7 year old daughters asthma flare up.

[LRsmum]

Good evening,

My 7 year old daughter as been suffering with a really bad flare up with her asthma, which before now has never bothered her. We are now in week 4 of this and she has had 2 bouts of tonsillitis and 2 ear infections along with a constant persistent cough. We have seen countless GP’s and it took her coughing for 2 hrs solid and her blue inhaler not doing a thing for a dr to listen to me and tweak her preventer Inhaler from 2 puffs twice a day to 2 puffs 4 times a day- this was yesterday so not noticing any difference as of yet. I have a humidifier on in her room at night but her cough is uncontrollable through the night and she hasn’t had a full night sleep for nearly a month. I myself am not asthmatic but my hubby is/was and hasn’t suffered with his for 15+ years now. We have tried everything that he knows but nothing is helping. She is already on montelukast and has been since she was 2 but again isn’t helping as it was before. I’m just very aware that we are using her reliever inhaler every day and on some occasions 10+ times in a day. Can anyone offer any help or advice that we can use or anything I should be pushing at the GP’s?

Thank you 💗

[Homely2 Administrator]

My asthma is bad at this time of year as the central heating moves the dust about. The solution to this for me is an air purifier and new bedding, as well as a very thorough clean up.

For other ideas ring the asthma UK helpline and talk to a nurse there, perhaps it is time for a referral to a consultant and a fresh look at her inhalers.

I have a hospital asthma nurse who is brilliant, first thing mine did was change my spacer and improve my technique. But to get a hospital asthma nurse you need a referral to a consultant.

[Patk1]

Have they tried steroids? Poor thing,my 5yr old grandson has asthma and gets tonsillitis & ear infections.hes under asthma clinic at gp surgery+ they're gd.he has an asthma plan and increase salbutamol up to hi levels whn off,which helps.montelukast frm 4yr old( chewing tablet) has helped altho as soon as autumn shows its face,he's symptomatic.if her infections have been viral,coughs can linger.hope she soon pi ks up x

[teddyd]

Sorry to hear your daughter is having such an awful time of it. Could symptoms be being caused by an allergy ? Maybe a chat with Gp about antihistime. I hope things improve soon x

[hilary39]

Can you tell us what meds she's on? Does she take a controller inhaler? Has her doctor talked about a biologic? She has an asthma action plan, right? Is she taking her peak flow every day and tracking it?

As a fellow mama, I'm sorry! This sounds so hard. I would hate to see my little one struggling too.

[Claire_ALUK Partner ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi LRsmum, I am sorry to hear your daughter is not well with her asthma. Please don't hesitate to give us a ring on the helpline for some advice with our asthma nurses 0300 2225800 option 3.

We wouldn't recommend a nebuliser for a child in the UK unless this was via a consultant.

[peege]

Hi, I can commiserate wholeheartedly havinh been mum to a child with these issues but 40 years ago so I'm well out of date with children's asthma. I held my son upright throughout his constant coughing for nights on end. That was in the dry Saharan climate, I cant imagine how awful it is in UK damp autumn. He was 7 when we moved back to England.

Please contact the help line for professional support and guidance.

The number is on this thread along with email details and WhatsApp no. Thinking of you, good luck

[strongmouse]

Having tonsilitis and then an ear infection with asthma is horrible. It sounds like her system is under stress and may take time to recover. Good that the dr has upped her preventer inhaler. I have certainly found the Asthma UK helpline great to talk to. They listened, and were able to advise.

The cough may be from an inflammed throat rather than the asthma or possibly both.

On a non medical basis you might try giving her a tonic - I used to use Floradix for my children - and possibly try something like klearvol vapour? Try it on a hankerchief first to make sure she is alright with it. It contains aromatic oils suitable for children and can be soothing, but I know some people react adversely to aromatic oils. Perhaps try putting a pillow under the mattress to keep her head up higher so that she is not lying so flat. Sooothing drink of honey and lemon to sip.

Hope she is soon better and that you both get a good night's sleep.

[Tugun]

Hi,

Sorry to hear. I have found that I get less sore throats and infections if I stay warm. If the cough is worse at night, then it could be allergies from the bedding. Other alternatives are the cold night air. I keep an oil heater on at night. I find that breathing in warm air helps with the asthma and infected throats. I recover better from the flu and infected throats if I keep warm. Putting on extra bedding (blankets etc) doesn't help me if I am breathing in cold air. I need to breathe in warm air. It does up the electricity bill but for me it is worth it.

When asthma is very bad sleeping in a propped up position does help.

As she is getting infected ears and throat, I would suggest seeing a naturopath or nutritionist regarding building up her immune system at this time of year. Some people eat well but need extra help in this area. When sick, I increase my vitamin intake.

Wishing you and your daughter the very best.