Swallow test

myself1nme

DS has had some asthma issues (4 trips to the ER this year) and we finally went to see a pulmonologist.  The pulmonologist suggested we do a swallow test.  DH took this test years ago and said that the Barium is horribly disgusting.  I have no idea how we are going to get our son to drink it.  I thought I would stop by here and see if anyone here has done this and has any tips/advice to offer. 

g_belle

Can you call your pulm for some advice?  I'm assuming it's a pediatric group doing the testing so they might have some ideas.  Is your son on daily maintence meds for it?  We just had to up J's dosage after his last hospital visit.  Right now our allergist and pedi monitor his asthma (all in a connected office with the pulm. group) since they won't do lung function testing until he's 5. 

myself1nme

So far he only gets into trouble when he gets a cold.  They had him on flovent twice per day through the cold and flu season.  He was fine while he was off it during the summer, but got his first cold of the season last weekend and we wound up in the hospital again.  They put him back on the inhaler and added Singulair so we will see how things go when he gets his next cold.  I'm sure they will have some advice when we call to schedule the appt. I just thought I'd check with you ladies here as well.  I am just so grateful that his asthma is no where near as bad as DH's were at this age, and so far he has only shown a possible allergy to eggs.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I see how hard it can be for DH at times, and he's an adult.  I really feel for you ladies and your little ones.  I'm sure it must be quite a challenge.

g_belle

Check with your dr.- I know what has worked for us is to be really aggressive with his treatments when he does get a cold.  The few times we haven't been aggressive and tried to see how well his body could handle it- we've regretted the decision.

We have albuterol and prednisone at home and have an asthma plan hanging on our fridge.  Once we reach a certain point- we call the dr. to let them know where we are on his treatments but having the meds at home has kept us out of the hospital on more than one occasion.