Help and advice needed

[Kayjayop]

Hi just looking for some help and advice. My daughter was diagnosed with asthma in summer. She is only three. Coughing on a night is awful none of us are getting any sleep we are all exhausted. Any ideas what I can try ,I have exhausted every possible outcome between inhalers, cough medicine, elevation, honey. I am struggling I am so tired so can't even imagine how she must be feeling. She has recently had a bad chest infection and seems to pick up every cold and illness going.

[Poobah]

A very similar question was recently asked, here is the link, including the responses: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Personally, I think diet is also very important and if possible, avoid all processed foods and additives. Obviously, trial and error is the only way forward in terms of treatment and changes in the home. More information can be found here: asthma.org.uk/advice/child/...

Chatting to one of the Asthma UK nurses can prove invaluable.

All the best.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Poobah]

I very much agree with ringing the Asthma UK nurses (AUK helpline - 0300 2225800 M-F 9-5; AUK WhatsApp - 07378 606728. This post has details on their opening over Xmas/NY: healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

I think the role of diet might be quite individual and complex in asthma. Obviously avoid anything that is a clear trigger if that's been identified or suspected (common culprits include sulphites and histamines in food). However, diet may play more of a role for some asthmatics than others, and for example there doesn't seem to be much evidence currently that a certain kind of diet such as dairy free makes a difference, in the absence of specific triggers. I've never found diet and weight to make much difference either way, but I'm aware it can be more significant for others, and probably further research to be done.

Kayjayop, I hope you find the AUK nurses helpful and you and your daughter are able to enjoy Christmas without feeling too awful!

[Burghy]

Don’t panic it could be childhood related I was told I had it for a long time but I didn’t

[madamestephens]

My son was like this winter aged 3-4 till he got Montelukast tablets which stopped it. I agree a phone call to talk thru with the Asthma UK nurses is useful and gives you specific things to say to GP

[RhiAngMaiDen]

I am a 63 year old woman who has a very similar problem coughing all night and keeping those I love awake so I can really sympathise with your daughter and you as a family. All I can say is keep giving her her inhalers via a Volumatic or Aerochamber. It takes a while for the drugs to really work so they need to be taken regularly. I have also started on a CPAP machine which helps at night to open up my airways and breathe properly. I know they do use this on children so it might be worth asking your doctor about it.

It is so hard having a lack of sleep so maybe you need the odd time out to get some sleep so you can cope.

I don’t know if this helps but I certainly hope it does. Merry Christmas and I hope your New Year starts off much better all round.

[ChrissieMons]

It helps if you have a window open a bit so air can circulate, sleeping propped up, (doesn't last as they slip down, but it helps a bit) and if the air is very dry, put a wet towel on the radiator. These are old fashioned ideas, but they can make it easier. It's all trial and error, I'm afraid. you could try doing breathing exercises with her during the day if she's co-operative. And keep very calm and reassuring, even if you are totally knackered and panicking inside. This stage will pass and you and your child will learn to live with it, honest!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to ChrissieMons]

I'd be careful about leaving the window open, especially at night. It might help some people, but I find I am much worse at night if the room is a bit too cold. That doesn't even have to be that cold - I find a temperature I used to be fine with will set lungs off now, so I tend to disregard all the standard advice about how cool a bedroom 'should' be. It may well be different for others, but this is one of those many things where one size doesn't fit all with asthmatics (just like inhaling with steam can be good for some people and a trigger for others).

In summer, maybe - it's a tricky balance because too hot can also be an issue for me and others (so having the heating on too high might not be that helpful - I tend to have it on just enough to keep the room warm but not hot). But there are external triggers again this may not be ideal for some asthmatics.

What kind of bedding does she have? Some people with asthma can react badly to feathers and down bedding. If dust mites are a possibility, her room may also need tackling (sorry, I realise not the best timing!) I was also a stuffed animal fiend as a child and the asthma nurse recommended putting mine in the freezer for a bit to kill the dust mites - I realise this may take some negotiation if she is very attached, but apparently I found this funny aged 7 despite my attachment to my stuffed rabbits!

[Beader3]

I cough a lot over night if i slip-up on the “allergy-proof bedroom” steps. You can look up it up on the web.