Coughing more with salbutamol

[Beebee123]

Hi my 2 year old had an attack a few days ago I'm waiting to see if we can go into be assessed today as he's on steroids but still coughing the salbutamol seems to making it worse. They've advised to give it every 4 hours but I think it's really irritating him now straight away. Does anyone else experience this

[Minushabens]

I'd say it's more likely that he just has an infection that hasn't died down yet, but the doctors will advise appropriately. When adults have irritated airways, the salbutamol can burn or feel painful, but the good it is doing in keeping the airways open will outweigh the irritation you feel. Obviously, a 2-year-old has significantly smaller airways, so if they are very inflamed that might be the cause.

As I say, though, the doctors will know better when they see him. Unless they tell you though, don't stop the salbutamol even if it is causing coughing.

[Beebee123 in reply to Minushabens]

Hi they checked him over was all ok now but he's started coughing again at night. They said only give salbutomal if needs it and I just have as he was coughing a lot I hate this so much for him

[Minushabens in reply to Beebee123]

There's no doubt it is very difficult. I was a wheezy child myself & had a severely asthmatic son. At times I thought it would never end, but if you get the medication sorted now & stick to the plan, he will have every chance of it being minimal trouble as he gets older. I really hope he soon feels better anyway.

[Beebee123 in reply to Minushabens]

Thank you ...I'm also asthmatic. I just thought this was all under control but a nasty virus has flared it up. Hope your son is better now

[Minushabens in reply to Beebee123]

He is...he's 23, works as a primary teacher & plays a lot of football. One of the things I'm grateful for is that when he was tiny (the asthma started following an operation when he was 3 months) our GP basically retrained me on my understanding of childhood asthma (which she did by telling me off one time when I said I thought he was OK when he was wheezy). I learned a lot anyway, but I think most of all I learned that there is a route to good health for childhood asthmatics that I didn't have myself. So hang on in there! All will be well

[Hidden]

Hi Beebee123

Sorry to hear your son had an attack recently. There's some information on coughs and wheezes in children on our website bit.ly/2wkDVBX

I'd suggest giving the Asthma UK helpline a call and speak to one of our specialist nurses for support and advice. You can reach them on 0300 222 5800 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Beebee123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you