My son is 9 years old he has asthma for a long time now but does not seem to understand the importence of his inhalers.
He either loses it or just wastes them. I have tried many ways of explaining this to him but he does not seem to understand. The doctor and ashtma nurse have both explained to him several times, and they are making it difficult for me to actually get inhalers now.
The problem is he has now started having attacks again and really needs the pumps, he had 2 of each issued 11th October and he's not supposed to get any more till December 7th. Is there actually a limit to how many he can have?
I can't think of anything to help in the imediate short term but have you heard of Kick Asthma Holidays? They are run by Asthma UK each summer for children with asthma from 6 to 16 yrs - they will meet other children with asthma, learn about asthma in a fun way, do normal things that kids do like sports swimming etc.
He will then see the importance of inhalers and how to manage his asthma in a sensible way.
Also there is a childrens message board that he may like to look at and post messages - there will then be advice from other children and this may help him understand the importance of looking after his inhaler.
(Perhaps you could hold on to one of the spares so he doesn't waste it and you will have a full one if needed in an emergency)
The link is (you may have to remove gaps that appear in the web addy)
Which has lots of information on asthma and is aimed at children.
Hope this helps a bit - there are some parents who post here who may be able to advise too! ( I don't have kids but do volunteer on the Kick Asthma Holidays each year)
Kate
Hiya
well what can i say,im 43 now and still end up losing my ventolin.as a kid mum use to leave one at school but that would stear yup a hole can of worms now days i should think.I would hope your GP would not refuse you the inhaliers,i know some times mine sometimes say that i need to talk to the doctor before giving me another.i hope that you get through to your little boy soon the inportance of not losing them,easier said than done.you'll get there in the end
Nick.
Hiya
well what can i say,im 43 now and still end up losing my ventolin.as a kid mum use to leave one at school but that would stear yup a hole can of worms now days i should think.I would hope your GP would not refuse you the inhaliers,i know some times mine sometimes say that i need to talk to the doctor before giving me another.i hope that you get through to your little boy soon the inportance of not losing them,easier said than done.you'll get there in the end
Nick.
Sorry to be bearer of bad news but my son is 19 and has moderate asthma, he still has attacks that happen out of the blue and are not nice especially if he does not have an inhaler. Getting me out of bed once at 3am to drive 8 miles with an inhaler by which time he was fit only for A&E and neb or 6 gave him a huge wake up call. When he is going out he now checks for his inhaler along with his wallet, I seem to recall the nurse was not sure which of us needed the neb more me or him, I doubt she was re-assured by me sitting there saying I am fine with my omron, merrily b2bing! I still remind him to take his preventer even now, his technique is pants if he is in a hurry but at least he getting some if of it.
Bex
Hi Hay21,
Sorry you are having these problems, it must be an additional source of worry for you.
Having said that, it is extremely common - probably almost universal among children and teenagers.
When I was a teenager, I was very bad at taking my medication - both taking my regular steroid preventer and remembering to take my salbutamol reliever with me whereever I went. I think it was a combination of denial, not wanting to be different, and the fact that no-one had really told me (or at least, I hadn't taken in) how important it was to take the preventer inhaler all the time, even when not feeling unwell. I also used to waste a lot of it, by spraying it in the air, onto things and so on.
In the end, I think it was just increased maturity (don't laugh, those who know me!) and the shock of a few nasty attacks that led me to change my ways.
I don't know that there are really any easy answers. I'm not sure that repeated 'nagging' really helps - with me, as a teenager, it just made me all the more stubborn and convinced that I 'knew best'. I would suggest having one serious chat with your son, preferably at a time when you are both feeling calm and are not likely to be interrupted. Explain to him that asthma can be serious, and can really stop people from doing things that they like to do (if he is into sports, you could bring that in) but that it can usually be controlled if people do the right thing and take their medication. Stress to him that you know it can be hard, to remember inhalers all the time, but that it is all part of growing up and being responsible. Tell him that you know he is grown up enough to be trusted to remember his inhaler and take it properly.
Then, I would just settle for a gentle reminder now and again if you think he has forgotten it. When you are in a rush to leave the house, late and stressed, is the worst time to be getting into a discussion about whether he is being responsible or not! I know some of the worst 'discussions' that I would have with my parents on the subject used to be in that situation, when we were all stressed anyway.
Hope this helps - I am not a parent, but I do remember how it felt to be an asthmatic teenager and not to want to have to bother with inhalers all the time. Ultimately, as Bex says, sometimes it does take a scary experience to make the message sink in - it did with me - but we all just have to hope that it is not *too* scary.
Take care
Em H
Hi Hay2
Does your son like to read? There are some books available for children, which explain about asthma and the importance of taking inhalers. I am not sure of the names of any of them off the top of my head, i will have a look andpass the names on. Some of them are story books, which put accros a good message and your son maybe able to relate to them. They a written in a manner that children can understand and are quite fun.
Carolyn xx
Preventers shouldn't be too much of a a problem as you could ensure you have one so that if he misplaces his one he can still take the medication.
With regards to relievers have you considered buying a puffa pouch so that it can be clipped on to his school bag / trousers so that it is always available when needed.
Your sons inhalers
Hello
I read your posting about your sons inhalers, and I sympathise, my son is 9 years old and he too had terrible difficulty with the puffer inhalers, where you have to press them and suck at the same time.
I found a wonderful solution. The breath actuated inhaler. All you do is click back the circular inhaler and put your lips over it and just breath it in. No puffing and inhaling at the same time. My son finds these much better and now actually wants to help and uses his inhalers.
There is no limit to the number of inhalers, but it is equally the responsibility of your nurse at the doctors surger to ensure you have the right inhaler for you son so that he can use it properly.
Please make another appointment and take your son in and ask that they give you the ""breath actuated inhalers"". I do hope this helps. Its difficult when they are young, and hence the nurses should understand and assist you. It is most important that your son takes his medicine otherwise he will become ill.
Email me if you want. Rose
your sons inhaler
p.s. sorry I just wanted to say with the breath actuated inhaler, unless his lips go around the mouthpiece and he breaths in deeply, he cannot get any medicine out of it and he cannot puff it into the air and waste any of it either!! Rose
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