Weaning son off inhalers

[Lacoull]

Hi all .. my 6 year old has now to slowly come off his preventer inhaler . He only experienced asthma symptoms when he has a cold so the doctor wants him to try cutting down then eventually stop . We have just started on Tuesday he's on 1 puff twice a day instead of 2 .. he has now though got a touch of cough ,, would this affect him so quickly? He has hay fever too which can make him cough sometimes ... I'm the same with my hay fever at times . Has anyone else's child came off there inhalers and what should I be looking out for ??

Thanks

[green881]

Has he been told to take any anti-histamines for the hay-fever? I'm thinking if they cure the cough as well as the sneeze then you can continue reducing the ICS. I personally don't cough but anti-histamines work very quickly (15 minutes) so you can tell right away.

[Hidden]

Hi Lacoull

I asked our asthma nurses your query. They've said that he can get a cough back quite quickly after reducing inhaled steroid. Since his steroids are being reduced in trigger season, they've suggested going back to the GP about increasing his preventer inhaler.

They also asked if he was on an antihistamine?

Please do give the Helpline a ring on 0300 222 5800 (9am-5pm) and speak to one of our asthma nurse specialists for advice and support.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[Lacoull in reply to Hidden]

Hi .. thanks . He's on a different antihistamine now for his hay fever .. his cough isn't bad it's just the odd time and not bothering him .. I also have hay fever and get a slight cough . The doctor did say if any wheezing to just give him the 2 puffs twice a day again . He's to be on 1 puff twice a day for a month then to try a lower dose inhaler . If he's is ok after that to take him off them . She did say though that maybe have to still give him then when he gets a cold or that . Fingers crossed though that he will be ok . Thanks for advice . Just a bit scary taking him off them .

[Coastwalker]

Hi Lacoull,

Taking vitamin D3 might help your child ?

Vitamin D3 is now known to help asthma.

Taking a high, but safe dose of D3 got my husband off of both his asthma inhalers. (we still keep an inhaler at hand, never say never,) Vit D3 also helps keep colds and bronchitis away, which use to be the cause of hubbys attacks.

vitamindcouncil.com is a brilliant website for every illnes linking with vitamin D3 - type in 'asthma' up in the search bar.

Also there is advice on safe vitamin D doses for children, the doses differ from lower NHS doses.

[Hidden in reply to Coastwalker]

Coastwalker, it's not a good idea to go on vitamin D supplements without first being checked to make sure you need them and getting advice from your GP on what would be an appropriate dose. Having too much vitamin D can actually cause health problems. There are also some medical conditions where it is advisable not to take vitamin D supplements.

Regarding your comment that Vitamin D3 is known to help asthma, the research that was published last year (I think) did show promising results, but I think you will find that it was also acknowledged that more work needed to be done in this area. Asthma UK may have more information about this.

I have very recently been found to be deficient in Vitamin D. This was not expected, but a full Vitamin/iron check was requested by a consultant (in gastroenterology) whose list I am currently on. As I had no obvious symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency this came as quite a shock. I will also point out that my asthma is currently the best it's been for well over a year, despite the low vitamin D count the blood test showed.