Exercise induced asthma

[skyyhi 0]

Andrea, yes, Albuterol will dilate the airway and keep it from constricting during exercise. It is short-acting, however, and he may need something else for long-term control like an inhaled steroid (his result on the peak flow meter is a good indicator of this). Definitely seek out a pulmonologist (allergy/asthma specialist) to assist with the sheer amount of information you will receive regarding your son's condition. The good news is it is treatable and he will be able to continue to play sports.

And just a side note, not everyone who has asthma has allergies. I do not have allergies to anything and I do have asthma. Scar tissue in my lungs (courtesy of 2nd hand smoke and several bouts of pneumonia) brought on my asthma.

________________________________________
Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ
FGF #6
Darcy

[tigra 0]

And I have allergies but the only time I ever have any type of asthmatic symptoms is when my allergies are severe and out of control, or if I've had a bad cold or cough. I haven't used or carried an inhaler for years. When I did use albuterol, it made me jumpy but using a spacer helped.

[skyyhi 0]

Yeah, when you swallow Albuterol it really has a systemic effect on the cardiac system. If you don't use the inhaler properly you can get really tachycardic. . .no fun.

________________________________________
Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ
FGF #6
Darcy

[tigra 0]

Plus the fact that I used mine so rarely, my system never had a chance to get used to it I guess. The spacer made a big difference, but of course my preference is not to need anything at all! I did notice several weeks ago on what was probably our first really chilly day of fall, I had to make a run for the train and I was wheezing and coughing immediately afterwards.

[vt1977 0]

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I've been taking Seretide for the first time this year. I don't know if it's also called Seretide in the US (google it, I guess!) but WOW!

I have just googled it out of curiosity and figured it may be of use to someone... The drug that is sold as Seretide in the UK is called Advair in the US.

Vicki

[lummy 4]

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The drug that is sold as Seretide in the UK is called Advair in the US.

I just started on Advair about a month ago. I'm only taking one puff in the morning cause its SOO danged expensive even with a good health plan, but it's been keeping my asthma under control pretty well.

I also used to use singulair a few years back which was a pill. I thought that worked really well too.

One thing my Doc told me is if I'm using my albuterol more than 3 to 4 times a week, I'm using it WAY too much.

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[ReBirth 0]

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So, is this the kind he could take 15 min. before the game starts as a preventive measure? I'm so confused!

That is what I was prescribed to do with it. My prescription actually says "1-2 inhalations 15-30 minutes before exercise, or as needed." But that's me. Ask your doctor

[vt1977 0]

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The drug that is sold as Seretide in the UK is called Advair in the US.

I just started on Advair about a month ago. I'm only taking one puff in the morning cause its SOO danged expensive even with a good health plan, but it's been keeping my asthma under control pretty well.

I also used to use singulair a few years back which was a pill. I thought that worked really well too.

One thing my Doc told me is if I'm using my albuterol more than 3 to 4 times a week, I'm using it WAY too much.

I'm lucky - over in the UK our prescription charge is approx £7 (~$11) so that's all I pay for each inhaler (or for any medication in fact).

I was also told that using my reliever - Salbutamol or Albuterol - more than a few times a week was too much and meant I may need to increase my Seretide.

So far so good though - I am absolutely amazed at how well Seretide controls my asthma.

Vicki

[dmcoco84 4]

Hey Skymama,

I have read some of this stuff posted and I feel I really need to add to the posting. I’m not a doctor but I have had asthma for 21 years, my dad has asthma and he is also a 6-year paramedic that teaches ALS and BLS (advanced and basic life support for those of you who do not know what ALS is) courses for the city of Virginia Beach EMS and FIRE so I’ve been around the block with all of the medical information.

Asthmatic symptoms can arise from anything! Exercise, allergies (very wise to see an allergist), dust (and all associated like pollen, animal dander and ragweed blah blah blah), colds, weather changes, laughing to hard, and because its Wednesday!

Depending on the severity of your child’s asthma problem you may only need to have a rescue inhaler. Proventil, Albuterol or other generic versions. These medications are all meant PRIMARILY to relieve the bronchial tube construction during an asthmatic attack. (Shortness of breath, wheezing, tighten of the chest…) Yes Proventil can be used pre-activity and help but below will explain what may be better preventative measures. Rescue medications can be prescribed on a rugular basis, or on an as needed basis depending on severity and necessity.

