Lung issues / Nebulizer question

kikijbunny

Hi everyone.  DS was at the doctor's this evening for a follow up visit after his second ear infection of the season.  He's also been battling a cough off and on, since October.  He had to use a nebulizer (with Albuterol and steroid Budesonide) for much of October, was fine through November, but then was back on the nebulizer for a few weeks in December.  He is now off of it again (knock on wood).

One doctor said that she wants to see how long DS can go without developing a cough this winter, and then we'll know if next winter he should just stay on the steroids all season.  But she also said it's not inevitable that he'll develop asthma. He might well enough grow out of this (DS was 6 weeks early and big for his size, so he stayed in the NICU for three weeks due to respiratory distress) 

Another doctor today was more dismal, said with the amount of time he's been on the nebulizer already, he'll likely be asthmatic.

Likely a matter of opinion on their parts, but I was wondering if any of you have experience with this and can share some insights.  We're blessed that this is DS's only real issue resulting from his prematurity, but it's still hard to accept that he might have more trouble down the road. 

meldoo2002

Wow way to be helpful doctor #2.  We have one guy, Joey, on maintenance med (pulmicort) now that helps keep his need for albuterol way down.  Last year (basically year 2) he needed the albuterol almost every 6 weeks or so ... this year... very rarely.   On the other hand... Nathan needed the abuterol alot the first year ... way more than Joey ever did.  But since they he's only needed it once.  I think that you have to give them the first 3 years to see if they grow out of it.  I would guarantee Nathan will grow out of it... even though he seemed so much worse at first.  Joey seems to be my lifer (c:

jacque_z

We are dealing with pretty much the same situation now.  C had her first episode at the end of Oct. and started budesonide and albuterol.  She recovered from that quickly with a lingering cough but her dr. wanted her to keep doing once daily budesonide.  We did.  She had another episode on Christmas and we tweaked her meds.  Now she's on budesonide twice daily (for next two months) and an albut/ipratrop mix.  Her dr. wouldn't come right out and say she has asthma.  Just said she's having asthmatic symptoms due to her prematurity.  She could grow out of it or she could not.  Only time will tell.  I hope your son does grow out of it.  Breathing txs are no fun!! 

bhilyer

One of my guys is on the same meds you mentioned.  Right now the Budesonide is a twice daily med and the Albuterol is as needed.  Our pulmonologist said we would be on the steroid at least until 1 year adjusted.  He gives it to all his patients to help prevent hospital stays.  

We've been told that it is HIGHLY likely that H will have asthma when he gets older, but not because he's needed these treatments.  He's been on O2 support since he was born.  We're still on approx. 1/2 L at home, but are getting ready to wean (fingers crossed!).  His BPD is the contributing factor to asthma, not the neb treatments.

 Hopefully your LO will outgrow his lung issues during the winter months. 

kikijbunny

I'm sorry to hear that you are all going through this too, but I am glad for your responses.  Neither DH nor I have ever had asthma or lung problems so this is all very new to us.  

We're on Day 3 without the nebulizer meds (and Day 2 of being back at day care)... so we'll see how long it lasts.  So far, so good.  

I hope the new year brings good things to all of you!