stopping an impending flare (was: asthma doctor-plan)

[Guest guest]

I'm wondering if y'all will talk more about heading off an impending flare up.  My 7yo always ramps up very slowly with her flare ups, but I've never been able to stop it.  This last one has kept her sick for a few months.  She's actually " feeling " fine, running around, lauging, and playing and everything, but her peak flow won't come up.

 

But what do you do when your peak flow drops and you know you are headed for a flare up?  And do these things work to stop the flare?

 

Thanks!

Marla

> If you dont have a peak flow meter, Id highly suggest getting one.  Sometimes a drop in peak flows is the first symptom of an impending flare for me...although it is usually preceeded by a sore throat and increased post nasal drainage.  Even if you only do it once or twice a week when you are feeling good and not having problems, its a very handy thing (simple to do too) to have when you are having trouble.  It can help answer the " is this my asthma or is it something else " question that arises...because it will at some point in time.

> Ann>>

[Guest guest]

Hello Busy,Have you tried talking to the doctor about your daughter's medication prescription? I ask this because sometimes if the peak flow readings are not improving, then it could be that her inhalers might not be working for her or she might need additional treatment to improve her breathing and reduce any flare ups. Unfortunately am a patient not a doctor, so I can not tell you exactly what you need. I am just talking from experience and research :-) Hope I have helped a bit! All the best Shane http://wwwasthmasymptoms86.com To: asthma Sent: Sun, 13 March, 2011 4:03:57Subject: stopping an impending flare (was: asthma doctor-plan)

I'm wondering if y'all will talk more about heading off an impending flare up. My 7yo always ramps up very slowly with her flare ups, but I've never been able to stop it. This last one has kept her sick for a few months. She's actually "feeling" fine, running around, lauging, and playing and everything, but her peak flow won't come up.

But what do you do when your peak flow drops and you know you are headed for a flare up? And do these things work to stop the flare?

Thanks!

Marla

> If you dont have a peak flow meter, Id highly suggest getting one. Sometimes a drop in peak flows is the first symptom of an impending flare for me...although it is usually preceeded by a sore throat and increased post nasal drainage. Even if you only do it once or twice a week when you are feeling good and not having problems, its a very handy thing (simple to do too) to have when you are having trouble. It can help answer the "is this my asthma or is it something else" question that arises...because it will at some point in time.

> Ann>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Marla,I've found that if I stay calm and quiet I can sometimes stop a flare. Most of mine, though, come on so rapidly that I can't stop it. The other difference between myself and your child is about 45 years. I am nowhere near being a 7 year old who wants to run around and play with friends. Well, maybe we are similar there ... I just want to be able to take a walk with my wife. At 53, surely that should be an option. Mike McBrideLike the apple of Thine eye preserve me, O Lord God; defend me and beneath Thy wings shelter me

from temptations. St. Ephraim the Syrian

[Guest guest]

Yes, thank you.  In fact, I just spoke with her doctor the other day.  He's a new doctor and I like him very much!  He did give her some more meds and suggested things to try.  (like, we can try a course of oral pred, but I can't see giving it to her when she's otherwise just fine.)  But I was just wondering about what other people on the group do, or can think of.  I like the idea of " putting our heads together. "

 

In all honesty, I do believe that keeping her on the Flovent is what is making her sick.  It got her over her crisis in January, and in times past when she has taken it, it does seem to keep her sick.  But this time, I am unable to get her off of the Flovent.  I'm only going on past experience and gut instinct.  I wonder if this happens for anyone else?  It seems that every time I turn to the Flovent to get her over a crisis, she gets even sicker the next go-round.

 

And yes, I realize that Flovent is supposed to work as a preventative, but in my daughter's case, it totally works for her in a crisis.  Two puffs (taken together) for her prevented a trip to the ER in January.

 

Anyway, the doctor and I came up with a plan to try to get her off of the Flovent, even though her PF is low.  He's bumping up/adding some other medications.  Once that kicks in, I'll try to wean her down off of the Flovent and see if that eventually helps her PF come up.  (Y'all might remember me posting asking how to wean her down off of the Flovent, but she wasn't ready to come off of it then.)

 

It's weird because she seems so healthy right now.  You wouldn't know she is sick!  She runs around and plays just like any other kid.  (Thank the good Lord for that!!)  She never needs any albuterol.

Marla (aka, " Busy " )

Hello Busy,Have you tried talking to the doctor about your daughter's medication prescription? I ask this because sometimes if the peak flow readings are not improving, then it could be that her inhalers might not be working for her or she might need additional treatment to improve her breathing and reduce any flare ups. Unfortunately am a patient not a doctor, so I can not tell you exactly what you need. I am just talking from experience and research :-) Hope I have helped a bit! All the best

Shane http://wwwasthmasymptoms86.com

 

[Guest guest]

Once I learned the signs of my asthma flaring, I started to treat those. For me its a marked increase in nasal stuffiness and drainage. I have a sinus rinse that I do, and gargle with salt water to keep my throat from getting irritated. I increase my use of my peak flow meter and monitor that real close for any drop...I might start using my inhaler every 4-6 hours before I drop too far. I drink hot fluids like coffee/tea and take hot baths b/c these things keep things moist and looser. I take mucinex if I am really congested. If the inhaler doesnt help (it will if I catch it early enough) I have a nebulilzer at home now. I might also use Vicks vaporub on my sinuses/chest at night..some people cannot tolerate the menthol/eucalyptus though.