The peak flower meter’s main purpose is to help track the positive or negative progression of lung capacity as your child gets older (adults also). Depending on how he/she scores on an average basis, stronger medication or less medication may be prescribed. Some like it, some don’t. I personally found it useless. At times when I was fine I would blow less than when I was having problems. “Shrug”

Also involved in the relief of an asthma attack is the nebulizer. These are small machines that turn liquid medications into a gas form that is breathed to relive attacks (mainly used for severe or persistent attacks that are not able to be relive from rescue inhalers). These medications are more concentrated and are delivered over a longer, 5-15 minutes, duration to help rid of symptoms. Medications vary from Preventil level all the way of to some hard-core stuff!

As for preventative measures:
There are pills you can take to help prevent symptoms. (These are primarily used for those who have very acute asthma, I believe. Depending on the regularity of rescue inhaler usage determines the ability to effectively use this medication) I would not recommend these. Heard negative things….

There are also steroid medications that will actually strengthen the lungs and help to prevent attacks and may also reduce asthmatic systems completely. Flovent is a common steroidal inhaler. At the moment I believe Advair is the best on the market. Advair is a combination of the steroid Flovent and the bronchial diolator Serivent. The combination of these two medications have been very affective in many asthma sufferers.

I myself have been using Advair since its introduction a few years ago. I also used Flovent for starters and I have gone from severe asthma problems after running for 10 minutes to now being able to run 5+ miles and lifting weights for hours at a time with no symptoms. I am also training to be a firefighter. So beating or preventing asthma symptoms drastically is very possible.

L8er
Coco


P.S Everyone’s issues are different. Cold weather is great for me but not others. If I get a cold it kills me!!! As a child I used to go sit outside and breath the cold air and it would help so much! Just gotta find out what your condition focuses on and what best to deal with it. Consult your doctor!

Also, if you have any questions feel free to PM me. Anything you need! If I don’t know, I’ll ask my dad. He will! And if he doesn’t, he has so many hookups that if he doesn’t know he can find out.

[dmcoco84 4]

WebMD is also a great reference.

In addition to the other link posted here is another.

http://www.webmd.com/hw/asthma/uf4643.asp

[skymama 35]

You all have been so helpful. Thank you SO much for all of your thoughts and suggestions. I'm overwhelmed by the time you are taking to explain things to me on the thread and in pm's. I'm having a crazy day and am having a hard time replying to everyone, but I just wanted to let everyone know I'm reading everything and am very appreciative for all your help.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[ReBirth 0]

One caution regarding any steroidal based medicine. You build up physical dependence to steroids and must ween yourself off of them. Your body compensates for the presence of steroids by slowing down your adrenal production. If you suddenly stop taking them, your heart can stop. I was prescribed prednisone for bronchitis once, and only after I was sufficiently hooked, did the doctor fill me in on this little tid bit.

[ephrin 0]

I've had both severe allergies and severe asthma all my life, and I can say that as long as you have your medicine, it's nothing to worry about.

I keep an Albuterol inhalor with me at all times, and if I start having an attack, a couple quick puffs make it all better. I also use Q-Var as a preventative measure once a day. Sure, I get attacks, but again, as long as I've got an inhalor with me it's no big deal.

[Snowwhite 0]

