My nine year old has been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma a couple of years ago. We were seeing a pulmonologist and have been continually told that his numbers are in the normal range and that he is good. Well we have never been totally secure in this due to the fact that during sports practices he has a hard time. He wants to be part of the team and wants to be competitve. Last night he went to his first football practice and was very excited to be there. About an hour into the practice and after the team did a run - he motioned to me frantically and couldn't breath. Let me say that he did finish his run and never quit - making me feel he is trying his hardest and not wanting to give into this. We took his albuterol - and to be honest - it has never seemed to give him much relieve. He was scared - tears in his eyes - and saying how much it hurt. I am at a loss of what to do! Through his tears he said "I can't play any sports". The last thing I want my nine year old to feel is limitations on the things he wants to do. The albuterol has never really seemed to give him much relieve - we take it before practice and had to take it twice during practice last night. He has never had a breathing test after exercise they have only performed the tests during rest. Should I ask for a stress test type evaluation? Could there be something different than asthma? If anyone could help with this - I would greatly appreciate it. Sorry so long!
Thanks all. We do use his albuterol before practice starts and he is on Advair two times a day for his preventative. That even makes it more frustrating. :) I know some of the other kids on his teams that their parents tell me they have asthma and take the Advair but you would never know. And my son is supposed to have very mild, borderline asthma per the pulmonologist and the breathing tests? I really appreciate all of your feedback - it is extremely comforting and helpful.
I have asthma and I know the feeling of chest tightness. Does he do the albuterol with his inhaler or nebulizer? In my experience I get a lot more relief from the nebulizer. Also, try to find what his triggers are and avoid them as much as you can.
I think it is the asthma; however the treatment they have him on is probably set for the numbers they see, he needs more agressive treatment for during sports. I have asthma and mine always was irratated durring sports, and around harsh chemical smells, so what sport did i do, you bet swimming so the chlorine smell wow. I used to take a nebolizer treatment just before every practice and race and I had 3 inhailers I took after each heat and I swam 4 heats in ever race. I only had one really bad day were 911 was called because I was so short of breath I could not inhale the medicine, I calmed myself down enough that by the time 911 got there I was fine. He will in time learn to cotroll this very well.
We hear the occaisional horror story of children dropping on the field because they had an unknown heart condition. That doesn't mean this is the trouble with your son, but I would definately tell the pediatrician what happened and pester him for a full cardiac workup just to make sure that isn't the issue. It may be his asthma as well. Just keep pestering the doctors. Also, have your son slow down a little until you know what is going on. Don't have him stop all together, but don't let him push to shortness of breath. He likely knows what it feels like just as it starts, so talk with him about stopping before it happens.
Follow your gut, take him in for some cardiac tests. They need to do a dopplar too, to make sure everything is structurally the way it is expected. Then at least, if everything comes back normal, you know you have ticked that off your list of possibilities.
keep us updated!
One idea would be to purchase a peak flow meter, if you don't already have one. Start measuring his peak flow before, during, and after practice. Record the numbers, being sure to include how long he has been active. The numbers should help the doctor evaluate how he is doing during exercise. It might help them determine what else need to be done. Another idea would be make a video of your son while at practice. Maybe it would help the doctor see what is going on.
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my sister had a child who had all that asthma stuff and he was ALWAYS sick!
After several years she finally took him to a naturapathic doctor They're in the Cleveland area, I think Westlake. The place is called Osteo Med II. I can get the info from her if you would want it.
Her doctors told her that if she took him off the asthma medicine he would probably die and her own husband was against her trying this new stuff, but she had had a sick kid for so long and they were threatening to hold him back because he had missed so much school so she took the plunge. It was not covered by insurance and cost her over a thousend dollars for the treatments. They used acupressure and supplements and took him off all drugs.
It has been three years and he has not been sick since. He had very slight seasonal allergies this year , but nothing like before.
Pray about this type of treatment for your son and contact me if you would like more information. I could put you in touch with my sister.
I'm sorry you have to go through this fear. All I can add is that our pulmonologist and allergists always say if he doesn't react to the albuterol, or asthma medications don't seem to be of much help, then perhaps it is not asthma. However, have you been giving him the albuterol *before* exercise? I believe that is the key. If it's given when symptoms of asthma have already started, it may be too late to help the asthma symptoms. Yes, I agree - go to your ped and explain the situation. Push for more tests until you feel comfortable. Hang in there and keep us posted. *Hugs*
I've no actual experience with asthma, but have spoken to lots of moms whose kids have it and having their kids take swim lessons, regular swimming, hugely improved the problem. I too have a hard time with chemical smells as the one mom mentioned, but maybe there is a pool with salt water near you, or try it out and see how he does.
If he is using his inhaler that much I would think it is time to explore preventative medications that he takes daily so he doesn't get to the point that he needs a rescue inhaler. Especially if he is participating in sports often. Get a second opinion if your doc is not on board. Best of luck.
