Asthma - Highland,CA

Dear A.,
Your granddaughter has no known allergies -probably because so many allergies do not appear at such a young age, but age 6-8 can be very ripe to see asthmatic reactions I was diagnosed with asthma around age 8. I am not any kind of medical professional, but I think I would be accurate in saying that CATS (an animal I love passionatly) have skin dander that might be the biggest culprit for inducing asthma attacks in MOST asthmatics, with the exception of volcanic sulfur...which very few people are exposed to.
I have heard that cortizone-type medicines can CURE asthma, but people who go this route usually refuse to keep themselves away from their beloved pets (even birds and farm animals can cause a problem)...or keep the house vacumed DAILY or change to hard floors.
One of my professors says "gimme the drugs, I'll keep my cats"
Having the house vacumed daily is slightly effective but changeing to hard flooring is more effective. Even these measures are not enough to keep some asthmatics from wheezing within an hour of visiting.
The bedding for people with asthma must be carefully selected and washed frequently enough to keep fabric fibers, dust, and dust mites MOSTLY away. Whenever I visited my mother, even in college days, I had to sleep on the back porch in spite of having an inhaler (She had 5 dogs, 3 cats, cigaretts, and plenty of dust)
I certainly would recomend strong drugs in favor of the psycological damage and/or integrity problems of putting down, or trying to find a new home for beloved pets -especially when the feelings of asthmatic children are involed The cutting down or avoidance of powerful medications will not be a likely alternative if the house is carpeted and contains pets -even with great cleaning efforts.
Since Asthma is a type of allergic reaction, it would be safe to assume that people may respond very differently to medications for this problem.
I have never used a cortizone inhaler in my life. I believe these are known for longer term healing, but I am not sure of effects.
I know that there are EFFECTIVE chinese medicines for all kinds of allergies, some in the form of teas, which I saw work well for a friend with severe hay fever.She had to start drinking it 6 months before the start of cedar cones.
Most people use albuterol inhalers these days but I would SWEAR that the isoprotenerol sulfate medihalers I used as a child are FAR MORE effective IN SPITE that most Doctors say the opposite. Isoprotenerol sulfate is an adrenelin type of medication that I used from age 8 to age 30. It is still available. Some doctors will agree not to patronize certain products if you insist.
Even with ashtma, an pet-filled home (but tile floors and no pets in my room), and occasional use of isoprotenerol sulfate to counter the months of less fresh air(winter) I was just about the fastest runner in school(even compared to boys)through my high school days.
You may wonder if there is a correlation between the burden of wheezing and actual STREGHTENING of lungs and back muscles. I would be willing to bet a lot of money that there is, but wheezing isn't much of a fun or comfortable work-out; especially at bedtime when it can prevent sleep.
There are quite a few good runners who have serious levels of asthma.
Auntie Lilly, I hope so much this helps even though I didn't exacly answer your question!!

As an asthma suffer from when I was an infant....double check. I'd say if she isnt showing any symptoms ask doc WHY he wants to prescribe meds already. Then make an appointment with another doc for a second opinion. Most kids would start with an inhaler at least to watch if it makes a difference. I've not heard of Symbicourt but I've been on Advair for quite somne years now as well as the use of proventil inhalers and a nebulizer. Good luck with your grand daughter, hopefully she doesnt have asthma cause it's a pain in the butt.

DONT GIVE THE MEDS until you get a straight answer. Also asthma symptoms can come from years of exposure to the most common household products.

Watch this video and if you're interested I would be happy to share with you some simple alternatives thay may even relieve those asmtha symptoms.

http://www.ToxicFreeFamily.net

Best wishes,
C.~

Hi,
My whole family suffers from asthma and have all of our lives, including the new 2 YO baby. We have pulled the carpet out downstairs and must sweep the dog dander daily. We all use air cleaners, which are noisy, but seem to be effective.

Side effects to meds are not the same for all. Unfortunately, the only way to find out the effect it will have on your little one is to give it a try and watch, much like they do the scratch test. I have seen my little one have a bad reaction to Pulmacort, however does just fine with xopenex for her nebulizer. When I saw her reacting to the pulmacort, I went on www.askapatient.com and found that she was suffering from some of the common side effects, however if you read through the different comments, you will find that not everyone reacts the same.

Best of luck...your own research is the best for your family.

umm my daughter isnt taking that but she is on pulmicort (everyday one time) and albuterol (as a rescue inhaler and for when shes sick) she has both an inhaler and a nebulizer. she was diagnosed with asthma at 11 months and she never wheezed more then one day. she was sick with a cold that didnt go away for 2 months and no medicine helped. her lungs sounded great but she had a really wet cough (which is a sign of inflamation and liquid in the lungs). the pulmicort does have side affects but i have not seen any in her aside from the little bit of hyperness the steroids caused when she first started them. i trust her pediatrician very well to give her these meds. but i do agree with the option to get a second opinion if you think its not the right diagnosis. good luck!

Get a 2nd opinion. However, many times, children present different symptoms or none at all (ie: wheezing) like adults do.

Why does the doctor think she has asthma is "she has never had any symptoms of asthma?"

I would double check her, before taking any medication. Go to a specialist even.

Take care,
~Susan

Have you tried changing her diet, some foods have the effect of an allergy and may give the symptoms of asthma.
trying cutting regular milk and milk products out of diet,.
have her drink room temp fluids nothing to cold, increase fluids, except late at night of course.
My sister as a child "had asthma" that is what my mom did and it went away,she (we) still eats alot of fresh fruit, drink warm or room temp beverages,a lot of stir fry to avoid the heavy creams and sauces and junk food, especially the process foods of today. make sure you do a bit more research on the meds, and then check around the house to see what else can be affecting her.Household chemicals coould be a factor the air condition, so many things.
many blessings I pray all will be well.

First get a second opinion.