Side Effects of Asthma Medications?

I have a friend that has a son with Adhd and Asthma. I am no Dr or professional. She didnt want to use medications if possible to control the behavioral side. She has found that following a specific diet and supplemental vitamins has really worked for them. She has cut the candies and sugars for all the children, not just him. They still can have it on special occasions and as a reward or treat once in a while. As a result the asthsma has gotten a little better and his ADHD is very controllable. Still need some of meds for asthma but doesnt use them for ADHD.

You have just wrote the story of my 6 year old! He lives with his dad (by court order), anyway, dad smokes and my son is allergic to cigarette smoke and the doctor knows this. My son has allergy induced asthma and since he is around the smoke 24-7 unless he is here with me, he has a horrible gagging cough, the doctor has put him on singular, zyrtec and advair inhaler along with a nasal spray, he has been on these for about 2 years now. My son has also been diagnosed with ADHD, and is now lashing out in school. He most certainly is not my little angel that he used to be. I think it is an awful lot of medication for a little guy, and I think that has some affect on his attitude/temper. I am in the process of trying to get him back, but I am not sure as to weather the attitude is from the medication or his "dad's" house. I would also get a second opinion. I have no right to change my son's doctor, or take him for a second opinion, but I have asked other doctors who have not seen my son, and 3 of them did tell me that is too much medication over such a long period of time. Good luck to you, and keep me posted.

Hi J.,

I have had asthma for the last 20 years. Some of the "old" medicines - such as theophyline can have effects similiar to caffeine. The new ones like Singulair don't have those same effects. I'm not sure about the Zyrtek, tho. I would look up the side-effects for that on the web.

Good luck.

Pam N.

Medication CAN absolutely be the culprit. Most people, including docs, don't seem to think of this as a possibility initially. If you were to read the "drug info" on all these meds, you will be overwhelmed and amazed to know the problems they can cause. Of course, breathing is vital to life, so it's not like you could just stop all the meds. Perhaps you can find an informed doc and try to figure out which med or meds works best for your child that won't cause him such behavioral problems.

J.,
May I make a simple suggestion? I didn't have time to read all the replies so forgive me if this is duplicate information. But have you considered removing some things in your son's environment that may be triggering his asthma?

"Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and cosmetics as triggers."

"ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds."

Visit www.saferforyourhome.com. This is where I shop as a preferred customer. These same products stopped my migraine headaches. I suffered from migraines since HS. If you'd like to know more about how you can bring these products into your home, you can reach me at ###-###-####.

PS: You can also visit www.rmbarry.com. Look for a DVD called Toxic Brew. It is a documentary that answered some questions concerning my child and I'm sure it'll answer your questions concerning your child's condition. I don't have an extra copy but I live in Plainfield if you want to borrow mine.

~M.
###-###-####

J.,
I have a son with asthma, since age 3 months. He is now 13 years old and takes nothing. We had a lot of trouble in the beginning, nobody wanted to diagnose him, then the treatment therapy was wrong. I finally took him to an allergist, by recommendation of a pulmonary specialist. He took an inhaler and Singular and claritan for several years. He is taller than most boys his age, so there was no growth stunting, and is perfectly fine. He plays baseball and soccer and runs track all at the same time, without any respiratory problems. It is important to get proper treatment now with excellent control, that will save him when he is older.
If you live in Porter county or Lake county Indiana I can get you the name and phone number of the doctor we used. Most of his practice is with children. The Combivent has a bronchodilator in it that can, and usually will cause kids and adults to act "squirrelly" or hyper. I would recommend having him checked and changing medicines first.
S.

How often does he have episodes? Is it only when he gets a cold? It sounds like an awful lot of medication that he is on. I have a daughter who has cold induced asthma and she only does the advair inhaler twice daily. Have you gone to see a pediatric pulmonologist? If you haven't you may want to consider it. They may be able to come up with a different course of action for you. If you need a name of one, please email me. Good Luck!

J.,

I am a Registered Respiratory therapist along with Registered Polysomnographer.. Which means I also do sleep studies on people. I love to work with children and especially asthmatics. First thing which I believe is that there are doctors that specialize for a reason and even though family doctors are good there is always someone better. So if your son is not under the care of a Pulmonologist (Lung Dr) and even more so Pediatric one then I would see about consulting with one.

A lot of asthmatics are being mistreated by family Dr's, because there lack of knowledge on the subject. Also children that tend to have behavior problems are being tested by means of sleep studies. The reason being that when kids do not get quality sleep they have behavior problems such as being hyper.

A big population of ADHD children is not being treated for various sleep disorder breathing problems. Which most are due to enlarged tonsils or the anatomy of their airways. Which can be easily treated and corrected with surgery and without surgery.
Asthmatics that are uncontrolled are often having problems when they are sleeping as well and that is a way that they are sorted out on the severity scale for asthma.

Yes medications can cause side effects but the same time pregnant women can take their asthma medication safely during pregnancy. I don’t believe that a behavior problem could be coming from those medications.

I really think you should consider other options and see a pediatric lung doctor or talk with your family doctor about an evaluation of your son's sleep and possibly changes in medications. Depending where you live a children’s hospital might have and asthma program or clinic and they also can also aid your quest