coping with my Child’s Asthma

[Shonka87]

hi guys ,

I’m new to the forum. Thanks for the reply’s in advance.

I have a 5 year old son who has had his fair share of asthma attack and has had a few trips to the hospital.

Since covid I get really anxious when my son gets a cough especially at night times when he coughing all the time. He’s on a preventer inhaler twice in morning and twice at night.

I get really anxious and really find it hard to sleep. I find myself pacing about not really listening to what people who asking me questions as my mind is fixed on my Son incase he takes a turn for the worse especially at night.

Is there any advice someone can give me to help manage my anxiety or abit of reassurance?

Thanks again

Shonka

[ChrissieMons]

I think it is vital that you learn to manage your anxiety, as it will make your son more frightened if he sees you are frightened of what might happen. This might well make his asthma worse. Moreover, you need to sleep to cope with the day ahead. Most importantly, talk to your GP. You can look at the web for others with anxiety - they offer breathing techniques, herbal teas and so on, and it may be that talking therapies will help. Take control of your situation by seeking help.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I understand your concern. It may be good to buy some form of communication device for his room - like a baby monitor or an alarm that he can trigger if he needs you. Something that doesn't require him to speak - just to press. That way you may rest a little easier knowing that he has the ability to let you know if he needs you.

I can't say if the following advice will help or make the situation worse. My asthma gets worse if I breathe in cold air. I have a heater on during the night and I sleep a lot better.Some people get worse in warm air so it is an individual thing. An air conditioning unit may be the safest if you go in that direction. That way he wouldn't get accidentally burnt on the unit and you can keep the room at a reasonable temperature - though it does significantly increase the electricity bills.

Be careful that his bedding is clean of dust mites etc and no feather doonas or pillows.

Which preventer is he on? Is he also on a reliever medication?

[Bevvy]

I agree with ChrissieMons that you need to look into ways to decreasing your anxiety. I have no doubt he will be able to pick up on it and that will make him more anxious, which can in itself lead to asthma issues. Also he needs his mum to be fit and well.

Tugun has a good idea re some sort of communication device so he can alert you. And hopefully others will come on here, who also have children and can give suggestions. Have you spoken to asthma nurse at your gp practice? They could have some ideas.

Also why don’t uk give Asthma and lungUK (formally Asthma UK) a ring and speak to one of their nurses. Am sure you will get lots of helpful suggestions from them.

[Gwalltarian]

Have you tried an air purifier or dehumidifier with hepa filter in or near his room? It would help if you knew what triggers his asthma and avoid them. If it’s allergies, especially since he’s coughing at night, keep his room dust free, no carpets and wash bedding weekly. I finish drying mine in the tumble drier to ensure they heat to over 60 to kill dust mites as a hot wash is too expensive. Any animals? If so keep them and their bedding etc as clean as possible, same with soft toys. The toys could go in the freezer to demite. Air pollution, pollens and some foods are other triggers.

I found Benylin cough medicine helpful - it got me through my childhood.

[LeahLoo]

hi there, I also have this anxiety problem with my son’s suspected asthma. I feel like I am walking on glass, waiting for the next time we have to go to A&E. It’s just horrendous and I can totally empathise with how you feel. I have just called a parent support service that we have in NI and they have signposted me to a CBT course to manage my anxiety. I did CBT years ago and found it really did help. Maybe you could give that a go? I just keep telling myself that there are going to be worries my whole life now that I have a child and I need to accept that and work out how to best deal with my anxiety. Definitely look into CBT if you can. Even an online course. It does help.