Preventer?

[Tacey]

I'm a bit out of my depth with all the information around. My 6 year old was diagnosed with asthma earlier this year. He has a ventolin inhaler and can go long periods without needing it, then we have a week like this one where he gets a cold and his PEF drops by half and he needs the inhaler multiple times a day and night. I'm wondering if I should see the asthma nurse to ask about a preventer, or is it not useful if he goes a full month without needing the ventolin?

[Hidden]

Hi Tacey

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis, asthma symptoms can come and go, and your son’s asthma can change over time, we do suggest going to your doctor or GP if your son's symptoms are getting worse

or if he is using their blue reliever inhaler more than three times a week

, there's more information here about going to the doctor for a review bit.ly/2rdIxG8

Does he have a written asthma action plan? You can download one here and fill it in with your bit.ly/2qcy3Ge your son't asthma action plan gives you the step-by-step advice you need to keep him well.

You can always speak to one of our nurse team on 0300 222 5800 or via WhatsApp chat on 07378 606728 (M-F, 9-5)

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Minushabens]

As Dita says, asthma symptoms are not fixed & one of the main features of the illness is that it will react to what we call triggers. That includes colds which are notorious for setting off symptoms. Children are often even more susceptible due to their smaller airways.

You should certainly get as much advice from health professionals as you can. Bringing up an asthmatic child can be very scary, but handling it right will get you through. My son had some terrible near misses & blue-light episodes but is a strapping mid-20s bloke now who, although not free of asthma, has minimal trouble from it.

If you feel out of your depth, just shout!

[Hidden]

I was very similar to your son in my early 20s, I would not need any medication until I got a cold.

Eventually I got a preventer inhaler (Becotide which is Clenil now) and I would take this as soon as I felt any kind of cold symptoms and it helped.

Everyone is different for me I found I was allergic to house dust mites, once I had virtually removed this from my house I no longer had a problem with colds. I now take my preventer if I am going to be exposed to dust mites.

[Tacey]

Thank you all! This is so helpful. There's a lot to learn! I was worried that I was being overly paranoid, but I've made an appointment with the asthma nurse and feel more confident about what to ask now. He hasn't got a written plan, so I will discuss that at the appointment too.