Ann

stopping an impending flare (was: asthma doctor-plan)

I'm wondering if y'all will talk more about heading off an impending flare up. My 7yo always ramps up very slowly with her flare ups, but I've never been able to stop it. This last one has kept her sick for a few months. She's actually "feeling" fine, running around, lauging, and playing and everything, but her peak flow won't come up.

But what do you do when your peak flow drops and you know you are headed for a flare up? And do these things work to stop the flare?

Thanks!

Marla

> If you dont have a peak flow meter, Id highly suggest getting one. Sometimes a drop in peak flows is the first symptom of an impending flare for me...although it is usually preceeded by a sore throat and increased post nasal drainage. Even if you only do it once or twice a week when you are feeling good and not having problems, its a very handy thing (simple to do too) to have when you are having trouble. It can help answer the "is this my asthma or is it something else" question that arises...because it will at some point in time.

> Ann

>

>

[Guest guest]

She might need the oral pred. IF her peak flows are not where they are supposed to be, shes not breathing as effectively as she should be...and "otherwise just fine" wont matter in the long run. If shes not breathing adequately now, in the long run its going to cause her lungs to be damaged. Might be that the flovent isnt doing the job for her, but she might be getting worse the next time around if you only give it to her during a crisis and then stop it too...

If her peak flows are low, why arent you giving her albuterol? That will help open up her airways and help bring those peak flows up...thats what it is for.

I get the feeling that you dont want to accept she has asthma. In one sentence you say she is really sick then in the next shes relatively healthy...is there some sort of group in your area for moms of kids with asthma? You might benefit from being around other moms with the same concerns. Please dont take that last statement the wrong way, b/c Im concerned for both of you. Its difficult for a parent to deal with a child's illness no matter what it is.

Ann

Re: stopping an impending flare (was: asthma doctor-plan)

Yes, thank you. In fact, I just spoke with her doctor the other day. He's a new doctor and I like him very much! He did give her some more meds and suggested things to try. (like, we can try a course of oral pred, but I can't see giving it to her when she's otherwise just fine.) But I was just wondering about what other people on the group do, or can think of. I like the idea of "putting our heads together."

In all honesty, I do believe that keeping her on the Flovent is what is making her sick. It got her over her crisis in January, and in times past when she has taken it, it does seem to keep her sick. But this time, I am unable to get her off of the Flovent. I'm only going on past experience and gut instinct. I wonder if this happens for anyone else? It seems that every time I turn to the Flovent to get her over a crisis, she gets even sicker the next go-round.

And yes, I realize that Flovent is supposed to work as a preventative, but in my daughter's case, it totally works for her in a crisis. Two puffs (taken together) for her prevented a trip to the ER in January.

Anyway, the doctor and I came up with a plan to try to get her off of the Flovent, even though her PF is low. He's bumping up/adding some other medications. Once that kicks in, I'll try to wean her down off of the Flovent and see if that eventually helps her PF come up. (Y'all might remember me posting asking how to wean her down off of the Flovent, but she wasn't ready to come off of it then.)

It's weird because she seems so healthy right now. You wouldn't know she is sick! She runs around and plays just like any other kid. (Thank the good Lord for that!!) She never needs any albuterol.

Marla (aka, "Busy")

Hello Busy,

Have you tried talking to the doctor about your daughter's medication prescription? I ask this because sometimes if the peak flow readings are not improving, then it could be that her inhalers might not be working for her or she might need additional treatment to improve her breathing and reduce any flare ups. Unfortunately am a patient not a doctor, so I can not tell you exactly what you need. I am just talking from experience and research :-) Hope I have helped a bit! All the best

Shane

http://wwwasthmasymptoms86.com

[Guest guest]

Marla,The only thing I know to do is up the albuterol and other meds. Also, try to limit exposures. For me this entails staying inside where air pressures are more conditioned. I also try to rest. Not easy things to do with a child. Being cooped up inside will test both your sanity and hers as well, and resting...... I would suggest calling her doc for any other med changes that may help. I don't know what she is taking or how her meds effect her personally. Madeline To: asthma Sent: Sat, March 12, 2011 11:03:57 PMSubject: stopping an impending flare (was: asthma doctor-plan)

I'm wondering if y'all will talk more about heading off an impending flare up. My 7yo always ramps up very slowly with her flare ups, but I've never been able to stop it. This last one has kept her sick for a few months. She's actually "feeling" fine, running around, lauging, and playing and everything, but her peak flow won't come up.

But what do you do when your peak flow drops and you know you are headed for a flare up? And do these things work to stop the flare?

Thanks!

Marla

> If you dont have a peak flow meter, Id highly suggest getting one. Sometimes a drop in peak flows is the first symptom of an impending flare for me...although it is usually preceeded by a sore throat and increased post nasal drainage. Even if you only do it once or twice a week when you are feeling good and not having problems, its a very handy thing (simple to do too) to have when you are having trouble. It can help answer the "is this my asthma or is it something else" question that arises...because it will at some point in time.

> Ann>>