrew Gelfand ASAP. He is at Presby. Dallas. He is the absoute best Pulmanologist in Dallas. I live in Los Angeles and have the best Doctors here ,and I flew there for a consult with him.
There are several tests my son had to rule out certain things. as well as allergy testing. all negative.
It took about 4 months for his cough , constant cough to go away.
They also gave him a high dose of an antibiotic and that is what finally knocked it out.
the Albuteral and pulmicort did nothing for him.
good luck.
Dr. Gelfand is amazing.
P.S. I did have a Sweat Choloride test to rule out Cystic Fibrosis as well, but it is so unlikely that is what it is, you would have many other indications if it were that.
DO NOT Stress about the test should they perform it. I did and it turned out to be nothing.
they like to rule it out first.
A.S. answers from Dallas on February 02, 2007
Dear A.,
Yes there have been creative ways found to deal with asthma. My daughter had asthma. She started seeing a chiropractor, Dr. Max Waddell in Keller. She is doing much better now. He has also helped me alot.
And I have a friend whose child had asthma. Nothing seemed to help. She heard about all the problems being caused by cleaning products and switched to Melaleuca cleaning products. Now she has no problems at home with asthma. She convinced me to switch over to Melaleuca and we really like the products because they're all natural and won't hurt the environment.
I order from my friend every month so if you want me to order something for you or give her your phone number, I'll be glad to do that for you. Just call me ###-###-####) or email me directly (____@____.com). I order around the 16th of every month.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
A. S.
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