Take some time to study what the American Lung Association has to say about Asthma, triggers and treatments.
My son spent 89 weeks in the hospital with Cronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) He is a very severe asthmatic.
We were fortunate to live close to the University of Iowa Hospitals and we managed to get him in on some of the studies that were going on, so that his allergy meds and clinic visits weren't quite as expensive as they may have been otherwise.
Some important things that I learned.
Todays allergies may be different than tomorrows, so be watchful.
DON:T use the WRONG inhaler at the wrong time. The results can be DEADLY.
A steroid inhaler must be used ONLY AS DIRECTED BY A DOC>
A "rescue" inhaler is an "as needed" inhaler, and it's main ingredient is NOT steroids, but is usually albuterol. It requires a prescription. It must also be used as directed, with some latitude.
An over the counter inhaler is the LEAST effective, and most likely to be abused. We had a good friend die because of her misuse of one of these.
When you know that you are going to be exposed to triggers, you may use a resue inhaler 15 minutes to 30 minutes prior to the exposure, and it should minimize the severity of the attack. You may otherwise be prescribed to use it X number of times per day, and you may be told to contact the doc if you feel the need to us it more than Y number of times.
My recommendation to you is to find a YOUNG pediatriacian or internal medicine specialist, because the advances in this field have been tremendous in the last 20 years.
Young docs are getting wonderful training in this field, and we were fortunate that the new young doc was on call when my son had an asthma attack that nearly killed him. The young doc was so far ahead in training and education than our old wonderful, beloved doc was, that we immediately changed partners. Old doc understood entirely.

skydiveTaylorville.org
[email protected]

[bobsled92 0]

WOW... I haven't heard about this in a while......something I promised not to bring up again with my former partner on the job.
DO all that you can. ALL.
HIs son was 17 and Playing Volleyball. HIs son NEVER had signs of this before as it was a social game, it had to have been a moment that he pushed himself harder than previously.

_______________________________
If I could be a Super Hero,
I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year.
http://www.hangout.no/speednews/

[dmcoco84 4]

Quote

One caution regarding any steroidal based medicine. You build up physical dependence to steroids and must ween yourself off of them. Your body compensates for the presence of steroids by slowing down your adrenal production. If you suddenly stop taking them, your heart can stop. I was prescribed prednisone for bronchitis once, and only after I was sufficiently hooked, did the doctor fill me in on this little tid bit.

Hey Rebirth,

I’m gonna have to disagree with you on this one. This is coming from my father, a paramedic.

“There is a major difference in taking steroids in the pill form and steroids taken through inhalation. Steroids like Flovent that are inhaled have a very short lifespan in the body. They do not build up toxicity. You are correct about prednisone but not in the steroid medications taken though inhalation. That is why they only give you a short period, week or so, of prednisone.”

Totally different!!!

[ReBirth 0]

Cool...didn't know that. Thought it applied to all steroids. (note I did say a couple times that she should talk to her doctor). I've never stayed at Holiday Inn express,

[dmcoco84 4]

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Proventil is a steroid inhaler - those are 'everyday/long term' inhalers. Albuterol and such are fast acting inhalers and not good for long term as they increase the serum levels in your blood and cause increased heart rate and 'shakes'.

Jen

Sorry you are incorrect also! Proventil is NOT a steroid inhaler. Proventil and Albuterol are the exact same thing. Proventil is the trade name (manufacture name). Neither are steroid inhalers, they are rescue.

These medications are known as adrenergic beta 1 smooth muscle relaxers. They stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, relax the muscle in the bronchi, as well as dilate them.

[dmcoco84 4]

Yea I've got a 6 year paramedic standing behind me.

[dmcoco84 4]

Quote

DON:T use the WRONG inhaler at the wrong time. The results can be DEADLY.
A steroid inhaler must be used ONLY AS DIRECTED BY A DOC>
A "rescue" inhaler is an "as needed" inhaler, and it's main ingredient is NOT steroids, but is usually albuterol.

Just to clear this one up too. If you are prescribed a rescue and a steroid inhaler from your physician, they will direct you on what to taken and when. Yea you can die if you do not take the correct medication when needed but it should be common sense that a “rescue” inhaler is taken in times of attacks and not a steroid. Key word rescue.

Steroids are typically taken 1-2 times a day ranging in 1-2 puffs. Myself, I take 1 puff in the morning and one at night of my steroid, Advair. This is for prevention and not used to stop asthmatic symptoms. Also, if your asthma is that severe where you could die, you will more than likely be prescribed a nebulizer. I explained what that is above.

Don’t get all worried about what meds you have to have at the right time and if your gonna screw up and take the wrong thing. Its not rocket science. Most people have 2-3 inhalers. Rescue, steroid and maybe a “long term acting” bronchial dilator like Serivent.

