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help with asthma flare, please!

jc&catjc&cat member
in Pre-School and Daycare

Ladies- DS has had an asthma flare ongoing since the week of Thanksgiving. That week it was about 5-6 days and I think the trigger was allergy since the weather spike and he was playing outside alot (damn leaves). We have to give him an increase in flovent and add albuterol as needed. He was edgy but was ok. Last week he had a low grade fever and then the cough appeared. It's been since Thursday and we have increased the flovent but not really given the albuterol (since it's as needed and he is only coughing).

I just talked to the nurse and she said to give him an antihistamine in addition since this trigger sounds more like a cold. I don't want to give this kid another medication! He is off the wall, emotional, crying, not eating and throwing things at preschool today. The mood swings are terrible. I don't want to cause him more angst by giving more meds that will make him jump out of his skin.

Any similar experience??

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Re: help with asthma flare, please!

  • shannmshannm member
    I am sorry that you are going through this. We have an ongoing similar situation although we haven't gotten the official asthma diagnosis yet.
    I think most of his mood issues are from the Flovent increases. I know you don't want DS on anything more but I would give the antihistamine a shot. DS went on daily allergy meds a few weeks ago and his cough was Sooo much better and it didn't affect his mood or behavior Zyrtec. You may find that it works better than the Flovent because it may dry up the post nasal drip that could be causing the cough even if it due to a cold.
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  • jalaiaajalaiaa
    Have you taken him to see the pediatrician? Honestly, it is probably not what you want to hear because they make make his behavior worse temporarily but he may need oral steroids if it has been going on this long. Just a thought. I'd talk to you pediatrician for sure. 
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  • meldoo2002meldoo2002 member
    I would try an antihistamine.  We use Zyrtec.  Joey's on Flovent, albuterol as needed, and Keppra (for epilepsy which has huge behavior side effects).  The Zyrtec does not change his behavior at all, but definitely does help with the issues you sound like you're dealing with.  

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  • ppantsppants member
    imagemeldoo2002:
    I would try an antihistamine.  We use Zyrtec.  Joey's on Flovent, albuterol as needed, and Keppra (for epilepsy which has huge behavior side effects).  The Zyrtec does not change his behavior at all, but definitely does help with the issues you sound like you're dealing with.  
    My twins have asthma and they are on zyrtec year round. If allergies still flare or they get a cold, we often use a nasal steroid spray.
    Wendy Twins 1/27/06. DS and DD
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  • VTbride05VTbride05 member

    Ugh I am sorry. My son is MEAN when he is on his steroid. It's hard enough to have a sick kid, but a sick kid that is mean is the worst.

     

    I would try the antihistamine, why not try? You should be able to tell pretty quickly if it helps. 

     

    Side note, this season we have given DS Elderberry Syrup every morning which I think has aided in his colds/asthma flare ups not lasting long. That and I have given Mucinex which helps a TON for him to sleep.

    GOOD LUCK!

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    I love these two beautiful children!
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  • Angela814Angela814 member
    I've had asthma and allergies since I was young, and DD1 was recently diagnosed. We are both on Singulair as our asthma medication. I take Zyrtec daily as well because I have year round allergies. DD1 takes Zyrtec if we know she's going to be around her main allergy triggers. We both also have Albuterol as needed. I haven't noticed any behavioral changes with the medications. I would try the Zyrtec or maybe Claritin and see if you can move him back to his maintenance dose of Flovent. If the allergies are triggering his asthma, then you really need to treat that trigger too.
    Annalise Marie 05.29.06
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  • jc&catjc&cat member

    Thank you so much everyone!! Experience pays off with this kind of situation.

    The increased flovent (anti inflammatory maintenance) was per his action plan for flares. We're keeping him at the increased level at leat for today since I spoke with the pulmonology nurse yesterday and that was her advice. We attempted to give him zyrtec as directed last night but that wasn't so good since he spit it out. I think it will help him if I can get it down his little throat! Ahhh! I think it's a power struggle thing as well.

    Today he woke like a happy man and had a good start to the day before work/preschool.

    I also downloaded a book from Amazon called: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Guide to Asthma: How to Help Your Child Live a Healthier Life. Since that is where he is treated, I figured a good reference to have.

    I know there are MUCH MUCH worse things to contend with in life and I am blessed...sometimes I am a little bummed that DS has to deal with asthma. Just like any parent, I don't want anything to slow him down in life.

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