Hi M.,
I totally understand where you are coming from. All three of my children have asthma and use nebulizer along with oral steriods and daily preventative meds. Along with that, my children get pneumonia at least 1-2 times a year.
I've seen the emergency room more then I can count. We've
tried everything but it's important to get a humidifier.
During the winter months I have to sometimes take my
kids outside at night, the cold clean air is good for there lungs and I often detox my house by opening the windows for awhile during winter months. A doctor told me about that during a ER visit. They have been to ENT specialists and have tubes in there ears and had adenoids removed. My middle child was born with RSV then later turned into asthma. My son is 11 and he has nose bleeds in the mornings especially if the air is too dry. The qaulity of the air in your home is so important. I've learned that having carpet holds alot of allergans and contribute to there problems. They get a lot of ear and sinus infections as well. Thankfully my two older children are outgrowing it but my two year old still suffers with asthma on a monthly basis. I am more concerned about the constant need for antibiotics! I keep hand sanitizer and have them wash there hands often to avoid germ sharing. The steriods saved my middle childs life at 5 months , she stopped breathing constantly and there was nothing we could do, tough to hear from a doctor but we had to be very careful and did not get much sleep. She could NEVER lay flat so we had to sleep with her in a chair most nights. I worked for the government and had to be on Unpaid Family Leave for two years. She's improved dramatically and we've learned how to live with it. Keep your child hydrated and Milk is NOT good for them to drink when they are congested. Mucinex fast melts for cough and congestions works really well. My kids are active and happy and although they can't
go outside much during allergy season, I don't deprive them of there childhood either. My son is allergic to grass so allergy seasons are not cute in my house but I allow them to enjoy being kids and just keep preventative meds such as Claritin D on a daily basis. It helps! Meds are costly, especially if you don't have health insurance!
Not sure if this helps but I totally understand your concern and it's valid. Although my children have chronic asthma problems it's improvinging, I know other parents with children who symptoms have been more severe so I am THANKFUL! I remind myself to count my blessings when I have 3 kids calling mommy in the middle of the night. It requires a lot of PRAYER and PATIENCE to say the least. Best wishes to you and your family. OH I Never open my car windows in the summer time! Pollen is a huge enemy with asthma! Steriods are a MUST! No way around it, there lungs NEED it. I am a witness they that your son will grow out of it. My 5 year old uses nebs now maybe once a year and she was in the hospital OFTEN during the early years.