What ever your doctor prescribes, just have it on hand at all times and you’ll be fine. And if you are planning to go somewhere like camping, bring the nebulizer! That’s what I do!

[vt1977 0]

Quote

Quote

One caution regarding any steroidal based medicine. You build up physical dependence to steroids and must ween yourself off of them. Your body compensates for the presence of steroids by slowing down your adrenal production. If you suddenly stop taking them, your heart can stop. I was prescribed prednisone for bronchitis once, and only after I was sufficiently hooked, did the doctor fill me in on this little tid bit.

Hey Rebirth,

I’m gonna have to disagree with you on this one. This is coming from my father, a paramedic.

“There is a major difference in taking steroids in the pill form and steroids taken through inhalation. Steroids like Flovent that are inhaled have a very short lifespan in the body. They do not build up toxicity. You are correct about prednisone but not in the steroid medications taken though inhalation. That is why they only give you a short period, week or so, of prednisone.”

Totally different!!!

That tallies with everything I've eer been told too. Very occasionally people with very severe asthma get prescribed steroids in pill form, but for the average asthmatic that doesn't happen.

I was told that if I were to double my dose of Seretide (inhaled steroid) I may start to experience some side effects such as thinning of the skin etc. However the dose I'm on has no side effects whatsoever - for me anyway - and more than controls my symptoms.

Vicki

[RhondaLea 3]

You might want to look at this.

http://www.jacionline.org/article/PIIS0091674905013588/fulltext

Conclusion
Antiasthma herbal medicine intervention appears to be a safe and effective alternative medicine for treating asthma. In contrast with prednisone, ASHMI had no adverse effect on adrenal function and had a beneficial effect on TH1 and TH2 balance.

I have exercise-induced asthma, as well as "wonky thyroid"-induced asthmatic bronchitis, and I've lived with it for nearly all my 47 years.

I don't like inhalers, and I've given up on the usual combinations prescribed when I have bronchitis, so I stick to herbal remedies. That's not what I'd ordinarily recommend to anyone for treating a child, but the study cited above is interesting.

Good luck with it.

rl

P.S. I've never not had a cat. In the grand scheme of things, having a pet is well worth the occasional wheeze.

If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

[skymama 35]

Do you all feel like your chest is cold when you are having an attack? I haven't seen that in the stuff that I have been reading. He said that the rest of him was really sweating, but his chest felt cold and it was like he couldn't get a deep breath.

I'm definitely going to take him to an allergist. With my family's history of airborn allergies, I'm thinking that it is quite possibly that something in the air could be a trigger for him.

His coach still wants me to get his heart checked out. Fortunately, one of the soccer dads we know is the chief heart surgeon at one of the hospitals here and we can take Nick to see him. There have just been too many reports of successful athletes dropping dead on the playing field because of undiagnosed problems. It makes me worry!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[RhondaLea 3]

Quote

Do you all feel like your chest is cold when you are having an attack? I haven't seen that in the stuff that I have been reading. He said that the rest of him was really sweating, but his chest felt cold and it was like he couldn't get a deep breath.

I rarely have asthma attacks anymore. I take capsaicin and ginger every day, and it seems to solve that specific problem for me. [Andrea: This is not a recommendation. It works for me, but it may not work for everyone, and kids in particular have weird reactions to herbal remedies.] I'm more prone to the "wonky thyroid" bronchitis thing, and that's like a two-week long asthma attack, with residual breathing problems for another month or more.

I don't ever remember my chest feeling cold, but I was too focused on trying to get enough air to think about such things. I think kids are just more observant, because they know less and feel more, i.e., they're not thinking, "I can't breathe, I'm gonna die," but instead are experiencing the various sensations associated with the attack.

Just as an experiment, I'll try to run this weekend, and see what happens. I'll let you know. (I don't run--I hate running, and I think people who run are crazy--but I know if anything is going to start me wheezing soonest, that'll be it.)

rl

If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

[cbain 0]

Hey,

Can't really offer any advice but I too was diagnosed at about that age. I haven't been using anything for treatment since I was a teenager though. I don't excerise like I should either. i just try to pace myself, I've learned how hard I can go before it gets really bad and take frequent short breaks.

Christina