Asthma??? - Homewood,IL

I have had asthma since childhood.
It is dangerous and fatal if not managed.
You do need the prednisone to reduce blocked/constricted airways... if a person cannot get enough oxygen in their system, thus their bloodstream, it can cause an emergency situation and it also stresses the heart... due to lack of oxygen.

Once it is under control, then there are inhalers to use for 'maintenance." This is important. If the lungs are not managed well, it can cause permanent damage.

The inhalers, help to heal the lungs and reduce constriction of the bronchial tubes. Thus helping breathing.

talk with the Doc and learn all you can.

How does asthma feel? it feels like you are suffocating. Literally. "Wheezing" is just one indication of labored breath and that the bronchial airways are constricted... thus one cannot breathe.

there are all kinds of things you can do to reduce "triggers" for asthma... but each person is different.
There are also many different kinds of inhalers. So ask the Doctor.

Next, see an Asthma Specialist.

If you give him willy-nilly alternative treatments, when he is actively having an asthma attack/episode, you will not be helping him. Meanwhile, he will be suffering. Each person, is affected differently... thus you cannot just do/use what others may use or do.

all the best,
Susan

I don't really know about prednisone use in children, but the doctors do. If he inhales it, it will probably be in very tiny amounts and won't migrate throughout the body – almost all of it will stay in the lungs, where it will do the most good.

I've been using a prednisone inhaler for the last 15 years (probably longer, actually), and it works so well, with NO side effects in my case, that I never need to use albuterol, which gives me terrible nervousness, fast heartbeat, and sleep disturbances. And I seldom need to use my full daily dose – except during certain pollen seasons.

Let your pediatrician know you're worried, and be specific about your concerns. But don't be so scared of the drugs that you don't at least try them. Even if he gets side effects, they're likely to be extremely temporary. The effects of asthma can be truly disruptive to an active, happy childhood.

I am a Shaklee Independent Distributor. Some asthma can be provoked by cleaning supplies.

Watch this video about asthma and cleaning supplies.
http://content.shaklee.com/shaklee/flash/RealDirt/

Contact me if this is of interest to you.
P. ____@____.com

I have had asthma my entire life (38yrs) and these two meds are pretty common and necessary. Prednisone(predisolone) is a steroid used only for a week or two usually helps to get it under control. My own 1 yr old son just finished a round of it for his eczema. The albuterol is a "rescue" type drug.. the nebulizer treatments will help to keep his lungs open. don't be too afraid of some of these as he will more than likely need more and different ones as he gets older and more active. have him checked for allergies (food especially) because they can really play a role in asthma. feel free to contact me if you need to talk more.

Generally asthma is diagnosed by a pulmonary specialist. Most pediatricians will note that the child is having respiratory problems and refer him or her. My youngest was diagnosed with asthma before he was a year old, but that was after a very severe case of RSV followed by several months of difficulty breathing and being on nebulizer treatments every 4 hours. The prednisone is probably to get him over his immediate symptoms and the albuterol will help keep his breathing under control. If you are uncomfortable with your doctor's diagnoses you probably should ask for a second opinion or a referral to a specialist. If you are comfortable with your doctor, you should follow the proscribed treatment.

i have two babies one 3 and the other 7 months and the 7 month old got pneumonia and they gave him the albuterol nebulizer and it was wonderful now when he gets a cough i just give him half a vile twice a day and it does the trick. i would not turn the albuterol away because it can help out a lot and be a good thing to have on hand but as far as the asthma i would get a second opinion......doctors seem so quick to prescribe medicine.....but if it is recommended by the next doc then i would have that on hand too maybe you can just get one that can be a on the spot type of thing and not a ritual.

My son who is now 8 was diagnosed with asthma about 6 months old. he too had to take albuterol and prednizone. We did go see a specialist after about 6months of him having breathing problems. Once we saw the specialist he was really able to get his asthma under better control. He had to use a nebulizer a lot to keep him from having problems. I too did not like giving him all these meds at such a young age, but that is better than him having an all out asthma attack. I do feel like (and most people will tell me I'm crazy) that all that stuff kept him from growing. He was always the smallest child in school, once we were able to back down it was like he hit a growth spurt (which is what the dr's say). He is 8 now and hasn't used an inhaler in almost 2 years. I still keep it on hand and we see his specialist twice a year still. It "apears" he is growing out of it, but the Dr says it will be a while until we know for sure. So, my advice, go see a specialist, a pulmonologist, I think they are called, they can do more testing than a pediatrician can. Listen to the dr's asthma is nothing to mess with.
It could get worse, my son's did over time, he would have to take 3-5 treatments a day, so don't be surprised. Good Luck!

Hi JG,

I was on prednisone as a child and I won't go into everything I've had to deal with in my life. If you can avoid it, avoid it. There are many, many cases of asthma diagnosed today. It wasn't always like that. I believe that the introduction of synthetic chemicals into our lives has a direct effect on our respiratory system and other issues as well.

I have a friend in Nevada that has 4 kids, 3 of whom have a diagnosis of asthma. I recommended that she detox her home and remove all the synthetic chemicals and her kids have not had any symptoms since then, 4 years......It may not be the complete solution to your problem but I bet money it is a lot of it. Detoxing is simple and can be inexpensive if you do it the way I did it. It will never hurt and if it allows you to avoid all those meds (which are also synthetic chemicals) I say it's worth a try. I'll be glad to help if you want.

Regards,

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk