Calling all asthma moms

 
 

 
 
 Calling all asthma moms!

I would like to hear from any moms of kids with asthma. What are your stories of managing your kid's asthma?

I was visiting with two fellow asthma moms the other day, and we found that we were all experiencing similar problems and stresses with our kids and their asthma. 
 
Respiratory infections, After Hour trips to the Pediatrician, trips to Urgent Care, trips to the ER, and hospitalizations for asthma. 
 
Spring and summer allergies and allergy shots (immunotherapy) Asthma attacks at school from other students bringing pet dander on their clothing. 
 
Monthly visits for an expensive injectible asthma biologic
 
I would like to hear what other asthma moms think and feel.

Do you feel uneasy when one of your kids start a runny nose, thinking 'I know what's coming next, an asthma flare, doctor's visits and probably a trip to the hospital.

Do people think you are a paranoid, hypochondriac mom that won't let other kids come over to play if they are sick? 
 
And do other moms understand why we worry? Do they think we're over reacting?
 
Are you thinking, "Should I take the kids to the asthma specialist now? Wait? Start their prednisone? Should I skip the doctor and go straight to the emergency room?"

Do you ever feel discouraged and wonder why your kids ended up in the hospital again? Did I miss something? Should I have started their prednisone earlier?
 
Do you rack your brain to see if there's something you could have done differently?

Please comment and tell me your story. 
 
It helps to know that we're not alone, and we're all experiencing similar stories.

I look forward to hearing them!

Comments

  1. MomOctober 19, 2010 at 8:42 PM

    I wish something like this had been there when my boys were little. I didn't know anything about asthma and I think that I could have made their lives easier if I had been connected to other parents with the same problems. I really just had my doctor and I didn't feel like I could call him every time I felt worried- which was often. My oldest son- age 28- has pretty much outgrown asthma and has very few problems with it today. My younger son- age 20- has a bout with asthma about once a year but is able to keep it under control without serious medications or hospitalizations. I feel fortunate that we only had one serious hospitalization in the last 28 years and a couple of emergency room visits. Even then, it was a rough road with lots of lost sleep. I really feel for any parent who has to go through this.

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  2. My Life as an Asthma MomOctober 25, 2010 at 1:54 PM

    I understand, I had to learn the hard way as well. I had 30 pages of printouts from the internet given to me by the respiratory therapist at the hospital. It is hard, you feel like you are constantly on guard. I'm not into blogging that much, but felt this was the best way to help other moms. Glad your sons are doing better! (And I hope you get more sleep now these days)

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  3. Amy TrippApril 20, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    I am very grateful you are posting these stories. I live in a fairly isolated area and my daughter has asthma although no dr. can give a clear diagnosis. Seems everytime my almost two year old gets even a cold I immediately am concerned about her breathing and know to start nebulizer treatments or else we end up in hospital doing same treatment I can do at home. I am curious if this could possibly be caused by allergies? The pediatrian did not seem to think so but he has only seen her twice ( on 3rd and last pediatrician for area). Any suggestions or help greatly appreciated. Currently she does albuterol and pulmicort treatments for several days in a row.

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  4. My Life as an Asthma MomApril 30, 2012 at 1:45 PM

    Most people that have asthma also have allergies. That's what what can trigger or cause an asthma attack. What I have found over the years is that when you have asthma, your lungs can become irritated, swollen and raw. If you get a cold on top of that, your lungs are already vulnerable, and it can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis. Hello hospital!

    Have you had your daughter tested for allergies? I would HIGHLY recommend going to an allergy and asthma specialist. They can treat asthma very differently than pediatricians. I love my pediatrician, but he also deals with diabetes, seizure disorders, kids in car accidents, etc. I would rather go to someone who just does asthma.

    The last time my son was sick, asthma doc was out of town and my son was getting worse. He was on oral steroids, and the pediatrician said "there's nothing more we can do." I told him, "actually there is. He needs a Decadron injection." (Steroid injection.) The pediatrician gave him an injection, and that saved us from the hospital. Decadron has a 50/50 chance of keeping my son out of the hospital.

    It's a little trick I learned from Asthma Doc. It's worth the time and effort it takes to find a specialist in your area. My Asthma Doc has literally saved my kid's lives.

    There are also things you can do to make sure your home is asthma and allergy friendly. This is from the Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/asthma_eng.trifold.pdf

    Good luck!

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  5. My Life as an Asthma MomApril 30, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    Also, here is a great resource from the Allergy and Asthma Network for people that are "Newly Diagnosed." There is a phone number and email on their website so you can contact their nurse (who is also a Certified Asthma Educator.)

    http://www.aanma.org/faqs/newlydiagnosed/

    Hope this helps :)

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  6. PoodleMamaNovember 15, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Hi Asthma mom,
    I'm so glad I stumbled across your blog! I have a three year old with asthma and we are struggling, big time. Would you mind sharing your email address? My story is long and I'd rather not post the whole thing here. Thank you

    ReplyDelete

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